We love dogs here at Grand Canyon! Big ones, small ones, fluffy ones, sleek ones—all of them are welcome visitors. However, we do have some regulations and general “petiquette” to keep in mind as you visit.
Please keep your pet leashed (up to 6 feet) at all times.
Do not leave pets tied or unattended outside or in your vehicle.
When temperatures are hot, do not leave your pet in a closed vehicle.
During the summer, high temperatures and elevation can affect your pet. Ensure that your pet has enough water, snacks, and paw protection from the hot rim pavement.
Clean up after your pet by collecting and disposing of waste in nearest trash can.
Pets are not allowed on park shuttle buses.
Pets are not allowed below the canyon rim
On the South Rim, leashed pets are allowed on trails above the rim.
NPS Photo/Joelle Baird
Inner canyon trails are narrow, include steep sections, and are well-traveled by humans, mules, and wildlife.
Pets can be unpredictable on the trail. Hikers, runners or mules can spook pets and cause an accident.
Pets can harass or harm wild animals by making noise, chasing them or catching them.
Pets can attract predators such as cougars or coyotes looking for easy meals.
*Special note: While pets are never allowed below the rim of Grand Canyon, service animals are permitted if they are assisting their humans who have disabilities. It is highly recommended for the safety of your service dog that you check in with the Backcountry Information Center to learn how you can mitigate specific hazards posed by hiking on the park's Corridor Trails. (Bright Angel, South Kaibab and North Kaibab Trails).
Where can I visit with my pet?
To help everyone enjoy the park and for the safety of you, your pet, and park wildlife, the following regulations apply in Grand Canyon National Park. Rules differ on neighboring national forest, state, and tribal lands.
On the South Rim, leashed pets are allowed on trails above the canyon rim.
NPS Photo/Vanessa Ceja
On the South Rim
Pets are not permitted:
Below the rim (on inner canyon trails).
On park shuttle buses.
In park lodging, with the exception of those staying with their owners in a pet friendly room.
Pets are permitted:
Leashed pets are allowed on trails above the rim, Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, Trailer Village, and throughout developed areas.
Yavapai Lodge is the only in-park lodge that has pet friendly rooms.
The Grand Canyon Kennel can provide a safe place for your furry friend to stay while you explore all Grand Canyon has to offer.
Located on the South Rim near Maswik Lodge, the Grand Canyon Kennel accepts dogs and cats only.
Pets will be accepted for day or overnight boarding, but must have proof of up-to-date vaccinations. Reservations for Grand Canyon Kennel are highly recommended, especially during summer months and holidays.
Kennel: Required Vaccinations
Proof of vaccinations must be provided upon entering the kennel.
Dogs need proof of current inoculation for rabies, DHLP, bordetella, and parvo.
Cats need proof of current inoculation for rabies, feline leukemia, and distemper combo (FDVR). Feline leukemia vaccination proof is not required for indoor cats, with a doctor's note.
Kennel: Hours of Operation
Available Services:
Overnight boarding is available.
The Kennel is open daily, 7:30 am — 5 pm.
Contact Information During business hours: 928-638-0534
Owners picking up or dropping off outside of business hours must go in person to Maswik Lodge to make arrangements. For retrieval after 5 pm, contact Xanterra Fire & Safety at 928-638-2631.
On the North Rim
Leashed pets are only allowed on the bridle trail (greenway) that connects the North Kaibab Trail, and the portion of the Arizona Trail north to the park entrance station. There is no Kennel on the North Rim. The North Rim Season is between May 15 and October 15. Details >
At this time Grand Canyon National Park does not have a B.A.R.K program - or B.A.R.K tags.
B – Bag Your Poop
A – Always Wear a Leash
R – Respect Wildlife
K – Know Where You Can Go
Tasks performed by service animals must be directly related to the handler's disability. NPS Photo.
What Are Service Animals?
"Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition.
The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors.
The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition."
