Traveling to Yellowstone and Wyoming in July. Any advice?
 

I posted this under the Travel section, but I'm posting it here too for max exposure. Hope that's okay.

Hi Everyone,
I am flying to Wyoming for an epic family reunion this summer, and we'll be taking a 3-day self-guided driving tour of Yellowstone National Park. My MIL has already booked a different hotel for each night, none of which are dog friendly, but I have a doctor's letter for Meg to be a ED service dog, so I don't think the hotel issue will be a problem. My concern is traveling through a National Park with a dog. Apparently I can take her on the main roads, but no further than 100 yds (ft?) away from a parking lot or road. What am I going to do? We will want to take some hikes (nothing major)... can I put Meg in a carrier and carry her along with me? Is this a really bad idea because she might attract wild animals? Would a dog attract wild animals more than a group of humans? She still hasn't started barking (knock on wood), so I highly doubt that she would be howling to the wolves. The Yellowstone website says that dogs can be left in the car, but there is no way in hell that I will leave my baby in the car in Wyoming in July!!! I imagine that even 2 hrs in a car would lead to heat stroke, right?

I really, really do not want to put her in a kennel for three nights. She is just a tiny little thing (3.5 lbs) and I am so nervous that she will be scared or hurt or refuse to eat. But if a kennel is my only option, does anyone have a good recommendation? We will be staying with family in Alpine, WY (on the Idaho border). Or is there a doggie day care in the area, or any other option besides a kennel?

Would it really be that bad if I put her in a doggie backpack and carried her on the trails to geysers, etc?? And can they still ban her from the "backwoods" (aka trails) even though she is a service dog?

I work in a hotel and I'm also from Wyoming and take frequent visits to Yellowstone, finally something I can answer!! lol

As far as hotels go, you are allowed to have her as a service animal/if you have a note. It is highly illegal for them to refuse you/her and they legally cannot charge you extra unless, when it comes time to check out, there is damage done to the room.

The pet rules in Yellowstone are very serious. The rules are in place to protect you, your pets and other people. There is potential for the dogs to attract wild animals and the animals are that, wild. I know we've taken my border collie with us but when we go hiking and can't take him, we leave in in the climate-controlled RV. (Times we were tent camping we left him home with a friend)
I would suggest calling the park rangers about the places you want to hike to see if dogs are allowed on leashes, in carriers or not allowed at all. There are a lot of fun walked and hikes that are sort of pre-mapped out so as long as you're not off wandering alone, the rangers would be able to tell you the leash/dog laws for the specific trails. There are ones with board walks as well as paved trails, then there are the dirt trails that are more like hiking.

I would suggest visiting Jenny Lake. You can take a boat ride across a beautiful lake then follow a trail that's fairly easy hiking to a place called Hidden Falls. If you continue up from there, it's a heavier hike and you reach the top, a place called Inspiration Point. The Tetons are in the view behind you and you look out over the cliffs across the lake and can see forever! Not too sure about dogs here but I'm thinking they're not allowed

Hope you have a fun trip! Yellowstone is beautiful! Sorry for the long-winded response :embarasse

Thank you for your response! I'm so glad I asked... So if you're from the area, can you recommend any kennels or day care options? I am going to be traveling with all of my in-laws and I know we will be taking some trips that will be on the trails and boardwalks. Dogs aren't allowed on the boardwalks per the Yellowstone website rules. I do'nt have anyone in WY that I can leave her with, unfortunately.

I will def call and ask about dog-friendly trails though. THank you!!! :animal-pa

Also, are you anywhere near Alpine? If so, can you recommend a good emergency vet ... just in case? The people I am staying with are big game hunters, so they kill animals, not take them to emergency vets. :mad:

Psshhh she can stay with me! lol only kidding. I'm actually about 4 hours from Yellowstone so not in the immediate area but I did find Happy Tails Pet Resort in Jackson, which would be a bit of a drive but it's beautiful but I don't really know anything about them.

Are you staying in Alpine?? Alpine is TINY! We're talking less than 1,000 people. Here is a vet I found that has a website: Home they also offer boarding.

Wish I could help more but Wyoming's a pretty sparse place!

Hi, my hubby and I visit YellowStone all the time....and there are only a couple places that dogs are NOT allowed and that is Norris and Mammoth...because of the hot springs.. Dogs are NOT allowed on the boardwalks...however if you are carrying your baby...or putting him/her in a backpack we highly doubt ANYONE will say anything to you about it. I take my babies EVERYWHERE....and have yet to get in trouble for it.

The main reason dogs aren't allowed on the boardwalks isn't necessarily because they attract wild animals...its because there have been several deaths because dogs have gotten loose....stepped off the boardwalks onto very dangerous ground...fallen thru the thin layer of crust...into boiling hot water and owners have died trying to save them. Those areas are clearly marked...so if it were ME...I would get a breathable backpack..and just put your baby in it. If you plan on putting it in a carrier that is NOT fully enclosed...just make sure your baby cannot jump out. Make SURE he/she is tethered somehow so that you don't have to worry about it jumping out or getting loose. That's where the danger lies.

And don't worry about anything else....there is NO way I'd put my baby in doggie daycare...OR leave it in the car.....UNLESS there are some that don't want to get out...and opt to stay in the car at certain areas....then the air conditioner will hopefully be left on...There are so many other areas you can take your baby...It shouldn't affect your visit one bit!!

Just remember to bring lightweight jackets or hoodies....for the evenings...because even if it's very hot during the day...it always cools off at night and it can get chilly. I'd bring a little jacket for your baby too! :D

Have a great time...and take LOTS of pictures!!!

Thanks for the kennel recommendation. I can't get to their website because it is blocked at work, but I'll check it out when I get home.

I just mapquested Jackson to Alpine and it's 45 minutes!!!! Holy cow, I'm going to be in teh boonies. 45 min from the nearest town!!!! Dear God, what am I getting into? I am going ot be staying in Alpine because my DH has family there. They are actually big game hunters, so we'll be living in a house filled with stuffed animals. Literally, stuffed. :eek:

Thanks for the advice, Wabbit. I wasn't sure what the boardwalks were --- but I knew they were unlike the beach boardwalks I am used to. But they go over boiling hot springs? I would definitely keep Meg locked up tight-tight-tight.

So you said that dogs aren't allowed in Mammoth... that is one of my stops. Do you konw if the hike to the geyser is a big one? I might be able to leave Meg in the hotel for the morning, but of course then I get worried that someone will steal her out of the hotel room.

I'm also stopping at "Lake Yellowstone Village." Any clue as to the dog-friendliness of this area? THANK YOU!!!!

Well that's what my hubby said...about Mammoth...but the springs and formations are right near where you park...you don't have to walk any great distance to see much.. I'd just stick your baby in the back pack.. (I found this black back pack...that has holes all through it...and I've used that for my little tulip before) Air travels right thru it... And I will have to ask my hubby about Lake Yellowstone Village.. I don't remember ever visiting that spot...If your going inside bldgs...then you probably will need to leave your little one in the car...but I can't see any reason why you can't take your baby most places...

I put Tulip in a carrier and take her places most people have no clue....because she is so small...lol And thankfully she doesn't bark...much..

How about checking a website called petswelcome.com they may have some info on there for some stuff. I personally would not leave in a car even if it was cool outside, they would snatch her up in a minute. When I went to byrce canyon, you cant take the dogs anywhere, but I would be there in sept much cooler, I would leave him in the car go take a picture, watch the car and come back, good luck. How far is alpine from idaho falls its ben awhile since I have been in y stone, I grew up in idaho.

Yogi Attachment 271631 and Boo-Boo Attachment 271630say they'll be happy to watch your pik-a-nic basket for you will you hike. :D

Yes, I think you're right. And I would die if she was ever kidnapped. It's a huge fear, and I do'nt think I even want to leave her in any hotel rooms.

They are SO cute, and I love their names!!!!

If you do decide to place her in a carrier and take her, they make some really good one especially desinged for dogs. Remember to bring water for your baby too. She will need plenty of that . And protect her from the sun. i'd be concerned for the weather just taking her on hikes .... but, you said the trips were going to be short. I am certain you are going to be very cautious . :thumbup: I also think your little one, and you are going to feel so much better being together then apart. Especially, that she is your service dog.
Suzi is my service dog too! I understand completely where you are coming from, and know the need to bring my Yorkie where ever I go. It is a necessity . :aimeeyork

I would never leave my dog or want to see any dog left in a car !!! Too many tragic stories.....
I heard of someone who got out of their camper in Alaska (?) with their yorkie on a leash and an hawk came a swooped it away !!! Is that possible in Wyoming???
How long is the plane ride from your home?
I hope all goes well and you have a great time !!!

Thank you! I have a good airline approved, well ventilated carrier that I think I will use for the short trips, but I was also looking into getting a backpack. Meg loves being in teh carrier we aready own though, and why mess with a good thing?

OMG!!:eek: That is horrible. I would imagine that something like that would be possible in WY, but hopefully any birds of prey would be scared off by us being in a car, in a parking lot, or near a buillding or hotel. I will definitely keep that in mind though. Man, I am so incredibly nervous about this trip.

In answer to your question, the flights from my home (Korea) to WY will ~ 14 hours. Meg and I flew from Korea to Boston and back, and it ended up being around 19 hours (not including the 2 hrs to get to/from the airport). Ugh. Meg was a perfect traveler though. I'm hoping that the second intercontinental flight goes as smoothly as the first.