If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a herd of wild bison in Yellowstone or a herd of wild horses in the Rockies thinking, “Dang, that’d be a way cooler way to explore than a crowded shuttle bus,” you’ve probably wondered this: Can I actually take an animal ride in a U.S. national park? Animal Ride
Here’s the thing: I run an animal ride company, and I get this question at least a dozen times a day from customers and park rangers alike. So let’s cut through the confusion—no stuffy park rulebook jargon, no vague “it depends” nonsense, just the real breakdown of what’s allowed, what’s not, and why it matters for both you and the parks we all love.
First, let’s start with the basics: National parks are set up to protect wild ecosystems, right? That means the animals that live there aren’t pets or attractions—they’re part of a fragile, balanced system. So any animal ride in a park has to fit two big boxes: it can’t harm the wild wildlife or habitat, and it can comply with both federal park rules and state animal welfare laws.
Let’s get straight to what’s actually allowed. I can tell you right now: You will never, ever be able to rent a camel ride in Grand Canyon or a pony ride in Yosemite Valley. Why? Those parks have banned all non-essential commercial animal rides for decades. The National Park Service (NPS) has a thing called the “Organic Act” that’s the foundation of how parks are run, and it’s clear: commercial operations can only do things that “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” So if your animal ride is going to trample wild plants, scare off a herd of elk, or introduce diseases that domestic animals can pass to wildlife? That’s a hard no.
But wait—there are exceptions, and that’s where my company comes in. Let’s talk about the only commercial animal rides actually approved in national parks right now: guided horseback rides. You’ve probably seen them advertised near the entrance of places like Rocky Mountain or Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Those are allowed, but only if they meet super strict rules. For example, the horses have to be trained to handle backcountry terrain, not spooky wild animals like bison or mountain lions. They can only use established trails—no going off to graze on wildflower meadows that are home to endangered pollinators. And the groups are limited in size so they don’t crowd wild herds or erode trail edges.
I know what you’re thinking: What about other animals? I used to get asked all the time about llama rides, or even sheep rides (weird, I know) but no—llamas are allowed as pack animals for backcountry campers, but commercial llama rides for tourists? Nope. What about horse-drawn carriage rides? Those are only allowed in a handful of parks, like Antietam National Battlefield, which is a historical park, not a natural one, so the rules are a little different. But even there, the carriages have to use specific roads and no more than two horses per carriage to keep from disturbing the battlefield’s historical landscape.
Now, I know some of you are going to push back: “Why can’t I have a dog sled ride in Alaska’s national parks?” Let’s talk about that. The NPS actually has a specific rule for sled dogs in park areas: they can only operate in the winter months, and they have to stay on designated trails that are free of wild wolf territories. Because if a sled dog pack gets loose and interacts with a wild wolf pack? That can spread diseases like canine distemper, which is deadly for both species. Also, the trails have to be wide enough that the sled doesn’t damage fragile tundra in Alaska, which takes centuries to grow back. So it’s allowed, but only under super controlled conditions.
Here’s where the common misconception comes in: A lot of people think national parks are just big playgrounds, so you can do whatever you want with animals. But the reality is, the NPS has to balance two things: letting visitors have a good time, and protecting the land that millions of people depend on. I’ve talked to rangers at Rocky Mountain who told me stories about a group that wanted to rent burros for a ride in a backcountry valley—turns out, that valley was a mating ground for bighorn sheep, and even a few burros can stress the ewes so much they abandon their lambs. So that request got denied, rightfully so.
Now, let’s get to the part you actually care about: if you’re a visitor who wants an animal ride in a national park, what can you do? First, check the park’s official website before you go. Most parks have a list of approved commercial concessionaires that offer horseback rides or other animal experiences. For example, in Great Smoky Mountains, the only approved horseback ride concession is run by a local family that’s been in business for 40 years—they follow all the rules, keep their horses healthy, and don’t let their rides go off-trail.
If you’re a fellow animal ride provider (not a customer, but someone looking to work with parks), here’s the secret to getting approved. The NPS doesn’t just care about rules—they care about stewardship. When I first started my company, I didn’t just fill out a permit application and say “we offer horse rides.” I put together a plan that included: annual vet checks for all our horses, a trail maintenance program where our crew fixes eroded spots on the trails we use, and a donation to park conservation every time we book a ride. We also took a course on wild animal interaction from the NPS, so all our guides know how to keep their horses calm around bison and elk, and how to give visitors space. That’s how we got approved to operate in three national parks over the last five years.
Wait, what about private animal rides? Like, if I own a horse, can I bring it into a national park for a ride? That’s a different question, and the answer is still mostly yes, but again, rules apply. You can bring your own horse to most parks, but you have to stay on designated trails, pick up all your horse’s waste (it can attract bears and spread parasites to wild animals), and you can’t ride in areas closed to stock animals. I’ve seen people try to ride their horses off-trail in Yosemite’s valley, and rangers will stop you fast—because that’s where the meadow is home to rare plants that are protected.
Let’s address the elephant in the room (pun not intended, but fitting): what about exotic animal rides? Like, a camel ride in Death Valley? Death Valley is a national park, and it’s super hot, so camels would actually adjust to the climate, right? But no—those rides aren’t allowed. Why? Because exotic animals can carry diseases that wild desert bighorn sheep are extremely vulnerable to, and even a single domestic camel could introduce something that wipes out a whole herd. Also, transporting exotic animals into national parks requires way more permits, and the NPS has a blanket policy against commercial rides with non-native animals to avoid any risk of invasive species or disease spread.
I’ve also seen a lot of viral posts on social media where people try to sneak animal rides into parks. Last year, a group in Arizona tried to rent donkeys for a “sunset ride” in Saguaro National Park. They didn’t check the rules, brought the donkeys in without a permit, and ended up getting a $500 fine plus their horses were impounded. That’s not just a bummer for them—it’s a headache for park rangers who have to deal with those situations, and it makes it harder for legitimate businesses like mine to operate. Because every time someone flouts the rules, the NPS tightens up the requirements for everyone.
Now, let’s talk about the future. There’s been a lot of talk about adding new animal experiences to national parks, like guided llama pack trips that double as conservation education, or horse-drawn wagon rides in historical parks. But the NPS is moving super slow on that, and for good reason. They don’t want to turn national parks into theme parks—they want to keep them wild. So if you want an animal ride in a park, the best bet is to go with an established concessionaire that has a track record of following the rules.
As someone in the animal ride business, I’ll be honest: it’s not always easy. We have to follow stricter rules than most tour companies, pay for annual inspections, and invest in animal welfare that goes above and beyond what’s required. But it’s worth it, because we get to share these amazing parks with people, and we’re part of protecting them for future generations.
If you’re a visitor who’s interested in booking an animal ride in a national park, or you’re a business owner looking to partner with the NPS on a legitimate operation, reach out to our team. We work with parks across the country to create safe, sustainable animal experiences that benefit both visitors and the parks. We can walk you through the permit process, help you develop a stewardship plan, or connect you with park contacts who can answer any questions you have. Just shoot us a message, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
At the end of the day, national parks are for everyone—but they’re not for profit at the expense of the wild. That’s why the rules around animal rides exist. And if you follow those rules, you can have an amazing time exploring a park on horseback, a sled, or even a well-managed llama pack trip—without harming the land or the animals that call it home.
Plush Animal Ride On Toy References
National Park Service. (2022). Commercial Concession Operating Procedures for Animal-Assisted Activities in National Parks.
U.S. Department of the Interior. (2019). Domestic Animal Disease Transmission Risks to National Park Wildlife.
Rocky Mountain National Park. (2023). Backcountry Trail Rules for Stock Animal Operations.
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