So next time you hit the road, don’t leave those good girls and boys back home. Take a look at some of the many ways you can splurge and save on your canine companions — from activities and parks to dog-friendly hotels.
Exciting Outdoor Activities
Skijoring
(Splurge)
Cross-country skiing meets dog sledding with this sport, where you’ll undoubtedly strengthen your bond with barking BFFs. High Country Dogs in Glenwood Springs will show you the ropes with indoor training sessions followed by fun in the winter sun.
Snowshoeing
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Leash up and head to Old Monarch Pass Loop in Salida for 3.2 miles of mellow high-altitude terrain and stellar Continental Divide views that will make you kick your leg with glee.
Nordic Skiing
(Splurge)
Traverse trails groomed as neatly as a well-trimmed Westie at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa in Tabernash. The location boasts nearly 75 miles of award-winning corduroy, with plenty of on-leash options for furry friends.
Hiking
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There are numerous trails to sniff out at Red Rock Canyon Open Space in Colorado Springs, including two off-leash dog loops just south of the main entrance. Bound up erosion-sculpted ridges and wander winding paths hugging ruddy sandstone formations.
Skinning
(Splurge)
Earn some turns with your pup at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (A-Basin to locals) by skinning up the slopes — for those not in the know, that’s uphill skiing with specialized equipment — during designated hours after the lifts stop running. We guarantee both you and your pup will have a blast frolicking in that fresh pow pow on the way up and down.
Top Bark Parks
Rita Valentine Park
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Gorgeous Park Range backdrops and 15-plus acres of off-leash play space make Rita Valentine Park the perfect place for romping in Steamboat Springs' sweet Champagne Powder® with your four-pawed pals.
Coal Mine Avenue Brewing Co.
(Splurge)
Get here as soon as they open, because this Littleton outdoor dog park fills up fast. But even if you have to wait, it's well worth it to sip a beer at Coal Mine Avenue Brewing Co.'s communal table as happy pupcakes play around you.
Durango Off-Leash Dog Area
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The city of Durango absolutely adores doggos, as evidenced by Durango Off-Leash Dog Area: 5 acres for fun frolics at the base of Smelter Mountain. While in town, you can also stroll the 7-mile Animas River Trail.
Loyal Duke's Dog Park
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Named after the legendarily loyal companion of an 1800s rail worker, Loyal Duke's Dog Park is a cozy fenced playground that brings the fun with tunnels. it's also a quick drive to dog-friendly downtown Salida.
Pub Dog Colorado,
(Splurge)
This Colorado Springs club isn’t your standard breed: At Pub Dog Colorado you can wine and dine indoors with your doggo. Sip a Bloodhound Bloody Mary with a Cuban or Reuben while your canine pals lap up Bowser Beers and chow down on puppy patties, bacon and bark bowls loaded with sweet potato and brown rice.
Bighorn Park
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An abundance of walking trails and open off-leash areas in Vail's Bighorn Park mean your pups can make friends with the local labs and lhasa apsos.
Some Helpful Hints: At most off-leash parks in Colorado, dogs will need to be within your line of sight and under voice control. That means if you give a command, they answer the first time. If your pup is a wild child, read park signs to make sure they’re allowed to roam untethered. Also, make sure your pup leaves nothing but adorable pawprints behind. Pack out their poop — even in wilderness areas — and toss it in the nearest trash can.
