Where can you hike with your dog near Denver? The truth is that you can take your dog with you on most trails near Denver–but there are exceptions. And there are some trails that require scrambles or have surfaces that just are not well suited for your dogs paws. So, we have used the following criteria for selecting this Top 10 list of dog friendly trails.
#1 Dogs are allowed
#2 We got feedback from our Black Lab, Francine. She’s confident that your dog will love them.
#3 They are within 30-45 minutes of Denver

To Leash or Not to Leash? It should be noted that all these hikes require our dogs to be on a leash unless otherwise indicated. This is essential for the safety of others, the health of the environment, and so that dogs don’t get banned from these great places. Finally, we love to keep this list updated, so send us your comments and emails to let us know if you have any votes and ideas on more dog-friendly trails you’d like us to profile. Use the table below as table of contents to find a dog friendly hike that best matches your preferences.

    Elk Meadow Park South Loop

  • Elk Meadow Park – South Loop

  • Distance: 2.6 miles Round Trip

    Difficulty: Easy

    Drive Time from Denver: 35 Minutes

    Elk Meadow Park is a wonderful place to go hiking with your family, if you have your kids with you, or if you just want to spend time with a friend as you hike and bask in the spectacular views of Colorado. There was a great off-leash area nearby, but this has been closed for restoration.

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    Mt. Sanitas Hike Near Boulder

  • Mt. Sanitas Hike Near Boulder

  • Distance: 3.1 Miles or 2 Miles

    Difficulty: Medium+ with Easier Options

    Drive Time from Denver: 45 Minutes

    Mt. Sanitas gives you several trail options ranging from an easy stroll along a meandering brook to a demanding trail up the mountainside. Explore the full trail profile for more detailed information.

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    Red Rocks Trail at Red Rocks Park

  • Red Rocks Trail at Red Rocks Park

  • Distance: 6 Miles Round Trip

    Difficulty: Medium

    Drive Time from Denver: 25 Minutes

    The Red Rocks Trail at Red Rocks park gives you a chance to wander through the meadows just east of the imposing red monoliths that this Denver Mountain Park is named after. Close to Denver, the Red Rocks Trail is great for a sunrise hike, an inspiring trail run or a challenging bike ride. There’s more: a cave carved into the sandstone a great geological overlook.

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    South Valley Park Trails

  • South Valley Park Trails

  • Distance: .5 Mile to 3 Miles

    Difficulty: Easy

    Drive Time from Denver: 30 Minutes

    The trails of South Valley Park are perfect for an after work hike or run in South Denver. The expansive valley near the neighborhood of Ken Caryl is enclosed on its eastern side by the exposed red rock formations of the hogback and the green foothills to the west. Views to the south are incredible, making South Valley Park especially enchanting during the early morning hours and at twilight.

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    White Ranch Sunset Loop Near Golden, Colorado

  • White Ranch Sunset Loop Near Golden, Colorado

  • Distance: 2 miles Round Trip

    Difficulty: Medium

    Drive Time from Denver: 45 Minutes

    This loop hike in White Ranch Park is a great escape, a place to watch the glow of twilight on the city of Denver as the sun sets in the West. This Colorado trail is set at the very beginning of the foothills. You’ll journey across a tranquil meadow punctuated with ponderosa pine and decorated with Spring and early Summer wildflowers.

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    Mt. Galbraith Loop via the Cedar Gulch Trail

  • Mt. Galbraith Loop via the Cedar Gulch Trail

    Distance: 4.9 Miles

    Difficulty: Medium

    Drive Time from Denver: Approx. 30 Minutes

    Hiking Mt. Galbraith near Golden, Colorado will spoil you with its views into two canyons and into the City of Golden. Mount Galbraith is about 25 minutes from downtown Denver, so it makes for a quick escape from the bustle of life in town to take in the fresh air of the foothills.

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    Raccoon Loop Hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

  • Raccoon Loop Hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

  • Distance: 2.5 miles Round Trip

    Difficulty: Easy

    Drive Time from Denver: 50 Minutes

    Our kids loved this 2.5 mile Raccoon Loop Hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The trail has a lot of shade, panoramic views of snowcapped peaks, wildflowers, and trickling brooks.

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    Davis Ponds Hike at Staunton State Park

  • Davis Ponds Hike at Staunton State Park

  • Distance: 2.15 Mile Loop

    Difficulty: Easy

    Drive Time from Denver: 45 Minutes

    The Davis Ponds loop is a short and easy hike, perfect for young families. Davis Ponds is a great place to take your kids fishing near Denver.

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    Bear Creek Trail at Lair o’ the Bear Park

  • Bear Creek Trail at Lair o’ the Bear Park

  • Distance: 1.7 miles Round Trip

    Difficulty: Easy

    Drive Time from Denver: 30 Minutes

    The Bear Creek Trail at Lair o’ the Bear Park may be the best family hike near Denver. The park features great hiking trails, Bear Creek, and some good picnic areas. Even the drive along the way into the canyon on Bear Creek Road is wonderful.

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    Alderfer and Three Sisters Park Hikes

  • Alderfer and Three Sisters Park Hikes

  • Distance: 18 Trails: .2 to 10+ Miles

    Difficulty: Easy

    Drive Time from Denver: 40 Minutes

    Alderfer and Three Sisters Park in Evergreen, Colorado is a great collection of many trails that it could get confusing without a map. However, this is a family favorite of some good friends of ours. The trails come with different choices: from short, casual strolls to more demanding climbs and a long loop hike.

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girl on trail with black dog in colorado mountains spruce tree in foreground and snow and evergreen trees in background