I have heard a national forest in California was considering charging campers at campgrounds a fee for their pets. I can now confirm this rumor is NOT true. We know of no national forest that has a pet fee and, personally, I hope it stays that way. But it will only if we keep our pets under control while in national forests.

The pet fee idea was only "floated" as the means to control the naughty dog problem seen in some campgrounds. Looks like it "floated" as well as a lead balloon but the Forest Service is still trying to find a solution. Got any ideas? Let's hear them.

It's not the dogs that are naughty, but the owners who can't or won't keep their dog under their control at all times...and on a leash (with a person at the other end). I doubt very much that a "pet fee" would do anything to change these owners' ways.

How about a novel idea...stricter inforcement of the pet rules? Too many times the camp hosts simply ignore people who let their dogs run loose in a campground.

I agree with LindaH it's the owners. I hate wandering around a campground and having to watch for the piles, or have a barker disturb me at night. I have a puppy and plan on taking him some day but if he's a problem he won't go again. Taking a dog is not something I'm used to doing so I wouldn't miss it if he's trouble to others.He will be glad to see me when I get back!

I totally agree that it is the owners that are the problem. We took our dog camping with us for most of her 13 years, but we tried to teach her appropriate behavior, just as we did our children. She didn't run loose in the campground, and never ever was she allowed to just sit and bark for hours.
I don't know if it is because we are getting older and just notice it more, but it seems that every time we go camping, we are near someone with an uncontrolled barking dog. I guess people get accustomed to hearing their dogs and tune them out, but they shouldn't expect their fellow camper to be able to do so. Also, may people will go off and leave their dog in the camper, and it barks the whole time they are gone. Perhaps they don't realize this. The only times we have complained to rangers or hosts, we were told that "there was really nothing they could do". I hate to see pets banned from campgrounds, but what is the answer?????

I don't think it is a good idea for people to bring pets to the campground because they always bark no matter how good they are its there nature and humans do not clean up the feces left behind and the we smell it and in it not a good thing and then there is the human that constantly yells at there dog sometimes more annoying than the dog please let us all rest on vacation leave the noises of home at home enjoy nature without dogs & generators .

It's dangerous to use terms like "always." Our dog doesn't bark...at all (he's a Basenji). We've known other dogs, too, who rarely, if ever, bark. We pick up after our dog, too.

There's also no way we could leave our dog "at home" since we ARE at home...we're fulltime RVers. Or are you saying that fulltime RVers with pets shouldn't camp in USFS campgrounds?

I'm sorry I offend you that was not my intent I'm sure you are a good camper and that your dog is good too but your in the 5 percentile of good campers with dogs & generators you probably have a honda generator or a yamaha the fact is we need better rules on dogs and generators for the people that want a peaceful expience from the national forest campground , I want to see chipmunks squirels and other wildlife if we continue in this direction our national forest will be a trailer park not a forest . please see my point of view

I agree wholeheartedly that its not just the pets but the owners.



I dont know about your area, but here we have policies reguarding pets, and that statement (here anyways) is false. Its the owners responsibility to take care of their pets and if they cannot handle the task then they can and most often will be asked to leave without a refund.

This is a great policy and really cuts down on the issues of unleashed pets, unattended pets, fescies, and pets disturbing other campers peace.

I tent camp, no generator but I do take my Malamute. She has never barked a day in her five year life. She is kept on a leash at all times. If I am busy cooking or getting the tent setup, she is on a cable leash which is tethered to a D-ring on the back of the Hummer.

I have encountered some dogs that run loose while in a site, and I have encountered those who like to run their generator after the shut down time. If there is no camp host, I go ask them to keep their dog in their area or turn off the generator. Usually. most are very friendly and cooperative.

Once in a while, I get the 'yea, I'll turn it off or I'll tether the dog' and that never happens. After the second trip to their site, they usually do what is requested.



I should also state that most of my camping is on BLM land. However, this summer it will be a NF in WY.

I agree with most on here, Mass Punishment is NOT the answer, why would we punish all pet owners for the actions of a few, do we punish ALL parents, because a few let their children run loose, No, of course not,
Punish the offenders, not the innocent.