Best Dog Friendly Hikes Near Me – I grew up in Littleton, Colorado and I didn’t really like the mountains until I moved away. I guess that’s normal – we take things because it always is… In college, the flatness of Dallas made me yearn for the Rockies, and every time I came home I wandered and found myself spending a lot of time that. And now, even though I love New York City, I have to go back to the mountains a few times a year.
Alice may be small (and young), but she’s strong, agile and fearless! When we travel to Colorado, we hike as much as possible – usually just the two of us, but sometimes friends or family join us. Whether you live in Denver or travel from the water level, altitude awareness is essential when hiking in the Rocky Mountains – this goes for both humans and dogs! Alice and I stuck pretty hard at low altitude for the first two days in Colorado until we switched to a mile above sea level. The summer sun can also be very strong at high altitudes – wear sunscreen and watch out for dark or tan colored dogs. Even if you plan to hike a mile or two, bring plenty of water with you and your dog! Take frequent breaks and pay attention to their energy levels.
Best Dog Friendly Hikes Near Me
I divide these friendly hikes into two groups: those that drive an hour or less from Denver, and those that drive an hour to two hours from downtown Denver. Here’s how it looks, drive times may vary if you live outside of Denver! Unfortunately, there are not many opportunities to travel without a car. Some of these hikes involve unpaved roads that are rocky and questionable…so high altitude flights are recommended. Also, expect that the main route may not work for your mobile carrier! So pay close attention to the directions around you so you can get back home even if you can’t connect to Google Maps right now.
Top 5 Dog Friendly Hiking Trails In Whistler
Especially in the high mountains, most of these trips are only (easy) from late spring to autumn. Even in June or July, you may find wet or slushy conditions on the road when the snow sticks to the surface. You can check current trail conditions by checking descriptions on other sites for all trails or for a specific trail you hope to hike.
Run around the icy glacier and wade in the midsummer melt pool. The hike to the lake is short, about 3/4 mile, but steep and rocky. However, I recommend walking by the lake and up a small glacier! You can also camp on this site. There are two parking lots on both sides of the road that cost $5 and have restrooms on site.
This moderate, four-mile trail is close to St. Mary, and leads to another spectacular alpine lake. Most of the road to the lake is a service road, but with fantastic views. The lake itself is beautiful and you can take a short walk around it, or climb to the top of the lake if you’re feeling adventurous! There weren’t many other people on the trail on a weekend in July.
The Eagle View Trail in Reynolds Park is one of my favorite overlooks! You can see Pikes Peak and many other mountains. There is plenty of shade, some access to the canal and generally not too crowded. This well-supported moderate (sometimes uphill) loop trail is about 4 miles near Conifer. Free parking at the Reynolds Park trailhead, with restrooms!
Dog Friendly Hikes In Moab
Alice and I love this park. There are various routes, all from easy to moderate – some for hiking only and some for hikers, mountaineers and horses. All trails are dog-friendly as long as dogs are kept within six feet. One of the closest trails is the Horseshoe Trail, near the visitor center. The trail features wildflowers in late spring and summer, plus incredible golden aspens in fall foliage in September/October. But it’s worth going a little further and taking the Mule Deer Trail or Raccoon Trail to Panorama Point for a great view. Pay a $10 day pass at the Visitor Center (with restrooms) upon arrival. You can even camp here!
My mom, Alice, and Amy hiked a moderate, four-mile trail in early April. The trail is full of snow, so we use Yaktrax traction shoes that you can pull over your boots/shoes. The mountains are beautiful in the snow – the contrast of the trees against the white ground looks fantastic. There are many views, one of which is Mount Evans.
Echo Lake itself is very beautiful and would make a great stop if you are driving up Blue Sky Mountain (the highest highway in North America). The trail is really fun, with some great views and river crossings. The trail is about an hour from Denver.
The view from the Continental Divide Overlook is divine. It’s quite a steep side and you’ll pass some hotel ruins on the way! I would park here and start taking the short Fowler trail to the Rattlesnake Gulch trail for a 3-4 mile hike (depending on whether you take the loop up). There is a fee of $10 per vehicle and there are restrooms at the main entrance to Fowler.
The Best Dog Friendly Hikes The East Bay Has To Offer
The Flatirons is a famous place in the Boulder area. You can walk through Chautauqua Park to get to the first and second flatirons on the 5.5 mile trail back. This is a moderately strenuous hike that requires climbing near the top! This may not be possible for most dogs, but the journey to this point is good. There are many other trails in the park that you can explore as well. Chautauqua is happening
It gets crowded in the summer, so stick to mornings or weekdays if you’re hoping to find parking!
The Royal Arch Trail is also part of Chautauqua Park in Boulder. I would describe this 4 mile hike as moderate, but there is downhill and some large rocks to climb around. When you reach the top, you’ll be treated to a stunning, huge rock arch and a view of Boulder Valley below.
Maxwell Falls is a popular 4-mile hike near Conifer and Evergreen, so parking can be difficult at times – there are two trails, a lower and an upper trail. The path itself is mostly shaded with a nice view of the waterfall. The trip is very easy, free parking, no toilets.
Dog Friendly Hikes In Phoenix, Az — Arizona Hikers Guide
This trail is located in 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 loop you will find a panoramic point with a spectacular view of the Continental Divide. Access to the trail is easy and parking is free – although there are no restrooms at this trailhead, you can find them at the nearby Bear Creek Trailhead. You can also go this way to Panorama Point, but if I recall you will miss the access/view of the creek.
Yes, the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater is also a park just steps away! All routes are easy and short, and have beautiful views of Denver and the beautiful cliffs that surround the park. Don’t use white – the red dust will leave a different color than when you arrived – and be aware that there is no shade on these roads! You can park for free in the parking lot and use the amphitheater bathroom (and walk around the amphitheater and look at the city of Denver) unless there is a concert that day.
The trail is on the east side of Red Rocks and there are views of Red Rocks Park throughout the hike! The hike is about five miles out and back, with plenty of ups and downs along the way. Our friends Casey (@caseylaynechampagne) and Chessy joined us! The road was open on Sunday afternoon, although there was heavy snow in some areas in late March. There is a large car park, but it was probably three quarters full when I arrived early in the morning. Although there are no toilets on the highway, there are two gas stations on the other side of the highway. The trail is right off I-70 so you can easily get up into the mountains from here!
Morrison Park, about 30 minutes from Denver, has several trails. Be sure to hike up Castle Road to see the remains of the old lighthouse and Tower Road at the Eagle Eye Shelter and Fire Tower for spectacular views. Other paths take you through the forest, around the grass and to a destination.
