Not all trails are dog-friendly, so where exactly can you take your dog hiking, backpacking, or camping? National Forests and Wilderness areas provide the most freedom in terms of where you can take your dog. These are our favorite places to backpack. National Forests are different from National Parks; for more information about the differences between the two, read here. The main difference in the United States is that National Forests are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture, whereas National Parks are under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior. National Forests are also more lenient in terms of how the public can use the land under their jurisdiction (recreation, grazing, fishing, and more), while activities are restricted in National Parks because their main purpose is preservation. The main characteristic of wilderness areas is that they don't have roads going through them, so the only way to access these wilderness areas is by foot.

 

Some trails in National Forests and Wilderness areas may have restrictions, such as requiring your dog to be on leash because other animals (e.g., horses, donkeys, mules, or other animals) may also be using the trail. From our experience National Forests and Wilderness areas are the most off-leash friendly spaces. Many National Forests and Wilderness areas are also free (they don’t have entrance fees like National Parks), but some trails may require you to get a parking permit, camping permit, camp-fire permit, or backpacking permit from a ranger station before embarking on your journey. These passes/permits are usually free or are available at a low cost.

 

          State Parks may allow dogs, but their pet policies are dependent on the state the park is located. For example, California State Parks (where we are located) do not allow dogs at all; other states like Oregon, Nevada, Arkansas, and New York do allow dogs in their state parks. It is best to call the state park you will be visiting and ask what their pet policies are since they vary greatly by state.

 

         National Parks in the United States usually have pet restrictions and are often not very dog friendly. In general, dogs are usually restricted to campgrounds, picnic areas, and paved trails in National Parks if they are allowed in the park at all. Dogs are usually not allowed on dirt trails, thus making it hard to explore the entire national park with your dog. These parks also require dogs to be kept on leash at all times  because wildlife like bears, elk, big horn sheep, bison, wolves, mountain lions, or deer are abundant, or because the habitat is sensitive or dangerous. Last National Parks charge an entrance fee or require a pass if you would like to use the park. National Parks are good for car camping, but hiking is often difficult with a dog.

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          Regional Parks are another option for hiking, but they don’t usually allow camping or backpacking due to their small size (these parks are meant more for walks). These parks are managed by a city or county and they set their own pet policies. We have found that some Regional Parks do not allow dogs, while others allow dogs but require dogs to be kept on leash, while others just require dogs to be under effective control (voice control or leash control). Regional Parks are usually located in or next to a city and thus you don’t get as much seclusion as hiking in a National Forest.

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          We recommend using a hiking app, such as AllTrails or Gaia, to start your search. Ranger stations, visitor centers, and information centers in parks and nationals forests can provide you with the most detailed information about their pet policies and trails. We definitely recommend contacting these agencies before planning your trip to ensure that both you and your canine can enjoy the area. If you want more information about a specific area or trail, you can also find books that describe in detail the area or trail you would like to explore.

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Happy trails!