Near Yellowstone With Dogs?

[mandolin3]

We're getting snow cabin fever and are starting to plan a 2 week road trip (June-July 2007) out West.  We want to include the Yellowstone area, however, we camp with 3 dogs.  I understand that there are some "safe" campgrounds relatively close to Yellowstone that may accommodate our canine family.  Also going to include the Badlands area too.  Sure would appreciate any recommendations and/or experiences in these areas.

[CUL8R]

You can camp with dogs at the campgrounds in Yellowstone NP, also.  But you can't take them on any trails in the park.

By the way, if you get a chance to visit the Great Sand Dunes NP in Colorado, you can take your dogs back in the dunes and almost anywhere in the park.  During the summer the sand gets very hot by late morning, and you should keep your dogs off until it cools in the evening.  As far as I know, this may be the only NP where dogs are allowed on and off trail.

Jim

[GeneF]

You will find the same "no dogs on trails" rule in the Badlands also.

We camped in the Badlands cg but it is not very much.  Mainly a driving loop with pull offs to park your camper.  I didn't put out my slideout because it would have been very close to passing traffic.

On the front side of your camper, you have a covered picnic table and some nice views.  It is dry camping only but there is a flush toilet and a water spigot.  I believe it was only about $10 a day.  You can pay at the gate.  There is no shade.

I believe there is a KOA near Wall Drugs whick isn't that far of a drive into the Badlands.

Please keep in mind that it can be very hot in the Badlands in June and July.  You may want to look for a kennel to keep the dogs in while you sightsee.

[mandolin3]

Thanks for the replys Jim & Gene.  I appreciate the suggestion for Great Sand Dunes NP, and the review of the Badlands cg.  Any additional cg recommendations for these areas would be greatly appreciated.
Mandolin3

[gr82bamom1]

I am planning a similar trip and also plan to bring our two dogs. I picked up travel books from AAA and they have a National Park Official Guide to the Badlands and Yellowstone. In the Badlands book they list kennels in Custer (Lynn's Pet Motel at 605-673-3347) and Rapid City (Black Hills Animal Hospital at 605-343-6066, Meiners Animal Clinic at 605-343-5089 or Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic at 605-343-7498). A friend of mine told me that they had to take turns staying with the dogs while the others went down boardwalks and trails at Yellowstone and that it really was a bummer. I originally thought I would leave the dogs in the pu while we toured, but in June/July it really could be too hot for them. I will be interested in reading about the experiences of others!

[wavery]

Personally, I wouldn't put my dog in a kennel. I've known so many people that have taken their dogs home from a kennel, to find them quite sick and some have died from stuff that they pick up there.

It's a tuff choice whether to bring the dogs along but if you do, be prepared to stay with them, most of the time. Please think real hard before leaving your dogs in a kennel. Think of it like leaving your kids in a day care, in a strange town that you know nothing about.

I'm not trying to lay a "guilt trip" on you. It's just good to be aware of the reality. People bring sick dogs to kennels. It's just a fact and it has little to do with the cleanliness of any particular kennel. Some dogs are just sick when they get there.