When it comes to choosing the best Capitol Reef lodging for your family, it’s important to consider your unique wants and needs. Some couples prefer a quiet getaway. Many families are often looking for on-site amenities and activities to enjoy during their stay.
But if your travel party includes a four-legged family member, finding vacation rentals near Capitol Reef can be a bit more challenging. “Luxury” and “pet-friendly” rarely go hand-in-hand. Too often, this means deciding between leaving your furry friend at home or enjoying your dream vacation.
National parks have a lot of rules when it comes to visiting with your pet. But with a little pre-planning, it’s possible to enjoy a fun outdoor adventure that includes Fido. And that starts with booking your stay at the best pet-friendly Capitol Reef lodging; Cougar Ridge.
Two of our private, luxurious villas are pet-friendly, for a small additional fee each night. No more choosing between your dream getaway and bringing along your furry family member!
Cougar Ridge, Capitol Reef National Park, and the surrounding area have a lot to offer to pet owners. Here’s what you need to know to plan a trip with your dog to Cougar Ridge.
Is Cougar Ridge Pet-Friendly?
Finding pet-friendly vacation rentals near Capitol Reef, or any pet-friendly Capitol Reef lodging options, for that matter, can be a challenge. With a limited number of vacation rentals, hotels, and motels available in the area, and even fewer that allow pets, vacationers are left with few options. And too often, this means choosing to leave their dog or cat at home.
But Cougar Ridge has changed that. Today, we offer the best pet-friendly Capitol Reef lodging option. This allows our guests to enjoy a fun, exciting, or relaxing vacation without having to leave their beloved four-legged friend at home.
Pets are not allowed in The Grand Lodge. However, dogs are welcome in two of our Villas, numbers 6 and 7. We do ask that you let us know when you book your stay. That way, we can ensure that one of these Villas is open during your stay.
There is a $50 cleaning fee per night per pet staying in the Villa. We also ask that you follow all guidelines provided to you about where dogs are and are not allowed around the property.
Both of our pet-friendly Villas feature the same luxurious amenities as our other units. This means two bedrooms, with a king-sized bed in one and two queen-sized beds in the second. You’ll also have a living room area with a TV, a large bathroom, and a private deck with a Trager grill available for you to use during your stay.
Are Pets Allowed in Capitol Reef National Park?
While finding pet-friendly Capital Reef lodging is important, it’s also important to know the rules and guidelines on visiting the park with your dog. To start, dogs are only allowed in certain areas of Capitol Reef National Park. These restrictions are in place to protect delicate plants and native wildlife that could be disturbed by domestic animals.
In Capitol Reef, your pet is allowed:
- On the walking trail that leads from the Visitor Center to the Fruita Campground
- Along the Fremont River Trail that leads from the campground to the south end of Hattie’s Field
- In any unfenced or unlocked orchards
- Within the Chestnut and Doc Inglesbe picnic areas
- In any campgrounds
- Within 50 feet of the centerline of roads, including both paved and dirt roads, that are open to public vehicles
- In any parking areas that are open to public vehicles
Things to Do With Your Pet in Capitol Reef
You may not be able to take your dog on most of the park’s hiking trails. But there are plenty of other ways to enjoy time in the park with your four-legged friend. You could pack a picnic to enjoy in one of the designated picnic areas, or in one of the orchards. Speaking of orchards, you can wander the rows of trees with your pet, both when they are in bloom and when they aren’t, just as long as you stick to unlocked or unfenced orchards.
If you’re planning a quick visit to the park, you can drive through the entirety of Capitol Reef. Or, stroll a few short trails where pets are allowed. This is a great way to see some of the highlights of this beautiful park, but without having to leave your pet at home.
Remember to never leave your pet unattended in your vehicle while visiting the park, or other areas of Southern Utah. Temperatures may rise very quickly in a closed vehicle, even during cooler months, putting your dog in serious danger.
Practice the Tenants of a Good B.A.R.K. Ranger
The National Park Service has released a short list of guidelines to help dog owners visit national parks and other sites that allow pets in a responsible way. The first letter of each guideline helps spell out “BARK,” to help remind owners and their pets to act as good “BARK Rangers” during their visits.
These tenants include:
- Bag your pet’s waste and dispose of it properly
- Always leash your pet, using a leash that is 6 feet (1.8 meters) or shorter in length
- Respect Wildlife
- Know where you can go
Other Places Around Capitol Reef to Visit with Your Pup
Other parks and recreation areas near Capitol Reef are also pet friendly and are great places to hit the trails with your pet.
Fishlake Recreation Area allows pet owners to bring their dogs hiking, just so long as they are safe and responsible during their visit. Pets must remain on a leash at all times.
Dixie National Forest also allows dogs on all hiking trails and other areas of the park. Again, they must remain on a leash. They also cannot be left unattended in a vehicle at any time.
Planning a Stay at the Best Pet-Friendly Capitol Reef Lodging
If you want to bring your pet along, but still want to do some hiking or other activities that your dog can’t come along for, there are boarding facilities available in several nearby cities.
But if you want to include your pet in your next getaway, make sure to book your stay at the best pet-friendly Capitol Reef lodging! While many vacation rentals near Capitol Reef don’t allow pets, Cougar Ridge allows visitors to bring along their furry friends and still enjoy a relaxing, luxurious getaway.
Because only two Villas allow pets, we recommend that you book your Cougar Ridge adventure early to ensure you can bring Fido along for the fun!