Traveling with Your Dog – National Parks Edition

There are few experiences better than exploring one of the largest natural wonders alongside man’s best friend. Taking your pets on a trip to the Grand Canyon can be incredibly fun and rewarding for both you and the furry family members. However, before you head on over to your hotel with your pup to see the South Rim, you have to be properly prepared and take certain measures to ensure a fun, stress-free visit.

There are some official pet rules if you bring your four-legged companion with you. While leashed pets are welcomed along the Rim and Greenway Trails at the South Rim, there are some restrictions. Leashes cannot be longer than 6-feet and pets aren’t allowed in any buildings, shuttle buses, or in areas below the rim. You can find strong, durable dog leashes and collars at PetStopStore.com and other pet supply retailers.

Leashed pets are also allowed in certain campgrounds such as Mather Campground, Trailer Village, and Desert View Campground. Some Grand Canyon hotels such as the Yavapai Lodge provide pet-friendly rooms for an additional fee. Whether you wish to rough it in a tent or enjoy hotel amenities with your pets, you should invest in luxury dog beds so your pets can get quality rest. Be sure to bring dog food bowls for eating and drinking, too.

Even if you’re ready for the trip, you also have to know if your dog is ready, too. Hiking the trails can tire out humans, so you can imagine that your dog experiences the same exhaustion. Make note of your dog’s physical health and endurance in case you need to take shorter trails. You should also be aware of the elevation as your dog can experience altitude sickness and shortness of breath due to the thinner air. It would be beneficial for both you and your dog to take frequent long walks together before your trip to build up stamina to enjoy your South Rim nature hikes.

Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog and collapsible dog food bowls so they can properly eat, get rehydrated, and get their energy back when you rest. Keep in mind that bottle filling stations are closed during the winter months and bottled water isn’t for sale, so it’s important that you carry enough water for both you and your furry friend to last the entire excursion. Add some plastic baggies and gloves to your supplies so you can clean up after your pet when it relieves itself.

Pets aren’t allowed on buses so you may have to drive over to certain areas yourself. Get some luxury dog beds for your dogs to rest comfortably in the back of your car and provide plenty of water to drink. Never leave your pets in a parked car. Even if you leave a window cracked open, the Arizona sun still heats up the inside of a car to the point that it’s deadly for dogs.

As long as you have made the proper preparations and have sturdy pet collars and leashes on your pets, you will all have a safe and fun time to remember at the Grand Canyon.