The rules and regulations related to hiking with dogs can be a bit confusing, to say the least. The laws change with state parks, national parks, national forests, and local parks. When in doubt, keep your dog on a leash at all times. Regulations are probably posted at each trailhead, but you never know.

National Parks:

National Parks are run by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Their website says:

• In general, pets are permitted but must be restrained either on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length, caged or crated at all times. Park Superintendents and Managers have the discretion to further restrict areas open to pets (i.e., trails, buildings, campgrounds may be off limits).
• Restrictions on pets in parks are as much to protect your pet as to protect park resources. Following are some of the reasons parks give for regulating the presence of pets:
• When a loose pet chases a squirrel or raccoon, the wild animal's ability to survive is threatened, and when it is threatened, it may react aggressively.
• There is a strong possibility in parks such as Yellowstone that your pet could become prey for bear, coyote, owl, or other predators.
• There is a possibility of exchange of diseases between domestic animals and wildlife.
• Dogs, the most common traveling companion, are natural predators that may harass or even kill native wildlife that is protected within the park's boundaries.
• The "scent of a predator" that dogs leave behind can disrupt or alter the behavior of native animals.
• Pets may be hard to control, even on a leash, within confines of often narrow park trails and may trample or dig up fragile vegetation.
• Dog and cat feces add excessive nutrients and bacterial pollution to water, which decreases water quality and can also cause human health problems.
• Finally, lost domestic animals sometimes turn to preying on park wildlife and must be destroyed.

Mount Rainier

Pets are welcome at Mount Rainier, but they and their owners must practice the following:

• At all times, pets must be on a leash not more than 6 feet in length or in a cage.
• At all times, pets must be with and under the control of their owners.
• Owners must pick up and dispose of all fecal matter.
• Where are pets permitted at Mount Rainier?
• Pets are permitted in parking lots, campgrounds, and on paved roads. While in these areas, pets must, at all times, be leashed or crated and with their owners.
• The Pacific Crest Trail is the one exception to this rule. Dogs on a leash no longer then 6 feet are permitted on the Pacific Crest Trail.
• At Mount Rainier, pets are NOT allowed in the following areas (service animals excepted): on trails, inside buildings, in the wilderness, in amphitheaters, on snow.

Ebeys Landing

Can I bring my dog to the Reserve?

Dogs are welcome in the Reserve’s beaches, trails and most public parks provided they are on leashes. There is an off-leash dog park located in the Reserve. Check with the Island County Parks Department for hours of operation and location.

NorthCascades National Park Service Complex:

Dogs are not permitted on trails or in cross-country areas within the national park. Leashed dogs are allowed in Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas, along the Pacific Crest Trail and along roads in the national park.

Leashed dogs are allowed in the National Forest in developed recreation areas, except on Table Mountain Trail 681 in Heather Meadows Area.

Olympic National Park:

To help all visitors enjoy the park, to provide for you and your pet's safety and to protect park wildlife, please observe the following rules.

• Pets are permitted only in park campgrounds, picnic areas and parking lots, along with several ocean beaches.
• Pets are not allowed on park trails or beaches -- except for the following three areas where leashed (up to six feet in length) pets are permitted: Rialto Beach one-half mile north to Ellen Creek, All Kalaloch beaches (from Ruby Beach south to South Beach) and Peabody Creek Trail
• ets are not allowed in the park's designated wilderness, in public buildings or in boats on park rivers.
• Pets must be on a leash (up to six feet long) at all times.
• Do not leave your pet unattended.
• Clean up after your pet.
• Pets are allowed in campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash or in a kennel at all times.
• Leashed pets are allowed on trails in Olympic National Forest.

San Juan Historic National Park

• Pets must be leashed at all times in the park and, with the exception of service dogs, are not allowed in park buildings. Do not allow your pet to chase wildlife. Pick up excrement around the pads. Finally, if your pet becomes a problem – i.e., biting or excessive barking – you may be asked to leave. San Juan NHS is Pet-friendly Environment
• At San Juan National Historic Site, you may take your pet on the grounds with you. Your pet must be under control and on a leash at all times, not only here but through Old San Juan City. The restraining leash shall not exceed six feet in length. The City of San Juanalso has a similar law.
• Pet’s off–leash can scare and possibly harm other animals or people. Kids are vulnerable to these types of attacks due to their innocence about the dogs. Pet’s can damage vegetation if left alone and without supervision. The steep drop–offs at the top of the walls make it dangerous for a pet not on a leash. Leaving pets unattended or tied to any object within the park is prohibited, including the exterior of motor vehicles parked within park boundaries is a hazard to the immediate welfare of the animal. The inside of the fortifications is reserved for guide dogs only accompanying visually impaired persons or hearing ear dogs accompanying hearing-impaired persons.
• Pet feces in lawns, sidewalks, and around public buildings must be properly disposed of by the person responsible for the pet. Throughout the park there are pet stations in which plastic bags are provided to pick up the feces and signs posted depicting the regulations. Pets running-at-large may be impounded, and the owner may be charged reasonable fees for kennel or boarding costs, feed, veterinarian fees, transportation costs, and disposal. An impounded pet may be put up for adoption or otherwise disposed of after being held for 72 hours from the time the owner was notified of capture or 72 hours from the time of capture if the owner is unknown.
• This section does not apply to dogs used by authorized Federal, State and local law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.

Whitman Mission National Historic Site

• Pets are allowed outside on the grounds, but not in the Visitor Center
• Helper animals are allowed in the Visitor Center
• Pets must be leashed at all times.
• Pets may not be left unattended or tied to any object.
• Pet excrement must be picked up and properly disposed of in a park trashcan.
• Pets and other animals may not be released into the park. This is for the safety of the animals themselves and for the protection of park wildlife.

National Forest Law Regarding Dogs, Sec. 2.15 Pets:

(a) The following are prohibited:

(1) Possessing a pet in a public building, public transportation vehicle, or location designated as a swimming beach, or any structure or area closed to the possession of pets by the superintendent. This subparagraph shall not apply to guide dogs accompanying visually impaired persons or hearing ear dogs accompanying hearing-impaired persons.

(2) Failing to crate, cage, restrain on a leash which shall not exceed six feet in length, or otherwise physically confine a pet at all times.

(3) Leaving a pet unattended and tied to an object, except in designated areas or under conditions which may be established by the superintendent.

(4) Allowing a pet to make noise that is unreasonable considering location, time of day or night, impact on park users, and other relevant factors, or that frightens wildlife by barking, howling, or making other noise.

(5) Failing to comply with pet excrement disposal conditions which may be established by the superintendent.

(b) In park areas where hunting is allowed, dogs may be used in support of these activities in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws and in accordance with conditions which may be established by the superintendent.

(c) Pets or feral animals that are running-at-large and observed by an authorized person in the act of killing, injuring or molesting humans, livestock, or wildlife may be destroyed if necessary for public safety or protection of wildlife, livestock, or other park resources.

(d) Pets running-at-large may be impounded, and the owner may be charged reasonable fees for kennel or boarding costs, feed, veterinarian fees, transportation costs, and disposal. An impounded pet may be put up for adoption or otherwise disposed of after being held for 72 hours from the time the owner was notified of capture or 72 hours from the time of capture if the owner is unknown.

National Forests:

The US Forest Service was established in 1905 and is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Forest Service manages public lands in national forests and grasslands, which encompass 193 million acres. The Forest Service is regulated by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Dogs are generally permitted on all US Forest Service trails. There are several areas, however, where dogs are not permitted or must be on a leash:

• Enchantments and Ingalls Lake Trail: Dogs are not allowed.
• Alpine Lakes Wilderness and I-90 Corridor: On all trails within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the I-90 corridor, dogs must be on a leash. On all trails within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, dogs must be on a leash. In the half of the Alpine Lakes within the Wenatchee Okanogan National Forest , dogs must be under voice control. Note that trails to the south of I-90 do not require a dog on a leash since those trails do not enter wilderness.
• You can be issued a citation for not having your dog on a leash on these trails. Again, when in doubt, it's probably best to keep your dog on a leash.

e-CFR Title 36, Part 261.16:

The following are prohibited to the extent Federal or State law is violated:

(a) Hunting, trapping, fishing, catching, molesting, killing or having in possession any kind of wild animal, bird, or fish, or taking the eggs of any such bird.

(d) Possessing a dog not on a leash or otherwise confined.

(Sections (b), (c), and (e) removed by web mistress for brevity).

e-CFR Title 36, Part 261.18:

(Sections (a) through (i) removed by web mistress for brevity).

(j) Bringing in or possessing an animal, other than a seeing eye dog, unless it is crated, caged, or upon a leash not longer than six feet, or otherwise under physical restrictive control.

(k) Bringing in or possessing in a swimming area an animal, other than a seeing eye dog.

State Laws: