Fort Vancouver’s New Dog-Friendly Tour Highlights Historical Dogs’ Influence At The Site

The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Washington is set to launch a new, self-guided BARK Ranger tour for dog owners this weekend, highlighting a long history of dogs serving as both companions and working animals at Fort Vancouver.

The National Park Service said dogs have a special place in Fort Vancouver’s history, working and playing alongside Indigenous peoples, fur traders, soldiers, and settlers. Starting on May 17, visitors can embark on a self-guided tour specially designed for people with dogs.

Starting at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, visitors will receive a handout that includes a map marked with five stops, and questions to answer along the way to earn a certificate to commemorate the adventure. Each stop on the map has a QR code visitors can scan to “read a short story about the role of dogs in the parks history.” Answering the first six questions, which accounts for information from the first three stops, will earn a certificate.

Visitors on the tour will learn the historical stories of dogs that have “left their paw prints” on Fort Vancouver and Vancouver Barracks’ past.

“Were excited to launch this new tour for our visitors and their four-legged friends,” Park Ranger Ada Gonzalez said in a statement. “We know how much people enjoy bringing their pets to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, and we hope this will be a fun, meaningful way for them to connect with the parks history. Its also a great opportunity to share tips on how to explore the site safely and responsibly with dogs.”

The Friends of Fort Vancouver will also be offering unique BARK Ranger dog tags for sale in their bookstore at the Visitor Center, alongside dog-related books and handmade accessories like bandannas and blankets.

BARK Ranger is a nationwide National Park Service program that encourages park visitors to follow the “BARK” rules: Bag and dispose of your pets waste in trash cans; Always leash your pet; Respect wildlife; and Know where you can go.

“Since I first learned about the BARK Ranger program – which started at Olympic National Park in 2016 and has now spread to parks all over the country – I have taken my pups Harley Quinn and Louis on numerous adventures to explore and enjoy each site responsibly,” said BARK Ranger Ambassador Caroline Krause. As a volunteer and official BARK Ambassador, I have supported the development of the new self-guided tour. This park is perfect for dogs and their humans to enjoy the paths and trails together on leash, so Im sure its going to be a big hit!”