You know the expression: Dog is man’s best friend. So, what’s a vacation or day trip without your best fur friend (BFF) in tow? Thankfully, Colorado is known for being an exceptionally dog-friendly state, and there’s plenty of parks, watering holes, restaurants and hotels tailored toward humans and their canine companions.
Ahead, three Colorado destinations to sniff out this summer and fall.
Colorado Springs: Hiking, Jeeping and Top Dog Stay
While in town, you can embark on all kinds of adventures with your pup, starting with a leashed hike in Garden of the Gods to marvel at the earthy orange rock fins jutting toward the sky. Your pet can get zoomies out of the way at the off-leash dog area just outside the main entrance of the park.
Fill out a weekend itinerary with a visit to Red Rock Canyon Open Space, which has a nice off-leash dog area and book a dog-friendly outing with Colorado Jeep Tours, which offers trips that venture to some of the most scenic spots in the region including Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Red Canyon Park and the Gold Belt Scenic Highway. Your dog has a thing or two to teach you about the joys of feeling a breeze with the windows down.
Where to Stay: After all that adventure, it’s time to get a good night’s sleep. High-thread count sheets and comfy mattresses are hallmarks of a great hotel stay, and no details are spared for your pet at Kinship Landing, where junior queen suites come furnished with a luxury Mae Woven dog bed.
Breckenridge: Gondola Rides to Hiking Trails and ‘Pawtio’ Menus
Your dog is in for a treat (lots of them, actually) in Breckenridge. Show your pup the joy of a summertime ride on the dog-friendly BreckConnect Gondola, which shows off views of the Cucumber Gulch Wildlife Preserve. The designated wildlife preserve is home to elk, beavers, moose and the state-endangered boreal toad, so pups aren’t allowed in the 77 acres of wetland. However, there are roughly 100 miles of trails in town and dogs are allowed on most of them, and they can also wander around the base of Peaks 7 and 8 at Breckenridge Ski Resort.
Your dog will also get a break from kibble at restaurants like Kenosha Breck, which has a dog-friendly patio and accompanying “pawtio” menu with mango-pumpkin Greek yogurt popsicles, plus a burger served with crunchy raw baby carrots and a couple of slices of bacon.
When it’s time to cut loose, head over to Carter Park, which is a four-block walk east of Main Street and is a fenced spot where you can take in the views of the Ten Mile Range while your dog meets new friends.
Where to Stay: Dogs aren’t just welcome at Gravity Haus Breckenridge, they’re part of the family. The hotel has quite possibly the cutest guest book ever, filled with portraits of puppers who have stayed at the property in the past. Rooms are stocked with dog-friendly amenities like a doggie bed, treats and bowls.
Fort Collins: Brewery Hangs, An Epic Dog Park and Yappy Hours
Is your pet treat- or toy-motivated? If it’s the former, head to Ginger and Baker’s dog-friendly patio for treats like a “pawfogato,” which is a mound of whipped cream topped with a homemade dog treat that your dog can enjoy after his main dish, something like a salmon, brown rice and blueberry bowl. However, if your dog goes nuts over a squeaky toy, head to Wagz Pet Market to pick out a new toy (or two).
When it’s play time, you’ve got to check out Spring Canyon Park in Fort Collins, which is like the Disney of dog parks. The 100-acre expanse is equipped with a pond for water-loving dogs to take a summer swim, plus a few acres for playing fetch or navigating tunnels. The park, we should mention, is great in general for traveling families, with an accessible playground, a mountain biking course, volleyball courts and plenty of picnic spots.
If you’re here for some beer, good news: Dog-friendly breweries and patios are easy to come by in Fort Collins. Some great breweries where dogs are welcome include Funkwerks, New Belgium, Horse & Dragon, Odell and many more.
Where to Stay: The Elizabeth Hotel’s “Pamper Your Pup” package comes with a little bag of treats for your dog and a branded bowl mat to bring home as a souvenir. Check out the hotel’s calendar before booking so that you can sync up your stay with one of the summertime “Yappy Hours.”
More Things to Do With Your Pet
Looking for a few more unique experiences to have with your dog this summer? Put these ideas on your must-do list.
Get Pet Portraits Snapped
Marsha Steckling, the photographer behind the lens at Evie Photography, has a knack for capturing pets’ personalities. She’s also the lead volunteer photographer for the Longmont Humane Society, and has photographed more than 4,000 dogs for shelters and families. Book a photo session either outdoors or in the studio. Humans can join the photoshoot, or you can opt for one starring just your dog. evie-photo.com
Take a Train Ride
All aboard (including your pup!) The Leadville Railroad allows leashed, well-behaved dogs to join their humans on scenic train rides in the summer and fall. Dogs are allowed in the coach section. leadvillerailroad.com
Go to a Brewery
With sprawling patios and beer gardens, lots of breweries let your dogs come and hang while you enjoy a pint. But Romero’s K9 Club and Taphouse in downtown Lafayette is especially great because the biergarten also doubles as a dog park for well-socialized dogs. The first time you go, you’ll need to fill out a registration form and dogs need to be spayed or neutered and up to date on their rabies vaccinations. romerosk9club.com
