The park service discourages canine visitors with this website warning:
“While pets are allowed in the park, their activities are restricted. They must be on a leash at all times and cannot be more than 100 feet from a road, picnic area, or campground; they are prohibited from trails, and they must never be left unattended—not even in a vehicle.”
Here is a more detailed message, as directed to rock climbers:
“Leave Your Dog at Home”
While pets are allowed in the park, their activities are restricted. They must be on a leash at all times and cannot be more than 100 feet from a road, picnic area, or campground. They are prohibited from trails, and they must never be left unattended- especially in a vehicle. Desert heat can be deadly to your pet. Park temperatures peak at over 100°F, turning the inside of your car into an oven. If your dog is at the base of a climb while your partner is bringing you up, then your dog is unattended.
Your canine companion may be a model of good behavior, but dogs are predators and their mere presence stresses wildlife. Dog waste poses the same disposal problems as human waste, and even a tied dog can destroy vegetation.”
And here is the caveat for DogTrekkers: In Joshua Tree there is much to see from a car window, from picnic areas, from the sides of roads where it’s legal to walk with a pet, and along more than 500 miles of backcountry roads that are also fair game for dog walkers. Just remember to carry plenty of water and always, always pick up pet waste or bury it at least six inches underground.
