Best Dog Vacations In Colorado – There are four state parks in Colorado, and three of them have multiple dog-friendly areas! Unfortunately, the most popular park in the country (Rocky Mountain National Park) does not allow dogs on all trails. But three lesser-known parks, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison are definitely worth visiting with your dog! All three of these parks are in southern Colorado and can be combined into a great one-way trip (The Ultimate Colorado Dog Hike post is in the works). If you plan to visit multiple parks throughout the year, consider purchasing a National Park Annual Pass! An annual pass costs $80, but admission to each park will cost $25 or $30.
The Great Sand Dunes are about a four-hour drive south of Denver. Although there is a lot of driving, it is possible to do a day trip – that’s what Alisa and I did! Dogs are allowed on the first sand dune complex and on some trails I was shocked when we went up this big hill with 14 people standing behind it. The weather can definitely make or break a 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 just perfect! It is very cold and snowy in winter, but very hot in summer. Some of the park’s roads are closed in winter (and most in spring), so access to the higher roads will not be possible. Too much wind can cause sand to get into your child’s eyes. If it’s too hot, the sand can burn their paws. We’ve seen dogs wearing boots and glasses to combat it! Colorado weather is unpredictable, but I’d like to go in April, May or October, or close to sunrise before the heat sets in. Be sure to stop for a walk at Zapata Falls along the way – you’ll see a sign for it between the highway and the park entrance. Bring waterproof shoes or at least socks.
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Located in the southwest corner of Colorado, Mesa Verde features mountain dwellings built and inhabited by the ancestral Pueblo people in the 1200s. Although dogs are not allowed on the Cliff Tour, they can join the Park Point Trail, the Nordskold Site #16 Trail, and the paved trails and paths around the Mesa Top Loop, which offers many views of the canyon. and cliff dwellings. It’s very hot in the summer, but the park closes in the winter, so May or September/October might be the best time to visit. come
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Water, and notice that there is no shade anywhere in the park. Be sure to watch the sunset at the Montezuma Valley Overlook.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, this VRBO is about five minutes from the park entrance, and it was beautiful!
Conflicting opinions…I like Black Canyon of the Gunnison better than the Grand Canyon! When I was there in July, the park was not very crowded and the views of the canyon walls are amazing. The marble designs on the rocks are amazing and the rock layer created by the canyon looks cool. Dogs are allowed almost everywhere above the rim, although it’s not entirely clear on the map. The Rim Trail is definitely dog friendly. Some viewpoints and smaller trails, such as Painted Wall, Sunset Point, and Chasm View, have small signs indicating that dogs are allowed on a leash. Be sure to watch the sunset from Sunset Point, it was beautiful! Weather can be a problem here – the main road is closed in the winter and very hot during the day in the summer.
If you are looking for a place to stay nearby, the Holiday Inn Express in Montrose is about twenty minutes from the park entrance and everyone here was very friendly. I recommend stopping by the Museum of the West while you’re in the area. It’s basically a small western town full of antiques and dogs are allowed! Affiliate Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, Kate Outdoors will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Having an affiliate link on your website allows Kate Outdoors to provide valuable, free content.
Best 21 Pet Friendly Hotels In Breckenridge, Colorado(co), United States In 2024
It’s no secret that Colorado hikers love their dogs. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of dog-friendly trails in Colorado, but with so many options, it can be difficult to narrow it down and choose a hike. This list is the top 20 dog trails in Colorado that I’ve hiked with my dog, Beckett.
Since moving to Colorado in 2016, I’ve spent many summer and fall weekends hiking in the mountains, so I have a lot of experience hiking Colorado’s trails. This is by no means an exhaustive list of dog walks in Colorado, but I did my best to include a cross-section of the best trails of varying difficulty from around the country.
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 remember when traveling 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
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The member-run Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. This copyrighted information is reprinted with permission from the International Ethics Center: www.LNT.org.
All of the Colorado dog trails on this list are on public land. However, different jurisdictions have different laws regarding tenancies. Some states specifically require dogs to be on a leash in forest and wilderness areas, while others require dogs to be “under control” (ie, leashed or under strict voice control). Some areas, such as Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park, have special programs where dogs can have a voice and an identification tag for off-leash walks. Wherever you go, obey leash laws to keep the streets open for dogs.
If your dog doesn’t remember, he should always be kept on a leash. Always have a leash close at hand when walking your dog, or let the leash swim when you meet other dogs or small children. Remember that keeping your dog on a lead while walking helps prevent encounters with wildlife and keeps your dog safe.
Ultimately, it’s your job as a dog owner to know the leash rules and follow them. Trailheads are usually well signed and will announce when a leash is required, but rules and regulations can change at any time. When in doubt, use a vest!
Dog Friendly Adventures In Southern Colorado For The Whole Family
Remember to always pick up and pack away pet waste when traveling with your dog in Colorado. Pet waste is considered biohazardous and is often required by law to be unpacked.
Please do not leave trash bags on the sidewalk. Even if you want to get back to it, it encourages technical spam and other people who may not have the same goal. Take pet waste back to the trailhead and dispose of it properly!
This list features the 20 best dog-friendly trails in Colorado. I’ve hiked all the trails on this list with my dog, Beckett, so they have my stamp of approval. I intentionally included trails from around the state with a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult hikes Consider your dog’s ability and experience when choosing a trail.
For a quick and easy dog walk in the mountains, St. Petersburg is hard to beat. The trail is less than an hour from Denver, making it a great option if you want to hit the mountains but don’t have time to drive much. From the trailhead, hikers follow a short and wide path to the lake below the “glacier” (actually a permanent snow zone).
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St. Maria Glacier is a popular HINK, so don’t be surprised if the trail fills up. Also, it’s a great trip for all kinds of people, including families with young children. Availability of sufficient water, especially during hot summer, also increases the number of dogs.
Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Medium-Hard. Parking is on private property and costs $20. There is plenty of parking, but as this is a very popular hike, spaces can fill up.
Best time to go: All year round. Get ready for snow on the way to spring. If you’re traveling in the winter, I recommend wearing micro spikes for walking.
Well, the Garden of the Gods is a whole park, not a specific road. But this is one of my favorite places for dogs
