How Your Dog Can Become an Official Shenandoah National B.A.R.K. Ranger
LURAY, Va. — Visitors exploring Shenandoah National Park with their dogs can participate in the park’s B.A.R.K. Ranger program, an initiative designed to promote responsible pet ownership on public lands.
Pet owners may stop by Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (Skyline Drive MP 4.6) or Byrd Visitor Center (Skyline Drive MP 51) to obtain a B.A.R.K. Ranger pledge card and learn more about the program.
After completing several steps, dogs can be sworn in as official B.A.R.K. Rangers and will receive a ranger badge.
To participate, visitors are asked to:
Review the B.A.R.K. Ranger principles.
Learn which trails in the park are dog-friendly.
Take a photo of their pet participating in one of the following activities:
Hiking on a designated dog-friendly trail
Properly disposing of bagged pet waste
Observing wildlife or scenic views from a safe distance
Attending a B.A.R.K. Ranger program
Recite the official pledge:
“My B.A.R.K. Ranger and I promise to follow the rules of B.A.R.K. and model good pet behavior while visiting Shenandoah National Park.”
The B.A.R.K. Ranger program educates dog owners about park rules and encourages safe, respectful behavior to help protect wildlife, natural resources and fellow visitors.
Consisting of nearly 197,000 acres, including 80,000 acres of congressionally designated wilderness, Shenandoah National Park encompasses portions of eight counties.
Each year, millions visit the area, which includes the 105-mile Skyline Drive and 75 designated scenic overlooks.
The park also includes established campgrounds and 101 miles of the famed Appalachian Trail, on which visitors hike and often overnight camp.
Luray, Virginia is home to Shenandoah National Park Headquarters.
CLICK HERE for visitor center operating hours.
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Wish my dog would behave well enough to have her on such trails.