The truth about dogs and trails
I was surprised and encouraged last week to find that more than three people actually read my story of the rescue of Sasha, the Bernese Mountain Dog, and my follow-up column on the Internet.
And I read a number of comments from readers that showed, once again, that some outdoorsfolk are confused about the rules regarding dogs in national parks and forests. It's understandable, because both agencies sometimes write different regulations for different areas.
Dan A. Nelson, who has written an excellent guide, "Best Hikes With Dogs: Western Washington," notes that "the land managers — especially the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service — have implemented a sometimes complex set of rules and regulations governing the use of public lands." Some of those rules, Nelson said, may be based on inaccurate or simple misinformation.
One example, according to Nelson, is the National Park Service ban of dogs on trails in most wilderness national parks. The rule apparently came about when dogs were initially blamed for the spread of Giardia, whose proliferation is now known to come from many warm-blooded mammals, including man.
Several readers thought that Mount Ellinor, where Sasha fell, was located in Olympic National Park. For the record, it is not. Mount Ellinor is located in the Mount Skokomish Wilderness of Olympic National Forest.
The Olympic National Park boundary lies farther west, along the ridgecrest of Copper Mountain and Mount Lincoln, then north along the Sawtooth range and over the summit of Mount Skokomish. Most of the trails entering the park are marked with signs at the boundary.
The best rule of thumb is that dogs are not permitted on any Olympic National Park trails, except for two Pacific Coast beaches, where they must be on a leash. Dogs must be leashed on all frontcountry sites in Olympic National Park, such as campgrounds.
Dogs are welcome on all trails, including Wilderness Areas, in Olympic National Forest. I can find no specific rule saying that dogs must be leashed in national forests, although I have seen the term "in physical control" used to describe taking dogs in national forests.
Some national parks allow dogs, including Denali, where the National Park Service demonstrates with sled dogs, and in North Cascade National Park, where dogs are permitted on the Pacific Crest Trail. Dogs are not permitted on trails in the Enchantment Lakes basin, and must be leashed on any trails along the I-90 corridor.
Forest Service Campgrounds - News
Dan A. Nelson, who has written an excellent guide, "Best Hikes With Dogs: Western Washington," notes that "the land managers — especially the National Park Service and the US Forest Service — have implemented a sometimes complex set of rules and
A Florida man is charged in federal court with wandering around a campground in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest nude while carrying a pistol and yelling at a river. Joseph Dennis Alfieri, 50, was cited by the US Forest Service
The Forest Service will close the Cow Creek South Campground Sunday evening to facilitate construction of campground improvements. The campground will be closed for the remainder of the summer season. The White River National Forest received American
Now, a former employee is saying instead of disposing of those toilets safely, the company he worked for buried much of the waste on the campground itself. The US Forest Service says it has only known about the situation since Sunday and is
They can be picked up from any county fire station or Forest Service center. No ID is necessary and no fees need to be paid to get one. The only areas campers don't need a fire permit for are maintained campgrounds with fire pits, said Megan Medley,
RV Anytimers: Goodbye Seneca
We have been RVing since our early married life in the 70's. I am a retired General Contractor (wood butcher extraordinaire) and Linda retired from a career in Cosmetology (hairbender). We still have a stix & brix home, but travel extensively throughout the year whenever we want. Thus RV-Anytimers. We will be posting our travels so our family and friends can ride along.
I'm at Chilhowee Campgrounds (Cherokee National Forest, Forest Service Rd 77) [pic]: 
Campgrounds, trailheads and forest service roads in Kaibab National Forest North. All unavailable on Google Maps. - Forest Service Campgrounds - Bookshelf
Reforming the Forest Service
This book is a must reading for environmentalists, academics, forest policy analysts, Forest Service officials, and members of Congress.The U.S. Forest Service, a history
With a new preface by the author, this edition of Harold K. Steen's classic history (originally published in 1976) provides a broad perspective on the Service's ...Statistical Abstract for the United States: The National Data Book
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Proceedings - Vertebrate Pest Conference
They are Barley Flats Probation Camp, Charlton Flats Picnic Area, Chilao, and Buckhorn Campground. Although these sites are all on Forest Service land and ...Daily Article Directory
Campground Directory and National Forest Campgrounds
Detailed descriptions of campgrounds in national forests and grasslands across the United States.
Campground Directory and National Forest Campgrounds
Listing/directory of national forests and grasslands across the United States.
Campgrounds, Custer National Forest - USDA Forest Service
Campgrounds on the Custer.... The Custer National Forest is the most ecologically varied ... Our campgrounds include areas in the grasslands and timbered buttes ...
Forest Service Campgrounds Near Mount Rainier National Park
forest maps are for sale at Forest Service ranger stations and Mount ... Campgrounds generally operate Memorial Day through Labor Day. with a few remaining open ...
Umpqua National Forest - Recreational Activities
The Umpqua National Forest offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities and inspiring scenic beauty.