Last updated: October 10, 2024
Article
Bark Ranger Program
NPS Photo.
What does it mean to become a BARK Ranger?
As an owner, it means that you not only enjoy sharing adventures with your dog but also that you want to do it responsibly. Taking this adventure means you are setting an example for everyone with you, and everyone you meet on your walk! Traveling with a BARK Ranger means you’re the best of both worlds- a fabulous dog owner that also appreciates and wants to protect our wild natural spaces on National Park Service lands. B. A. R. K. Rangers are dogs who take adventures and also protect the world around them! They take their owners to national parks all over the country and show others how to do it the right way. We BAG our waste and ALWAYS wear our leash. We also promise to RESPECT the places we visit and KNOW where we can safely go with our humans. To be a B. A. R. K. Ranger means I’m a good dog, and my owners are special too!
NPS Photo.
Tidbits To Know Before You Start Your Adventure
· Pets are not allowed in the visitor center, except for registered service animals.
· Water is available at the pet water fountains at the Visitor Center and Picnic Shelter. Both water stations are easily accessible from the main 3.2-mile, driving loop road in the park.
· The 1.2-mile Interpretive Battlefield Trail is partially paved. Be aware the black asphalt can be hot in the summer for dog feet.
· There is ample shade on the Battlefield Trail and park benches for rest stops. South Carolina summers are hot with high humidity levels. Be mindful of heat and consider sticking to the shaded areas during summer months.
· The Battlefield walk is a low impact/easy activity of 1.2 miles. The driving tour loop road of 3.2-miles has a dedicated pedestrian lane and is a low impact/ moderate activity.
For an easier stroll and more shade complete steps 1 to 5, cross over on the cut, grassy lane and resume your walk at Step 12.
NPS Photo.
Let’s be BARK Rangers!
Start at the Visitors Center.
1. “B” stands for BAG and BOTTLE. Make sure you have bags for waste and enough bottled water for both you and your pup. You will find a free bag station in behind the Visitor Center near the row of trash cans, and a water station near the restrooms under the breezeway.
2. Start down the interpretive trail toward the Battlefield. You will meet many other visitors on the trail and possibly a squirrel or two! Cowpens National Battlefield is a busy place! Find the exhibit for “Morgan’s Flying Army” on the historic Green River Road (it’s a gravel road) and take a selfie with your pup! Revolutionary soldiers loved their dogs too!
3. “A” stands for ALWAYS. The Green River Road seems like a great place to let your pup wander and explore around you. Remember what the pledge stands for and be a good canine visitor by always keeping your dog on leash.
4. On the Green River Road explore the history of the battle by reading the exhibits describing “Spirt up the People” and “The Dragoons” at Cowpens. When you come to the silhouette of a standing Continental solider. Snap a portrait of your companion and the woods behind them.
5. Continue down the gravel road and stop at the exhibit “Let’em get within killing distance.” Take a selfie of you and your friend with the Green River Road and the open field beyond. Revolutionary War battles took place between armies that faced off in close range of each other. Think about the courage it took to stand in line and fight a battle in the 18th Century.
6. Stay safe and aware of your dog’s comfort. If someone in your party doesn’t tolerate heat or longer walks, consider returning to the Visitor Center now. Or move to Step 12, across the cut, grassy lane, for a shorter walk.
7. The gravel road will lead you to another silhouette at the “sharpshooters line” Read about these men and their role in the battle and take a selfie with your pooch. Be mindful of the heat and comfort of both you and your pup.
8. “R” stands for RESPECT. The next stop is down the gravel road and there is very little shade here. Do not despair, a nice shady spot with benches awaits you at the “wildland fire” exhibit. You are now on the part of the battlefield where the British deployed out in line of battle and advanced towards the American positions and the battle heated up. Take a selfie and consider how the National Park Service maintains the cultural and natural resources of battlefields and other natural habitats across the nation.
9. “K” stands for KNOW. Continue down the Green River Road and stop at the exhibit for “Saber Clash on the Green River Road” and learn about the famous sword fight between Tarleton and Washington. Slide over to the exhibit which describes the soldiers in the British Army and snap a pic of your dog.
10. You now find yourself back on the rubberized black top path entering the “great cane thicket.” Pause and read about the restoration of the river cane at Cowpens and snap a selfie with your furry friend. Take a moment and think about how American settlers and Native Americans traveled, lived, hunted, and farmed on this land and how they too had pets. Try to think of three different reasons why dogs would have been important to the peoples of the area.
11. As you enjoy your shady walk, stop, and read the “Form the Battleline” exhibit. Think about British soldiers marching in formation into the musket fire of the American sharpshooter line. Both armies were filled with very brave men doing very scary things. There is a park bench nearby on the trail. Maybe take a load off, have a drink of water, and give your best friend some water.
12. As you move up the trail, your next stop is the “Race for the Grasshopper” exhibit. You will see a cannon silhouette on the grassy path. Get a pic of your pup with the cannon and take a moment to think about the British soldiers (18 men) who all were killed or wounded trying to keep the charging American troops from capturing the two cannons.
13. Get back to the black rubberized trail and continue your Bark Ranger journey. You will pass two exhibits which describe the American Continental soldiers’ actions during the battle. Take a moment to read these signs. There is not much shade in this area, so make your way to the Washington Light Infantry Monument. The only monument on the battlefield is in honor of Lieutenant Colonel William Washington, commander of the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons. Take a moment to reflect on the courage and sacrifice men made on January 17, 1781, for the cause of liberty. Be sure to get a picture of your friend at the monument. Only one stop remains!
14. Continue on the rubberized path and get to the next and final stop on your journey, “The Race to the Dan” exhibit. The battle of Cowpens did not occur in a vacuum and there were many other battles which occurred both before and afterwards that shaped the outcome of the Southern Campaign and the American Revolution. Through the trees is the Visitor Center and the end of your journey!
15. Your final photo op is the Visitor Center! Congratulations on your historical visit together! If your pup is a registered Service Animal come inside and take your oath, plus receive your free certificate for your Bark Ranger. A Ranger will come out to you and your companion and give you the oath and certificate if your dog is not a service animal. You can purchase a sticker and a dog tag for your BARK Ranger! Don’t forget to take photos!
16. Memorialize the day with a free dated stamp from the Passport Program found inside the Visitor Center. Congratulations!