Joshua Tree and Doggos

Hey Everyone,

I have a campsite I am joining in Indian Cove this weekend and the more I read the rules and regulations the more I seek better clarity of the dog restrictions. I've never been to Joshua or this particular area and I'm just trying to find out if I should leave my dog with a sitter at home? It says no dogs on the trails but you can keep them at the campgrounds? Kinda seems pointless :( Anyway, much help if anyone can pint me in the right direction here. Can't seem to get anyone to call me back from the park services.

That's the rules; allowed in the site but not on trails or anywhere good. Something like 50' from any road or parking lot. Best to leave the little guy with a sitter.

nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…

Pet Regulations

• Pets must remain on a leash at all times. Leashes may be no longer than 6 feet (1.8 m).
• Pets may go no more than 100 feet (30.5 m) from any road, picnic area, or campground.
• Owners must pick up any droppings. Leave no trace.
• Pets are not permitted on trails or in the backcountry.

https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/indian-cove-campground.htm

Pets must remain on leash at all times and may not be left unattended.

National Parks are not Dog Friendly.

My dog always had a much better time at New Jack City. 

Thanks everyone! Doggo stays home this trip :)

Brian in SLC wrote: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…

Pet Regulations

• Pets must remain on a leash at all times. Leashes may be no longer than 6 feet (1.8 m).
• Pets may go no more than 100 feet (30.5 m) from any road, picnic area, or campground.
• Owners must pick up any droppings. Leave no trace.
• Pets are not permitted on trails or in the backcountry.

https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/indian-cove-campground.htm

Pets must remain on leash at all times and may not be left unattended.

Read this on the site but was looking for more details. Looks like I got the answers I needed unfortunately and the dog will stay home this trip. Thanks again for the help!

Hope you enjoy your visit!

i'm a little surprised by the answers here. There's probably a hundred climbs you can get on at Indian Cove that would not have you violating the rules.

Feudal, short wall, bilbo, billboard, king ottos, apparition, spider, most of the group sites stuff, a lot of campfire crags.

Some of these are in campsites so you obviously need to be respectful(and have a well behaved pup) but many of them aren't that near campsites and would be totally fair game. You can definitely spend a full weekend at feudal and short wall. 

I've brought various dogs to JTree a couple of times.  It is far more feasible in Indian Cove because so many of the routes are right next to the roads or behind campsites.  In the main park it is more complicated and limiting, so figure out where you are going to be climbing and deal with it accordingly.

Note, there are doggie daycare centers by the park that friends have used, so if you are camping in IC and climbing in the main park, you can drop the dog off on the way and then pick him up when you head out.

alex carey wrote: i'm a little surprised by the answers here. There's probably a hundred climbs you can get on at Indian Cove that would not have you violating the rules.

Feudal, short wall, bilbo, billboard, king ottos, apparition, spider, most of the group sites stuff, a lot of campfire crags.

Some of these are in campsites so you obviously need to be respectful(and have a well behaved pup) but many of them aren't that near campsites and would be totally fair game. You can definitely spend a full weekend at feudal and short wall. 

Beyond concerns over "violating the rules" dogs are not appropriate in the park and should be left at home or with a sitter (as the OP has correctly decided). Regardless of how well behaved your dog is, dogs are a predator and have a negative and unnecessary impact on the fauna that is native to the desert and the park. Between the natural challenges of survival in this environment and the additional strain placed on them by human activity, the native fauna have enough challenges confronting them without introducing more. If you care about your impact on natural landscapes (as most climbers purport to) then I would just say to be considerate of the impact your pet has on an environment beyond simply whether or not it's 'allowed.' 

Joshua Tree is a particularly sensitive environment.  Leave your dog at home.

"Regardless of how well behaved your dog is, dogs are a predator and have a negative and unnecessary impact on the fauna that is native to the desert and the park."

Not to mention the impact on other climbers that may not appreciate your dog as much as you do.

Much as I agree with you, NPS regulations are what they are, and it is quite feasible and legitimate to have your pup with you at many places in Indian Cove while you are cragging. If one has a problem with that, register that feedback with the NPS. (And don't hold your breath it will change.)

apogee wrote: Much as I agree with you, NPS regulations are what they are, and it is quite feasible and legitimate to have your pup with you at many places in Indian Cove while you are cragging. If one has a problem with that, register that feedback with the NPS. (And don't hold your breath it will change.)

Depends on the dog lobby...ha ha.  Look at e bikes, ATVs and UTVs recently in national parks...(and conceal carry a few years ago).

When I bring my dog to Jtree I have him hang with me in the campsites but when I go climbing I drop him off at the Jtree pet resort. These guys are great and its nice to know my boy is safe and taken care of while I climb.  At the end of the day I go and pick him up for camp time.

Don't try and sneak your pet around. The rangers there love busting people with dogs

https://www.jtpetresort.com/

I was climbing at Indian Cove with my dog in tow the other day. We came across a stranger who asked if they could pet my dog. Before I knew it, the stranger ran off with my dog in tow. Hoping R&I will help me get my dog back.

pkeds wrote: I was climbing at Indian Cove with my dog in tow the other day. We came across a stranger who asked if they could pet my dog. Before I knew it, the stranger ran off with my dog in tow. Hoping R&I will help me get my dog back.

Did the guy have a nut tool with him, and yell 'thanks for the puppy!', by any chance?

pkeds wrote: I was climbing at Indian Cove with my dog in tow the other day. We came across a stranger who asked if they could pet my dog. Before I knew it, the stranger ran off with my dog in tow. Hoping R&I will help me get my dog back.

That's horrible. Would you like a cam?

R&I just called to verify the story.

Xan Calonne wrote:

Beyond concerns over "violating the rules" dogs are not appropriate in the park and should be left at home or with a sitter (as the OP has correctly decided). Regardless of how well behaved your dog is, dogs are a predator and have a negative and unnecessary impact on the fauna that is native to the desert and the park. Between the natural challenges of survival in this environment and the additional strain placed on them by human activity, the native fauna have enough challenges confronting them without introducing more. If you care about your impact on natural landscapes (as most climbers purport to) then I would just say to be considerate of the impact your pet has on an environment beyond simply whether or not it's 'allowed.' 

My thoughts exactly :)

One time in Hidden Valley Campground in Joshua Tree, my dog was in my truck with the windows cracked so she couldn't get out but still had fresh air. A ranger with a serious attitude came through and told me that me dog needed to be on a leash at all times.  I pointed out that she was in the car and could not escape, not that she would, but the harridan ranger insisted that she be leashed at all times.  I stared at her like she was crazy.   I never took the dog to Joshua Tree again.

  In fact, I seldom go to Joshua Tree anymore, there are terrific venues closer to my house without all the hassles of dealing with  the National Park system.

Saw an unleashed pit wandering around real hidden valley, zero fucks given by anyone. Parking lot was full, no rangers anywhere.