Pets

General Information

Pets are allowed on the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail, parking lot, and picnic area, but they are not permitted in the visitor center or cliff dwelling itself.

Please check in at the visitor center without your pet before beginning the hike and to find information on where to start the trail with a pet.

Service Animals:

• Service animals are permitted in the visitor center and cliff dwelling, but must fulfill the definition and requirements. Please be prepared to provide this information to park staff.
• Service animals are not emotional support, therapy, comfort or companion animals.
• A service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The tasks performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability.
• Service animals on the trail. If you plan to take your service animal on the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail please bring enough water for yourself and your service animal. The trail is fully exposed with no shade and cactus plants and animals are common on the trail. In the summer months (May-August), consider the temperature of the ground surface as it can be hotter than the air temperature.

 

Hiking with Your Pet

Keep in mind the trail is fully exposed with no shade and cactus plants and desert animals are common on the trail. In the summer months (May-August), consider the temperature of the ground surface as it can be hotter than the air temperature. Please bring enough water for your pet and yourself, no matter what time of year you visit!
Find more information about the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail here.

To hike with your pet:

• Check-in at the visitor center without your pet before your hike
• Learn where you can take your pet on the trail
• Keep your pet on a leash
• Stop at the designated location on the trail for pets
• Happy hiking!
• Remember to return to the parking lot the same way you started your hike.
  • You will not be able to go through the visitor center with your pet.

 

Protect Your Pets

The temperatures at Tonto National Monument can be extreme; if you are visiting during the hottest months of the year (June-August), a "palm test" is recommended before hiking to the Lower Cliff Dwelling. Place your hand on the pavement for a minute and see if it is comfortable there. If the pavement feels hot to your palm, it will be hot to your dog's paws.

It is illegal to leave a pet in your car; even during milder temperatures, the inside of cars can become very hot sitting in the sun. It is illegal to leave a car idling in the parking lot.

Things to consider:

• What is the ground surface temperature?
• Do you have enough water?
• Did you leave your pet in your car?
• Did you leave your car running?

 

All Bark Rangers are honored on our wall of fame!

NPS

B.A.R.K. Ranger Program

Do you think your furry friend has what it takes to become a Tonto National Monument Bark Ranger? Stop by the visitor center without your pet to ask how they can earn their own badge, certificate, and photo to place on our wall of fame!

While your pets are on the Lower Cliff Dwelling trail, it's important they follow the rules of B.A.R.K.:

• Bag your poop!
• Always wear a leash!
• Respect all wildlife!
• Know where you can go!