I get asked about this quite a bit and I also see problems with it almost every time I go out camping in the forests as well as normal RV parks. Your canine companions traditionally have been welcome in most national forest campgrounds. The few rules that apply to dogs are meant to assure that you and other national forest visitors have an enjoyable outdoor recreation experience.
Good dogs (but not on leashes) - Photo by ThreadedThoughts
If you are camping with your pet, please practice the following rules:
- Leave vicious or noisy dogs at home. If they disturb or threaten others, they will not be allowed in public recreation areas and you will be asked to leave.
- At all waking times, keep your dog on a leash no more than 6 feet long or it must be under physical restrictive control at all times (36CFR2261.14j). That’s the law you agree to when you enter the forest. Domestic animals are not allowed to run loose in recreation areas where they can disturb others.
- It is a good idea to keep you dogs and other pets inside a vehicle or a tent at night.
- Please consider others if you have pets with you.
- Do not leave your dog alone. It may whine or bark while you are away. I don’t know how many times I hear people say, “my dog is quiet as a mouse, he never makes a sound.” Yeah, until you are not around. Then he barks non-stop until he hears your car or sees you coming back.
- Please clean up after your pet it will only take a few minutes.
Of course this post was inspired by my recent camping trip through some National Forests campgrounds in southern Colorado. First, I get out to check how level my site is when a big dog comes running towards me growling. I had to jump back in the drivers seat. Everybody’s dog is great and so sweet…Yes to their owners. You never know about strangers.
This same camper was having a little party at her campsite so more people come with their dogs. Pretty soon they have illegally parked cars all over the place with several dogs running all over the campground. All of them run loose, shaking water all over us, scaring my daughter and messing up our dinner, while the owners sit and relax. I had to shout at the dogs to leave and go home. The owners never call them or pay attention.
Wandering dogs but not the ones I'm writing about here - Photo by David Hudson Floyd
I just had a little dog run loose into my campsite and make waste right by the fire pit. The owners were inside their RV with the little bear appetizer running all over the place. I was already backing up out of the campsite so I didn’t go put it on the steps of the owners trailer like I should have.
What do you think about dogs in National Forests? Do you go camping with your dog? Do you have problems with others and their dogs?
I would never travel and camp without my dog(s). As with everything there are responsible people and “the others”. Solution? WIsh I knew. A pet friendly campsite area for people w/ pets away from the non pet people?
It’s a tough one because I love dogs too. The problem is that most people don’t want to hear other dogs barking, acting as bear bait, running loose and interfering with others enjoyment of their camp site. As with most things, it is the people and not the animals that really cause the problems. I had a close friend who said how her dog never barked at all. Except the dog actually barked non-stop for hours when she was gone. As soon as the dog heard the familiar car, he quieted down.
We never go anywhere without our dogs either. The story above is about inconsiderate people. The dogs could have been replaced by screaming kids, loud music, arguing…most of us have experienced all of these. It is a risk we take staying in a campground. It is even worse in a hotel. And is still a possibility in the backcountry.
Aggressive dogs are a different story. They should never be off leash and shouldn’t be taken around other people. Period. I have had dogs ON a leash cause me more concern than most dogs I have encountered off the leash. Lunging and growling and staring…. ughhh. That was walking through my own town!!
We try to go places where there will be few people. One, because that is the way we like it. Two, because our dogs need to be able to enjoy the woods the way a dog enjoys the woods when we are far out on the trail and away from others. Running and smelling. Thanks, to my husband, our dogs are very well behaved and under voice command at all times. Probably more so than my children were when they were little. lol
With that being said, I try very hard to be considerate of others. If we are out on the trail and see someone coming, we leash up for their comfort.
I am a 15month old shepadoodle and my human works diligently to instill good dog manners as I learn the many things I must to co-exist with humans. I am well socialized with people and other dogs and have never exibited agressive behavior towards either species. This summer was the greatest because we got to go learn camping 101. Hiking different trails playing in the rivers, swimming in lakes, finding ball in tall grass meadows, napping by the campfire and snuggling up in the tent at night with my human are what being man’s best friend is all about! Yip, yip hooray!
Hello, this is Vassar’s human. As you can see from his testemony that camping is essential for a dog’s development to learn the rules of the wilderness (wild animals, rivers, mountains, weather etc…), and great fun too. We need to be able to visit places where it’s ok to play/exercise and explore new things for the well being of all. Yes, we leash up when necessary for the comfort of others and also pick a most secluded place to stay whenever possible. As mentioned by MJ leashes can bring out the instability of some dogs with issues, however also are a good safety net for instable dogs & owners. If you cannot socialize and train your dog to respect his manners dont subject others to possible danger or stress. And, finally leaving your baby (pet dog)unattended in a strange wilderness/campground is just plain stupid as well as rude to others in close proximity.
I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED A DOG AND CATS WE TAKE THEM WITH OUR RV.
WE HAVE ALWAYS SOCIALIZED OUR PETS. BUT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO SHUOLD NOT OWN PET. WHAT I TAKE WITH ME IS PEPPER SPRAY, WE PICK UP AND LEASH IN PUBLIC AND SHOULD RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE.