Pet Friendly National Park: The Grand Canyon

Words cannot describe, and pictures cannot capture, the magnificence of the Grand Canyon. Its Mother Nature’s most stunning sculpture. But what makes the Grand Canyon truly special is how much of it you can experience with your dog — a rare thing in America’s national parks.

Stretching 277 river miles from Lees Ferry to the Grand Wash Cliffs, Grand Canyon National Park ranks as the 11th largest national park in the United States. And, no matter how many times you visit, the views will never be the same. Sunlight and clouds, the bright green of spring, or a dusting of snow combine to make every trip unique.

For us, this is one of those places we never get enough of. And it’s all the better for the fact that the Grand Canyon is a wonderful place to visit with your dog.

In fact, on a recent month-long road trip with our pup, we took Myles to the Grand Canyon for his first time. Walking the same paths we explored with Ty and Buster years ago brought back a lot of sweet memories. And it’s wonderful to now have memories of Myles in one of our favorite national parks, too!

Visiting Grand Canyon National Park With A Dog

Two years ago we took Myles on a trip to Kanab, Utah, and visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. So, this wasn’t actually Myles’ first visit. But the pet policies on the North Rim and South Rim are very different.

At the North Rim dogs are allowed at the picnic areas and in the parking areas of the overlooks. So, views of the canyon come as you drive the 30 miles of scenic roads at the North Rim. The only trails that allow pets, Bridal Path and the portion of the Arizona Trail that runs between North Kaibab Trailhead and the north entrance of the park, are both pretty. But either have views of the canyon.

Pet Policy At The South Rim Of The Grand Canyon

On the other hand, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is a fantastic place to visit with a dog! You’ll find plenty to explore, pet friendly lodging, and a kennel where your pet can spend the day if you want to see parts of the park where pets aren’t allowed.

Leashed pets are welcome on the Rim and Greenway trails at the South Rim. Leashes must not be longer than 6-feet.

Pets cannot go below the rim, inside the buildings, or on the shuttle buses.

Yavapai Lodge has pet friendly rooms available for an additional fee of $32 per pet, per night and allows up to two pets per room.

The Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, Trailer Village, and other developed areas of the park are pet friendly.

Most of the pet policies in our national parks make visiting with dogs a challenge. In fact, many times pets can’t go beyond paved parking lots or campgrounds. Fortunately, that is not the case at the Grand Canyon. This is one of the most pet friendly national parks in the country!

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Hiking At The Grand Canyon With A Dog

When you’re ready to hit the pet friendly trails, the best scenery is along the South Rim Trail. The 14-mile trail is paved, so it’s easy walking. Foot traffic is more concentrated near the shuttle stops, but most of the time it feels like you and your dog have the whole Grand Canyon to yourselves!

Keep in mind that the trail’s average elevation is about 6,800 feet, which makes it easy to get dehydrated. Be sure to carry plenty of water for you and your pet, because bottle filling stations aren’t always operational, and bottled water isn’t for sale.

Also be aware that altitude sickness (nausea, shortness of breath, exhaustion, headache) can affect both humans and pets, so take it easy until you’ve acclimated to the elevation.

Despite the elevation, heat is often an issue in the summer. Our most recent visit was in July, so we expected high temperatures. Getting to the trail at 7am allowed us to comfortably walk for a few hours. But by the time we got back to the car around 10am, it was already over 80 degrees!

Before your trip, it’s also a good idea to refresh your memory on the signs of dehydration and heat stroke in dogs. And consider packing protective boots for your pup.

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Grand Canyon With A Dog In One Day

There really is no bad place to jump on the Rim Trail and go for a walk. You can park at the visitor center and start down the trail in either direction for fantastic views.

If you happen to be visiting during the off-season (November 1 – February 28), we have another suggestion. Head for Hermit Road and catch the Rim Trail there. From Hopi Point you’ll be able to see the Colorado River. And from Pima Point you can actually hear the roar as the river crashes through Granite Rapid!

Hermit Road is closed to personal vehicles from March 1st to October 31st, and pets can’t ride the shuttles. So accessing these spots requires a trip during the off-season, or a lot of walking!

Watch The Weather

At the Grand Canyon, storms can blow in quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on the sky as you walk. And move toward the nearest shelter if the clouds turn ominous!

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Pet Friendly Hotel At The Grand Canyon

If you and your dog need more than a day at the Grand Canyon, the Yavapai Lodge has pet friendly rooms for an additional $32 fee per pet, per night. They allow two pets per room with no restrictions on size. There are also two campgrounds without hookups, and one RV park with hookups inside the park. You can find additional pet friendly accommodations just south of the Grand Canyon in Tusayan, Arizona.

Finding pet friendly restaurants here is a bit more challenging. There are a few restaurants with outdoor seating in Tusayan. But if you want to make the most of your time with your dog at the Grand Canyon, we suggest packing picnics. If that’s your plan, stock up before you arrive. Grocery options are limited once you’re in the park.

Grand Canyon Kennel

If you want to hike below the rim at the Grand Canyon you’ll need to make arrangements for your pet. The kennel at the Grand Canyon is located on the South Rim near Maswik Lodge, and is open every day from 7:30am to 5pm. Accepting dogs and cats for day or overnight boarding, the kennel recommends making your reservations early, especially during the summer months and holidays. And be sure to pack your pet’s vaccination records.

We hope we’ve inspired you to visit the Grand Canyon with your dog! It’s a place like no other. And the experience and memories are truly unforgettable when you do more together.

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