Is Theodore Roosevelt National Park Dog Friendly?

Name: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Address: ND

National Park

Theodore Roosevelt Dog Policy

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is Somewhat Dog Friendly

Trails

Dogs Not Allowed

^[]

Campground

Dogs Allowed

with 6' Leash ^[]

Roads

Dogs Allowed

with 6' Leash ^[]

This region that enticed and influenced President Theodore Roosevelt consists of a park of three units in the northern badlands. Besides Roosevelt's historic cabin, there are numerous scenic drives and backcountry hiking opportunities. Wildlife includes American bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and wild horses.^[1]

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a somewhat dog friendly park. While dogs are not allowed on trails, they are allowed in the campgrounds and along roads. Please be respectful and careful of wildlife with your dog. Do not leave your dog unattended.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park also runs the BARK Ranger program, but we've gotten reports that as of 2024, they're out of tags until next year.

Website: https://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm
Pet Policy Details: https://www.nps.gov/thro/planyourvisit/pets.htm
BARK Ranger: Yes ^[]
Area: 110 mi²
Annual Visitors: 551,303

Trail Policy

Dogs are not allowed on trails.

Campground Policy

Dogs are allowed in the campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash no longer than 6'. The allowed campgrounds include:

Beach Policy

Dogs are allowed along roads and in picnic areas while on a leash no longer than 6'.

BARK Ranger

Bark Ranger is a really great program that some National Park Service destinations run. The Bark Ranger program teaches dog owners responsible behaviors with their dogs, and in return you get a special dog tag that’s different for each park (note: some parks require you to purchase the tag at the end). You start the program by going to a park office and picking up a checklist. When you complete the checklist (see the link below for more details), you can get your special dog tag.

B.A.R.K. is an acronym for:

B: Bag your poop: Help keep the park clean by bagging and picking up your dog poop, and properly disposing of it. Don’t leave your bagged poop on the side of the trail, hanging from branches, or throw it into the woods. Please note dog poop is not a natural fertilizer — it can carry disease that can spread to wildlife or other dogs.
A: Always wear a leash: Dogs must be restrained on a leash no longer than 6'. Retractable leashes that extend beyond 6' are not allowed. Not everyone appreciates a dog running up to them, and many people are scared or allergic to dogs — a leash prevents uncomfortable situations between your dog and others. Leashes also help protect your dog from running off if anything spooks them.
R: Respect wildlife: Dogs can chase or scare wildlife such as birds and turtles. They can also damage nesting areas. Some parks have wildlife, such as bears, coyotes, or wolves, that can threaten your dog. Please be respectful of wildlife with your dog, and if you do encounter wildlife, keep dog at distance to protect both your dog and the wildlife.
K: Know where to go: Know which trails allow dogs, and which don’t. Don’t leave dogs unattended in vehicles while you go off to hike. See the link below for more details.

We also have a list of all parks that run the BARK Ranger program.

Location & Map

State

North Dakota

Have a photo of your dog here?

Note: Policies can change -- please make sure to check official dog/pet policies prior to making plans or booking travel.

Please tell us if you think there’s anything we should add or change on this page.

Credits

[1] Overview text from the Wikipedia article List of national parks of the United States, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.