How Your Dog Can Become a BARK Ranger at Great Falls National Park
@barney.thebully at Great Falls Park in McLean, VA
Calling all dog parents! Have you ever wished your dog could join you in more of your adventures, especially when exploring the great outdoors? Well, at Great Falls National Park, they can do more than just tag along—they can become a BARK Ranger! This program is not only fun and engaging but also promotes safe and responsible pet ownership. Here’s how you and your pup can get involved!
What is a BARK Ranger?
BARK Rangers are part of a National Park Service initiative designed to ensure that pets and their owners enjoy parks safely and responsibly. BARK stands for Bag your pet’s waste, Always leash your pet, Respect wildlife, and Know where you can go. These principles help protect the natural environment, wildlife, other visitors, and your pet.
Getting Started at Great Falls National Park
Great Falls National Park, located just outside Washington D.C., offers stunning views, easy to challenging hikes, and the perfect backdrop for your adventures with your dog. To get your dog enrolled as a BARK Ranger, follow these steps:
1. Visit the Visitor Center: Stop by the visitor center at Great Falls National Park where park staff will provide you with a card with simple tasks to complete inside the park. They’ll explain the guidelines and offer tips on how to enjoy the park safely with your pet.
2. Understand the BARK Principles:
• Bag your pet’s waste: Always carry bags to clean up after your pet and dispose of the waste in designated trash bins.
• Always leash your pet: Keep your pet on a leash no longer than 6 feet to protect them, other visitors, and wildlife.
• Respect wildlife: Ensure your pet does not chase or disturb wildlife by maintaining control and keeping them on a leash.
• Know where you can go: Some areas of the park may be off-limits to pets. Check the park’s guidelines on where pets are allowed.
3. Take the Pledge: You and your pet will take the BARK Ranger pledge with a park ranger. This is a great moment to affirm your commitment to preserving the beauty and wildlife of the park.
4. Receive Your Badge: Once you’ve taken the pledge, your dog will receive an official BARK Ranger badge (a tag to put on their collar) and a certificate. This is a fantastic souvenir that symbolizes your pet’s new role as a protector of the park!
Why Become a BARK Ranger?
Becoming a BARK Ranger is a wonderful way to enhance your visits to national parks. It helps:
• Foster greater awareness of how pets affect the natural environment.
• Ensure safer interactions between pets, people, and wildlife.
• Encourage pet owners to practice responsibility in beautiful natural settings.
Great Falls National Park is just one of many national parks offering the BARK Ranger program. It’s a fun, educational experience that helps strengthen the bond between you and your pet while enjoying the great outdoors. Next time you visit, consider signing up your dog for this unique program—happy trails and tails await!
Ready to make your next visit to Great Falls National Park even more memorable? Pack your leash, doggy bags, and your sense of adventure to explore the park as a BARK Ranger team. Don’t forget to share your experiences and photos with us here at Paws in the DMV to inspire other local dog owners!
More information can be found on the official National Park Service website here.
Paws in the DMV is a local dog friendly guide for the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.
