COLORADO

National Parks With Hiking

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument
Dogs are allowed on most of the trails on the North and South rims and in campgrounds
but are not allowed in the backcountry or beneath the rims

Colorado National Monument
Dogs are not allowed on the trails but are permitted in the campground

Curecanti National Recreation Area
Dogs are allowed on the trails in this park

Dinosaur National Monument
Dogs are allowed on the trails but not on the shuttle that goes to Dinosaur Quarry

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Dogs are not allowed on the trails in this park

Great Sand Dunes National Monument

Hovenweep National Monument
Dogs are allowed on the trails in this park

Mesa Verde National Park
Dogs are not allowed on the trails or buildings or in the archeological ruins

Rocky Mountain National Park
Dogs are not allowed on the trails or backcountry but are allowed in campgrounds

Links to National Forests With Hiking

Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest

Cimarron & Comanche National Grassland

Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison National Forests

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

Pawnee National Grassland

Pike & San Isabel National Forests

Rio Grande National Forest

San Juan National Forest

Thunder Basin National Grassland

White River National Forest

State Parks With Hiking
http://www.parks.state.co.us/

Dogs are not allowed on the trails in Mueller State Park, Navajo State Park and Roxborough State Park. Dogs are permitted on the trails of the following Colorado state parks:

Arkansas Headwaters State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/arkansasheadwaters		Barr Lake State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/BarrLake	Bonny Lake State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/BonnyLake
Boyd Lake State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/boydlake	Castlewood Canyon State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/castlewoodcanyon	Cherry Creek State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/cherrycreek	Crawford State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/crawford
Eldorado Canyon State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/eldoradocanyon	Eleven Mile State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/ElevenMile	Golden Gate Canyon State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/goldengatecanyon	Highline Lake State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/highlinelake
Jackson Lake State Park http://parks.state.co.us/parks/jacksonlake	Lake Pueblo State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/lakepueblo	Lathrop State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/lathrop	Lory State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/lory
Mancos State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/mancos	North Sterling State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/northsterling	Pearl Lake State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/pearllake	Ridgway State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/ridgway
Rifle Falls State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/RifleFalls	San Luis State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Sanluis	Stagecoach State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/stagecoach	State Forest State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/stateforest
Steamboat Lake State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/SteamboatLake	Sylvan Lake State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/sylvanlake	Trinidad Lake State Park http://parks.state.co.us/parks/trinidadlake	Vega State Park http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/vega

Share A Favorite Hike With Your Dog In Colorado

FavoriteHikesColorado@hikewithyourdog.com


Your Dog's Favorite Hikes In Colorado

Submitted by Stan & Webster
We always like the Fish Creek Falls National Trail outside of Steamboat Springs. It goes about five miles up Fish Creek Canyon to Long Lake; starts with long wooded inclines and then you pick your way up a steep rocky climb before levelling off in a mountain meadow and ending up in Long Lake. A little bit of everything and Webster can still find pockets of snow even in the summer.

Submitted by Barbara
Horsethief Park between Divide and Cripple Creek, Colorado on highway 67.
This winding, roller coaster trail crosses back and forth over a stream.
+
Lovell Gulch Trail in Woodland Park, Colorado: dark forests, meadows and lots of trees; carry doggie water.
+
Seven Bridges Trail in Cheyenne Canyon in Colorado Springs, Colorado: lots of water, trees, meadows and roller coaster hiking. Beautiful vistas.
+
Boatman's Loop at Rampart Reservoir in Woodland Park, Colorado: starts out steep and then levels off, lots of water and beautiful scenery, shaded and high altitude for a hot summer day's hike.
+
Cantamount Trail, Green Mountain Falls, Colorado: year 'round hike, fairly steep, follows a stream up to a great water fall. Lots of shade and views the back side of Pikes Peak.

Submitted by Jessie
Just wanted to add the Bear Peak Canyon hike in Boulder to your list. We did the trail yesterday with my nuttie Aussie, Blackjack. The trailhead leaves from the National Center for Atmospheric Research parking lot, where it's "dog on leash" area (boo; hard on my leash arm even with the Gentle Leader). But within a mile or so from the trailhead the area is designated as "dog under voice control" (hooray). The last ascent to the summit is brutal (for me, but not my dog), but the hike down is gradual and crosses Bear Creek repeatedly. Lots of happy wading holes for the dogs.

Submitted by Stephanie and Demi
Demi and I love the Herman Gulch hike, because it's gorgeous (lot's of wildflowers in the summer, and great views of the surrounding mountains),
there's a lot of water, and she can be off leash. The trail starts on an old sawmill road, located just west of Georgetown on I-70. The parking area and trailhead are located at the northeast corner of exit 218. The hike starts at 10,400 feet, and emerges out of the forested trees within a mile of traveling. The sub-alpine flowers add beauty to an otherwise rocky terrain. Towards the top of the trail, rock cairns lead the way to Herman Lake. The trail ends at 12,000 feet, so there's 1,600 feet of climbing at high elevation. Be sure to wear your sunscreen and bring plenty of water for the humans. It can be a fairly heavily traveled trail.

Submitted by Paul
On the 4th of July this year (2004) we took our two dogs on a very nice hike to "The Crags". It is a voice command trail, and the view from the top reminds you of why you live in Colorado. To get there, take Hwy 24 west to Divide. Head south on Colorado Hwy 67. After about 4 miles, turn left at sign saying "Rocky Mountain Camp". Go about 1.5 miles past the campground to trailhead. It's a pretty rough road...vehicle with high clearance is best.

Submitted by Bailey
Since time is always an issue during the week our favorite in town (Denver) hike is along the South Platte River bike path starting at the nature conservatory parking lot (Mineral and Santa Fe) heading south toward Chatfield State Park to the "Dog Lakes." This is a leash optional park for retrieving, swimming and socializing with other dogs, it can also be accessed by car via the West entrance to Chatfield then north past the dam to the lower parking lots. Dogs may be off leash as long as they are well behaved and under your control.

Submitted by Sharon
Living in Crested Butte, Colorado provides us with many beautiful hiking trails. At 9,000 feet (base) you will need plenty of sunscreen and water. There are plenty of creeks and lakes for your dogs to play in and drink from. The trails are not heavily traveled, so voice command is usually all we need. July is the perfect time for wildflowers as is September for fall colors. There are also many campsites around our area for visitors to enjoy. Summer temperature is usually around 70-75 degrees. Bring a raincoat just in case.

Submitted by Emily
City Creek is a great place to hike. You have many trails in the area that you can choose from. There are on-leash areas and off-leash areas too. They provide Poop bags, and ask you to clean it up. It's a great location to take your dog. Lot's of dog's come to the area, so watch where your dog goes when you're on your hike.

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