Be a Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger

Learn how to have a safe, fun, and ~pawsitive~ experience at Valley Forge!

NPS Graphic / G. Purifoy

Get Your Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger Activity Book

Valley Forge National Historical Park is a dog-friendly park. Before you head out onto the trails with your pupper, make sure to pick up your B.A.R.K. Ranger Activity Book at the Visitor Center at Valley Forge!

NOTE: Dogs are not allowed inside the visitor center building. Rangers and volunteers are excited to work with you and your dog just outside the front doors.

Download and print the Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger Activity Book to complete the activities before your visit!

Step 1

Learn the four B.A.R.K. principles.

Step 2

Complete the activity pages in the book.

Step 3

Show your work to a ranger at the visitor center.

Step 4

Make the B.A.R.K. Ranger promise.

Step 5

Earn a Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger dog tag!

Details

Duration

10-30 Minutes

Activity

Hands-On

The Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger Activity Book includes fascinating information about the history of dogs during the American Revolutionary War and explains how to have a safe and fun experience with your dog while visiting the park.

The book contains four activities — one activity for each B.A.R.K. principle. Activities include a crossword puzzle, a maze, a fill-in-the-blank, and a circle-the-photograph activity.

Turn your completed activity book in to a park ranger inside the Visitor Center at Valley Forge (sorry, doggos have to stay outside), fill in your dog's name on the back cover, and make the B.A.R.K. Ranger promise to receive a special metal dog tag.

Age(s)

16 and Older

Pets Allowed

Yes

Valley Forge is a dog-friendly park, but dogs are not allowed inside the visitor center building. Park rangers are excited to help you and your pupper complete the B.A.R.K. Ranger outside the front doors of the visitor center!

Activity Fee

No

There are no entrance fees at Valley Forge!

Location

Visitor Center at Valley Forge

Pick up a B.A.R.K. Ranger Activity Book and turn in your completed book at the information desk inside the Visitor Center at Valley Forge. (Sorry, no puppers inside the building though!) After you make the B.A.R.K. Ranger promise (located on the back cover of the activity book), you'll receive a special Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger dog tag.

There are 35 miles of trails to explore at Valley Forge and countless opportunities to practice the four B.A.R.K. Ranger principles!

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

Park grounds are open every day from 7 AM to 30 minutes past sunset.

Accessibility Information

Pets are welcome in all outdoor spaces including grounds, trails, parking lots, and picnic areas, but are not allowed inside park buildings.

The Joseph Plumb Martin trail is paved and largely accessible for wheelchairs. There are some small sections with steeper grades.

Pick up your copy of the Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger Activity Book in the visitor center, or download and print a copy to bring to the park!

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The Four B.A.R.K. Principles

B. Bag Your Waste

Keep poop bags off of the trails — dispose of poop bags in trash receptacles located around the park.

A. Always Wear a Leash

No more than 6 feet (2 meters).

R. Respect Wildlife

No barking, digging, sniffing, or chasing.

K. Know Where You Can Go

Dogs are allowed on trails and roadways throughout the park, except for the Grand Parade Trails between April 1 abd September 15 to protect sensitive nesting wildlife.

Complete the activity book to earn your Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger dog tag!

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Earn a B.A.R.K. Ranger dog tag

After you and your dog turn in the completed activity book at the visitor center, you'll earn a special Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger dog tag!