Pets

Dogs can enjoy the scenery (and smells) of Capitol Reef. The trail between the visitor center and the campground offers views of the red rock cliffs, orchards, and Fremont River.

NPS/ Ann Huston

Please follow the tenets of a good B.A.R.K. Ranger!

• Bag your pet’s waste (and dispose of properly)
• Always leash your pet (leashes 6 feet / 1.8 meters or shorter)
• Respect wildlife
• Know where you can go

There are no kennels in the park and pets may not be left unattended in the campground. Kennel boarding may be found in the surrounding communities. Consider your plans carefully before bringing your pet with you.

Pets are allowed on leash (6 feet or 1.8 meters or shorter) in the developed areas of the park:

• on the trail from the visitor center to the Fruita Campground
• on the Fremont River Trail from the campground to the south end of Hattie's Field (where there is a gate)
• in unfenced and/or unlocked orchards
• in the Chesnut and Doc Inglesbe picnic areas
• in campgrounds
• within 50 feet of center line of roads (paved and dirt) open to public vehicle travel
• parking areas open to public vehicle travel

Pets are not permitted on other hiking trails, in public buildings, or in the backcountry.

 

Where are pets permitted outside of Capitol Reef?

• Fishlake National Forest (US Forest Service guidelines for bringing a pet)
• Dixie National Forest (dogs are required to be on a leash in developed areas)
• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
• Most Utah State Parks

Important!

The desert can be deadly for pets. Car temperatures rise quickly in the sun, even on cool days. Your pet can easily die of heat exhaustion. If you are leaving a pet in a car, crack the windows as much as possible and leave water to drink. It can be dangerous or deadly to leave pets in the car when temperatures are above 68 degrees, even with the windows cracked.

Check out these tips on hiking and camping with your pet!

 

 

A hiker enjoys a walk with her pets along the Fremont River Trail.

NPS/Erin Whittaker

 

NPS

Service Animals

The 2010 revision to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a "service animal" as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability,including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely to provide comfort or emotional support ("therapy animals"), are considered pets.

Service animals in training and pets are subject to the park's pet regulations. Falsely portraying a pet as a service animal is considered fraud and is subject to federal prosecution.

Service animals are permitted everywhere at Capitol Reef. Owners are encouraged to identify their working service animal, such as with a vest. Identification is not required, but helps prevent unwarranted "dog on trail" complaints from other visitors.