Dog-Friendly Activities in Cotopaxi, CO

The dog-friendly Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad in Leadville, CO, encourages well-behaved pets to ride with their friends on any of their trains. The train rides start the end of May and run through the first weekend in October. Their conductors will talk to your pet prior to the ride, to make sure they will be comfortable.

Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome to enjoy a visit to dog-friendly Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad in Cripple Creek, CO. Enjoy a ride aboard a century-old steam locomotive with your pup as you listen to the history of this gold-mining area and snap pictures of the beautiful scenery. This seasonal train runs rain or shine and all cars are open, so be sure that you and Fido dress for the weather.

Chatfield State Park Off-Leash Area in Littleton, CO, offers 70-acres of off-leash fun within Chatfield State Park. An Annual DOLA Pass or Daily DOLA Pass is required. Both are available at the Entrance Stations and the Park Office when staffed. The park offers various terrains for Fido to explore, multiple trails, and ponds for dogs to swim. Visitors should bring drinking water for pets.

Fido is welcome to join you in exploring Stratton Open Space, a dog-friendly natural spot in Colorado Springs. This 318-acre open space features beautiful views, miles of hiking trails for owners and pups to explore together. Please clean up after your dog while visiting. Note that the South Suburban Reservoir is closed to the public.

Pub Dog Colorado in Colorado Springs is a one-of-a-kind destination where dogs and their owners can dine and play together year-round. It features a 3,000-square-foot off-leash dog park and a 1,300-square-foot patio for outdoor enjoyment. The menu offers pub favorites like burgers, quesadillas, and nachos, complemented by local craft beers and dog-themed cocktails. Dogs aren't left out, with their own menu including Puppy Patties, Pupsicles, and Puppuccinos.

Leashed dogs are allowed in the main, pet-friendly day use areas at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Mosca, CO. Unless you're in the moist, cool sand of Medano Creek, plan to hike with your pet in the morning or evening in summer months to avoid the hot sand on their paws. Be sure to clean up after Fido. Please note that leashes can be no longer than 6-feet, and dogs aren't permitted in the backcountry of the national park.

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings is a pet-friendly attraction in Manitou Springs, CO. Discover what it was like to live in the Western United States 800 to 1,000 years ago in the 40-room dwellings built by the Anasazi people. Leashed dogs are also welcome inside the Anasazi Museum located within the Pueblo. The site is open daily but hours vary by season. As long as your dog is leashed, he can go everywhere you can go here.

Fox Run Dog Park is a grassy space for Fido to play and socialize off-leash in Colorado Springs' Fox Run Regional Park. The park is made up of five fenced-in acres, and features a small dog area and a large dog area, bag dispensers, trash cans, benches, shaded areas and more. Fox Run Dog Park is located inside the Fox Run Regional Park, in the southeast corner, accessible from the main park entrance off of Stella Drive. Dog owners should take the first right and continue straight, south of the active use fields to get to the pet area.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Garden of the Gods, a pet-friendly, Registered National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs, CO. Fido can join you as you hike along the beautiful trails through the red rock formations and enjoy the stunning views and landscape. Pets are also allowed inside the Visitor and Nature Center, but must be kept out of the indoor dining space. Please clean up after Fido during your visit.

Dogs are welcome to walk with their humans across North America's highest suspension bridge at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Canon City, CO. Well-behaved, leashed pups are invited to enjoy this dog-friendly park, where Fido may also be allowed on the gondola ride at the operator's discretion. While canines are not permitted on most rides or inside the buildings, the park does provide six free kennels on a first-come, first-serve basis where your dog can relax while you enjoy the rides and restaurants. Please bring your own water bowl for Fido.

Give Fido the chance to see the world from above on the Breckenridge "BreckConnect" Gondola. The Gondola is free to ride for both people and pets and runs from mid-June through mid-September, and all of ski season. BreckConnect glides over a wildlife preserve and to the top of Peak 8 in the Rocky Mountains, making several stops along the way. Leashed dogs are allowed on the Gondola and can explore the base of Peaks 7 and 8. The Breckenridge Gondola is in operation from 8am to 5pm. Parking fees may vary throughout the year.

Living The Dream Brewing is a dog-friendly bar in Highlands Ranch, CO, where Fido is welcome to join you for a pint inside the taproom or at an outdoor table. All of their beers, except wheat beers and Hazy IPAs, are gluten reduced. Be sure to check their website for a list of current events.

Fido is welcome at Red Rock Canyon Open Space, a dog-friendly natural space in Colorado Springs. Leashed pups are welcome on most trails, and the Upper and Lower Dog Loops are designated as off-leash areas (but pease be advised that this is an unfenced space). In the winter, many of the trails make for good cross-country skiing.

Buckskin Pass Trail is a 8.2 mile dog-friendly hike near Aspen, CO. Located within White River National Forest, this route will take about 6 hours to complete with Fido. From mid-June through September, Maroon Creek Road is restricted to vehicles from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. If hiking during this period, take the shuttle from Aspen Highlands Ski Area. The shuttle leaves every 20 minutes and dogs are allowed on the bus. Buckskin Pass Trail offers stunning views of Maroon Bells, Pyramid Peak, and Snowmass Lake.

Castlewood Canyon State Park in Franktown, CO, is dog friendly. Several hikes range from mild to moderate here, but the 5.6-mile trail to the canyon is the most popular. And though Castlewood Canyon is less grand than the Grand Canyon, it is worth the 5-hour round-trip hike. Please note Fido is not allowed on the East Canyon Preservation Area trail.

St. Mary's Glacier Trail is a beautiful, pet-friendly hiking trail in Idaho Springs, CO, with great views from the top. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at all times. Within 30 minutes of setting off, you'll be at the top of the glacier enjoying the refreshing lake of St. Mary's. This is a moderate 2.4-mile trail that is highly trafficked by lots of pups.

New Terrain Brewing Company is a dog-friendly brewery in Golden, CO. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you on the beer garden patio. The beer menu is divided into light and refreshing, bitter and bright, malty and roasty, tart and sour, and hard seltzer options. There is one gluten-free option, several non-alcoholic beverage options, and a rotating selection of food trucks.

With 107 acres to roam off-leash, Cherry Creek State Park Dog Off-Leash Area (DOLA) in Aurora, CO is a paradise for dogs. Fido can explore all the new smells, make new friends, and splash in the creek all day long. Bring water for your thirsty pup and bags to clean up any messes. There is a fee to enter Cherry Creek State Park and another nominal fee to use the off-leash area. For frequent visitors, yearly passes are available. Dogs must be leashed when not in the fenced area.

Bear Creek Dog Park is an incredible, fenced dog park in Colorado Springs for you and Fido to roam. With numerous secure gates around the perimeter, this 25-acre, off-leash dog park is covered in wildflowers, native grasses and wooded areas. Enjoy the winding trails, discover the creek or practice at the agility space. There is a separate, 2-acre small and senior dog section as well. Water is provided (seasonally) and there is a dog wash area for those pups that get a bit muddy in the creek!

Elk Meadow Park in Evergreen, CO, encompasses 107 acres of open space and offers two dog-friendly hiking trails. Take the trail from Elk Meadow Lewis Ridge Trailhead and admire beautiful mountain scenery and herds of elk. Elk Meadow Stagecoach Trailhead, accessible from 32281 Stagecoach Blvd, is best suited to adventurous and experienced hikers. This 4.7-mile hike leads to stunning views from 9,708-foot Bergen Peak. Much of the park is not fenced so Fido should be leashed during your visit.