Pets

Pets at the preserve

How can I visit the park with my pet?

Dogs are welcome in picnic areas and at the ranch headquarters area, but please not inside the historic buildings or in the tour buses (also not carried). They must be kept on a visible leash at all times that does not exceed 6 feet in length. Electronic behavior altering devices are not allowed, as they do not provide verification to other visitors that your pet is physically restrained.

Dogs are allowed on the nature trails-the Southwind Nature Trail, Bottomland Trail, and Fox Creek Trail. Pets are not allowed on the other park trails. Pet excrement must be immediately collected by the pet handler and disposed of in a trash receptacle. Disposable "doggie bags" are available at the Welcome Information Kiosk and at the southeast kiosk on the Southwind Nature Trail.

Pets should not be left unattended in vehicles or RVs or tied to any object while at the park. Pets are not allowed in the buildings or on the bus, except for working animals. Owners may take turns attending the pet, while the other tours the building. The rangers have a "doggie water bowl" located at the park information desk to assist our four-legged friends; just ask the rangers. Help us to help you and your pet make your visit to the park an enjoyable one.

Large national parks that have extensive backcountry areas as a rule do not allow dogs on trails. These include parks such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Rocky Mountains, and several others. The park prohibits dogs on backcountry hiking trails for several reasons:

• Dogs can carry disease into the park's wildlife populations.

• Dogs can chase and threaten wildlife, scaring birds and other animals away from nesting, feeding, and resting sites. The scent left behind by a dog can signal the presence of a predator, disrupting or altering the behavior of park wildlife. Small animals may hide in their burrow the entire day after smelling a dog and may not venture out to feed.

• Dogs bark and disturb the quiet of the wilderness. Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can disturb even the calmest, friendliest, and best-trained dog, causing them to behave unpredictably or bark excessively.

• Pets may become prey for larger predators such as coyotes. Dogs can also encounter insects that bite and transmit disease and plants that are poisonous or full of painful thorns and burrs.

• Many people, especially children, are frightened by dogs, even small ones. Uncontrolled dogs can present a danger to other visitors.