Your pup is a member of your family, so it makes sense you want to spend as much time with them as possible. In Denver, there are many dog-friendly places you can bring your furry friend — from parks and hiking trails to bars and restaurants. When you want to have some quality time with your pooch, here are seven dog-friendly activities near Denver.
What’s in This Guide?
- Sloan's Lake Park | Dog-Friendly Hike
- Cherry Creek State Park | Off-Leash Dog Park
- Railyard Dog Park | Off-Leash Dog Park
- Bruz Beers | Dog-Friendly Brewery
- Three Dog Bakery | All-Natural Dog Bakery
- Lazy Dog | Dog-Friendly Restaurant
- City Floral Garden Center | Pet-Friendly Garden Center
Sloan's Lake Park | Dog-Friendly Hike
- Location: 1700 N. Sheridan Boulevard, Denver
- Hours: 5am to 11pm daily
When you want to take your dog on a walk with a view, head to Sloan's Lake Park in the Highlands neighborhood. The second-largest park in Denver, Sloan's Lake Park provides a 2.8-mile paved walking path around the lake. You and your dog will enjoy waterfront views while getting some fresh air and exercise. The park also has plenty of grassy areas where you and your furry friend can relax or enjoy a sunset over the Rocky Mountains. When using the trail or other park areas, you must keep your dog on a leash at all times..
Cherry Creek State Park | Off-Leash Dog Park
- Location: 4201 South Parker Road, Aurora
- Hours: 24 hours a day for camping; 5am to 10pm for all other activities
Take your pup to Cherry Creek State Park for a full day of outdoor fun. This 880-acre park in southeast Denver has over 12 miles of multi-use hiking trails, and many of the trails allow dogs as long as you keep them on a 6-foot leash. Your dog can also burn off some energy in the park's off-leash dog area. Inside this 107-acre fenced area, your dog can run and play, and they can even cool off with a refreshing dip in Cherry Creek, which runs through the dog park.
Other amenities at Cherry Creek State Park include picnic areas, a swim beach, and campgrounds. The park allows dogs in the campgrounds and most areas of the park, except for the wetlands.
Railyard Dog Park | Off-Leash Dog Park
- Location: 2005 19th St., Denver
- Hours: 5am to 11pm daily
The Railyard Dog Park, one of 12 dog parks in the city, is the perfect place to bring your pooch for some play and socialization. This fully fenced park has separate areas for low-energy and high-energy dogs, so your pup can either chill in the shade or run to their heart's content.
There's a water fountain so your dog can stay hydrated, though you may also want to bring water in case it's out of service. Railyard Dog Park also has lighting, so you can feel safe bringing your dog to the park in the early morning or after dusk.
The park supplies dog bag dispensers so you can clean up after your pup. The park requires you to keep your dog on a leash when outside the fenced area. Your dog must have their current rabies vaccination and a Denver dog license to use the park.
Bruz Beers | Dog-Friendly Brewery
- Location: 1675 W. 67th Ave., #100, Denver
- Hours: 1pm to 9pm, daily
Grab a brew with your best friend at Bruz Beers in Midtown. While there are numerous dog-friendly breweries in Denver, Bruz Beers is one of the best. The brewery allows dogs in its taproom and outside on the spacious patio. While you sip on a Belgian-style ale or lager, your pup can enjoy a dog food bowl, prepared by the restaurant next door. You may even spot the official Buzz Brew dogs, Cooper and Mr. Bentley, on your visit to the brewery.
Three Dog Bakery | All-Natural Dog Bakery
- Location: 1503 Boulder St., Denver
- Hours: 11am to 6pm (Monday through Saturday) and noon to 5pm (Sunday)
When you want to reward your dog for being a very good boy or girl, bring them to Three Dog Bakery. Since 1989, the dog bakery has focused on creating tasty, handmade treats for furry family members. The bakery makes its dog treats from scratch using healthy ingredients. From pupcakes to pawlines to woofie pies, the bakery's selection features a wide variety of treats for your fur baby. You can even order a custom cake to celebrate your dog's birthday, gotcha day, or other special occasion.
Three Dog Bakery sells treats, toys, rawhides, chews, grooming gear, and accessories for your dog. The bakery also offers a dog wash unit you can use to give your pup a bath.
Lazy Dog | Dog-Friendly Restaurant
- Locations: 24110 E. State Ave., Aurora; 43 Centennial Boulevard, Highlands Ranch; and 14618 Delaware St., Westminster
- Hours: 11am to midnight (Monday through Friday) and 9am to midnight (Saturday and Sunday)
For a casual meal you can enjoy with your dog, make plans to visit Lazy Dog. This California-based regional chain has three locations in the Denver area, where you can dine with your dog outside.
While you enjoy a made-from-scratch meal, your pup can chow down on a grilled hamburger patty bowl or a grilled chicken breast bowl, both served with brown rice and veggies. The restaurant also offers complimentary bowls of water for your pooch. When visiting the Lazy Dog with your furry friend, the restaurant urges you to avoid the "three Bs": begging, barking, and biting.
City Floral Garden Center
- Location: 1440 Kearney St., Denver
- Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday and 10am to 5pm Sunday
Let's be honest: Your yard is your dog's domain. So the next time you plan to do some yard work, gardening, or landscaping, include your pup in the process. As you shop for gardening supplies or shrubs, take your four-legged friend along.
City Floral Garden Center is an independently owned and operated nursery in the heart of Denver. City Floral allows well-behaved pets on leashes. Walk through the 40,000-square-foot garden center and allow your pup to sniff the wide variety of plants, trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials. The greenhouse also has resident cats and chickens, so be prepared in case you plan to visit this area with a dog that gets agitated by cats or chickens.
Final Thoughts on Dog-Friendly Activities Near Denver, CO
This concludes our list of dog-friendly activities in Denver. If you’re planning to visit any of these places, your dog is bound to get mental stimulation from being in a completely new environment. There’s also a high chance your dog will get the opportunity to socialize with other dogs
Whatever is next on your list of places to visit, it is recommended to protect your pup with updated immunizations. To learn more about required or recommended vaccines for dog-friendly establishments in Denver, reach out to our team. You can also visit Sploot Veterinary Care any day of the week to have your dog’s vaccinations updated.
Sploot Veterinary Care is a primary and urgent care veterinary clinic with multiple locations in Denver. Our doors are open 365 days a year, from 10 am to 10 pm. Feel free to schedule your appointment here!
Lucy with her Stick by Suzie Tremmel is licensed with CC BY 2.0
