PegLW
SW Missouri
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We're planning a Jan./Feb. trip to Texas and want to include Big Bend during our approximate six week visit. We've been reading their web site information and they state that dogs are not allowed on the trails, in fact they recommend kenneling dogs. Does this mean that dogs are not allowed in the park at all? Would be not be allowed to leave our little 18 lb ball of fur in the trailer while we explore for a couple of hours or so? We'll continue to attempt to connect with somebody at the park office but in the mean time, I figured somebody here would know! Thanks in advance for any and all help!
Dave and Peggy
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4huskers
Texas
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Dogs aren't allowed on trails in any of the National Parks. That being said you can walk them in the campground areas. Even though we have a very well trained dog I don't think he belongs on the trails. The main reason is his safety; remember there are lots of critters that think our pets would be tasty. Another is the fact that some pet owners don't pick up like they should.
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HarryWM
Wherever we are parked this time.
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As stated above, not on trails. If you go out somewhere like hiking, you will be gone more than "a couple of hours". Distances down there are great. Should you leave the dog in your rig, how would it react to javalina and other wildlife wandering through your site? Would your neighbors have the privilege of listening to it react to those "visitors".
Harry
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Gezzer
Where ever the road takes us
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We take our small dog to BB and leave her in the MH while we are gone. Jan/Feb time frame should not be very hot. Pets are allowed in campgrounds and any place a vehicle can drive - i.e. - meaning on roads - not on trails.
NEVER NEVER NEVER leave your pet outside alone. Because the coyotes and javalinas love small pets for an easy meal. We've seen both in the daytime right in camp. Also there are plenty of poisonous snakes and insects along with cactus that can cause problems for pets.
I would suggest that if your plan on doing any all day touring or hiking you might want to consider the kennel - but it depends on your pet - how well it likes to stay in the rig. Our dog turns into a couch potato and sleeps the entire time we are gone.
Big Bend is a wonderful place - but it is big and wild and isolated.
Just be use some common sense and you and your pet will be fine and will enjoy your trip.
Safe travels
Judy
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DesertHawk
Las Cruces, New Mexico
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The part about: •Predators such as owls, coyotes, mountain lions and even javelina can and do kill pets here. Even large dogs cannot defend themselves against predators. Extreme temperatures are also a danger.
Is real, javelinas roamed in the campgrounds or along the edges when we were there. The others could show up as well. We did not have our dog with us, but if we had it would have been wise for us to not leave her out on a leash without us being out with her. And she is not a small dog in the least, about 70 lbs back then, a German Shepard mix and grew up running the the desert. She had jump over at leat one rattle snake out running with our jeep, but she would not have had a chance against a pack of javelinas, especally when she was tired and couldn't run free. Even running free, she would not best coyotes.
But we saw dogs in some of the RVs when we were there. Not on the trails.
In Jan/Feb time frame, the weather would be where you could leave a dog or dogs in the RV while out hiking, etc. without worrying about it or them getting too hot.
DesertHawk - Las Cruces, NM USA
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skipnchar
Google Kansas USA
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I've never heard of ANY national park that bans dogs but they DO ban them on hiking trails, beaches etc. Just keep them on a leash in campgrounds or sidewalks and you'll be fine.
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I am still wayne_tw
everywhere
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4huskers wrote:Dogs aren't allowed on trails in any of the National Parks.
This is not true. There are some that do allow dogs on the trails. Prince William Forest in Quantico, VA and Fort Caroline National Memorial n Jacksonville, FL are two that come to mind.
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PegLW
SW Missouri
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Many thanks to you all for your thoughtful replies! We understand the ban of dogs on the trails since we've read about the snakes, wild animals, etc. Having lived in Texas for a few years (albeit a long time ago), we are familiar with the javelinas, etc. and would not want to risk our little dog in any way. We just couldn't tell from the park web site as to whether dogs are allowed in the campgrounds.
Thank you for pointing out that we would probably be gone for more than a couple of hours while out hiking. Our dog is fine for several hours alone (though she prefers our company at all times!) here at home but I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving her for too long in the trailer. Maybe we should check into finding a kennel in that area to leave her for a few days while we do our hiking.
I have to say though -- from all the descriptions and warnings, I'm beginning to think I should stay in the trailer with her and just let my husband do the hiking!  Now I have to worry about finding a kennel that I could trust in that area. Our little dog is not spoiled -- she's very pampered! 
Thanks again for all the information!
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DesertHawk
Las Cruces, New Mexico
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I would think it would be more pampering to keep the dog in the trailer by herself for a few hours than leaving her in a kennel for days. Get a portable kennel cage to put her in to keep her from getting into things or hurting herself. Or if she is a really small dog, get a backpack for her to ride in on the trails. Call the park to see if a dog in a backpack is "koshper".
n-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7TSHA_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=ReARS6-qIIv8tQPp3sjCAQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CB8QrQQwAA">Packpack dog carriers
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MARKW8
Akron OH
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It only seems like they aren't allowed on the trails of all parks. I'm from N.E. Ohio and volunteer in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Dogs are permitted on all trails within the park.
Mark.
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