Leashed pets are allowed on trails above the rim, Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, Trailer Village, and throughout developed areas. Yavapai Lodge is the only in-park lodge that has pet friendly rooms.
One of the few locations in the national park system with a pet kennel for dogs and cats is the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The 12-mile, paved Rim Trail makes it one of the more dog-friendly parks, and you can hike it with your pet.
However, don’t let the fact that the park is pet-friendly blind you to the risks that traveling with a pet in the Grand Canyon may present. Whether you choose to take your dog on the paved, dog-friendly path or leave it behind while you explore the inner rim where pets are not allowed, it’s important to know how to keep your pet safe during the day because the heat is your number one enemy.
Walk Along the Rim Trail
The best feature of taking your dog to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim is that they are permitted on the Rim Trail, a simple paved trail that runs for nearly 13 miles along the canyon’s southern rim.
The trail starts 2. the South Kaibab Trailhead, located 3 miles east of the main visitor center and Mather Point, then stretches 10 Up to Hermits Rest, 5 miles west of the visitor center
Even though I’m sure some people are up for it, walking the entire length of this trail with your dog and returning along it in one day would be a major undertaking.
We were only able to walk a mile or so on either side of Mather Point, stopping frequently to take pictures. We also go back to the trail late in the day to see the sunset’s vibrant colors.
Remember that dogs must always be kept on leashes no longer than six feet in length.
I also advise making the 22-mile trip to Desert View, which is located on the park’s eastern edge, east of the main Visitor Center. This drive stays open to private vehicles year round.
Visit some or all of Grandview Point, Moran Point, Lipan Point, and Navajo Point along the way. Dogs are allowed at the paved lookouts.
The storied Watchtower at Desert View was built in the 1930s. Obviously, dogs are not permitted inside the structure or on the watchtower. If you are visiting with someone else, I suggest taking turns going inside. (As of 2022, only the ground-floor store is open; the watchtower itself is closed.) ).
Stay as long as you can to watch the magnificent Grand Canyon sunset with your dog. If you choose to stay outside of the park, you will have to drive back to your lodging in the dark, but it will be worth it to see the canyon’s stunning colors come to life as the sun sets.
Hopi Point is among the park’s most well-liked sunset viewing locations. However, since this location is along Hermit Road, it can only be reached for the majority of the year by shuttle bus (see more below), which does not allow animals on board. I suggest going to Yavapi Point instead, which is close to the main parking lot.
According to the U. S. According to the National Park Service, pets are not allowed on park shuttle buses, below the canyon’s rim, or in park accommodations unless they are in pet-friendly rooms.
On trails above the north and south rims, in the Yavapai Lodge, which has the only rooms that allow pets, and at the South Rim Kennel, the Grand Canyon does, however, permit dogs and other leashed pets.
Visit the Grand Canyons website for more information on the parks pet policies.
Dogs aren’t as fortunate as humans, who can sweat and stay cool with enough hydration. After 10 a.m. in the Grand Canyon, dogs are especially susceptible to overheating due to the lack of shade. m.
Below the rim, service animals are permitted if they are helping people with disabilities. Emotional support animals are not permitted. Service animal owners must register at the Backcountry Information Center.
Where Else Are Dogs Allowed at the Grand Canyon?
Dogs are also allowed on the Greenway Trail at the South Rim, which links the main Visitor Center, Market Plaza, Village, and Tusayan precincts. It is a paved bicycle path that is more for practical use than for sightseeing.
Unfortunately, the North Rim is not as dog-friendly as the South Rim. Only the Greenway Trail connecting the North Kaibab Trail and the section of the Arizona Trail leading north to the park entrance station is open to leased pets. We didn’t have time to also visit the North Rim.
FAQ
Why are dogs not allowed in the Grand Canyon?
According to park officials, it’s simple for hikers to go too far into the Grand Canyon and end up on a much harder hike than they had intended. Many dogs can’t handle very long hikes, so authorities advise against taking them.
Is Grand Canyon Skywalk dog friendly?
DO GRAND CANYON WEST ALLOW PETS? Pets are not allowed on tours or to be left in parked cars. Pet accommodations are available at the Hualapai Ranch (fee applies). Service animals are permitted on tours.
Can I take my dog to the North Rim Grand Canyon?
Pets are only permitted on the North Kaibab Trail, which runs from the Grand Canyon Lodge to the Bridle Trail, and the section of the Arizona Trail that heads north from there to the park entrance station on the North Rim. Contrary to the South Rim, there are no kennels or accommodations for pets at the lodges.
Does Grand Canyon have dog kennels?
The kennel welcomes vaccinated dogs and cats throughout the entire year. Pets are not allowed in the majority of guest rooms in lodges on the South Rim, on shuttle buses, or on the trails that run below the canyon’s rim.