Petroglyph National Monument offers many scenic spots and open spaces for you and your dog to enjoy together. Whether you share a run along the volcanoes or a quiet walk in Rinconada Canyon, always be aware of your surroundings and considerate of others. It takes a cooperative effort to make the park safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Boca Negra Canyon is the most heavily visited area within the monument. Its short, partly paved trails are easy for seniors, for the physically challenged, and for young children to walk on. It becomes very crowded on the narrow trails and because of the congestion dogs are not allowed. If you want to visit Boca Negra Canyon we suggest you leave your dog at home.

Dogs are not allowed inside public buildings such as the visitor center, offices, and public restrooms.

Service Dogs

Service dogs are those that assist people who have special accessibility needs. They are welcome throughout Petroglyph National Monument, provided that they are on a leash as well.

Petroglyph is one of over 380 units of the federal National Park system. The National Park Service mission is to assure the protection of natural and cultural resources, and provide for the enjoyment of those resources in such a way that leaves them unimpaired for future generations. With over 20,000 petroglyphs and hundreds of historic resources, Petroglyph faces serious challenges. To meet these challenges, we ask all visitors to minimize their impacts on park resources and on other visitors. When dog owners cooperate with city and federal park regulations, the impact of their dogs is minimal.

Many dogs chase and threaten wildlife. Your dog may scare birds or other wildlife away from nesting, feeding, and resting sites. The scent left behind by your dog can signal the presence of a predator to park wildlife, disrupting or altering their behavior. Digging may destroy an animal's home. Uncontrolled dogs can damage important rare native plants.

Unleashed dogs and their excrement disturb visitors who come to enjoy the Monument. Many people, especially children, are afraid of dogs, even friendly ones. Some fear being knocked over or bitten. Holes left behind by dogs can result in injury to park visitors.

Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can disturb even the calmest and friendliest dog. Your dog may be lost, injured, or suffer a painful or even fatal fall. Wildlife may bite or transmit disease to your dog. Coyotes are known to trick loose dogs into chasing them, only to lead a dog to the coyote pack where it becomes dinner. Your dog may encounter a rattlesnake, or be exposed to poisonous plants or other plants that have thorns or burrs. On a leash and on a trail, your dog will be less likely to encounter these dangers.

Where dogs are permitted, federal law requires dogs to be on a leash, not to exceed six feet in length, in all units of the National Park system. You may be cited and fined for violation of leash, wildlife and litter laws. (36 CFR Part 2)

(a) The following are prohibited:

(1) Possessing a pet in a public building, public transportation vehicle, or location designated as a swimming beach or any structure or area closed to the possession of pets by the superintendent. This subparagraph shall not apply to service dogs accompanying visually or hearing impaired persons.

(2) Failing to crate, cage, restrain on a leash which shall not exceed six feet in length, or otherwise physically confine a pet at all times.

(3) Leaving a pet unattended and tied to an object, except in designated areas or under conditions which may be established by the superintendent.

(4) Allowing a pet to make noise that is unreasonable considering location, time of day or night, impact on park users, and other relevant factors, or that frightens wildlife by barking, howling, or making other noise.

(5) Failing to comply with pet excrement disposal. (Conditions which may be established by the superintendent.)

(c) Pets or feral animals that are running-at-large and observed by an authorized person in the act of killing, injuring or molesting humans or wildlife may be destroyed if necessary for public safety or protection of wildlife or other park resources.

(d) Pets running-at-large may be impounded and the owner may be charged reasonable fees for kennel or boarding costs, feed, veterinarian fees, transportation costs, and disposal. An impounded pet may be put up for adoption or otherwise disposed of after being held for 72 hours from the time the owner was notified of capture or 72 hours from the time of capture if the owner is unknown.