Pet Friendly National Parks: Grand Canyon

The grandeur of the Grand Canyon cannot be expressed in words or captured in photographs. It is Mother Nature’s most incredible carving. But what makes it truly special is that you can experience much of it with your dog, which is a rarity among America’s national parks.

Grand Canyon National Park stretches 277 river miles from Lee’s Ferry to Grand Wash Cliffs and is the 11th largest national park in the United States. No matter how many times you visit, you’ll never see the same scenery. The mix of sunshine and clouds, bright greens of spring, or snow makes every trip unique.

For us, it’s one of those places we never get tired of visiting, and the fact that the Grand Canyon is a fantastic place to visit with dogs makes it even better.

In fact, I recently took a month-long road trip with my dogs and took Miles to the Grand Canyon for the first time. Walking the same trails that I explored with Ty and Buster all those years ago brought back so many fond memories. And it was great to have some memories of Miles in one of our favorite national parks.

Visiting Grand Canyon National Park with your dog

Two years ago we took Miles on a trip to Kanab, Utah, to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, so it wasn’t his first visit, but the pet policies at the North Rim and South Rim are very different.

The North Rim allows dogs at picnic areas and overlook parking lots, so you can take in views of the valley as you drive the North Rim’s 30 scenic miles of roads. The only trails that allow pets are Bridal Path and the portion of the Arizona Trail between the North Kaibab Trailhead and the park’s north entrance, both of which are beautiful but offer no views of the valley.

Grand Canyon South Rim Pet Policy

Meanwhile, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is a fantastic place to visit with your dog, with plenty to explore and pet-friendly accommodations, as well as kennels where your pet can spend the day if you want to see parts of the park that aren’t open to pets.

Pets on leashes are welcome on the Rim Trail and Greenway Trail at the South Rim. Leashes must be no longer than 6 feet.

Pets are not allowed under the veranda, inside the building, or on the shuttle bus.

Yavapai Lodge offers pet-friendly rooms for an additional fee of $32 per pet per night, with a maximum of two pets allowed per room.

Pets are allowed at Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, Trailer Village, and other developed areas of the park.

Most of our national parks’ pet policies make it difficult to visit with dogs. In fact, many don’t even allow pets outside of paved parking areas or campgrounds. Luckily, that’s not the case at the Grand Canyon, which is one of the most pet-friendly national parks in the country.

Read more⇒ America’s Most Pet-Friendly National Parks

Hiking the Grand Canyon with a dog

When you’re ready to hit the pet-friendly trails, the views along the South Rim Trail are spectacular. The 14 miles of trail are paved and easy to follow. Pedestrians tend to congregate near the shuttle bus stop, but for the most part, you and your dog will feel like you have the whole Grand Canyon to yourself.

Be aware that it is easy to become dehydrated, as the average elevation on the trail is about 6,800 feet. Bring plenty of water for yourself and your pets, as bottled water stations are not always operational and bottled water is not sold.

Also, altitude sickness (nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches) can affect both humans and pets, so take it easy until they get used to the altitude.

Despite the high altitude, heat is often an issue in the summer. We were last there in July, so we expected high temperatures. We hit the trail at 7am, which gave us a comfortable few hours of walking. However, by the time we got back to the car around 10am, the temperature was already over 80 degrees.

Before you travel, it’s also a good idea to double-check with your dog about signs of dehydration and heatstroke, and consider getting some protective booties for your pup.

Read more⇒ How to tell if your dog is dehydrated or has heatstroke

Touring the Grand Canyon with your dog in one day

There’s no bad place to hop on the Rim Trail and go for a walk, you can park at the Visitor’s Center and head down the trail in either direction for some great views.

If you’re visiting in the off-season (November 1st – February 28th), here’s another suggestion: head to Hermit Road and follow the Rim Trail from there. From Hopi Point you can see the Colorado River, and from Pima Point you can practically hear the roar of the river flowing into Granite Rapids.

Hermit Road is closed to personal vehicles from March 1st to October 31st, and pets are not allowed on the shuttle, so to access these spots you’ll need to travel in the off-season or do quite a bit of walking.

Check the weather

Storms can brew quickly in the Grand Canyon, so be sure to keep an eye on the sky as you walk, and if the clouds darken, move to the nearest shelter.

Read more⇒ The Ultimate Pet-Friendly USA Road Trip

Grand Canyon Pet Friendly Hotels

If you and your dog plan to spend more than a day at the Grand Canyon, Yavapai Lodge has pet-friendly rooms for an additional $32 per pet per night. Up to two pets are allowed per room, with no size limit. The park also has two off-hook campgrounds and one hooked up RV park. There is also pet-friendly lodging in Tusayan, Arizona, just south of the Grand Canyon.

Finding pet-friendly restaurants here is a little difficult. Tusayan has a few restaurants with outdoor seating. However, if you want to make the most of your time at the Grand Canyon with your dog, we recommend packing a picnic. If you plan on doing this, stock up before you arrive; food options are limited inside the park.

Grand Canyon Kennel

If you want to hike below the rim of the Grand Canyon, you’ll need to make arrangements for your pet. Grand Canyon Dog House Located near Maswik Lodge on the South Rim, we are open daily from 7:30am to 5pm. We accept daytime or overnight boarding for dogs and cats, and we recommend booking early, especially during the summer and holidays. Please remember to bring your pet’s vaccination records.

I hope this has inspired you to visit the Grand Canyon with your dog. It’s a place like no other, and the experiences and memories you make together will be truly unforgettable.

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