Best Dog Vacations In Colorado – I grew up in Littleton, Colorado and didn’t really appreciate the mountains until I moved away. I guess it’s a normal thing – we take things for granted… In college, the flatness of Dallas made me miss the Rockies, and every time I came home I started spending more time hiking and exploring. And now, as much as I love New York City, I have to go back to the mountains a few times a year.
Alice may be small (and growing), but she’s strong, agile, and a fearless climber! We hike as often as we can when we visit Colorado – mostly just the two of us, but sometimes we tag along with friends or family. Whether you live in Denver or travel above sea level, it’s important to be aware of the altitude when hiking in the Rockies – this applies to both people and dogs! For the first few days in Colorado, Alice and I continued to make shorter hikes at lower elevations until we adjusted to being a mile above sea level. The summer sun can also be harsh in mountain areas – use sunscreen and be careful with dark colored or particularly furry dogs. Even if you only plan on walking a mile or two, bring plenty of water for you and your pup! Take frequent breaks and be aware of his energy level.
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I’ve divided dog-friendly trips into two groups: trips that are an hour or less from Denver, and trips that are an hour to two hours from downtown Denver. These are just estimates and driving times may vary if you live outside of Denver! Unfortunately, there are not many opportunities to go without a car. Some of these walks involve rocky and somewhat questionable unpaved roads… so a vehicle with high mileage is recommended. Also, expect that the waypoint will not be accessible to your mobile provider! So, even if you can’t connect directly to Google Maps, be aware of your surroundings and directions to get you home.
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Especially in the mountains, many of these (easy) hikes are only accessible from late spring to early fall. Even in June or July, you may encounter wet or muddy trail conditions due to drifting snow. You can check current road conditions by checking reviews on All Roads or other websites for the specific road you want to travel.
Running around snowy glaciers and walking on melted lakes in the middle of summer. The hike to the lake is very short, about 3/4 mile, but steep and rocky. I recommend continuing around the lake and climbing a bit on the glacier! You can also camp here. There are two parking lots on either side of the road that are $5 cash and have restrooms in the parking lot.
This moderate four-mile trail is very close to the St. John Glacier Trail. Mary and leads to another magnificent alpine lake. Most of the roads leading to the lake are official roads but have beautiful views. The lake itself is beautiful and you can walk around it for a bit, or if you dare, climb up to the top of the lake! On a weekday in July, there weren’t many people on the road.
The Eagle View Trail in Reynolds Park has one of my favorite views! You can see Pikes Peak and many other mountains. There’s plenty of shade, the river is accessible, and it’s usually not too busy. We recommend a moderate (sometimes steep) four-mile round trip near the Conifers. Parking is free at the Reynolds Park Trailhead, which also has restrooms!
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Alice and I love this park. There are several different trails, all of which are easily modified – some are for walking only, others for hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders. All trails are dog-friendly as long as dogs are on a six-foot leash. One of the closest trails is the Horseshoe Trail, which runs through the visitor center. The trail has lots of wildflowers in spring and late summer, as well as spectacular golden aspens and fall foliage in September/October. But it’s worth the drive up to Panorama Point, with its amazing views and mule trail or raccoon trail. When you arrive, pay the $10 daily entrance fee at the visitor center (restrooms are available). You can also camp here!
I did a moderate four mile walk with my mom Alice and Emmy in early April. The trail was full of snow, so we used Yaktrax crampons, which you can wear over regular hiking shoes/boots. The mountain was very beautiful in the snow – the contrast of the trees against the white ground was amazing. There are several views, including one of Mt. Evans.
Echo Lake itself is beautiful and makes a great stop if you’re driving Mount Blue Sky (the highest paved road in North America). This road is very pleasant, with beautiful scenery and river crossings. The trailhead is about an hour’s drive from Denver.
The views at the Continental Divide Overlook are simply breathtaking. The slope is very steep and you pass some amazing hotel ruins on the way up! I would park and start here and hike the short Fowler Trail to Rattlesnake Gulch Road about 3-4 miles (depending on whether or not you take the loop above). There is a $10 fee per vehicle and restrooms on the Fowler Trail.
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The Flatirons are an iconic backdrop to the Boulder area. Through Chautauqua Park, the first and second residences are accessible via a 3.5-mile trail in the back. This is a moderate to difficult hike that requires climbing large rocks near the summit! For most dogs, this is impossible, but even climbing to this point is amazing. There are many other trails in the park that you can explore. Chautauqua seeks to do just that
It gets busy in the summer, so come early in the morning or on weekdays if you want to find a parking spot!
The Royal Arch Trail is also part of Chautauqua Park in Boulder. I would describe this four mile hike as moderate, but there are some steep areas and large rocks to climb/around. Once you reach the top, you’ll find views of the giant rock arch and Boulder Valley below.
Maxwell Falls is a very popular four mile hike near Conifer and Evergreen, so cars can be difficult at times – there are two trails, lower and upper. The trail itself is mostly covered with beautiful views and waterfalls. The climb is very easy, parking is free, there are no toilets.
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This trail is at Corvina Park in Morrison. It’s an easy three-mile hike that includes an out-and-back trail along the creek that takes you to the Break Creek Trail loop. Along the way, you’ll find Panorama Point with a beautiful view of the Continental Divide. Access to the trail is easy and parking is free – although there are no restrooms at the trailhead, you can find one at the nearby Bear Creek trailhead. You can also go to Panorama Point this way, but as I recall, you’ll lose access/views of the river.
Yes, the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater is also a park with several hiking trails! All the trails are very easy and short, but with great views of Denver and the colorful cliffs that surround the park. Don’t wear white clothes – the red dust will leave you a different color than when you arrived – and know that there is no color on this trail! If there’s no concert that day, you can park for free in the park and use the amphitheater bathrooms (and walk around the amphitheater, looking at downtown Denver).
This trail is east of Red Rocks and has views of Red Rocks Park the entire hike! The walk is about five miles, with some ups and downs along the way. Our friends Casey (@caseylaynechampagne) and Chessy joined us! The road was very busy on Sunday afternoon, even though there was still snow in places for late March. There is a large parking lot, but it was probably three-quarters full when I arrived in the afternoon. Although there are no roadside toilets, there are two gas stations along the main road. The trailhead is not far from I-70, so you can easily access the mountains from here!
Located 30 minutes from Denver, this park in Morrison has several trails. Take the Castle Trail to see the remains of the burnt-out castle, and the Tower Trail to the Eagle’s Eye Shelter and Fire Tower for stunning views. Another path takes you through the forest, around a meadow and to a point
