Yellowstone National Park With Dogs

For any national park enthusiast, a visit to Yellowstone National Park should be high up on your list. It became the first national park in the US in 1872 and continues to be one of the most popular national parks in the country. With a wide array of dramatic landscapes, unique geothermal features, and wild life everywhere, Yellowstone provides endless opportunities for visitors. Like most national parks, though, there are many restrictions around where pets are allowed. If you’re traveling with your four-legged friends, don’t let this deter you – visiting Yellowstone National Park with dogs can still offer you many opportunities for exploring!

Scenic Drives

Yellowstone National Park offers over 250 miles of scenic driving for you to explore. As with many of the national parks that we visit, these scenic drives are one of our favorite dog-friendly options, and Yellowstone certainly delivers. The roads take you through some of the most scenic areas of the park and up close and personal to many geothermal features.

Tips when planning to cruise the roads of Yellowstone National Park with your dogs:

• Take advantage of pull-offs along the drive. Dogs are allowed in these developed areas and up to 100 feet from the road and pull-offs. These are located frequently on the Grand Loop and along most scenic areas. They give you many opportunities to get out and stretch your legs and allow your dogs to take in the views.
• The max speed limit in the park is 45mph and many roads are 35mph or less. This allows you to enjoy your driving and take in all the sites. Even better you can have your windows down for your dogs to explore!
• There is wildlife EVERYWHERE in the park – we got stopped multiple times with bison herds in the road. This is a fun opportunity to have your dogs get close to wildlife while still maintaining a safe barrier. Pro Tip: If you see a bunch of cars parked along the side of the road, there’s a good chance they are looking at one of the rarer animals in the park like a moose, bear, or wolf!

Popular Areas

Most popular areas of the park have dedicated parking lots and some include picnic areas and facilities. Since dogs are allowed in these developed areas, they offer good opportunities to get out and walk around. Though in general dogs are allowed within 100 feet of these developed areas, make sure to observe signage around where dogs aren’t allowed (generally posted at the start of trails and boardwalks). These are a few of our favorite areas to explore from the developed sections of the park:

• Old Faithful Area – By far the most iconic thing to do in the park is watch Old Faithful erupt. The best part of this area is that you’re able to take in this famous Yellowstone National Park attraction with your dogs! The whole area is well developed with multiple parking lots, shops, restaurants, a lodge, and even a gas station. There are plenty of areas for your dogs to roam and explore, just make sure to watch for signs to indicate areas they can’t go into. For Old Faithful itself, dogs are allowed up to approximately 100 yards away prior to entering the boardwalk area.
• Grand Prismatic Spring – This colorful spring is one of the largest hot springs in the world and one of the most photographed features in the park. Along with a short boardwalk to the spring itself (not dog-friendly) the developed area is right next to some geothermal features and a river that your dogs can check out. A nice spot to stretch your legs and take in some views.
• Yellowstone Lake – Yellowstone Lake is the largest high elevation lake in the US and offers some dramatic views along with its crystal clear waters. There are many developed areas along the lake where you can get out and explore with your dogs. We stopped along the coast in the Lake Village area to walk around and take in the views.

We hope this post helps you get the best adventure with your dogs! Check out our dog-friendly travel posts for more trip ideas and tips.