Hiking at Shiloh: B.A.R.K Ranger returns

A trio of hikers at Shiloh Park

On Saturday, Oct. 30, Shiloh National Military Park is hosting its third B.A.R.K. Ranger hike of the year to officially launch the Shiloh B.A.R.K. Ranger Program.

This hike will be offered two different times in which visitors and their dogs can participate. Limit is 10 dogs on either hike.

To help launch the B.A.R.K. program, the park encourages participants to dress up their dogs in costumes.

With the owners’ permission, photos will be taken of the dogs and published on the park’s official Facebook page. From there, the public decides which costume they like the best. First place based on the number of likes gets a small prize donated by Shiloh’s America’s National Parks bookstore.

Both hikes meet at Tour Stop 4. From there, the hikers go to Tour Stop 3, and then to Tour Stop 10, with stops in-between.

Interpretation will include the formation of Ruggles Line, the Union line on the Sunken Road, and the fighting in the Hornets’ Nest. Upon completion of the hike, participating visitors will receive a B.A.R.K. Ranger dog tag and certificate.

The hikes are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required by calling 731-689-5696.

Hikers are reminded to dress appropriately for the conditions and to bring water for their dog.

After Saturday’s hikes, any park visitor with a dog can still earn a B.A.R.K. Ranger dog tag and certificate by completing a small B.A.R.K. Ranger booklet.

And, said Shiloh Park, “our furriest family members can always become part of the B.A.R.K. Ranger pack by modeling these best practices when visiting parks:”

B - Bag your pet’s waste

A - Always leash your pet

R - Respect wildlife

K - Know where you can go