Many people want to take their four-footed best friend with them when they visit national parks. Joshua Tree National Park Ranger George Land says that may not be such a good idea…
Imagine hiking in the summer heat wearing a fur coat and walking in bare feet. This happens all too often in Joshua Tree National Park. Visitors bring their dogs on trails in extreme heat, or even worse, leave them in a hot vehicle. Temperatures in the summer typically reach 100 degrees or more, even in the upper elevations of the park. Dogs can’t tell you when they are distressed from heat; you have to be the one to exercise good judgment.
Please know the rules for pets when visiting any national park. At Joshua Tree, pets are not allowed on trails, with the only exception being the Oasis of Mara trail behind the visitor center in Twentynine Palms.
For further rules and information on visiting with pets, call us or check out our website at www.nps/gov/jotr.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK SAYS LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME
