Dogs Can Become BARK Rangers at 150 National Parks

Our four-legged family members can now become official park rangers through the BARK Ranger program. The National Park Service offers this special badge at 150 parks across the country.

The program teaches us four simple rules. We must bag and carry out our pet's waste. Our dogs must always wear a leash. We need to respect wildlife by keeping our distance. And we should know where our pets can go in each park.

Park rangers created this program to help everyone have a safe and fun visit. They want to reduce problems with dogs and teach good pet behavior. When we follow these rules, we protect the parks for future visitors and wildlife.

The BARK Ranger badge makes a fun souvenir for our adventures. More importantly, it shows we care about being responsible pet owners. We set a good example for other families when we visit parks.

Families can visit any of the 150 participating parks to earn their badge. Popular parks like Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains, and Death Valley are part of the program. Check the park's website before visiting to learn about their specific pet rules.