Dogs are technically allowed in Rocky Mountain National Park, but you can’t take them on any trails or inside park buildings.
Where are dogs allowed in Rocky Mountain National park?
Dogs are allowed wherever cars are allowed, including on paved roads, in parking lots, and in roadside pullouts. They’re also allowed at picnic areas, so you can take your pup on a scenic drive with a stop for snacks.
If you’re short on time and want to explore the park with your pup, drive the park’s Trail Ridge Road —the highest paved road in the United States! They’ll love it as much as you do!
Juno loved riding shotgun on our tour of Trail Ridge Road last autumn.
Dog-friendly hikes near Rocky Mountain National Park
You can’t take your dog on any trails inside Rocky Mountain National Park itself, but there are many dog-friendly trails within an hour of the park.
If you’re entering Rocky Mountain National Park from the eastern side near Estes Park, check out these dog-friendly hikes nearby:
Kruger Rock
Lily Mountain
Buchanan Pass Trail
Also check out my 11 Favorite Dog-Friendly Hikes Near Boulder County, including several with National Park-worthy alpine views:
– Blue Lake in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area / Indian Peaks Wilderness
– Lost Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness near Nederland
– Walker Ranch Loop
– and many more iconic hikes (without the alpine views) in the Boulder foothills, like Mount Sanitas, Royal Arch, and The Flatirons Loop.
Doggie daycare / where to board your dog near Rocky Mountain National Park
Thankfully, the gateway towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake, Colorado both offer several options for doggie daycare or overnight stays.
Juno and I haven’t personally used any of them because we live less than an hour from the park, but we’ve heard great things about the Estes Park Pet Lodge near the park’s main (eastern) entrances. They have a huge outdoor pet yard as well as a separate area for dogs under 30 pounds.
If you’re entering from the west side of the park near Grand Lake, Mountain Mongrels gets great ratings, too.
You can also look for well-reviewed petsitters on Rover and Wag.
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