April BrightmanNothing beats an adventure with your best buddy, and visiting dog-friendly campgrounds is one of the greatest ways to get out there together! Whether you’re hitting the trail or kicking back by the campfire, a camping trip with your pup by your side enhances the experience for you both.
Colorado cities like Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs consistently make the list as some of the top dog-friendly cities in the U.S., so it’s no surprise that the pup-loving Centennial State has a number of pet-friendly campgrounds in some pretty ideal locations.
We’re going to cover these top 10 dog-friendly campgrounds in Colorado:
- Cherry Creek State Park
- Aspen Acres Campground
- Highline Lake State Park
- Saddlehorn Campground
- Golden Eagle RV Park & Campground
- Buena Vista KOA
- Horsetooth Reservoir
- River Run RV Resort
- Rifle Falls State Park
- Pawnee Campground
Big dogs, small dogs, and those of all ages and abilities can enjoy relaxing camp life. You can tailor your trip to the perfect balance between adventuring and taking it easy for you and your fur babies.
Tips for a great camping experience anywhere with your dog
- Plan ahead and check pet policies to be sure your dog can join you.
- Make sure your pup is up-to-date on their vaccinations.
- Keep a leash, waste bags, and extra water handy.
- Never leave your pet unattended at your campsite.
- Pick up pet waste wherever you roam, in parks, campgrounds, or on trails.
10 Dog-Friendly Campgrounds in Colorado
1. Cherry Creek State Park
Cherry Creek State Park is just 20 minutes from downtown Denver and makes the perfect nearby escape from the city with your dog. The park offers pet-friendly camping, hiking, and all kinds of water sports. Best of all? An off-leash dog park just for pups!
The dog off-leash area is a fenced, 107-acre section of the park where the freshwater creek runs through, allowing dogs to swim, splash and play.
Cherry Creek offers basic tent sites as well as full hookup RV and trailer sites for campers. Dogs are allowed on most nature trails in the park, like the Cottonwood Creek Trail, the Railroad Bed Trail, and the Butterfly Hill Trail.
2. Aspen Acres Camprground
Aspen Acres Campground in South Central Colorado boasts stunning views and clean mountain air that make it the perfect place to adventure. Nearby Lake San Isabel and the popular Saint Charles Peak are great options for hiking with your pooch.
Sites are available for RVs and trailers with full hook-ups as well as tent sites. Not all vacation rentals are pet-friendly, so read carefully before booking. An off-leash dog park is available for your furry friend to run free, provided they are friendly and under your control.
3. Highline Lake State Park
Highline Lake State Park is near Grand Junction, and Bookliff Campground within the park is completely pet-friendly, offering 36 grassy campsites to accommodate tent camping or RVs year-round. Campsites don’t have hookups but are all equipped with a grill, fire ring, and picnic tables.
The rest of the state park includes miles of multi-use nature trails and two lakes for water-centric activities. While the designated beach around swimming areas is for people only, dogs are allowed to swim in every other area of the park! Let Fido tag along in the boat for a day on the lake (don’t forget life jackets for everyone!)
4. Saddlehorn Campground
Saddlehorn Campground lies within the Colorado National Monument managed by the National Park Service. Known for astonishing views, the pet-friendly campground accommodates tents, campervans, and RVs, but does not have electric or water hook-ups. Three loops make up a total of 79 sites for campers.
In the summer months, there are flush toilets and water available. Campsites have picnic tables and charcoal-only grills. While the trails within the monument are for pedestrian foot use only, here you and your dog will be surrounded by thousands of acres of land open for use under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), where dogs are free to roam on all trails.
5. Golden Eagle RV Park Ranch and Campground
Golden Eagle RV Park Ranch and Campground is located just 15 minutes from Colorado Springs and is a great place for camping with dogs. Whether it’s a nearby staycation or a longer getaway, you and your pup are welcome at any of the family-owned ranch’s 200 campsites suited for RVs and trailers.
Each site has full hookups for water and electric. Inside the campground are more than 12 miles of dog-friendly trails, and within 20 minutes is the well-known (and well-loved) Bear Creek Dog Park. This area offers miles of easy hiking trails as well as a dog agility course with 11 obstacles! An off-leash area provides free-roaming fun for your best bud to enjoy.
6. Buena Vista KOA
Buena Vista KOA in Central Colorado is one of the Kampgrounds of America facilities that includes Kamp K-9! Designed to give pups a space to run and play with other dogs leash-free, Kamp K-9 is open to any friendly dog who likes to socialize.
There are choices for accommodations at this campground, including some dog-friendly cabins and all RV and tent camping sites, which include full hookups. The campground is at the edge of the San Isabel National Forest and Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, giving easy access to endless opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and OHV trails to enjoy with your pup.
7. Horsetooth Reservoir
The Horsetooth Reservoir is located near the foothills of Fort Collins, Colorado, and boasts 1,900 acres of water surrounded by 2,000 acres of land, including two areas with pet-friendly campsites. The reservoir and South Bay Campground are open year-round for hiking and freshwater use. Inlet Bay Campground is open April-October, and both campgrounds are dog-friendly.
There are over 100 lakeside sites to choose from and several boat-in-only sites. Hookups are available but limited. Campers enjoy watersports and activities like boating, fishing, and even scuba diving. Dogs can also enjoy trails surrounding the reservoir.
8. River Run RV Resort
River Run RV Resort in Granby, Colorado lies on the west side of the Rocky Mountain Range’s highest peaks. You can bring three dogs to the over 200 pet-friendly tent and RV sites which include hookups, and two small dogs can join you in vacation rentals. An off-leash dog park within the resort and countless hikes in the surrounding Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest will keep you and your furry friend entertained.
This campground truly has all the bells and whistles, from cable access at RV sites to a swimming pool and year-round hot tubs. There’s also a restaurant, bowling alley, and a game room at River Run, but keep in mind that dogs are not allowed in resort buildings (other than your vacation rental).
9. Rifle Falls State Park
Rifle Falls State Park sits about halfway between Denver and Grand Junction and is another gem among Colorado’s dog-friendly state-managed lands. Some folks say this area is like a tropical paradise nestled amidst the mountains. Dogs can join you on most of the 48-acres of walking and hiking trails, including the incredible 70-foot triple waterfall the park is famous for.
The campground is open all year with 13 drive-in campsites that can accommodate tents, RVs, and trailers, and include access to hookups. There are seven walk-in sites for tents only. Reservations can be made through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
10. Pawnee Campground
Pawnee Campground is located in Brainard Lake National Recreation Area just south of Estes Park. If more secluded pet-friendly campsites are what you’re after, Pawnee gives perfect access to hiking trails, fishing, non-motorized boating, and wildlife viewing, all of which your dog can join you for! More dog-friendly hiking trails in the area enter the Indian Peaks Wilderness adjacent to the campground.
Most of the 47 campsites can accommodate RV’s or trailers, and all of them are suitable for tent camping. No hookups are available, but fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water are. This campground sits at 10,877 feet. Higher elevations can be much colder at night, even in the summer months, so make sure to pack the pup vest for this one!
Get Out and Explore This Summer!
Equipped with ideas and an inclination to explore, you and your pooch are ready to pack up for an adventure! Now that you know the best dog-friendly campgrounds, plan your getaway and get out there with your best friend to enjoy the great outdoors.
Planning on doing a lot of hiking this season? Check out our top tips for hiking with dogs.
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