Did You Know Your Dog Can Become a BARK Ranger at New York State Parks?
If you're anything like me, you love taking your pup along for an adventure. In the Hudson Valley there are a ton of a historic sites that welcome dogs to tour their grounds and trails.
Did you know that if you take your dog to select Nation Parks, they can become an honorary BARK Ranger?
How Can Your Dog Become a BARK Ranger?
According to the National Parks Service website, as part of the Healthy People Healthy Parks Initiative the BARK Ranger program is intact to ensure that pets and their owners "learn how to have a positive experience" in unfamiliar environments.
In short BARK means:
- Bag your pet’s waste
- Always leash your pet
- Respect wildlife
- Know where you can go
The website goes on to explain that different parks offer different BARK Ranger programs. Some National Parks offer Walk With a Ranger, others have your dog take a pledge and then some just have an honor system that will encourage you follow the BARK principles during your visit.
There's a Facebook group dedicated to BARK Ranger visits where they share BARK Ranger encounters.
New York State Parks BARK Ranger Program
Where can your New York pup become a BARK Ranger? There are 8 New York parks in total that offer the program according to GoodDogTrips.com, including 5 in the Hudson Valley.
All the rules for the BARK Ranger program are the same at each park across the State and the nation. All in all, there are over 60 parks that take part in the program across the U.S.
Take a look at the New York Parks that take part in the BARK Ranger Program below:
The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site- Hyde Park, NY
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site- Hyde Park, NY
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site- Hyde Park, NY
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site- Kinderhook, NY
Fort Stanwix National Monument - Rome, NY
Fire Island National Seashore- Ocean Beach, NY
Hamilton Grange National Memorial - New York, NY
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site- Oyster Bay, NY
More Dog Friendly Locations Across the Mid-Hudson Region
The Hudson Valley has become quite the destination for pet owners. Many dog moms and dads will pack up their bags and bring their pooch along for a nice Hudson Valley getaway.
There are a handful of breweries and wineries that let you bring your pup along for the day, but dog owners should always double check with an establishment before you bring your 4-legged friend.
Here are some dog-friendly businesses around the area:
13 PAW-fect Dog Friendly Bars and Restaurants in Beacon, New York
Gallery Credit: Google Maps