Pets
You may bring your pet with you to the park. With the exception of service animals, pets are not permitted in historic homes, in visitor centers, or on ranger-led programs.
At all times, pets must be restrained on a leash no more than six feet long. Leashes protect pets from becoming lost and from other hazards, such as sick, injured, or rabid animals. Leashes also help protect park resources, including wildlife and vegetation.
Pet owners are responsible for disposing of pet waste in a trash can.
Pets should not be left unattended. Summer sunshine poses a threat to pets left in vehicles. On a bright, sunny day, even in temperatures as low as 60° F, temperatures inside a vehicle can reach dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car—even with the windows cracked—can reach over 100 degrees within 10 minutes.
Protection and Preservation of Natural Resources
George Washington Memorial Parkway is facing natural resource damage due to individuals removing resources from the park. Examples of this damage include uprooting plants, cutting down trees, poaching deer, using nets for fishing, and employing other illegal fishing methods within the park.
Plants in the National Park are protected by Federal Law and may not be disturbed or collected (36 CFR 2.1). This includes parts of plants such as flowers, seeds, leaves, branches, and roots. Harvesting ramps from George Washington Memorial Parkway is illegal and threatens the plant's long-term viability in the park.
Leave what you find to preserve the biodiversity and beauty of our park. Everything we find in nature has a role to play in the health of the environment. The National Park Service is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the natural beauty and ecosystems within George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Federal laws protecting NPS resources are outlined in 36 CFR 2.1
