Utah Pet Travel Rules for RVers
Utah's national parks — Zion, Bryce, Arches, and Canyonlands — are breathtaking but among the most restrictive for pets in the country.
Required Travel Documents
Utah does not require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for pet dogs and cats entering from other U.S. states for recreational travel. Livestock and horses do require a CVI under Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) rules.
Proof of current rabies vaccination is required at most commercial campgrounds and highly recommended for state and national park camping. Keep your pet's vaccination certificate accessible throughout your trip.
Vaccination Requirements
Utah state law requires rabies vaccination for dogs. Cats are not subject to a statewide mandate, but many counties and campgrounds require it.
Plague is present in Utah's rodent populations (as in much of the Mountain West). Keep dogs from digging in or around prairie dog towns. No vaccine for dogs; prevention is behavioral.
RV and Vehicle Rules
Utah's maximum single-unit RV length is 45 feet. Combined tow/trailer maximum is 65 feet. Width is 102 inches and height is 14 feet on most major highways.
Utah's scenic byways — Highway 12 (one of America's most scenic roads, passing through Escalante and Bryce), Highway 128 (Castle Valley/Moab), and SR-9 through Zion Canyon — have varying size restrictions. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive above the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel requires oversized vehicle permits for rigs exceeding 7 feet 10 inches wide or 11 feet 4 inches tall.
Arches National Park and Canyonlands are easily accessed from US-191 near Moab. Moab is an excellent base for large rigs, with multiple full-hookup RV parks near the entry points.
National Park and Campground Pet Policies
Utah's five national parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef) are collectively among the most pet-restrictive in the National Park Service.
Zion: pets allowed on the Pa'rus Trail only, in campgrounds, and in parking areas. Bryce Canyon: pets allowed in campgrounds, parking lots, and on the Rim Trail (paved). Arches and Canyonlands: pets allowed in campgrounds and parking areas, but not on any trails.
Utah State Parks are considerably more dog-friendly: pets are allowed in campgrounds and on most trails (leash required). Dead Horse Point State Park, Goblin Valley, and Kodachrome Basin all allow leashed dogs on trails.
Private campgrounds in Moab (Moab Valley RV Resort, Canyonlands RV Resort) and Springdale near Zion offer full hook-ups with pet-friendly policies, making them popular bases for national park visits.
Breed Restrictions and Quarantine Notes
Utah has no statewide breed-specific legislation. Verify local ordinances for any specific cities on your route.
No quarantine requirement for domestic dogs and cats from other U.S. states.
Disclaimer: verify with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (agriculture.utah.gov) and NPS park websites before your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed on trails in Zion National Park?
Dogs are allowed on the Pa'rus Trail only — a paved 3.5-mile path along the Virgin River. All other Zion trails are off-limits to pets.
Are dogs allowed in Arches or Canyonlands National Parks?
Dogs are allowed in parking lots, campgrounds, and paved/unpaved roads, but not on any trails in either park.
Does Utah require a health certificate for dogs?
No CVI required for pet dogs and cats from other U.S. states. Livestock require a CVI under Utah Department of Agriculture and Food rules.
What are the RV limits at Utah's "Big 5" national parks?
Most national park campgrounds recommend RVs under 27 feet. Zion's South Campground accommodates up to 27 feet; Bryce Canyon's North Campground up to 40 feet on select sites.