Travel is always better with your pet! In 2019, I was preparing to move cross-country with my Patterdale terrier, Charlie. I love visiting national parks and wanted to see as many as possible on my drive. This required extensive research since dogs aren’t allowed in most US national parks. I hate leaving Charlie behind when I travel, so I’m always looking for ways to bring her along but still see what I want to see.
In general, the US National Parks are not pet-friendly. This is to protect both the park and your pet, so please always follow the posted rules. Note that the rules may change since this post was created, so always check the park’s NPS page for the most up-to-date guidelines.
Can I Bring My Dog to Great Basin National Park?
I wouldn’t recommend bringing your dog to Great Basin National Park.
There are just two places dogs are allowed in GBNP. The first is on the walking trail between the town of Baker and the Great Basin Visitor Center. The second is on the trail to Lexington Arch. This would be a great hike to do with your pup, but the road to Lexington Arch is unpaved and requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle to access.
I did choose to bring Charlie on this weekend getaway with us, but bringing her into the park would have severely limited our hiking and activity options. We chose to board her at Park A Pooch in Baker, just ten minutes away from the park entrance and the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. They had hourly, half-day, and full-day options for $15, $35, and $50 respectively. The owner, Tana, was absolutely wonderful with Charlie. Tana had a new puppy, and the two dogs ran around in her fenced-in yard all day and completely tired each other out. It was the perfect option for her while we spent some time in Great Basin, and I would absolutely leave Charlie in Tana’s care again.
The rules regarding pets in national parks can change at any time. Make sure you check Great Basin’s NPS page for the most current information. The regulations covering pets and their owners are put in place to allow you and your pet to share a Park experience while protecting Park resources, as well as other visitors. As always, you’re responsible for your dog’s safety on the trail, so make sure you come prepared.
Looking for more guides for bringing your dog to other parks? Check out the full list here, or any of these related posts:
