National Monument · CA

Dogs in Chuckwalla National Monument

Can I bring my dog, and on which trails?
Dog-friendly

This newer desert monument welcomes leashed dogs. Keep dogs leashed, pack out waste, and give wildlife space in this rugged Sonoran and Colorado Desert landscape.

Leashed dogs are fine on desert trails and at spots like Corn Springs. Dogs are allowed but not recommended on the ladder-and-rope routes such as Painted Canyon and Ladder Canyon in the nearby Mecca Hills.

Where dogs are allowed

Leashed dogs are fine on desert trails and at spots like Corn Springs. Dogs are allowed but not recommended on the ladder-and-rope routes such as Painted Canyon and Ladder Canyon in the nearby Mecca Hills.

Seasonal closures

Summer desert heat is dangerous. Hike in the cooler morning hours, carry extra water, and watch for rattlesnakes and hot ground on paws.

Leash rule

A 6-foot leash is required in developed recreation areas like campgrounds, trailheads, and picnic sites. On most of the open BLM land there is no leash law, but your dog must be under control at all times, and local field offices can set stricter rules.

Service animals

Service animals are allowed where pets are not, under the ADA. A leash is still required.

Official source
Bureau of Land Management
View the BLM page →
Last verified 2026-07-09
Designation
National Monument

Common questions

Can I bring my dog to Chuckwalla National Monument?

This newer desert monument welcomes leashed dogs. Keep dogs leashed, pack out waste, and give wildlife space in this rugged Sonoran and Colorado Desert landscape. Leashed dogs are fine on desert trails and at spots like Corn Springs. Dogs are allowed but not recommended on the ladder-and-rope routes such as Painted Canyon and Ladder Canyon in the nearby Mecca Hills.

What is the leash rule at Chuckwalla National Monument?

A 6-foot leash is required in developed recreation areas like campgrounds, trailheads, and picnic sites. On most of the open BLM land there is no leash law, but your dog must be under control at all times, and local field offices can set stricter rules.

Are there seasonal closures for dogs at Chuckwalla National Monument?

Summer desert heat is dangerous. Hike in the cooler morning hours, carry extra water, and watch for rattlesnakes and hot ground on paws.

Are service animals allowed at Chuckwalla National Monument?

Service animals are allowed where pets are not, under the ADA. A leash is still required.