How To Hike With Dogs At Our National Parks Even When They Re Not Allowed On The Trail

Dogs and parks. Wed two of our favorite things together and you have the makings of a perfect day, right? Except at America's national parks. Save for a few exceptions, dogs are never allowed on national park trails and rarely permitted beyond a campground or picnic area. There is an old saying that goes, "Start explaining and you've lost the argument." The National Park Service goes to great lengths to explain their reasons for banning dogs outside of vehicles. Dogs endanger wildlife. Dogs interfere with people's enjoyment of the park. Dogs ruin the pristine environment. Dogs can introduce diseases that could decimate wild populations. Some parks cite the fact that just the scent of dogs will make prey animals frantic (at least that will keep the jittery critters out of campgrounds and picnics where apparently their wellbeing is not as big a concern). Some park officials go so far as to imply that they are doing dog owners a favor by keeping dogs out of the woods since they may become prey themselves. One park's regulations read thusly: "There is a strong possibility that your pet could become prey for a bear, coyote, owl, or other predator." What is a "strong possibility?" Better than 50%? 20%? Really? Any talk of the probability of a leashed dog on a trail being eaten by a wild animal that goes beyond "vanishingly small probability" is absurd. Tellingly, the national parks in Canada - which also receive millions of visitors each year and also protect wildlife - allow dogs on their trails almost without exception. And in the United States the prohibition against dogs on national park trails is not a universal edict. Individual parks are allowed to make their own rules regarding dogs. A handful have decided to allow dogs on the trails, the chance of man's best friend becoming some other animal's dinner be damned. Some have even become more lenient in recent years. Petrified Forest National Park used to allow dogs only on a few nature trails. Now the park declares: "Petrified Forest is a very pet friendly national park! Please take your furry friends on trails, even backpacking in the wilderness area." This is not a book about whether rules regarding dogs in national parks are right or wrong. It is about how dog owners - given the current restrictive playing field - can experience our national parks, take along their best trail companions, and still have their dream vacation. For each park, if dogs are not allowed on the trails, a nearby substitute is identified and described (dogs are usually welcome in national forests, for example. The burden on people and wildlife caused by dogs and a patronizing concern for a dog's well-being apparently cause less government worry in those woods). Only those national parks which can be reached by automobile are included. So with that in mind - grab a leash and hit the trail!

CLICK HERE to download the 4 mile hike to Fehr Lake from Best Hikes with Dogs Utah (Provide us with a little information and we'll send your download directly to your inbox) * 76 of the best trails that allow dogs * Handy trail-finder chart allows quick selection by difficulty, availability of water along the way, views, and more * Trails range from easy strolls to more challenging routes With over 84,900 square miles of national parks, wilderness and recreation areas, state parks, and national forests, Utah offers a wide variety of hiking trails. But with so many national parks and varying land agencies, navigating Utah with a dog can be frustrating and confusing. Lucky for you, Park City author Dayna Stern and her pup Harry have done the groundwork (and pawwork) to bring you this authoritatively researched guide on hiking with your dog in Utah. Best Hikes with Dogs: Utah describes 76 of the best dog-friendly trails in six regions around the Beehive State: Northern Utah, Salt Lake City area, Wasatch, the Uintas, Southcentral Utah, and Southwestern Utah. Stern describes several hiking options close to communities such as Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, Moab, and St. George and dog-friendly hiking destinations such as the Escalante River and Pine Valley Mountains. She also gives special attention to the unique skills and preparation needed for hiking with dogs in the varied terrain of Utah, including hiking near slot canyons, slick rock, and hiking in areas that lack water with your dog.

CLICK HERE to download two free hikes from Best Hikes with Dogs Southern California * Guidebook to more than 60 dog-suitable trails, accessible from metro areas including Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, and Santa Barbara * Most trails are lightly traveled; off-leash permitted on nearly half * What to pack for your dog on the trail Allen Riedel and his canine trail companions, Chewbacca and Socrates, have hiked thousands of miles together in southern California to select the best dog-friendly, dog-fun, and dog-safe hikes in the region. More than two-thirds of the trails in Best Hikes with Dogs Southern California are lesser-known, where travel is light and where you're unlikely to meet horses, bicycles, or motorized vehicles. On nearly half of the trails, off-leash hiking is permitted. The hikes avoid steep, rocky terrain and many offer lakes or streams as a reward. Paw comfort rating (whether you'll be walking on sand, dirt, or pavement) is clearly noted in the information block at the beginning of each hike description; potential dog hazards such as ticks or poison oak are described in the text. A Trail Finder chart in the front of the book indicates trail length, which hikes include water, swimming, or shade, which are "good for senior dogs" or "best for fit dogs".

Seasoned outdoors authors Tom Stienstra and Ann Marie Brown know the best hiking trails in Northern California. This brand-new guidebook leads beginner and expert hikers alike to the best trails the northern part of the state has to offer. Complete with detailed regional maps, hiking tips, difficulty and quality ratings for each hike, Moon Northern California Hiking provides hikers with all the necessary tools to head outdoors.

Justin Lichter, a.k.a. Trauma, divulges hundreds of valuable tips and advice based on his more than 35,000 miles of hiking across the country and beyond. Trail Tested is a comprehensive guide to hiking and backpacking. Whether you're a new hiker looking for expert advice, an experienced hiker looking to hone your skills, or a thru-hiker gearing up for a 6-month trip, this book is packed with priceless information to make your trip a successful and comfortable one. Vibrant images from Trauma's treks will entice all readers of all skill levels to get out and enjoy the backcountry. You'll learn why getting the right gear and learning outdoor skills are integral to making the most out of your next backpacking trip. Some topics included in this guide are: * Gear advice, including backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, ultralight shetlers, and clothing * Gear maintenance and repair * Ultralight tips for novices to gram-counters * Low-impact camping and hiking * Campsite selection * Hiking with dogs * Navigating the backcountry * Winter camping * First aid * Weather forecasting * Advanced techniques for creating routes, cross-country hiking, fording rivers, multi-sport adventures, and animal encounters

CLICK HERE to download a free hike from Best Hikes with Dogs Las Vegas * Guidebook to 50 dog-suitable trails -- all located within three hours of Las Vegas * How to keep your dog safe, healthy, and hydrated in Nevada's arid climate * What to pack for your pooch: The Ten Canine Essentials and the doggy first aid kit Whether your dog is new to proper trail etiquette, an experienced trail companion, or a senior dog who likes easy strolls, Kimberly Lewis and Paula Jacoby-Garrett have selected hikes that are sure to delight every type of dog owner and their four-legged friends. Best Hikes with Dogs Las Vegas and Beyond offers more than 20 years of combined hiking experience by the authors with their own dogs, and they look at the land through dog-centric eyes. Most of these trails are uncrowded, and include some shady respites -- if not water, too -- to help keep your dog cool in extreme Nevada conditions. Ranging from short day hikes to extended backpacking trips, most trails in this guidebook are located in the Desert National Wildlife Range, Lake Mead and Spring Mountains National Recreation Areas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and Valley of Fire State Park. Also included is a Trail Finder chart that lists hikes by terrain, difficulty for dogs, leash regulations, and more.

Best Hikes Spokane includes concise descriptions of the 40 best hikes in the area, with detailed maps of the routes.