The 7 Best Dog-Friendly Hikes Near Denver During Winter

Give your dog an invigorating and mentally stimulating exercise during winter by taking a short hike. Even if spring is just around the corner, there's still some great winter hiking to be had. If you’re looking for a place to start, the Sploot team rounded up the best dog friendly winter hikes near Denver. 

And remember to abide by snow & cold weather hiking safety tips - because it isn’t quite Spring yet! This article covers winter hiking trails near Denver where leashes are generally required and recommended. For off-leash dog-friendly destinations near Denver, check out our other resource: 7 Denver Dog Parks for Off-Leash Fun 

What’s in This Guide?

• Quick Notes About Hiking on Dog Friendly Trails During Winter
• Dinosaur Ridge
• Bear Creek Trail to Panorama Point
• Coyote Song Trail
• Turkey Trot Trail
• Castlewood Canyon Falls Trail
• Echo Lake Trail
• Eldorado Canyon Trail

Quick Notes About Hiking on Dog Friendly Trails During Winter

Here are essential tips for all pet parents planning to do a winter hike on any of the dog friendly hikes listed in this article:

1. Winter Changes Everything About Hikes

All trails change during the winter. Increased mud and ice give terrains added slipperiness. In addition, hiking itself is different during winter. The body consumes more calories as it tries to stay warm which makes short winter hikes rigorous. This is why our list of dog-friendly hikes for winter only includes easy or moderate-difficulty trails. 

Because winter adds a layer of challenge to hiking, it is best to be prepared and to know all the essential safety tips for winter hiking.   

2. Look at Recent Reviews of Dog-Friendly Trails During Winter

Look at recent reviews from hikers to get an accurate forecast of what a dog-friendly trail will be like during winter. Websites like AllTrails.com have numerous active users who post recent reviews about their experience. 

3. Leashes are Required - and 100% Recommended

All the destinations on this list of dog-friendly hikes during winter require dogs to be leashed. In any case, it is generally recommended for dogs to be kept on a leash during a winter hike. This lessens the possibility of a dog running off or getting lost — an incident that should be avoided especially during the coldest season of the year. 

4. Easy Trails are Best for Beginners 

The items on this list are arranged based on their distance from Denver — not based on difficulty level. For beginner hikers or hikers who have never hiked during the winter, we recommend finding dog-friendly trails here that are marked as “easy.” 

5. You Can Always Turn Back

Whether you are going for an out-and-back trail or a loop trail, you can always turn back. If you spot danger, there is no need to complete a hike. Some of the hazards to look out for while doing a winter hike include the possibility of an avalanche, sudden weather changes, and parts of the terrain being too slippery to traverse. 

1. Dinosaur Ridge

• Dog-friendly trail
• Distance from Denver: 20 - 30 minutes away
• Park: Matthews Winters Open Space Park 
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Type: Out & back

First on our list of dog-friendly hikes is the famous Dinosaur Ridge near Morrison, Colorado. Situated just 20 to 30 minutes from Denver, this hiking trail and historic site showcases dinosaur bones, tracks, and other interesting geological features. To this day, dinosaur fossils and tracks are still being discovered in the area. 

This unshaded trail is not just sought after by hikers but also by birdwatchers and fossil enthusiasts. Understandably, this 6-km dog-friendly hike is muddy during winter but reviews from hikers on AllTrails.com still report an overall positive experience thanks to the paved portions of the trail, the unique experience of seeing dinosaur fossils, and other factors.  However, because of the presence of mud and snow, it is recommended to wear hiking boots for better traction.

2. Bear Creek Trail to Panorama Point

• Dog-friendly trail
• Distance from Denver: ~30 minutes away
• Park: Lair o’ the Bear Park
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Type: Loop

Situated near Idledale, around 30 minutes from Denver, is a loop trail adorned with tall trees, and wildflowers. Bear Creek Trail is a dog-friendly winter hike that starts relatively mild but has an incline leading to Panorama Point — which, as implied by the name, gives breathtaking panoramic views of Mt. Evans and the Continental Divide.

Bear Creek Trail is a popular destination for hikers, bird watchers, and mountain bikers. During winter, this dog-friendly 10.8-km trail can accumulate packed ice on some parts. Therefore, it is advisable for hikers to wear spikes to get better traction in these icey parts. Spikes are especially helpful when tackling the inclined part leading to Panorama Point.  

3. Coyote Song Trail

• Dog-friendly trail
• Distance from Denver: ~35 minutes away
• Park: South Valley Park
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Type: Loop

Next on our list of dog-friendly hikes is the Coyote Song Trail in South Valley Park. Situated near Littleton, Colorado, around 35 minutes from Denver, the Coyote Song Trail is considered an easy loop trail and a great option for beginner hikers. This 4.8-km dog-friendly trail winds through an open, unshaded expanse with great views of red rocks and wildflowers. 

The easy-going Coyote Song Trail attracts hikers, walkers, and horseback riders. It must be noted, however, that during the winter, the Coyote Song Trail is known for accumulating mud, slush, and ice. For this reason, hikers need a good pair of hiking boots for optimal traction.

4. Turkey Trot Trail

• Dog-friendly trail
• Distance from Denver: ~35 minutes away
• Park: Mount Falcon Park
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Type: Loop

Next on our list of dog friendly hikes is the Turkey Trot Trail in Mount Falcon Park. Just 35 minutes away from Denver,  near Morrison, Colorado, the Turkey Trot Trail is a loop trail that takes hikers through forests, unshaded stretches, and scenic views. This 4.8-km dog friendly hike has a mix of gradual and steeper slopes. 

The Turkey Trot Trail is a popular destination for hikers, runners, and horseback riders. Similar to other trails, the Turkey Trot Trail can get muddy and icy; it is generally recommended to wear micro spikes when hiking this dog friendly trail during the winter months. 

5. Castlewood Canyon Falls Trail

• Dog-friendly trail
• Distance from Denver: ~45 minutes away
• Park: Castlewood Canyon State Park
• Difficulty Level: Easy 
• Type: Loop

Among this list of dog-friendly hikes, the Castlewood Canyon Falls Trail is known for having one of the easiest-to-visit waterfalls’ in the area. Situated near Franktown, Colorado, just 45 minutes away from Denver, this dog-friendly trail is considered an easy hike. The Castlewood Canyon Falls trail spans only 1.8 kilometers. It is the only trail on this list that can be completed in under an hour. 

Though the Castlewood Canyon Falls Trail may be short, it has plenty to offer — including patches of forest, overlooking views, and the famous Cherry Creek Falls. The fencing used on this trail is a sturdy wooden fence, which adds to the trail’s charm. 

The Castlewood Canyon Falls trail is a popular destination for walkers, hikers, and birdwatchers. During the winter, it is possible to see Cherry Creek Falls frozen. As with most trails during the winter season, the Castlewood Canyon Falls Trail gets muddy and icy. For an easier hike and better traction, wearing spikes is helpful during winter. 

6. Echo Lake Trail

• Dog-friendly trail
• Distance from Denver: ~1 hour away
• Park: Echo Lake Park
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Type: Out & back

Next up on our list of dog-friendly hikes near Denver is the scenic Echo Lake Trail in Echo Lake Park. This dog-friendly trail is near Idaho Springs, Colorado — which is about an hour’s drive away from Denver. As seen in the name of the trail, its main highlight is Echo Lake. Another noteworthy feature of this trail is that most of it is in the woods. Hence, this trail is a good choice for those who prefer more shade. Spanning 2.4 kilometers and being mostly flat, Echo Lake Trail is an easy hike that’s perfect for beginner hikers. 

During the winter season, Echo Lake freezes and attracts ice fishers and skaters. Hikers and walkers are also drawn to Echo Lake Trail all year round. The trail is manicured even during the winter — but spikes can still be worn for added traction. Depending on the amount of snowfall, hiking boots may suffice.

7. Eldorado Canyon Trail

• Dog-friendly trail
• Distance from Denver: ~1 hour away
• Park: Eldorado Canyon State Park
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Type: Loop

Situated near Eldorado Springs, Colorado, just 1 hour away from Denver is the Eldorado Canyon Trail in Eldorado Canyon State Park. Similar to a trail mentioned earlier (the Castlewood Canyon Falls Trail), the Eldorado Canyon Trail also has a waterfall known as the Eldorado Cascades. Being a cascade, this waterfall is relatively lower than regular waterfalls but is an exciting highlight of this dog-friendly hike all the same. 

Aside from the refreshing sight of water tumbling down a rocky slope, other highlights of the Eldorado Canyon Trail include streamside paths, forests, dramatic valley views, and varied types of terrain throughout its 10.6-km span.   

The Eldorado Canyon Trail is a popular destination for hikers and horseback riders. However, as with many trails, the Eldorado Canyon Trail gets icy during the winter season. Wearing spikes is highly recommended. 

Final Thoughts on Dog Friendly Hikes During Winter

We trust that you found this guide on dog-friendly winter hikes helpful. As a final note, we’d like to emphasize that careful preparation is crucial to having an enjoyable and safe winter hike with a dog. We cover more helpful tips in this article: Safety Tips for Hiking With a Dog - Winter Edition.  

We also encourage every pet parent to have their dog’s health assessed by a local veterinarian before going on a hike. We are always here to help!

Sploot Veterinary Care is a trusted provider of primary and urgent care for dogs and cats. Our veterinarians can assess if your dog is physically able to hike while also giving tailor-fit recommendations for hiking preparation. 

Schedule an appointment online or through the Sploot Vets app! Our veterinary clinics in Denver are open 365 days a year, until 10 pm. 

Till next time, we’re with you every pounce of the way!