Looking for Colorado hikes you can bring your furry friends along on this summer? I have been hiking with my dogs in colorful Colorado for over six years now, and have certainly learned the best spots to go! Luckily, a lot of Colorado is dog-friendly. But dog-friendliness doesn’t always equate to the most ideal trails for your pup. There are certain elements + terrains you may want to avoid if your dog is coming along, such as:

• Trails with little shade
• Trails with no water sources (especially true for longer trails)
• Trails with scrambling
• Trails longer than 10 miles (depending on the health of your pup)

The following list of trails are ones that you can feel good about bringing your pup along on! *Most trails in Colorado do require your dog to remain leashed so be sure to come prepared with a leash and bags to dispose of their waste*

1. St. Mary’s Glacier

Location: Near Idaho Springs

Distance: 2.5 miles out + back

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: Just over 1,000 feet

Features: A lake, a glacier in the winter, forest, and the ability to continue past the lake to longer, more strenuous hikes. 

Considerations: 

• There is a parking lot for this trail but you will need to bring cash to pay the small parking fee.
• Up until late May, there is potential for snowy/icy conditions on the roads to get there, and on the trail itself. 
• Be aware of the lake conditions when the seasons transition. Do not walk or let your dog walk on the lake if you’re not 100% sure it is fully frozen and safe.

2.  Butler Gulch Trail

Location: Near Empire

Distance: 5.5 miles out + back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: Roughly 1800 feet

Features: Expansive views, a small waterfall, forest, and a river.

Considerations: 

• There is no official parking lot, so go early, especially on weekends
• The road to the trailhead is bumpy

3. Lost Lake via Hessie Trail

Location: Near Nederland

Distance: 4 miles out + back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: Roughly 800 feet

Features: Forest, a small waterfall, a lake, and seasonal wildflowers.

Considerations: 

• Until late May, prepare for ice, snow and mud on the trails
• This is a VERY popular trailhead, so you’ll want to arrive very early
• This area can also be used for backpacking, camping and fishing

4. Rainbow Lakes Trail

Location: Near Nederland

Distance: 2.6 miles out + back

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: Roughly 400 feet

Features: Forest, multiple lakes, and seasonal wildflowers.

Considerations: 

• Is a great kid-friendly and dog-friendly hike
• This is a VERY popular trailhead, so you’ll want to arrive very early
• Potential for wildlife spottings and lots of mosquitos 
• Until late May, prepare for ice, snow and mud on the trails

5. Greyrock Trail

Location: Near Fort Collins

Distance: 8 mile loop

Difficulty: Hard

Elevation gain: Roughly 2400 feet

Features: Forest, a river, small dog swimming holes at the top, and incredible views.

Considerations: 

• Due to the elevation gain, length, and small amount of scrambling, be sure your dog is fit enough for the challenge
• Sometimes quite windy at the top

6. Maxwell Falls Lower Trail

Location: Near Evergreen

Distance: 4.5 mile loop

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: Roughly 800 feet

Features: Forest, small waterfalls and a river.

Considerations: 

• Limited parking lot and tends to fill up because of close proximity to Denver
• The falls may be frozen from December-May
• Wooded for most of the trail
• You will be very close to the town of Evergreen – head into town after for a bite to eat and to enjoy the quaint little mountain town!

7. Cheeseman Canyon

Location: Near Sedalia

Distance: 5.5 mile out + back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: Roughly 500 feet

Features: Forest, a very ideal for dogs to play in, some scrambling, and canyon views. 

Considerations: 

• This area of Colorado tends to have a desert-like microclimate. Check the weather, but prepare for heat. For this reason you’ll want your pup to swim in the river as often as possible
• This is a big fishing area, so be respectful of fisherman
• If your pup can’t handle a little bit of scrambling, this may not be the best option
• Parking can fill up semi-quickly so be prepared for that

8. McCullough Gulch Trail

Location: Near Breckenridge

Distance: 6.5 mile out + back

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

Elevation gain: Roughly 1600 feet

Features: Forest, a river, a lake, expansive views, a small waterfall, some scrambling, and seasonal wildflowers

Considerations: 

• To park at this trailhead, you will need a reservation through https://www.parkquandary.com/. You can also find out about the shuttle system through that website if you don’t get a reservation in time!
• Be prepared for several creek crossings
• Possible snow and ice until June

9. Herman Gulch

Location: Silver Plume

Distance: 7.5 mile out + back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: Roughly 1800 feet

Features: Forest, a river, a lake, expansive views, and seasonal wildflowers

Considerations: 

• This trail lies within Arapaho National Forest, which does experience seasonal closures. Be sure to check before you go!
• You will go above tree-line, so prepare for potential windy conditions
• The trailhead can get very crowded in the summer, so arrive early

10. Silver Dollar Lake and Murray Lake Trail

Location: Silver Plume

Distance: 4 mile out + back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: Roughly 1000 feet

Features: Forest, a river, a lake, expansive views, a small waterfall, and seasonal wildflowers

Considerations: 

• High clearance vehicle recommended to reach the trailhead
• Typically done in summer months, but also used for snowshoeing
• Can be quite windy above the tree-line
• Parking fills up quickly on weekends

Happy Trails to you + your pup! Enjoy!

Bradee