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Dogs on the trail: signs and regulations

Photos and commentary by Stuart Macdonald

One of the most popular trail activities is walking with dogs. For many people, a trip to a trail invariably means a walk with the dog. For some, the real goal is to let the dog run free. In many urban locations "dog parks" are being provided for that purpose. To reinforce leash laws in other locations, trail managers are posting signs to remind visitors. In habitat areas, especially, leash laws are enforced to prevent dogs from chasing shorebirds or other animals. Another change in polite society that has emerged in the last couple of decades is an intolerance of dog waste on sidewalks, in parks, and increasingly, along trails. A new industry has sprung up to provide park managers with signs and bag dispensers to accomodate this need. A variety of home-made facilities can also be found in more informal settings.

See the Safe Trails Forum for more on trail user safety and liability issues

See the Trail Maintenance and Management index for many resources and articles

Click on any photo to see it full size:

The basics for visitors with dogs: sign at Antelope Island State Park, near Salt Lake, Utah; photo by Stuart Macdonald, May 2004

Graphic to emphasize "dogs on leash" at Pinole Point Park, East side of San Francisco Bay; photo by Stuart Macdonald, January 10, 2004

Cats and pigs should be on leash too, in Austin, Texas, park; photo by Stuart Macdonald, May 6, 2007

Lomaki Wupatki National Monument in Arizona prohibits dogs on a trail to Indian ruins; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Aug. 11, 2009

Park in Redding, CA shows prohibited activities as small symbols on a signpost; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Nov. 8, 2007

Greenwood Village, CO lists all the regulations for dog owners on a separate sign; photo by Stuart Macdonald, October 18, 2009

Mill Creek Canyon is an extremely popular natural area adjacent to Salt Lake; dogs can be let off leash on odd-numbered days of the month only; photo by Stuart Macdonald, June, 2003

Strong words for dog owners on a trail in Port Townsend, WA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, September 18, 2008

Stern warning about dog waste hazards in Bluff Lake Park, a habitat area on Sand Creek in Denver; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Dec. 4, 2009

Warning about rattlesnakes accompanies dog regulations sign-- more incentive to pet owners to use the leash at Aurura Reservoir Park, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Oct. 24, 2009

Sign asks dog owners to respect waterfowl habitat by keeping pets on leash in Port Townsend, WA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, September 18, 2008

Dogs are allowed off leash and other trail users are warned in Parley's Canyon natural area, Salt Lake City; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Sept. 23, 2007

Sign with the laws and bag dispenser, Salt Lake City; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Dec. 22, 2007

Bag dispenser for dog pick up in Asheville, NC; photo by Stuart Macdonald, March 18, 2008

Sacramento River Greenway, Redding. CA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Sept. 8, 2007

At trailhead for BLM Row River rail trail, Cottage Grove, OR; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Aug. 30, 2008

Sign and bag dispenser in Duluth, MN on Lakefront Trail; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Sept. 8, 2007

Trash bin is added to sign and doggie bag dispenser along Greenway in Fargo, ND; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Sept. 6, 2007

Sign along Mission Bay Trail, San Diego, Calif.; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Sept. 7, 2009

Another example at Elk Meadow Park, Jefferson County Open Space, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Oct. 16, 2009