Best Dog Friendly Backpacking Trips – The Bay Area is one of the best places for hiking, but not all hikes are dog-friendly. Read on for three of my favorite Bay Area dogs and walks.
When I first moved back to the Bay Area, finding dog friendly places was a real challenge! My single friends told me to go to Point Reyes (you can’t do that) or Muir Woods (you can’t do that)… or countless other places. We did a lot of digging, hiked several trails off the beaten path, and finally got into a routine of walking our dogs!
Best Dog Friendly Backpacking Trips
Seal Point Park has it all. You can run for miles with your pup, play at the dog park, or head to the Coyote Point Recreation Area where there are more trees and feels like hiking.
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This is my favorite hike because there are so many options to choose from! I come here often with my two pups, and they love it. Here are some reasons why these are some of the most popular dog-friendly hikes in the Bay Area:
Pulgas Ridge is my go-to when I want a real hike with trees and sand. But you have only one hour left. This is usually a mid-week work break walk before sunset in the summer or an early Saturday morning walk before brunch. The parking lot is small, so the roads are usually not very busy, and the dogs pick up different scents here. Sometimes numerous ticks can be found in environments with trees and shrubs. But I have never had a problem here and have hiked year round.
Here are a few reasons why this is one of the best dog-friendly hikes in the Bay Area.
There are many hiking trails in Pacifica that could be on this list, but if you had to choose, Sweeney Ridge would be your choice. It’s an easy, hassle-free loop hike with almost immediate views that continue once you reach the top of the ridge.
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As a bonus, Fort Funston is one of my favorite dog beaches! Park in the parking lot here and go to the beach. The slope is steep, so be careful!
In my experience, the dogs here are very well behaved and their owners follow them everywhere. It’s not really one of the most dog-friendly walks in the Bay Area, but it’s definitely a dog-friendly beach walk 🙂
We explored the Mount Tam area, specifically the Stocking Trail loop from the Kent Trail. Unfortunately, when we got home the boys were completely covered in ticks, giving us a headache. The walk was beautiful, but not worth it. That’s why I left it off this list.
When I walk my dog, I keep it very simple. Usually all you need is a bowl of water (with water of course) and musher wax. I’ve tried dog backpacks and boots before, but they weren’t really helpful. Here are some of my favorites: Affiliate Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, Kate Outdoors will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Through affiliate links on your site, Cat Outdoors may provide you with valuable free content.
Dog Friendly Hiking Trails
It’s no secret that Colorado hikers love dogs. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of trails for dogs in Colorado, but with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow it down and choose a hike. This list includes the 20 best dog-friendly hikes in Colorado that I have personally hiked with my dog Beckett.
Since moving to Colorado in 2016, I’ve spent most summer weekends hiking in the mountains, so I have plenty of experience exploring Colorado’s trails. This is by no means an exhaustive list of dog-friendly hikes in Colorado, but we’ve done our best to include a good cross-section of some of the state’s best trails at varying levels of difficulty.
With so many hikers and dogs on the trails in Colorado, it’s important that everyone does their best to minimize their impact on the environment. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when hiking with your dog in Colorado:
The seven Leave No Trace principles are a set of guidelines to help people make responsible choices outside the home.
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The member-run Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. This copyright information is reproduced with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
All of the dog-friendly Colorado hikes on this list are on public land. However, different jurisdictions have different laws regarding belts. Some national forests and wilderness areas expressly require dogs to be on a leash, while others require dogs to be “controlled” (on a leash or under strict noise control). Some places, such as Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park, have unique programs that encourage dogs to be on a leash using audio and visual tags. Follow leash rules when hiking to ensure the trail is accessible to dogs.
Unless your dog has a strong memory, he should always be on a leash. Always keep your dog on a leash when walking or swimming if you encounter other dogs or small children on leashes. Remember, keeping your dog on a leash while walking will help prevent negative encounters with wildlife and keep your dog safe.
Ultimately, your job as a dog owner is to know and follow leash laws. Trailheads are usually well marked and will let you know when a curb is necessary. However, the rules and regulations may change at any time. When in doubt, use a belt!
🐕 Best Dog Friendly Hikes?
When walking your dog in Colorado, don’t forget to collect and bag your pet’s feces. Pet feces are considered biohazards and are often legally required to be packaged.
Do not leave poop bags next to walking paths. Even if you have every intention of coming back, you’re technically messing up and encouraging others who don’t have the same intentions. Please bring your pet waste to the trailhead and dispose of it properly!
This list features the 20 best dog-friendly trails in Colorado. I’ve hiked every trail on this list with my dog Beckett, so I have that approval. I’ve intentionally included a mix of trails, easy, moderate, and difficult hikes throughout the state. When choosing a trail, consider your dog’s walking ability and experience.
For a quick and easy dog-friendly mountain hike, St. Mary’s Glacier is hard to beat. The trailhead is less than an hour’s drive from Denver, making it a great option if you want to get into the mountains but don’t have time to drive far. From the trailhead, hikers follow a short, wide trail to a lake at the base of a “glacier” (actually a semi-permanent snowfield).
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St. Mary’s Glacier is a very popular hike, so don’t be surprised if the trail is busy. That said, it’s a great hike for people of all hiking levels, including families with young children. It’s also a great walk for dogs as there is plenty of access to water, especially during the heat of summer.
Difficulty of parking at trailhead: Moderate-difficult. Parking is on private property and costs $20, but it can get busy since it’s such a popular ride.
Best season for hiking: All year round. Prepare for snow on the roads until spring. It’s a good idea to bring microspikes for traction when hiking in the winter.
Wonderful The Garden of the Gods is an entire park, not a specific walking trail. But this is one of my favorite dog-friendly hikes in Colorado Springs, and you can’t go wrong with any of the trails in the park. In fact, your choice of route will be influenced by where you can find parking!
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One of my favorite hikes in the Garden of the Gods is the Siamese Twins Loop Trail. This is a very short hike that takes hikers to a unique rock formation with two towers and a window that perfectly frames Pikes Peak. You can easily add other routes to your walk to make it as long or as short as you like.
Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Difficult. Garden of the Gods is a very popular place in Colorado Springs. There are several parking lots throughout the park, but they can be busy, making it difficult to find a free space. We recommend arriving early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Chicago Lake is a perfect choice for a long mountain lake walk near Denver. You log in
