Ericka Liam
Best Dog Friendly Towns In Colorado – I grew up in Littleton, Colorado and didn’t really appreciate the mountains until I moved. I guess it’s normal for us to take things for granted… In college, Dallas made me stick with the Rockets so long that I spent a lot of time walking and exploring when I got home. As much as I love New York, I need to escape to the mountains a few times a year.
Alice may be small (and older), but she’s a strong, agile and fearless little adventurer! When we visit Colorado, we hike as much as possible – usually as a couple, but sometimes friends or family members join us. Whether you live in Denver or hike across the ocean, altitude is something to consider when traveling in the Rockies, for both people and dogs! Alice and I stuck to short, low-altitude hikes for the first few days in Colorado. The summer sun can be very strong at higher altitudes. Wear sunscreen and be especially careful with dogs with dark or noticeable coats. Even if you only want to walk a mile or two, bring enough water for you and your child! Take regular breaks and pay particular attention to your energy levels.
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I divide these dog-friendly walks into two groups: one hour or less from Denver and one to two hours from downtown Denver. These are estimates and travel times may vary if you are outside of Denver! Unfortunately, there are not many options to travel without a car. Some of these walks are on unpaved paths and are a bit bumpy… so higher ground clearance is recommended. Please note that this may not be the case with the carrier! So keep a close eye on the directions and the surroundings, so that you can get home even if you cannot immediately connect to Google Maps.
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Most of these hikes, especially those closer to the mountain, are only (easily) accessible from late spring to early fall. Even in June or July these roads can be wet or muddy due to snow on the slopes. You can check the latest trail conditions by checking the reviews on All Trails or other sites dedicated to the specific trail you want to ride.
Run across snow-capped glaciers and wade into melting snow lakes in midsummer. The hike to the lake is relatively short, about 3/4 mile, but steep and rocky. However, I recommend hiking a bit around the lake onto the glacier! You can camp at this place. There are two parking lots on either side of the road that cost $5 and have restrooms in the parking lots.
This moderate four-mile trail is very close to the St. Mary’s Glacier Trail and leads to another large high-altitude lake. Most of the way to the lake is a service road, but the scenery is amazing. The lake itself is beautiful and you can take a short walk or, if you dare, hike to the upper lakes! It was a weekend in July and there were few people on the road.
The eagle view of Reynolds Park is one of my favorite views! You can see Pikes Peak, as well as many other mountains. There is plenty of shade, access to streams and usually not too crowded. I recommend the four-mile loop trail at Confer with a moderate (and sometimes steep) climb. Free parking at Reynolds Park, which also has restrooms!
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Alice and I love this park. There are several routes, all intermediate and intermediate: only some for walking, others for hikers, mountain bikes and horses. All trails are dog friendly, as long as dogs are kept on a six-foot leash. One of the closest routes is the riding center, which passes in front of the visitor center. The trail has an abundance of wildflowers in the spring and late summer, as well as incredible golden maples and fall foliage in September and October. But for great views it’s worth going a little further to Panorama Point and taking the Mule Deer Trail or Raccoon Trail. Pay for a $10 pass at the visitor center (with restrooms) upon arrival. You can camp here!
I hiked this moderate four-mile trail in early April with my mom, Alice, and Emmy. The trail was snowy, so we used Yaktrax traction crampons, which can be worn over hiking boots/boots. The mountains were beautiful in the snow – the contrast of the trees against the white ground was amazing. There are several views from Mount Evans.
Echo Lake itself is beautiful and a great stop as you head up Blue Sky Mountain (the highest paved road in North America). The trail is really fun, with great views and stream crossings. It’s about an hour’s drive from Denver.
The ideas of the Continental Divide view are divine. The climb is quite steep and you’ll come across a cool hotel ruin along the way! I would start here by parking and taking the short Fowler Trail to the Rattlesnake Trail, which is about 3-4 miles (depending on whether or not you take the upper loop). There is a $10 parking fee and restrooms on Fowler Road.
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The Flatirons form Boulder’s iconic backdrop. You can take a 5.5 mile loop from Chautauqua Park to First and Second Plains. This is a fairly difficult hike that requires some rock climbing at the top! This may not be possible for most dogs, but getting to this point is great too. There are many more trails in the park that you can explore. are usually Chautauqua
Summer can be busy, so if you’re hoping to find parking, stay early in the morning or on weekdays!
The Royal Archway is also part of Chautauqua Park in Boulder. I would characterize this four-mile hike as moderate, but there are some steep spots and large rocks. Once at the top, you’ll see spectacular views of the Great Rock Arch and the Boulder Valley below.
Maxwell Falls is a very popular 4 mile hiking trail around Coniferous and Evergreen, so parking can be difficult at times – there are two trails, a lower trail and an upper trail. The trail itself is largely overshadowed by beautiful landscapes and enchanting waterfalls. The walk is relatively easy, free parking and no toilets.
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The trail is located in Corwin Park in Morrison. It’s an easy three-mile hike that follows a creek that takes you to the Breakwater Trail Loop. Halfway through you will find a panoramic point that offers beautiful views of the Continental Divide. This trailhead is incredibly easy to get to and parking is free. Although there are no restrooms on the trail, you can find one on the nearby Bear Creek Trail. You can use this road to get to Panorama Point, but remember you will miss the creek mouth and the view.
Yes, the famous Red Rock Amphitheater is also a park with several hiking trails! All of these trails are relatively easy and short, but offer great views of Denver and the colorful cliffs surrounding the park. Don’t wear white – the red dirt will be a different color than what you came for, and keep in mind that there is no shade on these trails! If there isn’t a concert that day, you can park in the parking lot and use the amphitheater bathrooms for free (and walk around the amphitheater for views of downtown Denver).
Located east of Red Rock, this trail offers panoramic views of Red Rock Park! The walk is approximately five kilometers long, with several ups and downs along the way. We’re joined by our friends Casey (@caseylaynechampagne) and Chess! The road was very busy on Sunday afternoon, even though it was still snowing in several parts at the end of March. There is a large parking lot, but when I arrived in the afternoon it was probably three-quarters full. Although there are no restrooms along the way, there are two gas stations across the highway. This road is right off I-70, so driving up the mountain from here is very easy!
This park in Morrison, about 30 minutes from Denver, has several hiking trails. Walk up Castle Road to see the remains of the burned-out castle, as well as the tower and lighthouse leading to Eagle’s Eye Refuge. Other routes lead you through the forest, past meadows and to the point.
