Best Dog Friendly Hikes In Colorado – I thought I’d start with a hike that starts at one of, if not the most photographed places in Colorado: Maroon Lake. Above Maroon Lake are the Maroon Bells, two of Colorado’s top fourteen (mountains over 14,000 feet in elevation). This place definitely sees a lot of people and chicks throughout the day because it is so beautiful and affordable. You can park just a few hundred yards from the lake or take the bus during off-hours on the road to Maroon Lake. One thing to be sure of is to plan accordingly!
From Maroon Lake, you can follow the trail to Crater Lake, which is a fairly moderate hike of about 1.5 miles to the lake. Here you can get an even better idea of how big Maroon Bells really are!
Best Dog Friendly Hikes In Colorado
From Crater Lake you can decide if you want a more challenging hike with more distance and elevation gain. If this sounds like something you and your dog are looking for, continue on your way back to Buckskin Pass! As you climb higher and higher towards the tree line, amazing views begin to emerge from behind you. But when you reach the top, nothing beats the view from the other side of the pass!
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From the top of the pass you can see several peaks and Snowmass Lake in the distance. The first time I walked the trail to Buckskin Pass and saw Snowmass Lake in the distance, I knew I had to go there one day. Of course we recently decided to take Koda on this adventure and boy did he have the time of his life! If you’re feeling more adventurous, prepare for a very long day trip (about 16 miles round trip) or stay overnight and pack in this stunning lake!
Hiking in the Maroon Bells Wilderness is sure to be an unforgettable experience, with 360° views all around you everywhere you step!
Then let’s travel to a place you probably didn’t think could exist in a place like Colorado. The giant sand dunes nestled in the mountains offer a truly unique hiking opportunity in Great Sand Dunes National Park! Since there are no marked trails on the sand, you can choose your own path to get amazing views of the surrounding dunes and mountains! This is one of the few national parks where dogs are allowed, so it’s important to follow all the rules and regulations!
You must try boarding or sledding while on the dunes! You can rent at a small shop just outside the park! This attraction may be more people-oriented, but if you go early enough in the summer season, the pups can enjoy a splash in Medano Creek after frolicking on the sand! Be aware that the sand can get very hot, so I recommend hiking early and later in the day and some boots to protect your baby feet!
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There’s nothing like hiking with your dog in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains! The jagged peaks and clear blue lakes make this place my absolute favorite! I still want to go back and explore all these mountains have to offer!
The approximately 7.5 mile round trip with 2,900 feet of elevation gain will take you to some of the most stunning lakes you will ever see. First Ice Lake, with water so blue you’ll hardly believe it’s real, and then Island Lake, named after its beautiful island in the middle of the lake!
Tourism in this area can also be expanded by exploring other lakes that are part of the glacial lake basin. This area is also a great place for hiking!
I couldn’t make a list of the best hikes with your dog without including a high altitude peak! When choosing such a support, it is important to know yourself and your dog’s abilities! Mount Sniktau is a mountain with an elevation of 13 or 13,000 feet. Although it’s a relatively short hike, since it starts at Loveland Pass, which is already at nearly 12,000 feet, it’s sure to get your heart pumping and your lungs working hard!
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The views from peaks like Mount Sniktau are some of my favorites because you can see so much of the Colorado mountains. Sniktau Mountain not only gives you views of some of the Colorado 14ers, but also views of ski resorts like Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin. You really feel like you’re on top of the world when you’re standing on this mountain! You may also encounter some happy critters like pikas and marmots on this hike, but be aware that your dog may try to chase them like mine did!
Finally, I’ll close the list with one of our favorite “backyard” tourist spots. We love living so close to the Garden of the Gods. There are many trails throughout the park that offer views of incredible rock formations as well as views of Pikes Peak. It’s a great place for a short trip, with plenty of options to extend it into a longer one. The park even has several paved paths, making it a great place for a beautiful sunset walk!
When hiking in Colorado with your dog, it is always very important to research the area to understand the level of difficulty and distance. In addition, pay attention to the rules required in this area. For example, many of these hikes require dogs to be on a leash. After planning your big adventure, start your journey and have a great time hiking with your pup in the beautiful Rocky Mountains! We love every adventure we’ve had in Colorado!
Marta Sulima, Koda and Summit Marta has lived in Colorado for about 6 years and makes the most of every moment exploring all that this beautiful state has to offer. In October 2019, Koda entered the lives of Marta and her husband when they adopted him from a local humane society in Colorado Springs. Since then, every day has been an adventure. They also recently adopted their new puppy, Summit! Koda and Summit love hiking and finding all new smells on the go! You can follow all their adventures on Instagram at @koda_the_colorado_husky.
Great Dog-friendly Hikes In Colorado
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10 Dog-friendly Hikes Near Denver
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Tips For Hiking With Dogs In Colorado: Dog-friendly High Altitude Fun
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Top 10 Nearby Dog-friendly Hikes In Colorado
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Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not yet been categorized. I grew up in Littleton, Colorado and didn’t really appreciate the mountains until I moved. I think
