Can I Bring My Dog to the Grand Canyon?

Posted by Jessica Roberts

Visiting Grand Canyon National Park should be on everyone’s bucket list, including Fido’s. The 277-mile-long, 6,000-foot-deep geological wonder is impossible to capture in photos or words, but those who see it in real life can’t help but “ooh” and “aah” and “woof” with excitement. Bringing dogs to the Grand Canyon isn’t quite as simple as showing up with a leash and a bottle of water, though. If you want to experience the seventh wonder of the world with your best bud by your side, here are Fido-approved tips for planning your Grand Canyon adventure!

Where Can I Stay With My Dog?

Camp at the Grand Canyon? Why yes we can-yon. Photo by @eileenchai

Though some visitors attempt to see the Grand Canyon in one day, most argue that at least a two-day trip is required to make the visit worthwhile. These pet-friendly accommodations provide the perfect basecamp so you can make the most of your adventure.

Yavapai Lodge

Stay inside Grand Canyon Village within the national park, at Yavapai Lodge. Located near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, this cozy accommodation gives you easy access to the national park visitor center and pet-friendly Rim Trail. During your stay, grab dinner with your pooch on the patio of Yavapai Lodge Tavern and relax around the fire pit. Four-legged guests will receive water bowls and treats at check-in and have access to a walking path around the property. Two pets of any size are welcome for an additional fee of $25 per night.

Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel

After a day of exploring, snuggle up with your pup at Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel located off the East Rim Drive. Pet-friendly rooms are located on the ground floor and provide easy access to the property’s wooded area for walks with Fido. Your pooch will also receive treats and water bowls at check-in. Two pets of any size are allowed for an additional fee of $50 per stay.

Trailer Village RV Park

If you’re traveling to the Grand Canyon by RV, set up camp at the Trailer Village RV Park. Set within a high desert landscape, the RV park offers year-round paved pull-through sites in close proximity to the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Best of all, you can avoid parking and long lines by walking the paved Greenway Trail to the South Rim from your campsite. Leashed pets of any size are welcome for no additional fee.

"The pawfect place for a walk. Photo by Pryce

Mather Campground

Tent camping is extremely popular for two- and four-legged visitors to the Grand Canyon. Mather Campground within Grand Canyon Village permits dogs at all 327 tent campsites, although they are typically fully booked up months in advance, so early reservations are a must. The campground lies beneath a shady canopy of ponderosa pine, pinyon and juniper trees and is only a one-mile walk from the rim. Pitch a tent here, and you and Fido can take a morning stroll over to the Greenway, where you’ll be amazed by the spectacular sunrise views on the canyon walls. Canine campers are welcome at Mather Campground for no additional fee.

Hualapai Lodge

Hualapai Lodge is situated on the Hualapai Reservation on the West Rim of the Grand Canyon and located directly on the original Route 66. Pets are permitted in six designated rooms or cabins. Kennel rentals are available if you need to leave your well-behaved pet in the room to visit the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk, just eight miles away. If the lodge is booked, stay just down the Mother Road at Grand Canyon Caverns Inn. Two pets of any size are welcome at both properties for an additional fee of $25 per pet, per night.

Under Canvas Grand Canyon

If your adventurous canine would prefer to trade camping for glamping, book a stay at Under Canvas Grand Canyon. Located just 25 minutes from the South Rim entrance, Under Canvas welcomes pups to stay with their humans in safari tents with beds, bathrooms and cozy West Elm furnishings. Guests can also enjoy amenities like on-site dining, fire pits and complimentary activities like live music and morning yoga. Dogs of any size are allowed for an additional fee of $25 per pet, per night

Tuweep Campground

If you’re willing to go way off the beaten path, take your canine adventurer off-roading to Tuweep Campground. This remote area is located in the Arizona Strip, an isolated region along the North Rim of the western Grand Canyon. Only high-clearance vehicles can negotiate the rough terrain. To witness a sunset and sunrise like nowhere else in the world, pitch a tent with your pup at one of the 10 rustic sites. The unique campground is sheltered by overhangs of Esplanade Sandstone and features picnic tables and composting toilets. Leashed dogs are permitted for no additional fee.

Can I Bring My Dog to Grand Canyon National Park?

"Ready to explore!" Photo by Eric

Grand Canyon National Park offers a once-in-a-dog's-lifetime opportunity to witness the monumental wonder. Dogs are not allowed to accompany you on trails below the rim, but there are many places you can explore with your leashed four-legged friends.

Walk along the South Rim Trail

The most "pupular" portion of the park is the South Rim. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you above the rim on the 12-mile paved Rim Trail, which includes the iconic Yavapai, Hopi, Mojave and Mather Points. If you’re visiting in warmer months, hit the trail early in the day to avoid the heat, and pack plenty of water for you and your furry bestie. Make sure to snap lots of legendary photos (and tag #BringFido to share them with us)!

"I don't want to meet the dog who dug this hole." Photo by @ADVbeagles

Take your dog to the North Rim

Visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, affectionately known as the “Other Side,” is a pleasant way to view the geological wonder with your canine companion. While dogs are not permitted on most trails at the North Rim, leashed dogs are welcome on the 3.2-mile Bridle Trail that connects the North Kaibab Trail and the Arizona Trail to the park’s North Rim entrance. The multi-use trail is appropriate for two- and four-legged hikers of all skill levels, and the forested setting is ideal for those hoping to see wildlife. Experiencing the canyon via the North Rim is also a great way to combine a visit to the Grand Canyon with other nearby dog-friendly attractions like Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

The North Rim entrance is open only from mid-May to October, as it is buried in snow the other months of the year.

Take the Desert View Scenic Drive

Maybe hiking isn’t Fido’s favorite activity. Take the Desert View Drive instead! This 25-mile roadway allows you and your dog to experience the park without trekking for miles on hot pavement. A drive along Highway 64 brings you to the park's South Rim entrance. During peak season, traffic can back up for miles along this route. Fortunately, you can take a road less traveled. After a hearty breakfast at the pet-friendly Toasted Owl in Flagstaff, hop on Highway 89 North and enter the park through the lesser-used East Entrance. From here, head west for awe-inspiring vistas of the Painted Desert and the Colorado River, access to picnic areas and multiple panoramic viewpoints. Leashed dogs are also permitted on established roads and at the Desert View Campground.

All smiles at the Grand Canyon. Photo by Catherine Arki

The Coyote Tour of the Grand Canyon is a pet-friendly expedition.

If planning such an expedition is daunting, reach out to the pros at Happy Tails Tours. The Coyote - A Southwest USA 8-Day Tour takes you and your four-legged adventure companion on an epic expedition that includes a visit to the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and more iconic spots while hiking, rafting and touring in Jeeps as you go.

Explore the Kaibab National Forest

The Kaibab National Forest surrounds the Grand Canyon on the Colorado Plateau. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you for hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, picnicking and camping in the 1.6-million-acre expanse. The forest includes a diverse geography of peaks, plateaus, prairies and canyons, and a 7,000-foot elevation change. No matter how or where you choose to explore with your canine companion, you’ll be treated to stunning viewpoints.

Is There Pet-Friendly Transportation at The Grand Canyon?

"RV there yet?" Photo by @thedoginus

The Grand Canyon shuttles do not permit pets on board, so plan to park at one of the Visitor Center parking lots. To get to Grand Canyon National Park, the majority of people take the scenic drive from Phoenix, Las Vegas or Sedona and reach the park via the South Rim. Entrance to the park is $35 per single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers (human and canine). Parking is at a premium on the South Rim when it’s busy, especially for RVs over 22 feet and vehicles with trailers, which have fewer parking options.

Where Can I Take My Dog While I’m Exploring Below the Grand Canyon Rim?

It's just gorges up here... Photo by Lisa

If you do plan to venture into the canyon, Grand Canyon Kennel South Rim welcomes pets for day or overnight boarding. The kennel operates from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and pets must have proof of up-to-date vaccinations. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during summer months and holidays.

Yes, You Can Bring Your Dog to the Grand Canyon!

"Just 'strollering' by." Photo by @michaelcarnrike, @watsons_dogumentary

Although pets aren’t allowed below the canyon rim at Grand Canyon National Park, you can still have a great time bringing Fido along to see the seventh wonder of the world. Visitors can stay at several pet-friendly lodging options including Yavapai Lodge, Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel, Trailer Village RV Park, Mather Campground, Hualapai Lodge and Under Canvas Grand Canyon. Adventurers on two legs and four can explore the Grand Canyon by walking the South Rim Trail or the Bridle Trail at the North Rim. There are also many scenic drives like the 25-mile Desert View Drive, and tours like The Coyote - A Southwest USA 8-Day Tour which includes hiking, rafting and Jeep tours.

Start planning your Grand Canyon vacation, check rates and get the most up-to-date pet policies at all pet-friendly hotels and attractions on BringFido’s website or mobile app. Remember that when you book with BringFido, you enjoy the benefit of our Pet Friendly Guarantee, and you’ll never pay a booking fee. When you're ready to make a reservation, save time and book online or call us at 877-411-3436 to speak to one of our friendly agents. Either way, our service is free.

Have you visited the Grand Canyon with your dog? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!