Be a B.A.R.K. Ranger

Woman and her dog listen to a park ranger.
Ranger led programs let you know what you can do with your pet and what to watch for.

NPS Photo

National parks are exciting places for pets to visit with their family while on vacation. Sometimes these new places can be so exciting as to be overstimulating. Join these events to learn how to have a positive experience with your pet in unfamiliar environments. Learn the B.A.R.K. principles so you and your pet can have a safe and fun visit anytime you go to a national park. This program is part of the Healthy People Healthy Parks Initiative. B.A.R.K. stands for:

  • Bag your pet’s waste
  • Always leash your pet
  • Respect wildlife
  • Know where you can go

Bark Ranger programs are uniquely designed by each park for visitors and their pets to that park experience. Some parks have a walk with a ranger program. Some have a pledge you take with your pet. Others are on the honor system that will will simple follow B.A.R.K. principles above when you visit.

Scroll down to discover B.A. R. K. Ranger programs.

Showing results 1-10 of 24

  • Valley Forge National Historical Park

    Be a Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hands-On
    • Locations: Valley Forge National Historical Park
    • Duration: 10-30 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Age: 16 and Older
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Visitor Center at Valley Forge
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day
    Illustration small dog with tongue out wearing rev war hat with feather and harness with leash

    Learn the four B.A.R.K. principles, complete pages in the activity book, and show your work to a ranger at the visitor center. After you make the B.A.R.K. Ranger promise, you and your doggo will get a Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger dog tag!

  • Become a Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot BARK Ranger

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Locations: Montezuma Castle National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument
    • Duration: 10 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day
    a dog standing on stone steps above a desert parking lot

    Do you think your dog has what it takes to become an official Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Bark Ranger? Stop by the visitor center to get certified. Certification allows you to purchase an exclusive BARK Ranger badge from the bookstore.

  • I Didn't Know That!: Hiking with Pets

    • Type: Article
    two women hike with a dog on a leash in a desert environment

    Did you know that some parks are pet-friendly? Some national parks even welcome pets on trails. Learn the B.A.R.K principles so you and your pet can have a safe and fun visit any time you visit a national park.

  • Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

    Become a B.A.R.K. Ranger!

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Reservations: Yes
    • Pets: Yes
    A dog wearing a ranger had in edited in front of historic trail map with a wooden badges.

    Become a B.A.R.K and P.U.R.R.K Ranger at Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Routes National Historic Trai.

  • C&O Canal B.A.R.K. Ranger

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hands-On
    • Duration: 5-15 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Park Visitor Centers
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day
    B.A.R.K. Ranger Kiri
  • Fort Smith National Historic Site

    Become a Fort Smith BARK Ranger

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hands-On
    • Duration: 10-30 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Visitor Center
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day
    A handout titled BARK Ranger and the Fort Smith BARK Ranger dog tag.

    Complete the Fort Smith BARK Ranger booklet so your pet can become an official BARK Ranger!

  • Boston National Historical Park

    Become a Bark Ranger

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hands-On
    • Duration: 5-15 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Charlestown Navy Yard OR Bunker Hill Monument Grounds
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day
    A golden retriever and a light-brown dog looking up at a ranger standing behind a table.

    Bring your furry friend to the National Parks of Boston and take the B.A.R.K. Ranger pledge to become a Bark Ranger!

  • Hampton National Historic Site

    Bark Ranger at hampton

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: Yes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Two visitors with dogs on leashes pose with two park rangers.

    Learn about best practices for visiting Hampton NHS with pets.

  • Prince William Forest Park

    Become a B.A.R.K. Ranger at Prince William Forest Park

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Junior Ranger Program
    • Duration: 10-120 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Age: 0-99 years old
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Visitor Center
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day
    Hand holding booklet and pet tag in front of a brown and white spotted dog in the visitor center

    Help your pet become a B.A.R.K. Ranger by bagging your pet's waste and properly disposing of it, always leashing your pet, respecting wildlife, and knowing where you can go with your pet. Pick up a B.A.R.K. Ranger booklet at the visitor center, and when you're finished filling it out, return to the visitor center for your pet to earn a free B.A.R.K. Ranger leash tag!

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Become A B.A.R.K. Ranger at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hands-On
    • Duration: 15-30 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Age: 0 and Older
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Beaufort, South Carolina
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day
    A dog with brindle fur and a blue eye, lays in the grass wearing a B.A.R.K ranger badge and bandana.

    Bring your dog with you as you learn about the Reconstruction Era in Beaufort, South Carolina and they can earn their very own B.A.R.K. Ranger badge.

Tags: bark ranger pets dogs cats
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Last updated: April 12, 2023

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