I saw a casual day-hiker walking her small dog on one of national parks' hiking trails. This national park prohibits pets on their hiking trails, except for a couple of short walking paths. This visitor probably was not familiar with the park's regulations on pets.

As a rule, large national parks that have extensive backcountry areas do not allow dogs on trails - Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains are such examples.

There are several reasons why these national parks prohibit dogs on hiking trails:

• Dogs can carry diseases into the parks' wildlife habitats.


• Dogs can harass wildlife. They can chase and scare birds and other small animals away, and disrupt the wild animals' natural behavioral patterns.


• The scent left behind by dogs can be a threat to wildlife and alter their behaviors.


• Dogs may behave unpredictably in unfamiliar areas. They may become hard to control, even on a leash, in often narrow trails.


• Dogs can become prey for larger predators such as bears and coyotes. If your dog agitates a bear, it will be a threat to you and other people.


• Dogs can get hurt by insects or by poisonous plants.


• Uncontrolled dogs can be a nuisance and sometimes a danger to other visitors.

If you plan to travel to national parks, it is important to check each park's pet regulations in advance and get detailed information. There is a possibility that pets are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, in which cases they must be kept on a leash at all times. Pet owners must immediately clean when their dogs eliminate. Pets should not be left unattended in vehicles.

Restrictions on pets in national parks are not only to protect wildlife, but also to protect your pets. Plan ahead, and enjoy summer!