If you’re a nature lover who hates leaving your dog behind, you’re in luck—there are amazing wildlife sanctuaries across the U.S. where dogs are welcome on a leash. From the serene trails of Montana’s Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center to the coastal beauty of Florida’s Seacrest Wolf Preserve, these spots let you and your pup soak in nature together. Many of these sanctuaries not only support conservation but also create enriching experiences for visitors and their furry companions. Just remember to follow each sanctuary’s pet policy, respect the wildlife, and pack those poop bags! It’s a fantastic way to bond with your dog while learning about America’s wild wonders.
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary – Utah’s Dog Paradise
Imagine standing on red rock cliffs while your furry companion sniffs the sweet desert air beside you. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary near Kanab, Utah is the largest sanctuary of its kind in the U.S., spanning nearly 4,000 acres and home to approximately 1,600 animals. Unlike many wildlife facilities, this remarkable place welcomes well-behaved leashed dogs to explore their visitor areas and designated trails.
Visitors can volunteer to clean kennels and socialize with the animals, including bunnies, farm animals and injured wild animals, and the shelter’s on-site lodging provides specialized pet amenities like pull-out beds, a pet washing station and splash zone. Your dog will love meeting the resident animals from a respectful distance, and you’ll both be inspired by the incredible rescue stories. The scenic hiking trails winding through Utah’s stunning landscape make this a perfect destination for adventurous dog owners who want to support animal welfare while exploring the great outdoors.
Acadia National Park – Maine’s Crown Jewel for Dog Lovers
Acadia National Park spans several islands along the rugged Maine coast and features 100 miles of pet-friendly hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads where leashed pets are welcome. The park’s diverse ecosystems provide incredible wildlife viewing opportunities while your dog explores alongside you. While pets are prohibited near lakes and natural water sources, as well as on rung and ladder trails along cliffs, you still have access to historic roadways that crisscross near Jordan Pond House or trekking up the backside of Champlain Mountain.
Think of it like a massive outdoor museum where every trail tells a different story about Maine’s natural heritage. Dogs are permitted at the Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods campgrounds, and on Isle au Haut for day hiking, though ticks are prevalent from late spring to early fall. The park even has a special “Bark Ranger” program that makes your dog an honorary park ambassador!
Shenandoah National Park – Virginia’s Dog-Friendly Mountain Escape
Of the 500 miles of marked hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park, only 20 are off-limits to pets, giving you and your dog plenty of room to explore, with some of the best short hikes accessible along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Your pup will feel like they’re on top of the world as you both traverse the ancient Appalachian Mountains together. The park might be most famous for its winding Skyline Drive, a 105-mile paved road that traverses the wooded tops of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and furry sidekicks are allowed on nearly 500 miles of trails including a portion of the famous Appalachian Trail.
Pets are allowed at Shenandoah’s campgrounds as well, and the park even has pet-friendly lodging available. The cascading waterfalls and panoramic vistas create an unforgettable backdrop for you and your four-legged hiking buddy. Many dog owners say this park offers some of the most spectacular sunset views they’ve ever shared with their pets.
Congaree National Park – South Carolina’s Hidden Gem
Protecting the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States, Congaree National Park in South Carolina welcomes all visitors and their pets, with leashed pets able to join you on all trails, including the boardwalk, as well as in the campgrounds. Walking through this ancient forest feels like stepping back in time, where massive trees create a natural cathedral above you and your dog.
The park is home to champion trees — the largest in their species known to man — and was once a swampy hideout for bootleggers and runaway slaves, featuring a 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop trail where bald cypress trees eerily jut out of the water. This floodplain where the Congaree and Wateree Rivers meet supports an amazing number of plants and animals, including national and state champion trees, and renting a kayak or canoe allows you to immerse yourself in the ecosystem. Your dog will be fascinated by the unique sounds and smells of this mysterious swampland, but keep watch for alligators!
New River Gorge National Park – West Virginia’s Adventure Playground
Animal companions are allowed on all trails within America’s newest national park, leaving you with dozens of options to hike along a sandstone ridge to view the New River Gorge Bridge or wander under a leaf-filled canopy to check out ruins, and pets are even permitted at the rock-climbing crag. This place is like an outdoor adventure theme park where your dog can experience everything from rushing rivers to towering cliffs.
From the Endless Wall Trail to Long Point to Kaymoor Miners, this West Virginia National Park is famous for its rafting and nearby rock climbing and mountain biking. The dramatic gorge carved by the New River over millions of years creates some of the most breathtaking vistas in the eastern United States. Your dog will love scrambling over the ancient rocks while you both soak in views that seem to stretch forever. The park’s rich history as a coal mining region adds an extra layer of intrigue to your wilderness adventure.
White Sands National Park – New Mexico’s Surreal Landscape
Unlike most national parks, White Sands allows dogs to roam freely on a leash across its striking gypsum sand dunes, on or off the trails, and you can take in the rainbow hues of sunset with a view of the towering Organ Mountains in the distance while snuggling your favorite doggo in the backcountry campsites. Picture your dog’s pure joy as they bound through what looks like endless snow but feels warm under their paws. The surreal white landscape creates an otherworldly experience that feels more like exploring an alien planet than hiking in New Mexico.
Some monuments like Colorado’s Dinosaur National Monument and New Mexico’s White Sands allow dogs on most trails. The constantly shifting dunes mean every visit offers a completely different landscape, and the incredible sunsets paint the white sand in brilliant oranges, pinks, and purples. Your dog will have endless fun digging in the cool gypsum sand while you capture Instagram-worthy photos against this magical backdrop.
Petrified Forest National Park – Arizona’s Ancient Wonder
Visitors can amble across the Painted Desert and ancient, fossilized trees with their fuzzy familiars in this Arizona park that once inspired naturalist John Muir, as Petrified Forest allows leashed pets on any paved road or trail, as well as in all official wilderness areas, so you can pack your bags and get ready to hike the vast undulations of the striped red hills. Walking among 225-million-year-old petrified logs with your dog feels like traveling through a natural time machine.
The rainbow-colored rock formations and ancient fossils create an educational adventure that’s perfect for curious dogs who love sniffing out new discoveries. These petrified trees once stood as tall as modern redwoods, and now they lie scattered across the desert like nature’s own sculpture garden. Your dog will be amazed by the unique textures and scents of this prehistoric landscape, while you’ll both be humbled by the incredible span of geological time represented here.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Ohio’s Urban Oasis
Dogs and cats are technically allowed on more than 100 miles of scenic trails at this Ohio park, which made 2021’s list of top 10 most-visited national parks in the country, including the breathtaking trek to Brandywine Falls, the shaded rock formations of the Ledges Trail, and the 20 miles of the multi-use Towpath Trail. This park proves that incredible wildlife experiences don’t require traveling to remote wilderness areas.
Following the Cuyahoga River, the pet friendly Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Cleveland, Ohio was designated in 2000. The historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail offers a flat, easy walk perfect for dogs of all ages and energy levels. Your pup will love splashing in Brandywine Creek while you admire the 65-foot waterfall cascading into the gorge below. The park’s mix of forests, wetlands, and rolling hills provides diverse habitats for wildlife viewing, making every hike a potential adventure in animal spotting.
Indiana Dunes National Park – The Great Lakes’ Best Kept Secret
Leashed pets are allowed inside both the National and State Parks, with dogs welcome on all beaches except for the lifeguarded swim areas at West Beach and the State Park, and they’re allowed on every trail except Pinhook Bog Trail and the Glenwood Dunes Trail System. Your dog will experience the unique thrill of climbing massive sand dunes that tower above Lake Michigan’s shoreline. This is an often overlooked US National Park that’s close to Chicago and accessible to a large piece of the Great Lakes Region, where you can camp at the Dunewood Campground and from there hike and bike along Lake Michigan via Beverly Shores.
The park’s diverse ecosystems range from prairie grasslands to oak savannas, providing incredible biodiversity in a surprisingly compact area. Watching your dog’s first reaction to Lake Michigan’s waves is priceless – many pups are initially confused by water that seems to stretch to the horizon like an ocean. The changing seasons create dramatically different experiences, from summer beach days to winter wonderlands when the dunes are covered in snow.
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge – Alaska’s Wild Frontier
If bears are the concern though, regulations at Kodiak Wildlife Refuge turn the rules on their head, as Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge is home to the largest of the brown bears in the world and hosts one of the largest bear population densities anywhere, with the nearly 2 million acres set aside by Franklin Roosevelt specifically to protect the special bears in 1941. This might sound counterintuitive, but dogs are actually welcomed here under specific guidelines because they can help alert visitors to bear presence.
Like many places in Alaska, the wildlife refuge is remote – accessible only by float plane or boat. Your dog will experience true wilderness in its most pristine form, where massive Kodiak bears roam freely and eagles soar overhead. The refuge’s remote location means you and your dog will have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat while hiking through landscapes that have remained unchanged for thousands of years. This is definitely an adventure for experienced outdoor enthusiasts and their well-trained dogs who can handle extreme wilderness conditions.
Exploring wildlife sanctuaries with your dog by your side is a unique and rewarding experience you’ll both cherish. These special places offer the chance to connect with nature, support conservation, and make memories with your pup—all in one outing. Just be sure to follow the rules, keep your dog leashed, and respect the wildlife. With a little planning, these dog-friendly sanctuaries can become your favorite go-to escape for peace, adventure, and tail wags.
