When you have pets, you know how hard it is to leave them behind while you go on a trip somewhere. While not every place you wish to explore is pet-friendly, there are some truly amazing locations out there that are. Take, for example, Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona, a park so welcoming to your four-legged fur babies that it even has a special program just for them!
Petrified Forest National Park is located in Arizona along Interstate 40. With 50,000 acres of wilderness, there’s plenty to explore with your four-legged friends.
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Known and named for the colorful petrified wood found here, this national park offers plenty of designated trails to explore the petrified wood forest and badlands of the Painted Desert.
Petrified Forest National Park/Facebook
Aside from the otherworldly landscape, there is a variety of flora and fauna that can be found around the park. There are over 200 species of birds, both migratory and permanent, here, as well as over 400 plant species and a variety of mammals, including pronghorns and bobcats.
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Best of all, pets are allowed here at Petrified Forest National Park. What a way for them to get exercise and explore!
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Your furry friends are so welcome here that the National Park Service has developed a special program just for them. At the visitors center or entrance booth, sign up for the B.A.R.K. Ranger program, which will help both you and your pet enjoy the park while following the rules.
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B.A.R.K. is an acronym for the rules: bag your pet’s waste, always keep your pet on a leash, respect wildlife, and know where you can go (meaning on the paved and marked trails.) You’ll be given a B.A.R.K. Ranger card with these rules and a treat for your four-legged companion.
Petrified Forest National Park/Facebook B.A.R.K. Ranger tags may also be purchased at the visitors center.
When you’re able to bring your pet someplace as unique as the Petrified Forest, there’s simply nothing better! Next time you’re up for an adventure with your pet, head up to northeast Arizona and enjoy hiking and exploring together.
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B.A.R.K. Ranger tags may also be purchased at the visitors center.
Have you taken your dog on an outdoor adventure at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona? What other pet-friendly places have you visited with your four-legged friends? Let your fellow readers know in the comments! For more information, such as park hours and entrance fees, visit the Petrified Forest page on the National Park Service website, and you can also follow the Facebook page.
Looking for another adventure to share with your pet? Try the Wolf Creek Falls trail located in Prescott National Forest.
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Address: Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA
