Tips for National Park Travel with Your Dog

August 25th marks the 100-year anniversary of the National Park Service, and as outdoors-people, many of us will want to use the anniversary as an excuse to get outdoors and #liveunleashed with our dogs. But the reality of the situation is, most national parks have restrictions on how our best friends can join us.

So what do you do when your best adventure traveler is a four-legged companion? Here are a few tips for national park travel with your dog.

Tips for National Park Traveling with Your Dog

Do your research beforehand

Some national parks allow dogs; it’s simply restricted to particular areas or trails. For example, the Grand Canyon National Park is actually a place you can take your best friend, but only on the rim trails, and always on a leash. Doing your research is imperative! There might not always be a sign to tell you where your dog is allowed to go, and fines can get hefty. Stay informed and be a responsible dog owner so that dogs and their human companions can enjoy these areas for years to come.

Some parks have kennels

The number of national parks with kennels for your dog to stay at while you see the whole park may feel limited, but be sure to check out nearby cities, too. Sending shot records to these facilities will be a part of the process, so again—do your research and plan your trip to allow your dog to have fun with you in the accessible areas, and so you can have your own time to explore the backcountry or steeper trails.

Know your campground rules

Camping near or inside a national park is half the fun! While most campgrounds allow dogs, they cannot be left unattended. Again, look into pet-friendly lodging in the area. For example, the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia has lodging, allows dogs inside their campgrounds, and even allows leashed dogs on most of their trails. It can be done!

Pet-friendly hostels or hotels

Let’s say after you hit the trail for the day you’d like to cozy up in a bed instead of inside a tent. There are hotels and hostels out there that allow dogs. While extra fees may apply, consider the option because it solves the where-to-leave-your-dog problem. If your dog is kennel-trained, that’s a big bonus! Having a safe place for them to rest in while you’re out will aid their comfort. Try aiming for an individual room in a hostel. If your dog is prone to barking while you’re away, try a safe citronella spray collar.

Pack accordingly

For those times when your dog can join you inside the park, don’t forget to pack a collapsible water/food dish, plenty of water for the two of you, snacks, your dog’s harness or collar, and the appropriately-sized leash (parks usually require a 6-footer or less). Don’t forget the bed or kennel for sleeping the day out in the sun off and never keep your dog in a car in seemingly mild temperatures. Even if the temperature outside is only 75 degrees, it can quickly reach unbearable temperatures inside.

Follow these tips and feel prepared for the adventure you can’t wait to take with your dog this summer! Happy 100-year anniversary, national parks!

Must-Follow Instagrammers For Dog Owners

Instagram is starting to feel like...Dogstagram! We have so enjoyed joining the Instagram community (find us at @myraddog) and we've made some great online friends along the way.

We've followed people that camp with their dog, take their dog climbing, seen dogs who do incredible hikes up massive peaks, and met dogs that have just plain warmed our heart. So, we thought we'd share some of our favorite Dog Instagrammers, as well as some of our favorite hashtags.

Must-Follow Dog Instagrammers

@outdoorrunning
This avid outdoorswoman and her beautiful white dog are always on the move, impressing us with their breath of outdoor adventures and amazing ability to capture them on camera.

@savatgy
This combination of beautiful outdoor photography and heartwarming portraits of domestic animals will tease your eye and calm your soul. The photography is so beautiful, we hardly notice the feline pictures.

@campingwithdogs
There is seriously nothing that will make you feel more warm and fuzzy than this collaborations of dogs in the outdoors. #love

@our.monster.maya
For your Golden Retriever fix, follow this outdoor pup as she grows up to a full grown outdoor dog.

@west_coast_heeler_pack
This fun loving pack of Blue Heelers are always out adventuring, and getting into trouble along the way.

To make your dog famous on Instagram, follow our tips for photographing dogs, and then tag your photo with some of our favorite hashtags!

#traildog #offleash #liveunleashed #dogslife #trailbuds ##Dogadventures #runningwithyourdog #lovedogs #runningdog #besomedoggy #adventuredogs #instadogs #traildogs #dailydog #rescuedog #adventuredog #adventurecompanion #traildog #intents #letscamp #DogsRule #betterwithpets #dailydog #dogoftheday #dogsofinstagram #rescuedog #petstagram #lovedogs #thedailydog #instadog #Wagmorebarkless #petscorner #dogdailyfeaturesss #campvibes


Happy Dogstagramming!

Five Funny Misfortunes That Happen When Camping With Dogs

Once you've camped with your dog, you will never know any other way to do it. Providing both companionship and liveliness to you camping adventure, our four-legged adventurers are the perfect complement to the outdoor experience. During they day, they will trudge high and low without a word of complaint, and at night, they will literally howl at the moon beside you.

But part of what makes adventuring outdoors with your dog so much fun is the fact that they are, in fact, happy, clumsy, four-leggers who know nothing of social norms. They make adventuring an adventure!

Five Inevitable Misfortunes that WILL Happen When Camping With Your Dog

1. Your dog WILL wind up in the millimeters of extra room you have in your backpacking tent. You can buy your canine their own tent, bring their bed from home, or create the perfect mound of hay and leaves for them, but inevitably, they will end up in the small space between your feet and the bottom of tent. Save yourself the heartache of packing in their gear and just enjoy the foot warmer!

2. Your dog WILL eat something they are not suppose to: something dead, something gross, or something that belongs to you. If you're lucky, it will just be the last breakfast burrito, but if you're not, you might spend hours de-skunking your pup!

3. You WILL trip over your dog while making a tent exit for the bathroom. Whether making the dark journey from the camp fire, or from the tent when nature calls, your dog will inevitably be in the pathway between you and your destination, and it will inevitably surprise you every time.

4. Your dog WILL track mud, debris and water throughout your campsite. Bonus points if they also manage to get some hair-clad marshmallow mess on your tent and sleeping bag as well.

5. Your dog WILL NOT follow friendly social protocol. Most likely, they will do one of the following that will embarrass you: 1) stick their nose in at least one inappropriate place--another dog's backside, a stranger's crotch, or something smelly and dead, 2) whine like a child when you leave camp to shower in the morning, or 3) get distracted by a squirrel and leave you yelling after them for 20 minutes shortly after you just told the entire camp how well your dog listens.

While these all may seem like pitfalls to taking your dog camping with you, there truly is nothing better then a little open air wilderness and star gazing with your best friend!