Kinsey Gidick, Washington Post
For national parks enthusiasts, the joy of bringing a dog along for a hike or history tour is a significant part of the experience. However, in recent years, some at the National Park Service saw that visitors weren’t always matching their admiration for these protected places with responsible canine behavior. Furry companions were disrupting wildlife and disturbing plants, and pet waste was becoming a growing problem.
“We had some people that thought their dog was so gifted and special that they did not need to abide by park rules,” said Ginger Cox, a ranger at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site outside of Asheville.
Rather than allowing these sites to go to the dogs, the NPS devised a canine-friendly solution in 2015: the B.A.R.K. Rangers program.
This lesser-known initiative, available at roughly 50 sites, provides dogs with the opportunity to become more considerate guests by following four straightforward steps represented by the B.A.R.K. acronym:
Bag your pet’s waste.
Always leash your pet (no longer than six feet).
Respect wildlife.
Know where you can go.
Upon successful completion of the challenge, a pup can attain the esteemed title of B.A.R.K. Ranger and receive rewards such as a bandanna or a coveted ranger badge. (Service dogs are welcome to join in, too, though their parameters may be different as they are legally permitted anywhere that visitors can go.)
Here are other NPS sites where your pup can earn the B.A.R.K Ranger title. (And don’t forget to make a reservation if you need one.)—Acadia NP, Hot Springs NP, Yosemite NP, White Sands NP, Natchez Trace Parkway, Prince William Forest Park.
“We kicked off our B.A.R.K. Ranger program [locally] in 2020 by partnering with the Hendersonville humane society,” Cox said. The North Carolina site has seen significant pup improvement since its launch. Here, dogs are welcome to enjoy the former home of the famous poet and author, including anywhere on the trails and grounds, except the goat pen.
And when a canine completes the B.A.R.K. Ranger program, they earn a free wooden badge.
Cox cautions visitors to be mindful of the terrain, the weather and a dog’s abilities. “We live in the mountains, and it’s hilly and rocky and can get hot and cold,” Cox says.
“Sometimes people dress themselves for warm weather and don’t think about how hot the pavement is on paws or whether their dog will be acclimated to our higher elevation. Here a dog’s physical limitations should be factored in.”
Editor’s Note: The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is on 270 acres in Flat Rock, western North Carolina. Average visit is two hours. 28,799 visitors last year.