Become a Winneshiek Co. B.A.R.K. Ranger
Winneshiek County parks are exciting places for pets to visit with their family. Sometimes these new places can be so exciting as to be overstimulating. The B.A.R.K. Ranger program will guide you in a positive experience with your pet in unfamiliar environments.
All park visitors with pets are expected to follow the B.A.R.K. Rules:
- Bag your pet’s waste
- Always leash your pet
- Respect wildlife
- Know where you can go
Learn More
The Winneshiek County B.A.R.K. Ranger Program began in 2025 to encourage pet families to explore the parks in a safe way. Our program is fairly new in so we are collecting feedback from participants about what types of B.A.R.K. programming they would enjoy. Please be sure to complete the online certification form after your B.A.R.K. training to provide feedback.
The B.A.R.K. Ranger program exists at national, state, county, and city parks all across the country! The U.S. B.A.R.K. Ranger Program began with the Healthy People Healthy Parks initiative by the National Park Service. The goal is to encourage pet families to protect parks, pets, and other visitors by following the B.A.R.K. Rules.
Each participating park has its own style of B.A.R.K. program, providing diverse experiences for people and their pets of all ages and abilities.
Join #USBarkRangers on Facebook or visit usbarkrangers.com for more pet-friendly parks around the United States!
To help B.A.R.K. Rangers and their famillies know where you can go, please review these official county rules & regulations regarding pets:
100.4.100—Dogs. Dogs shall be prohibited in all wildlife areas (Ludwig Preserve and Chipera Prairie) between the dates of March 15 and July 15 each year; except that, training of dogs shall be permitted in designated training areas. Except for dogs being used in designated hunting Areas or in dog training Areas, pets such as dogs or cats shall not be allowed to run at large within any Area. Such animals shall be on a leash or chain not to exceed six feet in length and shall be either led by or carried by the owner, attached to an anchor/tie-out or vehicle, or confined in a vehicle.
For Lake Meyer and Kendallville Campgrounds: All pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. Campers are expected to clean up after their pets. No cleaning of pets in shower house.
To read the full list of rules & regulations, and for park-specific rules, visit https://www.winneshiekwild.com/park-trail
Visit one of the B.A.R.K. Ranger Parks or Trails to start your training!
Click here for the Lake Meyer Training Brochure.
Print brochures are available for free at the Lake Meyer Campground shower house near the camper registration information.
Learn more about Lake Meyer Park & Campground.
Click here for the Trout Run Trail Training Brochure.
Print brochures are available for free at the Decorah Visitor Center at 507 W Water Street in Decorah, IA.
Learn more about the Trout Run Trail, an 11-mile paved loop around Decorah, IA.
Click here for the Prairie Farmer Training Brochure.
Print brochures are available for free at the kiosk near the Winneshiek County Freedom Rock, just past the Old Calmar Train Depot in Calmar, IA, along the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail.
Learn more about the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail, a 20-mile paved trail along an old railroad line from Calmar to Cresco, IA.