PUPS IN THE PARK

Leashed dogs are allowed in Joshua Tree National Park as long as they are within 100 feet (30.5m) of roads, picnic areas, and campgrounds. During the summer, hot temperatures can turn a fun adventure into an exhausting experience for your pup. Imagine walking in 100+ degree weather barefoot while wearing a heavy coat that you can’t take off!

To keep your friend cool, here are some ‘paw-esome’ tips and tricks:

Bring plenty of water for both you and your animal. Dogs require one ounce of water for every pound they weigh and twice as much in hot temperatures.

If your dog is staying in the car, keep the AC on for them. A hot car with no ventilation, even with the windows down, can reach lethal temperatures in as little as a few minutes.

Take walks during the cooler parts of the day to avoid hurting your pet’s sensitive toe beans. If you feel the pavement and it’s hot to your touch, it’s hot to theirs too!

If temperatures are too high, consider boarding your pet in the local communities around the park. This gives you more freedom to enjoy the park thoroughly while they stay comfy and hydrated indoors.

Our pets are loyal and will follow us wherever we go. They may not be able to tell us when they are overheating, so it is up to us to keep an eye on them and ensure that they are just as happy as they make us every day!