Dogs are welcome on any Valley Forge tour as long as they behave and you follow the park’s rules for handling pets. In fact, Valley Forge National Historical Park is a popular spot for local dog walkers because the 26 miles of trails running through the park are perfect for exercising furry friends. However, if you do want to bring your dog to the park, you’ll have to follow what the park adorably calls the “B.A.R.K.” principles. In order to be B.A.R.K. Rangers, you and your dog have to:

B: Bag Your Waste
Make sure you clean up after your dog and don’t leave feces anywhere in the park. Waste bins are provided throughout, but you’ll have to bring your own waste disposal bags.
A: Always Use a Leash
Pets are not allowed off-leash anywhere at Valley Forge National Historical Park. In order to make sure all dogs are kept under control, leashes can be no longer than six feet.

R: Respect Wildlife
Valley Forge is also a national wildlife refuge, featuring groundhogs, songbirds, foxes, skunks, and other animals native to the area. Dogs are not allowed to chase or bark at wildlife in the park, and you might be asked to remove your pet if it can’t relax around other animals.
K: Know Where You Can Go
While dogs are welcome at Valley Forge, they’re not allowed everywhere at the park. Dogs can’t enter any of the buildings at the park, including the Visitor Center, and keep an eye out for any posted signs for other areas.

Ultimately, all these rules are pretty much the same as any other pet-friendly public space, so it should be easy enough to follow them and have a great time with your furry friend. To make the most of your trip, check out our Valley Forge Self-Guided Driving Tour, or you can sign up for Action+ and gain access to over 100 tours for a single yearly price.