One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of nature is to experience it firsthand by hiking trails. And what’s better than hiking with your dog? There are plenty of hiking trails in the Colorado Springs area that allow dogs, so go ahead and bring your canine buddy along.
Word of Caution: Remember to bring water (and a water container) for your pooch and ensure your canine companion doesn’t get overheated on your hike in the warmer weather. Click here to read more on preventing overheating and heatstroke in dogs.
Also, keep your dog on leash when required, both for the protection of your dog and others. A leash provides emergency control over your dog and can protect your dog from unexpected dangers.
Read on to discover 35 of the best dog-friendly hiking trails in Colorado Springs. And don’t forget to download a copy of this list for future reference and share with your friends and family!
35 Best Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Colorado Springs
This 25-acre dog park is possibly one of the best dog parks in Colorado – if not the entire U.S. It offers wide, easy hiking trails, a dog agility course with 11 obstacles and is partially fenced so you can let your dog off-leash if he or she responds to voice-commands. This is a popular place in Colorado Springs so expect lots of other people and dogs to be visiting the park. Dogs are allowed off-leash.
The Broadmoor Seven Falls is a magnificent series of waterfalls located in a 1,400 foot wall canyon. Above the falls there is a series of rope bridges and a 224-step stairway that leads to a system of hiking trails that will take you to Inspiration Point with breathtaking views of Colorado Springs. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Catamount Trail is a moderately difficult trail that climbs from the town of Green Mountain Falls up to the South Catamount Reservoir. This hike is steep with sharp switchbacks but the scenery is beautiful. This trail is the result of 5 years of planning and 4 years of volunteer construction. The trail starts alongside Catamount Falls and dense pines shade the trail. This hike is idyllic. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Fox Run Dog Park is a grassy space where dogs can run and play off-leash. The park includes five fenced off areas and is next to the Fox Run Regional park. Dogs allowed off-leash.
The Garden of the Gods is a National Landmark that offers beautiful hiking trails among the red rock formations. Your dog can even join you if you decide to eat on the terrace of the Café at the Garden. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Goose Creek Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Lost Creek Wilderness area. This area melts earlier than some other areas so it is a good early spring hike. The creek is delightful to follow and fun to cross. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Gray Back Peak is a peak on the east side of Emerald Valley, just south of Cheyenne Mountain. Has a gorgeous view. There is a trail all the way to the summit. The trail is marked as being primarily a horse trail but dogs can be here off-leash.
Helen Hunt Falls Trail is a 0.1 mile trail with light traffic and is good for all skill levels. You can view the falls from the road so it’s easy to bring children or people who may have trouble hiking. There is a steep hiking trail that wraps along the creek that takes you to a lookout point above the falls. Dogs must be kept on leash.
This 54-acre open area offers exceptional views of the Front Range, Spanish Peaks, Wet Mountains and Black Forest. There are multiple hiking trails, wildlife habitat, scrub oak and mixed grass prairie. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Mays Peak is an easily-accessible peak located in Cheyenne Canyon. The summit offers spectacular 360 views of the city and surrounding area. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Midland Trail is a 2. mile paved rails-to-trails path that lies between America the Beautiful Park at 1-25 and Manitou Springs. Midland Trail links to the north-south running Pikes Peak Greenway Trail. Dogs must be kept on leash.
This 3.6 mile hike includes a network of hiking trails that aren’t too steep. It also includes a small pond up the trail next to Monument Rock where dogs can swim. Watch for mountain bikes and horses on the upper part of the trail. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Buckhorn Trail follows a ridge on the sunny side of Cheyenne Cañon. Snow readily melts here, making this one of the few hiking trails you can traverse in the winter without snow shoes. This trail tends to have a lot of traffic so keep your dog on leash.
Mount Cutler Trail is an easy 2-mile hike that is in the heart of one of Colorado Springs’ most beloved and historic parks, Cheyenne Park. At only 400 feet elevation gain, the hike is not difficult but offers a mountaintop vista. There are miles of hiking trails within the park, which is wooded and connects with Pike National Forest. Dogs must be kept on leash.
This rails-to-trails hiking course offers a scenic journey along the front range of the mountains. Here you’ll find interpretive signs, wildlife and interesting geological features. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Columbine Trail is a 4.1 mile moderately-difficult level trail located just a few miles southwest of downtown Colorado Springs in North Cheyenne Canon Park. It offers scenic views during April through September. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Palmer Park Outer Loop Trail is a 7.4 mile loop that is rated as moderate in difficulty. Palmer Park, located in Colorado Springs, is a very popular park that features views and wildflowers. There is a upper area where dogs can be off-leash, as well as within the dog park. Water fountain near the entrance to the dog park. Dogs must be on-leash except in designated areas.
Palmer Trail / Section 16 is a great 5.5 mile loop hike. It is easily accessible from Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. This trail connects with many other hiking trails so you can extend your trip further if you want. The first mile is very exposed (so be careful to protect your dog as the heat in the summer can be brutal where the sun radiates off the red rocks). After the first mile, the trail is mostly through a Ponderosa Pine forest. This trail features views of a river/creek. Dogs must be kept on leash.
There are 403 miles of trails with 29 featured hikes in the Pike National Forest. Some of the most popular hikes include Devil’s Head Trail, Harrison Crash Site, Little Scraggy Loop, Mount Rosa, Winding Stairs, Pikes Peak Northwest Slopes, Buffalo Creek Loops and Section 16 to Jones Park.
Pikes Peak Greenway Trail is a trail that runs north to south throughout Colorado Springs. It connects various trails and trailheads and is multi-use. Most of the trail is paved, extra wide and has a gentle elevation slope. Trail is rated as easy to moderate. Dogs must be kept on leash.
The loop around Prospect Lake in Memorial Park is a 2.2 mile lightly-trafficked trail. This trail is good for all skill levels. You will often see people fishing and ducks on the lake. There are some nice art sculptures throughout the park. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Pulpit Rock Park Trail is a 4.2 mile loop that offers beautiful views of Colorado Springs and Pike’s Peak. The trail is located near downtown Colorado Springs and is relatively close to 1-25. The park is full of hiking trails and is an easy to moderate skill level hike. The trail can get very hot in the summer so avoid mid-day heat. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Rampart Reservoir is one of the best single-track hiking trails in the area. The total distance of the hike is 14.2 miles, but it’s only 1.5 miles to the water. Just be careful if you let your dog swim – the water runs quite fast most of the year. This park features picnic sites, fishing as well as campgrounds. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Open from dawn to dusk, dogs, horses and bicycles are allowed on most hiking trails. There are about 80 technical climbing routes and six main hiking trails (Mesa/Greenlee, Upper Dog Loop, The Quarry, Intemann Connection, Hogback and Contemplative/Sand Canyon). Dogs must be kept on leash.
Red Rocks Trail is a 3.1 mile trek that has a moderate skill level rating. The trail is in the Pike National Forest and offers camping and other outdoor activities. There are gorgeous red sandstone rock formations in the area. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Rock Island Trail is a 14.8 mile trail that is part of the rail-to-trails system. There are 2 disconnected segments of the trail that will eventually be linked. Beautiful mountain views are visible from the trail. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Schubarth Trail is an easy, partially open trail that is 13.8 miles in length. It connects to Rampart Range Road and is closest to Woodland Park. The trail is listed as easy in skill level, with rocky roads and water crossings. This road was primarily developed for the fun of off-roading. Enjoy lunch on the fantastic lookout above Air Force Academy or dramatic rock outcrop. Unable to determine if dogs need to be leashed.
This 6 mile trail crosses and recrosses North Cheyenne Creek, giving dogs plenty of chances to cool off. Expect to meet other hikers and dogs on Gold Camp Road but not the rest of the hike. Dogs must be kept on leash.
South Cheyenne Cañon is a canyon in Colorado Springs. Some have called this hike the “grandest mile of scenery” on Colorado. The entrance is about 4.5 miles southwest of downtown Colorado Springs. There are picnic areas, hiking trails and a shelter area. Dogs must be kept on leash.
St. Mary’s Falls Trail is a 6.3 mile trek that features a waterfall. The hike is rated as moderate. This area is icy in the winter. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Stratton Open Space offers 318 acres on the southwest side of Colorado Springs. Hiking trails meander through this open space, offering views of Cheyenne Mountain and the Will Rogers Shrine above the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The 8 mile hike winds through five ecosystems – high meadow, ponderosa pine forest, scrub oak brush land, cattail marsh and riparian area. Watch for black bear, mule deer and bobcats. Unable to determine if dogs are required to be on leash.
Palmer Park is one of the largest open parks in Colorado Springs. At 3.9 miles, Templeton Trail features beautiful wildflowers. It begins and ends at the Yucca Flats trailhead. Dogs must be kept on leash.
The Crags is a 5-mile trail that offers gorgeous views, pancake-like granite formations and cool aspen forests in Pike National Forest. Dogs must be kept on leash.
This hiking trail is part of the 1600 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy trail system throughout the U.S. This is a great place to hike with your dog as it follows the route of the old mining trains. This trail includes 6 tunnels so you might want to bring a head lamp. Dogs must be kept on leash.
A beautiful park perfect for hiking, sight-seeing, running and mountain biking. Ute Valley Park offers diverse wildlife, wetlands and rich archeological features. The park has an extensive network of hiking trails for all levels of difficulty. Dogs are allowed off leash.
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