Pets

Winston enjoys a walk between Sunset and Sunrise Points along the paved Rim Trail

John Babcock

Pets are wonderful animals that give comfort and companionship. However, a national park is not the best place for them. They may chase, scare, or transmit diseases to wild animals. Many pets leave behind a "predator" scent that can linger in the area for long periods of time and can disrupt or alter the behavior of the native animals this park has been set aside to protect. Dog owners looking for hoodoos and dog-friendly trails should also consider visiting nearby Red Canyon, which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

If you choose to bring a pet to the park, please observe the following regulations:

• Pets are only permitted on paved surfaces in the park; this includes:
  • Campgrounds
  • Parking lots
  • Paved road
  • Paved viewpoint areas (all viewpoints except Piracy Point)
  • On the paved trail (section of Rim Trail) between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point
  • On the paved Shared Use Path between the park entrance and Inspiration Point
• Pets are not permitted on trails or unpaved viewpoints (Piracy Point), in public buildings or on public transportation vehicles. These regulations also apply to pets that are carried.
• Pets must be on a leash at all times; the leash must be no longer than 6 feet.
• Pet owners may not leave pet(s) unattended or tied to an object. Pets may not be left in vehicles while their owners hike. Be aware that idling and generator use is not permitted in park parking lots.
• Pets may not make unreasonable noise.
• Pet owners are required to pick-up after their pets (excrement and other solid waste).

Pet owners not adhering to regulations may be cited (minimum fine is $75). 36-CFR 2.15 provides more details concerning pets within National Park Service areas.

Kennels near Bryce Canyon are located in Panguitch (30 mi, 48 km), Richfield (100 mi, 160 km), Cedar City (85 mi, 136 km), and Kanab (74 mi, 119 km).

Click here for a map of areas in the park that pets are permitted.

Service Animals

The park receives many questions about what constitutes a service animal and where they're permitted to go. Only Service Animals recognized by the ADA are permitted to accompany their owners off pavement. Service animals are permitted to go anywhere visitors are permitted to go. NPS policy defines a service animal as a dog that has been 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. The tasks performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability. Read more about Accessibilty at Bryce Canyon.

Is my Emotional Support Animal considered a service animal?

No. Provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship does not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of what is defined as a service animal in the NPS policy. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals can be any animal, not just a dog. The presence of these animals provides a calming effect for many people, but they do not qualify as service animals because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task. Therefore, a park can treat an emotional support animal as a pet in accordance with its pet policy.