Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: Dog-friendly guide

Rocky Mountain National Park is widely known to NOT be dog-friendly, but we beg to differ. While it’s true that dogs cannot hike in the park, there are SO many gorgeous trails right outside the park’s boundaries. When you add those together with in-park scenic drives and picnic spot hangouts, PLUS all the fun dog-friendly activities in Estes Park and Grand Lake, you can have an incredible Rocky Mountain getaway with your dog!

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Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is truly everything the Colorado Rockies has to offer, bundled up in one spectacular package. There’s so much to see, do, and explore, from tall peaks and incredible rock formations, to stunning alpine lakes, to an abundance of wildlife. Trail Ridge Road, that spans the length of the park, climbs 4000 feet of elevation, traveling through three distinct zones: Montane, Subalpine, and Alpine. You can start on a sunny, warm day from either the Estes Park or Grand Lake sides, and travel up to a snowglobe at the Alpine Visitor Center, and then back down again – All in a matter of minutes! 

The 5th most visited National Park in the US, Rocky Mountain does have a timed entry reservation system in effect from mid-May through mid-October. So if you plan to visit during these months, the first step is to purchase this, and you can do so here.

Pro Tip: Timed entry reservations are required between 8:00am – 2:00pm, so if you’re unable to snag one, you can simply enter the park after 2:00 and have an afternoon adventure. (Note: This does not apply to the Bear Lake Corridor)

Pet policy at Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is often cited as one of the least dog-friendly parks, and for good reason. It’s so heavily visited, the volume of potential doggo visitors could easily disrupt sensitive ecosystems. Plus there is a ton of wildlife here, and I don’t personally want my pups tangling with bears, lions, moose, elk, etc. 

BUT – Don’t fret! It’s still possible to have a great time with your dog in this area. The biggest restriction is no dogs on trails. But dogs are still allowed in plenty of places in the park.

From the RMNP Website:

Pets are prohibited on ALL Rocky Mountain National Park trails, tundra, and meadows. Pets and owners have a special bond. But a national park is not always the best place for pets. Rocky Mountain National Park is a designated natural area, and its purpose is to preserve and protect the park’s natural conditions, scenic beauty, and wildlife.

Our strategy for visiting Rocky Mountain National Park with dogs

Visiting the park with your dog simply takes a bit of a mindset shift. You’re not going to be able to do those iconic hikes like Lake Hiyaha or Long’s Peak in the park. But there are plenty of hikes you can do with your dog right outside the park’s boundaries, that will still get you some amazing scenery and epic views. Further, your dog can join you on scenic drives, picnic areas, and on paved roadways in the park. 

From the RMNP Website:

Leashed pets may accompany you only in the following areas: Along established roads or in parking areas, & In established campgrounds and picnic areas. Pets must be kept on leashes no longer than six feet. Pets may not make noise that impacts visitors or wildlife. Pet owners must pick up and dispose of pet excrement in trash receptacles.

When we visit for the day, we like to stack an outside-park hike with a scenic drive in the park, then stop for a picnic at one of the many beautiful picnic areas. And we always leave a little time for exploring one of the gateway towns, depending on which side we’re entering from, either Grand Lake or Estes Park. 

If you’re planning to visit for several days, you can mix and match all of these various experiences to make a fun visit. 

Things to do in the park with dogs

Scenic Drives

There is so much to see from the road in RMNP! Taking your dog with you on scenic drives is a great way to see the park. Additionally, because pups are allowed on paved surfaces and established roadways, you can let them out for sniff breaks while you breathe in the fresh mountain air and admire the gorgeous scenery.

Here are some of our favorite scenic drives: 

• 🚗Trail Ridge Road – This stunning 48 mile road runs end to end in the park, so you can begin from either the Estes Park or Grand Lake side. You will pass through stunning landscapes in three different zones: Montane, Sub-alpine, and Alpine. You can stop at the Alpine Visitor Center and walk around with your pup to admire the alpine tundra sniffs and views.
• 🚗Old Fall River Road – This 11 mile gravel road is a historic motorway, the first road in the park, and travels up to the Fall River cirque, with jaw dropping views along the way. This road is accessible on the East, Estes Park side of the park.
• 🚗Bear Lake Road – This is a 9 mile paved road, one of the busiest and most beautiful in the park. You can stop and see the Moraine Park Area, Sprague Lake, Bierstadt Lake area, and Glacier Gorge area. This road is accessible on the East, Estes Park side of the park.

Picnic areas

Numerous Picnic Areas are spread throughout the park, and are easy stops along scenic drives. We love to stop and pick up to-go food from one of Estes Park’s many deli’s, and eat our lunch in courses. One picnic area for sandwiches, another for desserts, another for chips or side items. And of course we bring some extra snacks for Bonnie & Ada, although you always have to be careful not to leave behind crumbs or dog treats!

Here are our favorite picnic areas:

• 🧺Hidden Valley Picnic Area – A large, open, and serene spot, perfect for picnicking during a scenic drive on Trail Ridge Road. This area is close to the East, Estes Park side of RMNP.
• 🧺Lily Lake Picnic Area – Perfect for hiking the Lily Mountain Trail (see hiking trails below) This area is close to the East, Estes Park side of RMNP.
• 🧺Sprague Lake Picnic Area – A large, wooded, lovely spot where wildlife is often abundant. This area is close to the East, Estes Park side of RMNP.
• 🧺Beaver Creek Picnic Area – A wide open area, surrounded by stunning peaks. This area is close to the West, Grand Lake side of RMNP.

Enjoying the gateway towns with dogs

In my opinion, visiting the gateway towns is one of the most fun things to do when visiting the park, and there are tons of dog-friendly activities, from strolling along the shores of Lake Estes, to downtown shopping. Below we list our favorite in-town things to do. 

Estes Park

Because we live by Denver, we almost always enter the park through the Estes Park side, and to be honest, it’s hard sometimes to make it into the park because we love the town so much! It’s historic and quaint, full of color and character, and surrounded by some of the most breathtaking views. There are plenty of pet friendly lodging options, restaurants, and shopping, which can be found by searching Estes Park on Bring Fido

Visiting the Stanley Hotel with your dog

This activity is so fun, it most definitely deserves a category of its own! The grounds are expansive, and while dogs are not allowed inside the historic part of the hotel, they can walk around anywhere outside. 

What we like to do at the Stanley Hotel:

• 👻Take photos in front of the iconic building and walk the hedge maze
• 👻Explore around the historic ice house (now a cryogenics museum!), and discover the historic pet cemetery behind the building.
• 👻Explore the gardens around the historic concert hall & carriage house. The Post Chicken & Beer has a location here that is not dog-friendly, but we’ve ordered takeout before, and had a picnic on the grounds with our pups, which is perfectly delightful! 

Note: The main building of the Stanley is gorgeous and fun to explore, with a small museum in the basement, and gift shop in the lobby. Doggos are not allowed inside, but if you are traveling with someone and have a chance to take turns looking around inside, you won’t want to miss it.

Grand Lake & Granby

This is the quieter option for visiting RMNP, and is located on the southwest side of the park. Set on the serene shores of Grand Lake, this quaint town is full of character and stunning scenery. There are plenty of pet friendly lodging options, restaurants, and shopping, which can be found by searching Estes Park on Bring Fido

Hikes to enjoy with your dog 

Dogs are not allowed on any trails within the park, which feels like a bummer, until you discover all the dog-friendly hikes adjacent to the park! If you ask in any of the Ranger Stations or Visitor Centers, you can acquire a complete list of ALL the dog-friendly hiking near the park. Below are our favorites.

Complete Information about each hike listed below can be found by searching the following hike names on AllTrails. We highly recommend buying the pro version, as it will give you the most complete information, and allow you to download maps that will guide you when cell phone service is not available.

Related Post: Hiking with your Dog: 12 Tips to Always be Pup-Pared

Hikes near Estes Park

• 🐾Oldman Mountain – This short, sweet hike starts right in Estes Park, and takes you right up to the top of a gorgeous rock formation with a long history as a special place for the Ute people. It’s a super fun place to (carefully) scramble to the top, and sit and contemplate life.  You can stay on the trail right up to the RMNP boundary, at which point you’ll have to turn around, as no dogs are allowed in the park. 

• 🐾Lily Mountain – A challenging hike that is directly adjacent to the park. You will climb up to a beautiful lookout that offers vistas of the entire area. 
• 🐾Bible Point Loop – This hike is on the campus of the YMCA of the Rockies, which is nestled right inside the park. But because it’s it’s own entity, the YMCA’s property is not technically park land, and IS dog-friendly. This hike is a moderately challenging stroll that rewards you with breathtaking views of some of the most iconic peaks in RMNP
• 🐾Lake Estes Trail – Located in the heart of Estes Park, this trail is a flat and easy stroll that takes you around the lake, with gorgeous views of the surrounding peaks, the town of Estes Park, and the historic Stanley Hotel. Note: Elk herds hang here year round, so if your dog is reactive to wildlife, it’s best to steer clear. 

• 🐾Kruger Rock Trail –  This trail is outside Estes Park, and is a moderately challenging hike up through forest and along a ridgeline that delivers you into some breathtaking views. Note: This hike starts in the Hermit Park Open Space, part of Larimer County Open Spaces, and costs $10 daily entry fee for vehicles. You can purchase at the entrance, or in advance here. 
• 🐾Homestead Meadows to Irvin Homestead – If you’re into exploring historic sites, this one is for you! This hike takes you through an old homesteading community, where several buildings remain. Note: Never climb on, disturb, or remove objects from historic sites. 
• 🐾Allenspark to Fox Creek Grottos – One of our favorite hikes in this area, this takes you through a meadow with cabin ruins and incredible views of Long’s Peak, before descending down to a riverside trail. At the end of the trail are some beautiful waterfalls and pools carved into the rock, perfect for a cool dip on a hot day. 

Brainard Lake National Recreation Area

Brainard Lake is one of our favorite places, and deserving of a category of its own. While it’s a solid hour drive from Estes Park, it’s directly south of the park, and I think gives you the look, feel, and vibe of hiking inside Rocky Mountain National Park. And all the trails are dog-friendly! Like Rocky Mountain, it does require timed entry reservations (in the form of timed parking reservations), but they’re usually not too hard to snag if you’re planning at least a week or two ahead. The hikes we choose in this area are usually dependent on which parking permit we can grab. We have three big favorites, but really all the trails are gorgeous! 

You can find timed entry reservations (parking reservations) here.

• 🐾Brainard Lake, to Niwot Cutoff Trail, to Jean Lunning Trail and Pawnee Pass Loop – This is an easy hike that takes you along the shores of both Brainard and Long Lakes, through lush wetlands, and stunning scenery
  • Parking Pass to purchase: Brainard Lake Picnic Site/Trailhead Day Use Parking
• 🐾Lake Isabelle via Pawnee Pass Trail – This is a moderately challenging hike that ascends up through subalpine landscapes, and delivers to you to the shores of a completely beautiful mountain lake. There are wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, and pure magic. 
  • Parking Pass to purchase: Long Lake Trailhead Day Use Parking

• 🐾Blue Lake via Mitchell Lake Trail – This is a moderately challenging hike that takes you past several lovely subalpine lakes & wetlands, lush meadows, before climbing up to the shores of Blue Lake. And it’s not just a clever name! The blue color of the water is gorgeous and refreshing. A large waterfall tumbles down the distant shoreline, and towering peaks hug the entire basin. 
  • Parking Pass to purchase: Mitchell Lake Trailhead Day Use Parking

Hikes near Grand Lake/Granby

• 🐾Strawberry Trail to High Lonesome Hut – Although the hut itself is private, you can take this beautiful trail up to its doorstep. The hut is rentable through the 10th Mountain Division Hut system, and is one of the only huts in Colorado that is dog-friendly! If you’re interested in renting it, you can find more information here.
• 🐾Strawberry Lake Trail – This moderately difficult trail starts at the shores of Lake Granby, and takes you up to a small and secluded alpine lake.
• 🐾Monarch Lake Loop – This easy trail gets you alpine lake vibes with little effort, and your dog will love splashing around.
• 🐾Columbine Lake via Caribou Pass and Columbine Lake Trail – This moderately difficult trail is perfect for an all-day outing. Mostly shaded, this trail leads you to a beautiful mountain lake, perfect for picnicking.

Pet boarding & sitting near Rocky Mountain National Park

There are a number of options for boarding if you do want to take a day to hike inside RMNP without your pup. We don’t have personal experience with any, because we’ve never done this. But you can google either “pet boarding Estes Park”, or “pet boarding Grand Lake”, and read reviews to find somewhere you feel comfortable with. 

Packing list for Rocky Mountain National Park

• AllTrails Pro account
• America The Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass
• Dog backpack for packing out poop on hikes
• Pupper water bottles
• Human water bottles and plenty of water!
• Poop bags
• Sturdy human hiking shoes
• Rain jacket and/or insulated jacket for high elevation

Land acknowledgement

Rocky Mountain National Park is located on the ancestral homelands of the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Hinono’eino’ Biito’owu’ (Arapaho), & Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) peoples

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 Nativeland.net 
• 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.