Best Dog Friendly Hikes In Colorado – Affiliate Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and make a purchase, Kate Outdoors will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links on the site allow Kate Outdoors to provide you with valuable free content.
It’s no secret that Colorado tourists love their dogs. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of trails in Colorado that are open to dogs, but with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow them down and choose a hike. This list contains the 20 best dog hikes in Colorado that I have personally done with my dog Becket.
Best Dog Friendly Hikes In Colorado
Since moving to Colorado in 2016, I’ve spent most weekends in the summer and fall hiking in the mountains, so I have plenty of experience exploring Colorado’s hiking trails. This is by no means a complete list of dog-friendly hikes in Colorado, but I’ve tried to include a good overview of some of the best trails from around the state at varying levels of difficulty.
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With so many hikers and dogs on Colorado’s roads, it’s important that everyone does what they can 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 when outdoors.
The member-run Leave No Trace Center for Ethical Outdoor Recreation teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. This copyright information is reprinted with permission from Leave No Trace for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
All Colorado-friendly rides on this list are on public property. However, different jurisdictions have different body laws. Some national forests and wilderness areas specifically require dogs to be on a leash, while others require dogs to be “under control” (ie, either on a leash or under strict leash control). Some places, such as Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, have unique programs where dogs can be shown audio and visual for off-leash hikes. Please follow the foot lines when walking to keep the paths open for dogs.
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Unless your dog has a strong urge, you should always keep him on his feet. When walking your dog off leash or allowing him to swim off leash, you should always have a leash handy in case you encounter other dogs or small children on foot. Remember that leashing your dog while hiking helps prevent unpleasant encounters with wild animals and keep your dog safe.
Ultimately, it’s your job as a dog owner to know and follow leash laws. Trailheads are usually well marked and will notify you when tips are needed, but directions and regulations can change at any time. When in doubt, use a token!
When hiking with your dog in Colorado, ALWAYS remember to pick up and dispose of pet waste. Animal waste is considered a biohazard and is therefore often required by law to be packaged.
Do not leave nose bags on the side of the road. Even if you want to come back for it, it’s technically trash and encourages other people who may not have the same intentions to do the same. Take animal waste back to the trailhead and dispose of it properly!
My Dog’s First Time In Colorado! Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness On The Montezuma Basin Trail.
This list includes the 20 best dog trails in Colorado. I’ve hiked every trail on this list with my dog Becket, so they get his seal of approval. I intentionally included trails from all over the state, as well as easy, moderate, and difficult hikes. When choosing a route, consider your dog’s driving skills and experience.
For a quick and easy dog-friendly mountain hike, it’s hard to beat Glacier St. Maria Glacier. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Denver, so it’s a great option if you want to get to the mountains but don’t have time to travel far. From the trailhead, hikers follow a short, wide trail to a lake below the “ice” (actually a semi-permanent snow field).
Glacier St. This makes it a great hike for people of all hiking abilities, including families with small children. Because of the great access to water, especially in the heat of summer, this is a great hike for dogs as well.
Road parking difficulty: Moderately difficult. Parking is on private property and requires a $20 fee. There is plenty of parking here, but as this is a very popular hiking area, it can get crowded when occupied.
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Best time of year to hike: all year round. Be prepared for snow on the roads this spring. For winter hiking, I recommend wearing microspikes for traction.
Okay, Garden of Gods is the whole park, not a specific path. But this is one of my favorite places to walk dogs in Colorado Springs, and you really can’t go wrong with any of the park’s trails. In fact, the choice of route will be influenced by where you find a parking space!
One of my favorite rides in the Garden of the Gods is the Siamese Twins Loop. This is a very short hike that takes hikers to a unique rock formation with two towers and a window that perfectly captures Pikes Peak. You can easily choose other routes on your hike to make it as long or as short as you want.
Difficulty parking on the side of the road: Difficult. Garden of the Gods is an extremely popular place in Colorado Springs. There are plenty of parking spots throughout the park, but as it can get crowded, you may have a hard time finding a spot. I recommend coming early in the morning to beat the crowds.
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Chicago Lakes is the perfect choice for a long, high-altitude lake hike near Denver. You’ll hike over 11 miles with about 2,400 feet of elevation gain, so it’s definitely a challenge, but it’s a good training hike if you’re looking to get active with your dog. Park at Echo Lake and follow the well-marked trail to Chicago Lakes, where you’ll find a pair of alpine lakes in a beautiful mountain basin.
From Chicago Lakes you can continue climbing Summit Lake below Blue Sky Mountain. Here you will find parking and rooms. From there, you can continue hiking to the summit of Colorado’s 14-foot-tall Blue Sky Mountain for another epic day of hiking (although I wouldn’t recommend doing such a big hike with a dog).
Difficulty parking on the side of the road: Difficult. Parking is very limited and you are competing for space with people who want to fish or hang out at Echo Lake. I recommend arriving early to secure a spot.
Herman Gulch is one of the best hikes near Denver if you’re looking for a dog-friendly trail with spectacular mountain views. The trailhead parking area is right off I-70, making it easily accessible by any vehicle. However, with this access comes mass. Herman Gulch is a very popular hike, especially during peak wildflower season in the summer.
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As you go through the forest and cross the tree line, the trail starts right from the parking lot. The main attraction of the hike is Lake Hermann, which is about 3 miles away. This is a great place for puppies to run around and play.
Difficulty of parking on the road: Easy. There is a large parking lot across the road that is easily accessible directly from I-70.
Do I need a leash?: Dogs must be under control at all times. The trail is not in designated wilderness areas or developed recreation areas where guides are specifically needed within the Arapahoe National Forest.
You don’t have to travel all the way to Arches National Park for a scenic drive. The unique stone arch is found on one of the best dog trails in Colorado. Royal Arch in Boulder is the perfect dog-friendly trail if you’re looking for a good workout and a fun hike. There are several ways to start your trip to the Royal Arch, but most tours start at Chautauqua Park. There is an extensive network of trails here, so if you are unfamiliar with the area, be sure to download a map and take it with you.
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The start of the trail is easy, but as you get closer to the Royal Arch, the trail gets steeper and rocky, so be prepared for your blood to boil. Once you reach the Royal Arch, you will see a great view of Boulder. You can climb the rocks behind the arch, have a snack and relax before your hike.
Difficulty of parking on the road: Very difficult. The parking lot at Chautauqua Park fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Be prepared to park nearby and walk to the trailhead. During the summer, the City of Boulder provides shuttle service to the trailhead. You can learn more about how the program went in 2023.
