Visiting Arizona’s National Parks With Pets

Late fall, winter, and early spring are the perfect times of the year for visiting Arizona’s national parks with pets. And with over 70% of the state’s spectacular landscape preserved as public land, there’s a lot to see! Find out which parks welcome pets, and which to avoid.

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From iconic national parks like the Grand Canyon to lesser known sites, such as Tonto National Monument, Arizona’s national parks are full of wonders to behold. If you’re planning a trip to Arizona with your pets, knowing the pet policies at all the national parks will help you decide which ones to add to your itinerary and which to avoid.

Pet Policies For Arizona’s National Parks

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Recognized as one of the longest continually inhabited landscapes in North America, visitors to Canyon de Chelly will see pueblo ruins built between 350 and 1300 A.D. You can also visit the Navajo Indian community that still inhabits the canyon floor.

Note that in 2020 the White House Overlook and Ruin Trail were closed indefinitely due to a rash of break-ins. The White House Ruin Trail is the only public trail on the South Rim Drive. Please check here for updates: https://www.nps.gov/cach/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Canyon de Chelly Pet Policy: Leashed pets can join you at all of the overlooks on Rim Drive and in the campground. Visitors can only enter the canyon on an approved Navajo tour. Check with individual tour operators for their pet policies.

Where To Stay: Take advantage of one of Canyon de Chelly’s many campsites in the Cottonwood Campground. Or search for pet friendly hotels in Chinle on TripAdvisor.

 

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

At the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, you’ll find what remains of an ancient farming community, including the preserved “Great House,” or “Casa Grande.” The structure dates to around 1350, and its abandonment occurred about a century later in 1450.

Casa Grande Ruins Pet Policy: Leashed pets are welcome throughout the grounds at Casa Grande Ruins. It’s a great spot to stretch your legs on a drive between Phoenix and Tucson!

Where To Stay: There is no camping available on site, and the nearest town of Coolidge has a limited selection of motels. Search the nearby city of Casa Grande on TripAdvisor for more lodging options and amenities.

EXPLORE MORE ⇒ 15 Pet Friendly Things To Do Around Tucson, AZ

 

Chiricahua National Monument

Chiricahua National Monument is the homeland of the Chiricahua Apache and is known for its rock pinnacles, which reach hundreds of feet into the sky. Bears, deer, and mountain lions inhabit the area. And the annual sandhill crane migration is so impressive it draws people from around the world.

Chiricahua Pet Policy: Pets can enjoy four trails within the monument: Silver Spur Trail, Faraway Ranch, Bonita Creek and the campground trail. They can also join you in any paved areas and in the campground. It’s a great place to spend a day exploring!

Where To Stay: Bonita Canyon Campground is a lovely place to spend the night in this magnificent natural area. Or choose a hotel or vacation rental in nearby Willcox on TripAdvisor.

 

Fort Bowie National Historic Site

Fort Bowie was built to give safe passage to settlers and supply units as they crossed Apache Pass during westward expansion. This lead to decades of skirmishes between U.S. military forces and native Apache people, including Apache leaders Cochise and Geronimo.

Fort Bowie Pet Policy: The fort ruins are accessed via a 1.5 mile hiking trail, and leashed pets are welcome on the trail and throughout the grounds.

Where To Stay: Fort Bowie isn’t far from Chiricahua, so plan to spend the night there at Bonita Canyon Campground. Or find a hotel or vacation rental in nearby Willcox on TripAdvisor.

 

Coronado National Memorial

Coronado National Memorial marks the place where Francisco Vásquez de Coronado’s expedition crossed from Mexico into what is now Arizona in 1540. Their exploration of the valleys and rugged mountains of the Sonoran Desert led to the establishment of missions and the introduction of farming techniques that changed the way native people lived.

Coronado Pet Policy: Pets are welcome only on the Crest Trail and Nature Walk, and in paved areas. The views here are to die for, so it’s worth the trip!

Where To Stay: Coronado is an easy drive from the historic mining town of Bisbee! Find pet friendly camping, hotels, and vacation rentals in Bisbee on TripAdvisor.

EXPLORE MORE ⇒ Travel Guide: Pet Friendly Bisbee, Arizona

 

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Spread over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area stretches from Lees Ferry, Arizona to the Orange Cliffs of southern Utah. It boasts stunning scenery, a vast panorama of human history, and geologic wonders including Lake Powell.

Glen Canyon Pet Policy: Pets are welcome in most areas at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. And there are some fun beaches to explore – especially if you have a boat!

Where To Stay: Staying on a houseboat is a fun and pet friendly way to enjoy the shoreline of Lake Powell. If boating isn’t your thing, try camping at one of the many surrounding campgrounds. Or find pet friendly hotel and vacation rental options in Page on TripAdvisor.

 

Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon is Mother Nature’s most stunning sculpture. Stretching 277 river miles from Lees Ferry to the Grand Wash Cliffs, no matter how many times you visit it will leave you breathless. But what makes the Grand Canyon truly special is how much of it you can experience with your pets! This is one of Arizona’s national parks you won’t want to miss.

Grand Canyon Pet Policy: – Pets are welcome on the entire 13-mile Rim Trail, in the campground, and at Yavapai Lodge. Though if you plan to hike below the rim, you’ll need to make arrangements for your pet to stay at the kennel at the South Rim.

Where To Stay: There are several pet friendly campgrounds at the Grand Canyon. And the Yavapai Lodge also offer pet friendly rooms.

EXPLORE MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly National Park: The Grand Canyon

 

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

Hubbell Trading Post Pet Policy: Pets are not allowed inside the buildings.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead is a desert oasis, thanks to the Hoover Dam. With 700 miles of shoreline, it’s the largest reservoir in the United States providing plenty of space for boating, swimming, fishing, and soaking up the sunshine!

Lake Mead Pet Policy: Pets are allowed on all trails in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, but not in designated swimming areas.

Where To Stay: There are plenty of places to camp on Lake Mead. For a unique experience, try renting a houseboat and staying right on the lake!

READ MORE ⇒ 5 Questions To Ask BEFORE Taking A Dog On A Boat

 

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Located in central Arizona, Montezuma Castle is one of the Southwest’s best-preserved cliff dwellings. It is believed the original inhabitants were the ancient Sinagua people who lived along waterways in the area from the 1100s to the 1400s. It was incorrectly named for Chief Montezuma by 1800s explorers, who assumed the structure was Aztec in origin.

Montezuma Castle Pet Policy: Pets are welcome on the trail at Montezuma Castle, but not inside the visitor center. And this park participates in the B.A.R.K. Ranger program!

Where To Stay: The park does not offer camping, but visitors can find a wide variety of accommodations in nearby Sedona on TripAdvisor.

EXPLORE MORE ⇒ Sedona, AZ: Where To Hike, Stay & Eat With Pets

 

Navajo National Monument

Navajo National Monument Pet Policy: Pets are only allowed in parking lots and the campground; not on the trails. So, you can’t experience the cliff dwellings with them. It’s probably better to skip this one with your pets.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is the only place in the U.S. where organ pipe cactus grows in the wild. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, which is one of the greenest deserts in the world, this park is home to more than 2,000 species of plants, 300 species of birds, and 100 different reptiles and amphibians. Due to the incredible biodiversity here, the park is a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves site.

Organ Pipe Pet Policy: Pets are welcome on several trails in the park, including the Palo Verde trail, and the nature trail at the visitor center.

Where To Stay: There are two campgrounds and backcountry camping at Organ Pipe Cactus. In addition, visitors will find hotels and vacation rentals in nearby Ajo on TripAdvisor.

 

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is a treasure chest filled with nature, geology, archaeology, and paleontology. Of course, there’s plenty of petrified wood to see. And visitors are also treated to spectacular views of The Painted Desert, which sweeps through the park. The park’s 28-mile-long Main Park Road winds past viewpoints, trailheads, and other interesting stops. This is one of Arizona’s national parks you won’t want to miss.

Petrified Forest Pet Policy: Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on ALL the trails at Petrified Forest. And this is another park where your furry travel buddy can earn a B.A.R.K. Ranger badge!

Where To Stay: There is no camping in Petrified Forest National Park, but you can stay at private campgrounds in and around Holbrook, Sun Valley, St. Johns, Joseph City, and other communities. Those looking for accommodations with more amenities will find a great selection of pet friendly hotels and vacation properties by searching nearby Flagstaff on TripAdvisor.

EXPLORE MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly National Park: Arizona’s Petrified Forest

 

Pipe Spring National Monument

The museum, historic fort, cabins, and garden at Pipe Spring National Monument share the history and traditions of the Kaibab Paiute and the Mormon settlers along the Pipe Spring.

Pipe Spring Pet Policy: Pets are allowed on the grounds at the monument, but not inside the historic buildings or on the Ridge Trail. And pets should not disturb the ranch animals. This is another of Arizona’s national parks that pet travelers might want to skip.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park Pet Policy: Pets are welcome only on paved trails and picnic areas. This is a difficult park to experience with pets. We recommend enjoying the saguaros on other pet friendly trails in the area.

READ MORE ⇒  Dog Friendly Hikes Around Tucson

 

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano Pet Policy: – Pets cannot go on any trails or in the buildings at Sunset Crater. Some of Arizona’s other national parks make for a more enjoyable to visit with your furry travel buddy.

Tonto National Monument

Tonto National Monument protects two Salado-style cliff dwellings dating back 700 years. Visitors can learn about the lives of the Salado people who built the dwellings, including their architecture, agriculture, pottery.

Tonto National Monument Pet Policy: Pets are allowed on the trail to the Lower Cliff Dwelling, but not on the Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail or inside the cliff dwellings. And your dog can get his B.A.R.K. Ranger tag. Plus you’ll find plenty of pet friendly hiking around nearby Roosevelt Lake in the Tonto National Forest.

Where To Stay: While the monument doesn’t provide camping, the surrounding Tonto National Forest offers numerous campgrounds. And there are hundreds of sites for tents and RVs around Roosevelt Lake, just 15 minutes from the monument. Visitors will also find pet friendly hotels 30 miles down the road in Globe on TripAdvisor.

READ MORE ⇒  7 Essentials For Desert Hiking With Your Dog

 

Tumacacori National Historic Park

Tumacácori went from being an O’odham village to a Spanish frontier visita (satellite mission) to a cabecera (headquarters mission) in a matter of decades. The goal of Spanish colonization was simple: to remake New Spain in the image of Old Spain. The missions included adobe buildings for residences and workshops, agricultural lands, cattle, and the main irrigation ditch.

Pet Policy at Tumacacori: Tumacácori prohibits pets from all buildings and the mission grounds.

Pets are allowed on the Anza Trail, which runs four miles between Tumacácori and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Tubac is a fun town to explore with your pets. And if you’re not up for an 8-mile round trip walk, the park provides a free shuttle from 8am to 12 noon on the third Saturday of the month from November through March. Leashed dogs are allowed on the small bus, which runs continuously between the Tumacácori visitor center parking lot and the Anza Trail trailhead.

Where To Stay: There is no camping at Tumacácori. Visitors will find two pet friendly hotels in Tubac on TripAdvisor.

 

Tuzigoot National Monument

At Tuzigoot National Monument visitors can wander around and through the Tuzigoot pueblo, a 110-room hilltop village built around a thousand years ago. The self-guided, 1/3-mile loop trail also offers outstanding views of the Verde River and Tavasci Marsh.

Another 1/2 mile trail (1 mile round trip), takes you to an overlook of Tavasci Marsh. Both of these trails are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, though the pueblo trail has some steep sections that might be challenging. 

Tuzigoot National Monument Pet Policy: Leashed pets are welcome on the trails at Tuzigoot, but not inside the visitor center. This park also participates in the B.A.R.K. Ranger program.

Where To Stay: The park does not offer camping, but visitors can find a wide variety of accommodations in nearby Sedona on TripAdvisor.

 

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Walnut Canyon Pet Policy: Pets can join you on the Rim Trail, a 0.7-mile trail along the rim of Walnut Canyon. However, the main attraction of Walnut Canyon are the Cliff Dwellings, seen from the Island Trail, which is not pet friendly.

Wupatki National Monument

Wupatki National Monument Pet Policy: Pets cannot go on any trails or in the buildings at Wupatki National Monument.

We hope having the pet policies at Arizona’s national parks makes planning your pet friendly trip easier! If this post made you curious about visiting more national parks with your pets, click through to learn about the most pet friendly national parks in America.

Ready to explore more of Arizona? We encourage you to check out Arizona’s state parks! Note that pets are not allowed at Red Rock State Park or on the trails at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. But all the other state parks in Arizona welcome pets on leash, as long as you clean up after them and don’t take them inside buildings or museums. Waggin’ trails to you!

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