Traveling with Pets

Pets are not permitted in lodges, on shuttle buses, or on hiking trails below the rim. The only exceptions are service animals. (If you want to take a service animal below the rim, you must first check with the Backcountry Information Center.) At the South Rim, you can walk your pet on a leash on paved sections of the Rim Trail [1]. On the North Rim, leashed pets are allowed on the Bridle Path [2]. Pets are permitted in developed areas of the park, including campgrounds, but must be leashed at all times and cannot be left unattended. A violation can cost you $500.

When visiting the South Rim [3], you can board your dog or cat for the day or overnight at the kennel (928/638-0534, 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily), located off Rowe Well Road west of Maswik Lodge. Reservations are recommended, and proof of vaccination is required. You can make arrangements to pick up your pet later than 5 p.m. by calling 928/638-2631. There are no kennel services on the North Rim [4].

An alternative is to board your pet outside the canyon in Williams, 60 miles south of the South Rim, or in Flagstaff, 90 miles away. Canyon Pet Resort (928/214-9324, www.canyonpetresort.com [5]) in Flagstaff offers day care and overnight boarding, with optional extras such as walks, treats, or an executive doggy suite. In Williams, Grand Canyon Railway’s air-conditioned Pet Resort (800/843-8724) is available to the general public as well as visitors staying at the adjacent RV park or riding the Grand Canyon Railway.

Never leave an animal alone inside a vehicle, even with the windows rolled down a few inches. During much of the year, Arizona’s intense sunshine can heat up the interior of a car to 130–180°F in a matter of minutes. Like you, your pet will need extra water to stay hydrated at Grand Canyon.