Dog-Friendly Denver: 7 Things to Do with Your Dog
Last updated: August 2026
Denver is one of those cities that earns its reputation as a dog-friendly destination. The dog culture here is real and noticeably welcoming — dogs are allowed inside breweries, on restaurant patios, in shops, and throughout the city’s parks in a way that makes traveling with a pup feel easy and low-friction from day one. The city sits at the edge of the Rocky Mountains with quick access to trails, open space, and some of the best hiking in the country just a short drive away. It’s also a walkable, outdoorsy city with a strong arts scene and more craft breweries per capita than almost anywhere in the US.
That said, it wasn’t quite our vibe. We’re mountain people at heart and found ourselves wishing we’d spent more time out in the foothills and less time in the city itself. The day trip to Morrison, photoshoot in the mountains, and day trip to Colorado Springs ended up being the highlights of the whole trip, which probably tells you something.
If you’re spending a few days in Denver with your dog, here’s what we’d recommend.
How to Get to Denver with Your Dog
We flew from Oakland (OAK FBO) to Denver (BJC) with RetrieveAir and it was easily the most stress-free flight we’ve ever taken with Ruby.
Because RetrieveAir flies out of private FBO terminals, you don’t check in until 30 minutes before your flight. No crowds, no long TSA lines, and everyone boards in small groups from back to front to minimize dog crossover. What’s really unique: there are no weight restrictions, so dogs of all breeds and sizes are welcome, and you can purchase a seat for your dog so they can actually sit beside you. That was Ruby’s favorite part of the experience and the most relaxed I’ve ever seen her on a plane.
There were 10 other dogs on our flight. You wouldn’t have known it.
RetrieveAir currently flies between 11 US cities including Oakland/San Francisco, LA, Denver, Chicago, New York, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas, Seattle, DC, Atlanta, Scottsdale, and Tampa Bay. It’s a premium option compared to commercial flying but the stress-free experience and welcoming pet policy is worth every penny for dogs who don’t love travel or can’t typically fly commercially.
Full RetrieveAir guide | Book a flight
1. Stay at Populus Hotel
Populus is America’s first carbon-positive hotel and one of the most architecturally interesting properties we’ve stayed in. The building’s exterior is designed to mimic aspen trees with textured panels that look different at different times of day. Inside, the design continues the theme with warm wood tones and organic shapes chosen for sustainability as much as aesthetics.
It earned a Michelin Key in 2025, and the property earns it. The service is good, the rooms are well-designed, and the rooftop bar has some of the best views of the Denver skyline.
We stayed in a Mountain Studio Suite, which was comfortable and well-suited for a dog. Ruby had plenty of space and the layout worked well for the trip.
Pet policy: One-time $75 cleaning fee at check-in. No breed or size restrictions. Maximum of two pets per room. Dogs welcome throughout the property including all restaurants.
populusdenver.com | 240 W 14th Ave, Denver, CO
2. Hike at Red Rocks
Red Rocks Park is 15 miles southwest of Denver in Morrison. The red sandstone formations rising from the foothills are as impressive in person as they look in photos.
One important note before you go: Red Rocks closes to hikers at 2pm on concert days, and there are concerts nearly every day in summer. Check the schedule and plan a morning hike to avoid arriving at a closed park.
Dogs are welcome on leash throughout. Here are the three trails worth knowing:
Trading Post Trail — our top pick. A 1.4-mile loop at the base of the formations with good rock views throughout. Well-maintained and a solid morning warm-up. AllTrails
Geological Overlook Trail — a short 0.5-mile out-and-back to an overlook of the Denver basin. Good quick stop if you’re pressed for time. AllTrails
Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Loop — the longer option at 4.1 miles with more elevation. Good if you want a proper hike rather than a walk. AllTrails
A note on altitude: Denver sits at 5,280 feet. If you’re coming from sea level, your dog may tire more quickly than usual on the first day. Keep water available and watch for signs of fatigue, especially if you’re hiking the same day.
3. Brewery Hop
Denver has more craft breweries per capita than almost any city in the country, and a good number of them welcome dogs inside. Not just on patios.
We spent an afternoon at Zuni Street Brewing in the Sunnyside neighborhood. Good beer selection, relaxed atmosphere, and Ruby was welcomed inside without a second thought. We enjoyed their two sours and played a game of cards.
Bruz Beers (York St. location) — Belgian-inspired beers, dogs welcome inside with light bites menu. We spent an evening here playing cards and retreating from the heat. Their sour was good, but I’d pass on the food.
Wanderment Brewing — Dogs are welcome inside, a bit further out but worth it if you want a more neighborhood feel.
4. Explore the Local Art Scene
Denver’s art scene is real, it lives mostly outside, and almost all of it is dog-welcoming by default.
RiNo Arts District (River North) is the main draw. A former industrial neighborhood now lined with murals, galleries, studios, and some of the better restaurants and coffee shops in the city. The density of street art is high and it changes constantly. Worth a few hours of wandering.
The Blue Bear Statue at the Colorado Convention Center is one of Denver’s most photographed public installations. A 40-foot bear peering through the convention center windows. A good photo stop while you’re out and about.
Dairy Block is a micro-neighborhood of shops and restaurants in a converted dairy building in the LoDo neighborhood. Dog-welcoming on the outside with good alley murals and a solid lunch or coffee stop.
For a more murals, the Denver Public Art program has a searchable map covering pieces throughout LoDo, LoHi, and Capitol Hill.
5. Explore Denver’s Parks
Denver has more than 200 public parks and the dog culture in the city shows up most visibly in how well they’re set up for dogs. Almost every neighborhood has a walkable green space, and a good number have designated off-leash areas. A few worth knowing about:
Washington Park is the most beloved neighborhood park in the city. 165 acres, two lakes, a 2.6-mile perimeter path, and an off-leash area that’s social and well-maintained. Leashed dogs welcome throughout. The surrounding Wash Park neighborhood is one of the most pleasant in Denver for a morning walk, and Neon Cowboy nearby is a great stop for breakfast sandwiches before or after. Their patio has just a few outdoor tables, but we loved the Breakfast Go Cup and Fried Egg Sando. They made a really good iced Chai too.
Confluence Park is where Cherry Creek meets the South Platte River in the heart of the city. A popular gathering spot in LoDo with urban riverfront access — leashed dogs welcome, and on warm days people let dogs wade in the shallower stretches. A good option if you’re based downtown and want a quick park run without driving. The water was pretty low when we visited, so we just brought a blanket and had a lil picnic hang in the afternoon for some outdoor time.
Civic Center Park is a more formal urban green space in the heart of downtown, bookended by the State Capitol and the Denver Art Museum. Leashed dogs welcome. More about the surrounding architecture and walkability than open space, but a good stretch stop if you’re exploring the city center or staying at Populus for nearby grass.
Railyard Dog Park in RiNo is a small but convenient off-leash area that’s well-used by locals in the neighborhood. A good option if you’re spending an afternoon in the arts district and your dog needs to run.
Cherry Creek State Park is the biggest off-leash option in the area — a 107-acre fenced space with trails, a wide creek for swimming, and agility equipment. Located about 20 minutes from downtown and worth the drive if your dog needs real space to run. Note there’s a small daily fee to enter the off-leash area and it can get busy on weekends.
6. Family Photos with Tails of Voyage
Tails of Voyage is a dog-inclusive photography service that creates professional lifestyle photos of you and your dog in and around Denver. We booked a session out in the mountains and came away with some of our favorite photos from the whole trip.
For content creators or anyone who wants professional photos with their dog that look like real life rather than a posed pet portrait, this is worth building into your itinerary. Not too mention Ellen and Julie are lovely humans and so easy to work with.
7. Day Trip to Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is 70 miles south of Denver, about an hour by car, and turned out to be one of the best parts of the trip. Here’s some things to do in the area for a day trip or an overnight stay:
Garden of the Gods — the centerpiece of any Colorado Springs visit and one of the best free parks in the country. A 1,341-acre city park with 300-foot red sandstone formations rising straight out of the high prairie, designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971. About 4.5 million people visit each year, which tells you something about the draw, and the crowds in summer are real. The park was donated to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909 with one condition: it had to stay free to the public forever. That condition still holds.
What to do with your dog: Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the park, on all trails, and inside the Visitor and Nature Center (except the indoor dining area and carpeted areas). Doggie cleanup bags are available at the Visitor Center. The Perkins Central Garden Trail is the classic starting point: a 1.5-mile paved loop through the most dramatic formations with unobstructed views of Pikes Peak. Flat, accessible, and easy for dogs of any fitness level. If you want more elevation and fewer people, the park has 15 miles of trails ranging from easy paved loops to backcountry routes.
Wildlife note: Mule deer, bighorn sheep, and red-tailed hawks are common in the park. Keep your dog leashed and close when wildlife is nearby.
Practical details:
- Entry: Free, parking included (when you can find it)
- Hours: Open daily 5am to 9pm (May through October), 5am to 9pm (November through April)
- Visitor Center: 1805 N. 30th Street, open 9am to 6pm in summer, 9am to 5pm rest of year. Free exhibits, maps, restrooms, cafe, and gift shop.
- Parking: Multiple lots throughout the park. Mid-day summer weekends are brutal. Arrive before 9am or after 4pm.
- Address: 1805 N. 30th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Timing: Plan 1.5 to 2 hours minimum for the central loop and photos, 3 to 4 hours if you’re hiking. Arrive before 9am in summer to beat the crowds and get the best light on the formations. Sunrise is worth the early start if you can manage it.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings — an interesting and very dog-friendly stop about 6 miles west of Garden of the Gods in Manitou Springs. The dwellings are authentic Ancestral Puebloan structures built between 1100 and 1300 AD, originally located in the southwest corner of Colorado near Mesa Verde and relocated to this site in 1904 to 1907 for preservation. Because they were relocated rather than discovered in place, there are no “do not touch” signs — you can walk through all 40 rooms, touch the walls, and get a tactile sense of the architecture that most archaeological sites don’t allow. The site sits at 6,532 feet, closer to the sun than it feels, so bring sunscreen.
What to do with your dog: Leashed dogs are welcome everywhere on the property — throughout the dwellings, inside the Anasazi Museum in the Pueblo building, and in the gift shop. The museum has dioramas, artifacts, and pottery that give good context for what you’re looking at before or after walking the dwellings. Plan about an hour. The terrain involves gravel paths, steps, and some narrow passages inside the rooms, so not ideal for dogs who struggle with uneven surfaces.
Practical details:
- Entry: Adults $12, children (4-11) $7.50, seniors (60+) $9, children 3 and under free. Walk-ins welcome, no advance tickets required.
- Hours: May through August, 9am to 5pm daily. Hours vary seasonally. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check cliffdwellingsmuseum.com or call (719) 685-5242 before visiting in shoulder seasons.
- Parking: Free on site
- Address: 10 Cliff Road (US Hwy 24), Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: Dogs are not permitted at the zoo on regular days, but the zoo hosts designated Dog Days throughout the summer and fall where dogs are welcome with a purchased dog ticket alongside your human tickets. We visited on one of those dates and it worked out well. The zoo is set at 6,714 feet on Cheyenne Mountain, making it the highest zoo in the country, and the views of Colorado Springs and the Eastern Plains from the grounds are impressive. It’s celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026 and is home to around 750 animals across 170 species. The giraffe feeding is a highlight and worth the ticket alone in my opinion. Rue actually booped noses with one of them.
Dog Day rules: Dogs must have an up-to-date rabies vaccination, be on a non-retractable leash of 6 feet or less at all times, and have their own purchased dog ticket (limited per entry time slot). Dog tickets must be purchased in advance at cmzoo.org. Check the current schedule before booking as dates are added throughout the year.
Broadmoor Seven Falls: is another impressive stop in the Colorado Springs area and fully dog-friendly throughout. Seven Falls is a series of cascading waterfalls set inside a 1,400-foot box canyon, reached via a canyon walk with wildlife and creek views along the way. The whole experience runs about 2 to 2.5 hours.
A few things to know before you go:
Getting there: You cannot drive to the falls directly. All visitors park at the Norris Penrose Event Center at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd, Colorado Springs, where a complimentary shuttle takes you to the park entrance. From the entrance it’s about 0.8 miles to the base of the falls. The shuttle is dog-friendly — leashed dogs are welcome on board.
The falls and stairs: At the base of the falls there’s a 224-step staircase leading to the top. Dogs are allowed on the stairs and the trails above, but the Seven Falls website recommends making sure your dog is comfortable going down stairs before taking them all the way up — it’s steep and narrow in places and carrying a dog down is not a fun experience. If your dog isn’t a stair dog, the Mountain Elevator gets you up to the Eagle’s Nest viewing platform without stairs, which still gives you a great vantage point of the falls.
Tickets: Purchase in advance at sevenfalls.com — they recommend at least 24 hours before arrival. Adult tickets run $18 to $22 in 2026 depending on season, with child tickets around $12. The shuttle from Norris Penrose is included. Broadmoor hotel guests get in free.
Hours: Open seasonally. Summer hours run daily 11am to 8:30pm roughly through August, with reduced days and hours in fall. Check sevenfalls.com before you go as hours vary and the park closes for private events and weather.
Getting Around Denver
Denver is an easy city to navigate with a dog. Uber and Lyft operate well throughout, parking downtown is available (garages are better value than meters), and the walkable neighborhoods (RiNo, LoHi, LoDo, Capitol Hill, Washington Park) mean you can cover a lot of ground on foot.
Hertz operates out of the Broomfield FBO if you’re flying RetrieveAir. They leave the rental car right outside your terminal for you upon arrival.
Planning Tips
A few practical notes before you go.
Check Red Rocks concert dates. The park closes to hikers at 2pm on concert days. A morning hike avoids the issue entirely.
Altitude is real. Give your dog (and yourself) a day to adjust before major hikes. Keep water available constantly.
The FBO arrival is much easier than DIA. If you’re flying RetrieveAir into BJC, you’re on the highway in 10 minutes and downtown in 25. A meaningfully better arrival experience than Denver International.
Garden of the Gods: arrive before 9am. The parking lot fills fast in summer. Sunrise is worth the early start if you can manage it.
Have Denver tips we missed? Drop them in the comments.
