Southern Nevada BARK Rangers By Kimberly Reinhart and Paula Jacoby-Garrett
Each spring the National Park Service celebrates America’s treasures during National Park Week, which is scheduled for April 16 to 24, 2022. You might assume only humans are invited to this party, but you’d be wrong! In 2016, the Olympic National Park in Washington introduced the BARK Ranger Program, which quickly grew in popularity and is now offered at nearly fifty parks across the United States. Fortunately for Southern Nevadans, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area participates in the On Bea’s first trip to Lake Mead, program and offers many dog she became a BARK Ranger. friendly trails and beaches for us to explore with our four-legged friends. What is the BARK Ranger Program? The BARK Ranger Program is designed to help preserve the delicate ecosystems of the national parks. BARK is an acronym for: Bag your pet’s waste. Always leash your pet. Respect wildlife. Know where you can go. To join the program at Lake Mead, visit a Park Ranger at the Alan Bible Visitor Center (702-293-8990; 10 Lakeshore Road, Boulder City) and complete the BARK Ranger pledge. You will have the option to purchase an official Always keeping your pet on a leash is key BARK Ranger tag for your to the BARK Ranger Program. A leash dog to show off. Each park could be what keeps your pet safe and by has their own tag, so you can your side when and if you are fortunate collect these as you travel and enough to see wildlife while hiking. explore.
Willow, Lammy, and Pepper recommend these beaches.
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If you are in the mood for a beach, the National Park Service suggests taking your dog to the following beaches: Special Events Beach, Kayak & Canoe Beach, PWC Beach, North Arizona Telephone Cove, Princess Cove, and Cabinsite Cove.
If you are in the mood for a hike, dog-friendly trails include the Historic Railroad Trail, Owl Canyon, Bluffs Trail, Redstone, and more. The Historic Railroad Trail is extremely popular due to the flat terrain and sweeping views of the Lake. In Spring, Owl Canyon is a great option because the walls of the canyon provide shade, keeping you and your pup from getting too warm. On the first day of National Park Week, April 16th, park entrance fees ($25 per car) are waived. If you have been waiting for an excuse to explore the park in our backyard, now is the time to go!
Piper, a Bernadoodle, enjoys an early morning hike with her family Braelyn, Brynn, and Brooke.
OWL CANYON TRAIL
(2.25 mile round trip hike) The Owl Canyon Trailhead is located along Lakeshore Drive in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. From Las Vegas, drive to the Las Vegas Wash entrance station, then south and east to 33 Hole Road (there is a sign and turn off from Lakeshore Drive). The trailhead is on the left side of the parking lot by the picnic tables.
One of the most accessible slot canyons from Las Vegas, Owl Canyon is fun to explore on a nice spring day, as Tilly and Madilyn do here.
From the trailhead sign, the trail immediately leads down from the parking lot, across a flat area, up a small ridge and into an open area. Multiple trails lead to the left, which is back toward Lakeshore Road and up the drainage toward Owl Canyon. Follow the most obvious path and after about 0.25-mile, you and your furry friend will enter the first of the narrow canyons. Tall walls of conglomerate rock form the slot canyon and have created interesting shapes and textures. Watch for white markings on the walls which are the signs that Barn Owl once roosted above. The trail will pass through two sets of culverts under Lakeshore Road and the River Mountains Loop Trail. After the second culvert crossing, the canyon opens to a wide wash. Share a snack with your trail companion and return the way you came.
BEST HIKES WITH DOGS: LAS VEGAS & BEYOND By Kimberly Reinhart and Paula Jacoby-Garrett Great guide with recommendations for more dog-friendly hiking trails within 3 hours of Las Vegas. 8
Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine • March/April 2022
