Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Highlands Ranch, CO

There are 38 dog-friendly hiking trails within 20 miles of Highlands Ranch. Use the links below to get an overview of each one, see pictures, print directions, and even read reviews from other dog owners. Coming from out of town? Get a discounted rate on pet friendly hotels in Highlands Ranch.

Pet Friendly Castlewood Canyon State Park
Castlewood Canyon State Park 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. See Details
Pet Friendly Cheesman Park
Cheesman Park Located in central Denver, CO, Cheesman Park is dog friendly and offers an open grassy space for picnics or a casual walk with Fido. Take a stroll along the crushed granite path which winds its way around the park, or engage Fido is a game of frisbee on the grass. Visitors will also find restrooms, a designated picnic area, playground, and The Pavilion at Cheesman Park. See Details
Mount Falcon Park Mount Falcon Park in Indian Hills and Morrison, CO is dog-friendly. Leashed pups are welcome on 12.2 miles of trails, including the 1.7-mile Turkey Trot Trail which connects the two towns. The park is open daily from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. See Details
Red Rocks Amphitheatre & Park Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners while they exercise at Red Rocks Amphitheatre & Park trails. Red Rocks Park is a pet-friendly Denver Mountain Park and has two trails that are completely within the park, Trading Post Trail and Geologic Overlook Trail, both restricted to pedestrians only. The Trading Post Trail is 1.4 miles in length, and goes through spectacular rock formations, valleys and a natural meadow. Some of the terrain is rough, so hiking boots/shoes are recommended. Also, hikers should be prepared for adverse weather conditions as the weather can change very quickly. The Red Rocks Trail runs through the east side of the park and is a multi-use trail for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Dogs must be on a leash at all times and owners must clean up all waste. Dogs are not allowed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre during performances; call (720) 865-2494 before driving to the park to avoid disappointment. See Details
Lair o' the Bear Park Lair o’ the Bear Park in Idledale, CO, is a pet-friendly favorite of visitors and families due to its abundance of picnic tables, charcoal grills and proximity to Bear Creek for fishing. Leashed pets are welcome and the Bear Creek Trail is 12 miles roundtrip. See Details
Washington Park Washington Park in Denver, CO is pet friendly and welcomes leashed dogs. This park is a popular hangout spot for local pooches and their owners. Encompassing 155 acres of pleasant grounds, including two lakes and a flower garden that is a replica of George Washington's gardens at Mount Vernon, there's plenty to see with your pooch. The Washington Park Boathouse, completed in 1913, is the main attraction of the park. Among the many other amenities that canines and their owners will observe and enjoy are a bicycle/pedestrian pathway, crushed granite jogging path, fitness course, horseshoe pit, lawn bowling/croquet area, soccer field, tennis courts and recreation center. See Details
Sulphur Gulch Trail Fido is welcome to join you for a hike on the Sulphur Gulch Trail, a pet-friendly trail in Parker, CO. The paved trail is 4.4 miles long and features benches, dog stations, restrooms, and parking for your convenience. All dogs must be leashed. See Details
Sloan's Lake Park Sloan's Lake Park is a 177-acre, dog-friendly area in Denver, CO. The park is the second largest of Denver's parks, located in the Highlands neighborhood. It's bordered by a 2.6-mile trail for walking, jogging and walking your pooch on a leash. Fishing, boating and water skiing are allowed on the lake and the annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is held there, too. See Details
Sand Creek Regional Greenway Sand Creek Regional Greenway in Aurora, CO, is a 13-mile, dog-friendly hike that will take about one hour to complete with Fido. This trail is, for the most part, in its natural state. Fido will love the babbling creek that is accessible by footpaths along the trail. See Details
High Line Canal Trail The High Line Canal Trail in Horseshoe Preserve is a 5.8 mile hike that will take about 3 hours to complete with Fido. This pet-friendly hike in Greenwood Village, CO, will actually lead you through the suburbs and passes through some expensive subdivisions. A new, larger parking lot was installed that caused Colorado Boulevard to intercept Orchard Road a block farther to the east. Be aware that this change still is not marked on most maps. See Details
Dinosaur Ridge Leashed dogs are welcome on the ridge and Triceratops Trail at Dinosaur Ridge, a pet-friendly trail in Morrison, CO. Dogs are not allowed in the gift shop or Exhibit Hall. Dinosaur Ridge features a world-famous dinosaur track site with over 300 dinosaur footprints for you and your friends and family to explore! See Details
Plymouth Mountain Trail Plymouth Mountain Trail in Littleton, CO, is a 6.4 mile hike that will take about 5 to 6 hours to complete with Fido. There are seven interconnected, pet-friendly trails of varying lengths to choose from. Keep in mind that slopes that face east and south can be hot in the summer time. See Details
Cherry Creek State Park Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora, CO, is dog friendly. Boaters, hikers, bird watchers, fishermen and outdoor recreation enthusiasts are all drawn to this picturesque area on the outskirts of Denver. Leashed dogs are welcome in campgrounds and on select trails within the park but aren't permitted in wetland areas. If Fido lives for off-leash play, detour to The Cherry Creek ​Dog of​f-Leash Area. See Details
Meadowlark Trail Loop Meadowlark Trail Loop is a pet-friendly, 6-mile loop trail in Jefferson County Open Space in Littleton, CO. This trail is for hikers and will take you through a sandy meadow before heading down to Plymouth Creek where it crosses the creek. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the shelter near the trailhead. See Details
Mary Carter Greenway (Arapahoe Greenway) The Mary Carter Greenway (Arapahoe Greenway) is a multi-use trail that's a great place to walk Fido in Littleton! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Mary Carter Greenway (Arapahoe Greenway). Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com. See Details
Lincoln Park Leashed dogs are welcome in Lincoln Park, a pet-friendly, neighborhood park close to downtown Denver and the Santa Fe Arts District. Explore the trails, street murals, sculptures and much more found in this historic area. See Details
Jason Park Jason Park in Englewood, CO is a dog-friendly community park. Visitors will find a large expanse of grass, ball courts and fields, a children's playground, and a designated off-leash area for Fido. See Details
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge While pets are not allowed at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City, CO, leashed dogs are allowed on the Perimeter Trail. The trail is located just outside the refuge and parking is available on Gateway Road. See Details
Confluence Park Leashed dogs are welcome at Confluence Park, a pet-friendly outdoor space in Denver, CO, where you and Fido can explore the trails throughout this well-maintained park. The winding trails lead to views of downtown, kayakers braving the rapids and places for pooches to sunbathe on the sandy banks. See Details
Apex Trail The Apex Trail in Golden, CO, is a pet-friendly, 4.7-mile hike in Jefferson County Open Space that will take about 4 hours to complete with Fido. However, the gravel trail is very steep and narrow, so it's only appropriate for dogs (and humans) that are experienced hikers. See Details
Highlands Ranch, CO, US