New Castle, Colorado: The coolest little dog-friendly town you’ve probably never heard of!

Waterfalls, ice caves, hot springs, plus an old west town brimming with personality – The town of New Castle is our new favorite destination for pet-friendly travel in Colorado. Whether hiking, sightseeing, or relaxing, New Castle ensures an unforgettable experience for both you and your dog.

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Introduction to New Castle, Colorado

Nestled on the Western Slope of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, New Castle sits at 5,550 feet and offers a perfect blend of history, outdoor adventure, and small-town charm. Once a booming coal-mining town, it has evolved into a thriving community surrounded by vast public lands, including the White River National Forest and the Colorado River. Despite recent growth, New Castle retains its rural character while providing modern amenities and abundant recreational opportunities. Think Schitts Creek, plus Stars Hollow of Gilmore Girls, but Colorado-style!

This area of Garfield County attracts visitors because of the world class Rifle Falls State Park, and the dreamy Rifle Mountain Park ice caves that form in the winter, among many other adventures like hiking, fishing, rock climbing, camping, stand up paddle-boarding, and rafting.

A little-known secret is that these main attractions are actually just as close to New Castle as they are to the town of Rifle. Plus, New Castle is closer to Glenwood Springs to the east, which makes it the perfect dog-friendly place to stay for your adventures.

We discovered New Castle quite by accident! In the summer of 2024, we camped on BLM land outside Rifle so we could explore Rifle Falls State Park. The campsite was lovely, but we didn’t fall in love with the town of Rifle. When we left the area, our GPS routed us through the town of New Castle.

I stopped for a coffee at Colorado Drifters, a dog-friendly coffee shop. As I walked back to my car and took a look around, I was intrigued. Very small, but well-kept, there were a ton of historic buildings in this town, as well as little parks right on the main street. I passed a community board brimming with flyers for nature journaling meetups, community meetings to clean up trails, and martial arts classes. I made a mental note that next time I visited the area, I would explore this town more. 

Fast forward to January of 2025 – I was determined to finally get out to see the ice caves in Rifle Mountain Park, something that has been on my wish list for several years. I began to look at hotel rooms and airbnb’s, and I remembered New Castle. I was immediately drawn to this town as my destination, because of its proximity to both the ice caves and the hot springs in Glenwood. I discovered a very intriguing little Inn called the Ore House Inn, reached out to them, and my trip was set!

I’m SO glad I chose this path, because not only did we get to do all the adventuring we planned, I completely fell in love with New Castle! A few of the things that charmed me include:

• Encountering a free little library near Hotshot Park, filled with dog toys, pupper supplies, and a collection of sticks, free for any dog to take! The library is in honor of Maverick, and is filled with pictures of this sweet pup who has crossed the rainbow bridge.
• Reading all the well-curated historic information offered outside all of the old buildings – Downtown New Castle is truly an open air history museum.
• At the local coffee shop, seeing a white board filled with messages like “one coffee for any employee of the public library”, and “A beer for Amanda, from Eric”.
• Encountering a small park in the middle of town with stone chess tables, corn hole, and table tennis, available for anyone to play.
• Encountering a well-stocked community pet food pantry outside Hogback Pizza.
• Staying in a historic inn, filled with character thoughtful touches.
• Using the EV charger outside the Ore House Inn! I didn’t have to pay to charge my electric car at all on this trip.
• Seeing smiles on faces at every turn – you can truly fell a community spirit here.
• Waking up to the most gorgeous mountain scenery in every direction out the windows of my hotel room.

Keep reading for all of our pet friendly adventure recommendations in this dreamy area.

Related Posts:

• Hiking with your dog: 12 tips to always be pup-pared
• Beginner’s guide to winter hiking with your dog: Snow pups unite!

Where to stay in New Castle with your dog

New Castle is small, and there are a handful of lodging options. As far as I’m concerned, however, there’s really only one choice – You HAVE to stay at the Ore House Inn! It’s dog-friendly and located right downtown, walking distance to restaurants, parks, and historic sites. (hosted)

The Ore House Inn doesn’t just celebrate the area’s history, it’s part of it! Built in 1893, the historic Barry Building has served as everything from a general store, gas station, pool hall, restaurant, boarding house, and perhaps even a brothel according to rumor. The building, currently imagined as the Ore House Inn, retains a ton of its historic character, but with modern amenities and fun updates. Designed by locals Cori and John Webber, this distinctive boutique hotel is a collection of guest suites, each with a theme. Some are Colorado history-related, like the “Tombstone Suite” and the “1893 Suite”. Some have more modern themes, like the “Iceberg Lounge Suite” (Batman theme), and the “Jurassic Pok Suite” where we stayed (Dinosaur & multigenerational gaming mashup). 

The suites all feature cozy bedding, full kitchens, modrn bathrooms, fun decor, and charming touches. For example, the Iceberg Lounge has a Gotham City mural and vintage comic book collection. The Jurassic Pok Suite has a vintage arcade game system that doubles as a table, a collection of vintage and contemporary board games, and a Super Nintendo gaming system. The 1893 suite has an in-suite oxygen bar! All of the rooms offer a turntable and vintage record collection, plus a collection of towels, goggles, and pool toys that you can take to the hot springs with you.

I’m a sucker for historic hotels, and this dog-friendly stay perfectly blends old-timey character with updated comfort. I can honestly say that this unique boutique inn was one of the most intriguing and fun places we’ve ever stayed!

Dog-friendly adventures near New Castle 

Sitting right on the divide between Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley and the Western Slope, and serving as the gateway to the Flat Tops Wilderness, this area is jam packed with gorgeous scenery and opportunities for outdoor adventure. Below are some of our dog-friendly favorites.

Rifle Falls State Park – Waterfalls and Caves

Rifle Falls is a stunning 80 foot TRIPLE waterfall, and that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The waterfall is of course the main attraction, and only a short walk from the parking area. Located along a paved path, it is accessible to folks of all abilities. You can walk right up to the thundering mist at the base, and even climb up and around to stand behind the falls, which is an amazing photo opportunity. However, don’t quit there.

The Coyote Trail leads you up the cliffside and around to the top of the falls. Here you can stand on a gangplank balcony overlooking the whole park, before looping back around to the base of the falls. Along the way on either side of the falls are small, but dramatic caves carved into the limestone, and your dog can join you in ducking inside and marveling at the various formations. If you’re an outdoor adventurer, you might join me in knowing how special this is – Virtually no cave anywhere is dog-friendly! But these ones are, and honestly, we had just as much fun exploring the caves as we did the waterfall. 

If you’re interested in a longer hike, you can continue on the trail, either north or south. The Squirrel Trail follows the Rifle Creek south, dotted with vibrant green water plants. The Bobcat Trail heads north through the forest and through meadows that fill up with wildflowers in the summer. Bring a picnic lunch and cozy up with your furry bestie in one of the park’s picnic areas, to enjoy some outdoor bites together with the rushing sounds of the falls in the background. 

Additionally, this park is just as beautiful in the winter as in the summer! Though the waterfalls rarely freeze completely, it’s common to see partially frozen ice pillars framing icy flowing water, with frost-covered cliff walls on all sides. 

Rifle Falls State Park charges a $10/vehicle fee to enter, or you can use your Keep Colorado Wild season state park pass.

Rifle Mountain Park – Rock Climbing and Ice Caves

Just past Rifle Falls State Park, on the same road, you can find Rifle Mountain Park – A stunning, narrow canyon that draws rock climbers from around the world to hundreds of bolted climbing routes. It becomes an ice climbing destination in the winter, with massive ice curtains forming down the canyon walls. Hidden behind some of the frozen waterfalls lies an incredible phenomenon – ice caves!

The Ice Caves offer a breathtaking winter wonderland unlike any other in Colorado. Shimmering blue ice formations create a magical landscape of frozen walls, icicles, and frosty caverns. To find the caves, you can simply navigate to Rifle Mountain Park Trail, a narrow trail that winds through the canyon and takes you right through the ice caves in the winter. Alternatively, if the weather is bad or driving conditions are sketchy, you can start at the entrance to the park and follow Kopers Trail. If road conditions are favorable, and you don’t feel like a hike, you can drive the entirety of the canyon, park in the designated lots for each Ice Cave, and simply hop out and explore. 

To fully enjoy this experience, you will definitely want to consider your footwear. Microspikes are essential for being able to walk with ease up the inclines to each cave, and through the icy cave floors. For your dog, you might consider winter boots that provide some extra traction. 

Rifle Mountain Park costs $10/vehicle to enter (and is NOT covered by a state park pass), payable via envelopes at the entrance. There is no pay machine, so make sure you bring cash! 

Glenwood Springs – Hot Springs, History, and Charm

Just 13 miles east of New Castle is the vibrant mountain town of Glenwood Springs. Known for its world-famous hot springs, scenic beauty, and endless outdoor adventures, it is located at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers.

Some of Glenwood’s best-known attractions – Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves, Iron Mountain Hot Springs, and the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, are NOT dog-friendly. However, a number of doggie daycare buisinesses, including the highly reputable Doc Holliday’s Pet Resort, will take care of your pup while you explore.

We love to simply walk around downtown Glenwood Springs and explore all the historic buildings, or climb up to Doc Holliday’s gravesite on the edge of town.

Rifle Gap State Park – Beach, Mountain Views, and Watersports

Rifle Gap State Park is a scenic outdoor destination in Garfield County, Colorado, featuring a 360-acre reservoir ideal for boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and windsurfing. Established in 1966, the 1,341-acre park offers diverse landscapes, from pinyon-juniper woodlands to riparian forests, and is home to mule deer, elk, and great horned owls. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and water sports, with amenities including a visitor center, picnic areas, a boat ramp, and ADA-accessible facilities. In the winter, this reservoir becomes an ice fishing hotspot.

Rifle Gap State Park charges a $10/vehicle fee to enter, or you can use your Keep Colorado Wild season state park pass.

Local hiking trails for you and your dog

1. Medaris Trail – Short, easy trail along the hogback closest to downtown New Castle

2. Colorow West Trail to Stairway to Heaven – Moderately challenging trail ascending the ridges that surround New Castle

3. Upper Jolley and Pendergrast Hill Trail – Short, easy trail climbing up to a beautiful vantage point of downtown New Castle

4. Rifle Gap Reservoir Trail – Easy trail following a ridgeline north of Rifle Gap Reservoir with gorgeous views

5. Rifle Arch Trail – Moderately challenging trail to the base of a stunning arch

6. Rifle Mountain Park Trail – Easy trail through the stunning ice caves

7. Rifle Falls Coyote Trail Easy trail to a stunning triple waterfall and several small caves

8. Glenwood Canyon Trail – Long, flat, paved trail winding through the stunning canyon

9. Doc Holliday Grave Trail – Short, steep climb up to a historic cemetery

10. Glenwood Springs Scout Trail – Moderately challenging loop up to a ridge overlooking Glenwood Springs, and a horseshoe bend in the Colorado River

11. Two Rivers Red Mountain Trail – Challenging ascent up to incredible views

Places for food & drink in New Castle

New Castle is small, with only a handful of eateries. However, quality and variety of options is impressive! All of the following places are a short walk from the Ore House Inn, making take-out super easy, and several have dog-friendly patios.

• Hogback Pizza – Pizza place with vintage pinball and a og-friendly patio
• Pig & Duck – Upscale Asian cuisine
• Colorado Drifters Coffee & Down Valley Brewing – Coffee shop, local brewery, with tons of indoor and outdoor community spaces – ALL dog-friendly
• Hacienda San Miguel – Cute little Mexican place
• The Lazy Bear Restaurant – Brunch spot, with outdoor tables dogs can join
• Black Bear Bar & Grill – Burger place with everything from veggie to elk burgers

Additional pet-friendly tips for visiting New Castle

When visiting this wonderful little community, there are a few things to remember. 

• Always pick up after your pet, and New Castle makes it pretty easy with strategically placed dog waste stations around town. On the trails, the biggest reason we always have our pupper gals in dog backpacks is so they can carry their own waste – a highly recommended strategy! 
• Always keep your dog on a leash, on hiking trails and around town.
• Like the rest of Colorado, New Castle is a dry climate, and sits at 5,811’ elevation. Keeping yourself and your dog hydrated is of the utmost importance, no matter what time of year you visit. Water bottles are your friend! We love these dog-friendly bottles to bring on our travels. 
• No matter where you stay, be sure to be respectful and care for the property. We always bring a waterproof blanket to drape on our bed to let Bonnie & Ada snuggle without getting pet hair on the bedding. However, when a hotel or airbnb says “no pets on furniture”, we always abide, and suggest you do too. 
• We recommend always traveling with a first aid supplies, especially in such an adventurous location. We love this med kit that is lightweight, and includes supplies for both humans and dogs.

Our gear recommendations: Always be pup-pared

You can find all of our favorite gear for people and puppers in these Rockporch lockers.

Land Acknowledgement

New Castle, Colorado is located on the ancestral homelands of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) people.

To show respect to the native peoples who cared for these lands long before white settlers, we do several things: 

• Research and speak the names of the traditional guardians of the land. We use Native-land.ca
• Ask permission from the land itself before we enter. It might seem silly, but the more this becomes a habit, the more you become attuned to the ways in which the land speaks.
• Make donations to native-led organizations that support the communities whose ancestral lands were stolen.