Pets

Where can I visit with my pet?

To help everyone enjoy the park and for the safety of you, your pet, and park wildlife, the following regulations apply. Rules differ on neighboring national forest and state land.

  • Pets must be leashed (up to 6 feet) at all times.
  • Pet owners may not tie their animals to fences or other park structures. Pets cannot be left unattended at any time or place within the park.
  • Only service animals or those in training to become service animals are allowed inside the visitor center with their owners or trainers.
  • Owners are responsible for removing any pet excrement left by their animals. Pet waste receptacles are available at all three public parking areas in the park.

Tips for a great visit with your pet
  • Do not leave pets tied or unattended outside or in your vehicle.
  • Pet excrement must be immediately collected and disposed of in the nearest trash can.
  • During the summer, high temperaturescan affect your pet, ensure your pet has enough water, snacks, and protection from the heat.

Service Animal Access

Service animals are an exception to most pet restrictions and are allowed in public buildings. Service animals must be kept under control and on a leash at all times. Service Animals are allowed on the Topside Accessible tour of Delta-01, but not within the underground portions of Delta-01 due to their inability to climb the emergency egress ladders.

What Are Service Animals?

"Service animal means any dog that is 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. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition.

The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors.

The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition."

- The Americans with Disabilities Act

Last updated: November 18, 2019

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

24545 Cottonwood Road
Philip, SD 57567

Phone:

605 433-5552

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