Best Dog Vacations In Colorado – Colorado has four national parks, and three of them have dog-friendly areas! Unfortunately, the state’s most popular national park (Rocky Mountain National Park) does not allow dogs on any of its trails. But three lesser-known parks – Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison – are definitely worth a visit for pups! All three of these parks are in southern Colorado and can be combined into one great road trip (the Ultimate Dog-Friendly Colorado Road Trip post is in development). If you plan to visit multiple parks in the same year, consider purchasing a National Parks Annual Pass! An annual pass costs $80, but admission to each park is $25 or $30.
The Great Sand Dunes are about a four-hour drive south of Denver. Even though it’s a drive, it’s still possible to make a day trip from here – which Alyssa and I did! Dogs are allowed on the first dunes and on some trails. I was really surprised when we pulled up to these giant sand dunes and behind them were these huge 14 year old boys. The weather can definitely make or break your time at this park. We were there in the first week of April, a sunny day, not too windy, not too hot, and it was perfect! Winter is very cold and snowy, but summer is very hot. Some roads in the park are closed in the winter (and most in the spring), so you can’t access the higher trails. If the wind is too strong, sand can fly into your puppy’s eyes. If it’s too hot, the sand can burn their paws. We’ve seen other dogs struggle with this game in boots and glasses! The weather in Colorado is pretty unpredictable, but I plan to go in April, May or October, or get there at sunrise before the heat. Don’t forget to stop to hike Zapata Falls on the way – you’ll see signs between the highway and the park entrance. Bring waterproof shoes or at least a change of socks.
Best Dog Vacations In Colorado
Mesa Verde, located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, is filled with cliff dwellings created and inhabited by Pueblo ancestors in the 13th century. the Nordeskold Site trail #16, and the paved road and trails around Mesa Top Loop, which offers many canyon views. and stone houses. It gets very hot in the summer, but the park is closed in the winter, so the best time to visit is May or September/October. Bring
Take A Dog-friendly Vacation At These U.s. Resorts And Hotels
Water, and remember that there is practically no shade anywhere in the park. Don’t forget to catch the sunset at the Montezuma Valley Overlook.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, this VRBO is about a five minute drive from the park entrance and it’s awesome!
Controversial opinion…I prefer the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to the Grand Canyon! The park wasn’t crowded when I got there in July, and the views of the canyon walls were gorgeous. The marble pattern on the rock is amazing and the layers of rock created by the canyon look amazing. Dogs are allowed almost everywhere above the rim, although it’s not entirely clear on the map. Vanne Road is definitely dog friendly. Other overlooks with small trails, such as Painted Wall, Sunset Point, and Chasm Overlook, have small signs indicating that dogs are on a leash. Be sure to watch the sunset from Sunset Point, it’s beautiful! The weather here can be a problem – the main road is closed in the winter, but in the summer it gets very hot during the day.
If you’re looking for a place to stay nearby, the Holiday Inn Express in Montrose is about a 20-minute drive from the park entrance, and everyone here is very friendly. I also recommend stopping by the Museum of the West while you’re in the area. It’s basically a small western town with all the bells and whistles and with dogs! Affiliate Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that when you follow the link and make a purchase, Kate Outdoors will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. By having affiliate links on the site, Kate Outdoors can provide you with free and valuable content.
Estes Park Pet-friendly Vacation Rentals
It’s no secret that Colorado tourists love their dogs. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of trails in Colorado that are dog-friendly, but with so many options, it can be difficult to narrow down and choose a hike. This list includes the top 20 dog-friendly Colorado hikes I’ve personally taken with my dog, Beckett.
Since moving to Colorado in 2016, I’ve spent most of my weekends hiking in the mountains during the summer and fall, so I have a wealth of experience navigating Colorado’s hiking trails. This is by no means a complete list of dog-friendly Colorado hikes, but I’ve done my best to include a list of the state’s best trails at several levels.
With so many hikers and dogs on Colorado’s trails, it’s important that everyone does their best to minimize their impact on the environment. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when hiking with your dog in Colorado.
The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace are a set of guidelines to help people make responsible choices in the outdoors.
10 Best Dog-friendly Winter Vacations
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Recreation Ethics, run by its members, guides people to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. This copyrighted information is reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
All of the dog-friendly Colorado hikes on this list are on public land. However, different jurisdictions have different laws. Some national forests and special wilderness areas require dogs to be on a leash, while others require dogs to be “controlled” (meaning on a leash or under a strict voice). Some places, like Boulder Open Space Park and Mountain Park, have unique programs where dogs can be audio- and visually tagged for off-leash walks. Follow leash laws when hiking to keep trails open to dogs.
If your dog has a bad memory, it should always be on a leash. Always keep the leash in your hands when walking your dog on a leash, or let it swim if you encounter other leashed dogs or small children. Remember that keeping your dog on a leash while hiking will help prevent negative encounters with wildlife and keep your dog safe.
After all, it is your responsibility as a dog owner to know and follow leash laws. Trails are usually clearly marked and let you know when a leash is required, but rules and regulations can change at any time. When in doubt, wear a strap!
Dog Friendly Activities
When hiking with your dog in Colorado, ALWAYS remember to bag your pet’s waste. Pet waste is biohazardous, so packaging is often required by law.
Do not leave bags of poo near the trail. Even if you intend to return, it’s technically stupid and encourages others who may not have the same intentions to do the same. Bring pet waste back to the trail and dispose of properly!
This list includes the top 20 dog-friendly trails in Colorado. I’ve hiked all the trails on this list with my dog, Beckett, so they have his seal of approval. I intentionally included trails from all over the state and a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult hikes. Consider your dog’s hiking abilities and experience when choosing a trail.
For a quick and easy dog-friendly mountain hike, it’s hard to beat St. Mary. The route is less than an hour from Denver, so it’s a great option if you want to hit the mountains but don’t have time to drive far. From the trailhead, hikers follow a short, wide trail to the lake at the foot of the “glacier” (actually a semi-permanent snowbank).
Pet-friendly Vacations: The 34 Best Destinations For 2024
St. Mary’s Glacier is a VERY popular hike, so don’t be surprised if the trail is full of people. However, this is a great hike for people of all abilities, including families with young children. It’s also a great hike for dogs because there’s a lot of water, especially in the hot summer.
Difficulty of parking at the beginning of the track: moderately difficult. Parking is on private land and costs $20. There is plenty of parking, but as this is a popular walking route, the car park can be full when it is busy.
Best season for hiking: All year round. Be prepared for snow on the slopes throughout the spring. I recommend bringing micro spikes if you’re hiking in the winter for traction.
Okay, Garden of the Gods is an entire park, not a single street. But it is one of my favorite places for dogs
Best Colorado Dog-friendly Cabins For A Getaway
Nice to share about Dog Friendly Vacations 2024 to you.