- Feces must be carried out! No exceptions. Yes, it is nature. Yes, other animals “go” outside. But your dog is not an indigenous creature in these places, and its doo-doo can carry parasites and diseases that can harm the animals that call the backcountry home. And even though you may not like to have to do your business in the wilderness, your dog is not going to “hold it” for 4 days because the thought of pooing in a hole is just gross!
- Dogs must be leashed and under total control of the owner at all times. You love your dog. That doesn’t mean other hikers will. No one is a huge fan of hiking around a bend to a barking dog that the owner swears “is friendly.” And many times they are, but I am not partial to having my crotched sniffed by your friendly dog while I am out on my hike trying to enjoy nature – call me crazy and I may be totally alone on this.
- Many critters in the backcountry would cause dogs to bark or chase them. Animals that call the wilderness their home have enough predators to worry about.
- Dogs are natural predators but can be prey to some larger and more skillful predators in the backcountry – mountain lions, coyotes and cougar, for example. Oh, and get your dog tangled up with a skunk or a cactus and your outdoor adventure becomes fun for all!
- You would be responsible for carrying additional food and water for your dog (unless it is a good sized, healthy dog that has a doggy pack). More weight for you = less fun on the trail.
- There are a lot of places your dog is more than welcome to hike with you, and when you do, follow these 8 tips from Leave No Trace. If you follow these, you will be happy, your dog will be happy, the fuzzy bunnies will be happy and other hikers will be happy!
So while loving your dog and loving to hike with your dog are two splendid reasons to take your dog in the backcounty, there are are reasons not to. Here is a great article about Joshua Tree National Park’s stance on dogs in the park but in a nutshell…
- For reasons stated above, your dog is safer at home. There is nothing worse than waking up at camp and Fido is no where to be found.
- Native animals in any area you visit have priority. If your pooch harms an indigenous animal in a park, guess who gets fined?
- Diseases are passed both ways. While you may not care much if your dog gives a disease to some smelly skunk, I am sure you would be heart broken if your dog came back with something it caught from a wild critter. And don’t forget, those wild critters are not required to have rabies shots and they will bite if they feel threatened.
- Extreme hot and cold can be deadly.
- Not every one likes dogs and they do not have the same rights as your fellow biped hikers. So don’t get angry when another hiker gets on your case for not controlling your barking dog that is also off its leash sniffing crotches.
- Going to the wilderness to see wildlife? Not with your dog in tow!
Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs – I have one myself that loves her walks in the neighborhood and could care less where she is, as long as it includes a leash and some fresh air (and a dog butt or two to sniff)!
Additional resources: If you do have your dog when visiting national parks, click on the below links to see what to do with your four legged friend!
Grand Canyon National Park Kennel
Yosemite National Park Pet Policy
Olympic National Park
Want more? Like us on Facebook or visit us at www.justroughinit.com and check out who we are and sign up to get some emails from us.
Recent Comments