C&O Canal B.A.R.K. Rangers

C&O Canal is an exciting and fun place for pets to visit with their humans. With miles of towpath and hiking trails to explore, it’s easy for pets to experience new sights, sounds, and smells. Pets and their people are invited to become official C&O Canal B.A.R.K. Rangers to help them have a safe and enjoyable experience in the park. B.A.R.K. Ranger program is part of the National Park Service’s Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative, which encourages the use of public lands as resources for physical and mental health. Join the movement and become a B.A.R.K. Ranger today!

Become a B.A.R.K. Ranger

Stop by any park visitor center to participate in scheduled B.A.R.K. Ranger programs or join us on one of our ranger-guided ‘Paws in the Park’ dog walks. Learn about the principles of B.A.R.K. and take the pledge to become an official C&O Canal B.A.R.K. Ranger! Visit the events calendar for information about upcoming programs. As an official B.A.R.K. Ranger, pets and their people can help demonstrate proper pet behavior and etiquette for visiting public lands.

The Rules of B.A.R.K.

Official B.A.R.K. Rangers help to protect the park's resources, visitors, and other pets by following the rules of B.A.R.K.:

Bag your pet's poop

• Properly bag and dispose of your pet's waste. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal is a trash free park and garbage cans are not available. Pet owners should plan ahead to clean up and remove their trash.
• Leaving bagged waste on the trail is littering.
• Pet waste left on the ground makes a mess for others and harms water quality in the park.

Always keep your pet on a leash

• Pets must be restrained on a controlled lead no longer than 6 feet.
• GPS pet trackers and remote leashes are not controlled leads.
• Keeping pets on a leash protects people, plants, wildlife, and your pet.

Respect wildlife

• Keep your pet at a respectful distance from any wildlife or other animals you encounter.
• Off-leash pets may spook horses or mules on the towpath of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal.
• Off-leash pets can injure and alter behavior of wildlife in the parks.

Know where you can go

• Pets are not allowed on the Billy Goat Trail section A, or on the boardwalk to the Great Falls Overlook.
• Pets are not permitted inside buildings and areas designated by the Superintendent’s Compendium.
• Stay on marked trails. Going off trail can damage sensitive plants and cause erosion. Pets are more likely to pick up ticks when off trail.

Service Animals

Qualified service animals assisting visitors with disabilities are permitted throughout the park and in all park facilities. Service animals must be on a leash and picked up after.

Learn More

Visit the Pets page to learn more about planning a safe and memorable visit with your furry friend to C&O Canal.

Planning a trip to another park? Learn more about visiting with your pet and becoming a B.A.R.K. Ranger at sites across the country!