My husband & I will be visiting Phoenix in late-March and our dog will be with us. We'd like to take a quick trip to the Grand Canyon for a few days and I did read on the NP site that dogs are allowed on rim trails.

So, a couple questions - has anyone ever been there with their dog, and where's a nice nearby place to stay that allows dogs (no hotels in park will allow dogs)? Long story short, we can't leave our dog at home or at a local kennel in Phoenix because we're coming from a month-long work trip (we live in NY) - she's with us no matter what.

Dogs are not allowed in GC lodging. They are allowed at campgrounds. There is a kennel at the South Rim. Our dog did just fine at the kennel.

Here's a link to the pet info page for the South Rim. There is no kennel on the North Rim.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon/south-rim/pets.htm

Best you keep your dog on a lead when you are at the GC. I'm not sure what the Park Regulations are, but many counties in AZ have a leash law.

She'll definitely be on lead... we never walk her off leash. And we do know that they're not allowed in the hotels in GC - but any suggestions on off-site hotels? Campgrounds aren't really my thing...

We want to stay 2 nights, then maybe head off somewhere else before going back to Phoenix for the flight home. Again, any suggestions on dog-friendly NPs or scenic areas?

Not to be sarcastic or anything, but have you checked the GC website?

http://www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon/...im/lodging.htm

If you go to that link, you will see a list of the 7 hotels within 7 miles of the park. I would imagine that my calling them, you would have the answer to your question - Do you accept dogs and have availability for my dates?

Tent camping is going to way to cold in March. You can easily get snow at this time of the year. The North Rim will still be closed in March.

The national parks all have the same rules about dogs not being on the trails. Paved walkways are fine on a leash.

Other places to consider would be Zion National Park, Byrce Canyon National Park, Monument Valley Tribal park so their rules might be different, Canyon de Chelly National Monument which has very scenic overlooks that you could go to, Petrified Forest - Painted Desert you could drive through and see some of the petrified wood...but it's better when you can go on the short walks.

I know you said camping wasn't your thing, but have you considered renting a motor home? They have all the comforts of a motel room. Some rental places allow dogs. You could stay in the campgrounds where dogs are allowed. We use to have a dog and we could leave her for short periods of time in the motor home with vents & windows open, water in her bowl and she always did fine.

Utahtea

You might also want to check out www.petfriendly.com.