We Coloradans love our dogs! They’re everywhere….and so are the dog parks. If your dog is anything like mine, she/he loves any time outside from an easy jog, to a game of fetch, to swimming with a stick in her mouth bigger than she is! From wide open spaces to places to splash around and cool off, here are 20 of the best dog parks in the Denver/Boulder area in an interactive map as well as interactive google photos and descriptions of each park below. Did your favorite park make the list? Leave a comment below!
VALMONT DOG PARK – Boulder, CO
Dogs have a 3 acre area to run and play at the Valmont Dog Park, and there is a 1/4 acre separate area for small dogs, and a water spigot that is available seasonally. For more information, click here.
TWIN LAKES OFF LEASH DOG PARK / SWIM – Gunbarrel, CO
Twin Lakes is one of my absolute FAVORITES!! My yellow lab, Kosey, has spent many hours swimming in the West Lake, and loved every minute of it. There are two lakes, each one encircled by a .7 mile dirt trail. The East Lake requires dogs to be on leash, wheras the West Lake is for off leash play, so be sure you’re at the right one! For more information, click here.
EAST BOULDER COMMUNITY DOG PARK – Bouler, CO
East Boulder Community Dog Park is a nearly 2 acre fenced area with separate areas for large and small dogs. The large dog area is about 1.5 acres, and the small dog area is about .45 acres. There is also limited water access to a small lake. Fenced area for both large and small dogs. For more information, click here.
FOOTHILLS OFF LEASH DOG PARK – Boulder, CO
Pups will love Foothills Off Leash Dog Park, with a two acre fenced park with a separate area for both small and large dogs. The large dog area is about 1.6 acres, and the small dog area is about .5 acres. For more information, click here.
LOUISVILLE COMMUNITY DOG PARK – Louisville, CO
Louisville Community Dog park used to be one of my absolute favorites, largely due to the pond where my yellow lab LOVED to swim. Unfortunately, in the fall of 2019, the pond at Community Dog Park in Louisville closed to dogs, permanently. The pond was used to hold reclaimed water for irrigation of the park, and the state deemed it unsafe to continue to allow dogs to swim in the pond. The park still has a nice open area for pups to play, but the pond will be missed! For more information, click here.
THE GREAT BARK DOG PARK – Lafayette, CO
The Great Bark is a 6.1 acre dog park and is the only public park in Lafayette where dogs are allowed to run off-leash. Amenities at the dog park include a 1/3 mile looping trail, covered benches, restrooms, a small/timid dog area, and logs for dogs to jump on and over. For more information, click here.
AUTREY PARK – Superior, CO
Autrey Park is a great place for your pup. It is centrally located in the middle of the many of the walking paths that connect the town of Superior, making it an easy walk from almost anywhere in town. For more information, click here.
THE BONEYARD AT RELIANCE PARK – Erie, CO
The Boneyard off leash park is located in Erie, CO. There’s a separate area for smaller or timid dogs, an agility course for the dogs to play on, a water fountain for both dogs and people, and a walking trail so the pups can exercise their humans. There is a porta potty, and just outside of the park is a playground for younger kids. There may be snakes in the area depending on the time of year, so it’s good to keep an eye out for them. For more information, click here or visit the park’s facebook page, which has updates on closures and maintenance here.
WESTMINSTER HILLS OFF-LEASH DOG PARK – Westminster, CO
With a staggaring 420 acres of winding trails and open space, swimming ponds, a canal, and a doggie drinking fountain, dogs LOVE this park! Owners love the shady benches, the hiking/walking/running trails, and breathtaking views. The canal can get quite muddy during certain times of year, so be sure to bring a towel. This park is big. I have taken my pup on a 5 mile run without leaving it! It is huge, and the fencing next to the road is fairly easy for a dog to get through, so you will want to make sure that you have good sight and voice command over your pup. Parking can get tricky on weekends, so make sure to park in one of the designated areas. For more information, click here.
BROOMFIELD COMMONS DOG PARK – Broomfield, CO
The Broomfield Commons dog park was recently re-done, adding more trees for shade and benches for people to sit on. There is a separate area for smaller dogs, and a doggie water station (seasonal). For more information, click here.
BIG DRY CREEK DOG PARK – Westminster, CO
This fully fenced park in Westminster touts a dog agility course, water fountain, a picnic shelter, benches, and parking. For more information, click here.
BILL GOODSPEED HAPPY TAILS DOG PARK – Northglenn, CO
Bill Goodspeed Happy Tails Dog park is Northglenn’s only off-leash dog park. The park is 10.29 acres, with a pavillion, picnic tables, and restrooms courtesy of Jaycee Park, which is right next door. For more information, click here.
WEST ARVADA DOG PARK – Arvada, CO
The West Arvada Dog Park, located on the outskirts of Arvada opened in 2005 and is 100% funded through donations. The expansive park has a very rural feel, with grass, dry vegetation, and a mile long walking trail within the off leash boundaries. Pet owners are limited to 3 dogs, and must not leave dogs unattended in the off-leash area. Since it is such a large area, owners are required to have their dog under voice and sight control, and all pet handlers must be over 18 years of age or be accompanied by an adult. There is a water fountain, but poop pags are NOT provided, so you must bring your own. Note: in Arvada, dog licenses are required. For more information, click here.
LITTLE DRY CREEK DOG PARK – Westminster, CO
This Westminster dog park has a doggie drinking fountain, 2 small picnic shelters, and separate fenced areas for large and small dogs. For more information, click here.
BERKELEY DOG PARK – Denver, CO
Berkely Dog Park is an off-leash dog park located in Denver, CO. It has a separate area for small dogs, a water spigot near the entry (seasonal), and children under 12 are not allowed. For more information, click here.
BARNUM DOG PARK – Denver, CO
The Barnum Dog Park is a .75 acre off-leash zone specifically for dogs, and is divided into two separate areas – one for quieter, calmer dogs, and one for more lively ones. The most convenient parking is accessible from W. 5th Avenue. The city of Denver requires any dog using the off-leash park to be vaccinated against rabies and to be displaying the tag on their collar at all times while at the park, as well as a valid license. Dogs too young to be vaccinated against rabies are not allowed in the park. If a dog has not been spayed or neutered it must have a current Denver Intact Permit. There is a picnic area and restroom in the main park, outside of the off-leash area. Dogs are permitted in the main park if kept on their leash at all times. For more information, click here.
LOWRY DOG PARK – Denver CO
Lowry Dog Park is an excellent spot for your pup to make some new friends! Be sure to leash your dog in the parking lot, since it is a 1/4 mile walk from the lot to the park. This is an off-leash park, but you will need to carry a leash with you at all times, and be sure to leash your dog in all public areas, especially when coming and going from the park. The dog run surface is both sand and grass, giving your pup several different types of turf to enjoy. Water and baggies are NOT provided, so you will need to bring your own, but there are lots of benches scattered through the park where you can rest while your pup plays the day away. For more information, click here.
FORSBERG/IRON SPRING DOG PARK – Lakewood, CO
Located in Lakewood, Forsberg Dog Park is an off-leash park with two sections, however, neither section is designated for small or timid dogs. There is an agility course on one side with jumps, teeter totter, tube, and a ramp as well as a couple of water fountains (seasonal). There are also trails on both sides for people to get a bit of exercise along side their pets. Keep in mind that the gravel/dirt base of the park can get quite muddy when it rains or snows, and the parking lot can get quite full during weekends due to bikers and hikers using William Frederick Hayden Park. For more information, click here.
CHERRY CREEK STATE PARK – Aurora, CO
The Cherry Creek Dog off Leash Area (DOLA) is a 107 acre fenced area that has water access for your pup’s enjoyment. Cherry Creek flows through the DOLA and has been renovated to help with erosion control to allow for easier access to the water. All dogs in the off-leash area are required to be under voice and sight control, and all owners are required to carry a leash and a waste bag AT ALL TIMES. This expansive park is quite popular, so if you want to miss the crowds, avoid peak times, which includes weekends and holidays. *NOTE: This is a FEE AREA* Use of the DOLA requires a valid DOLA pass as well as a valid park pass for all vehicles entering the park. DOLA passes are available for purchase at the entrance stations and the park office. When staff is unavailable to assist, daily passes can be purchased at the self serve stations. For more information, click here.
CHATFIELD STATE PARK – Littleton, CO
69 acres of fenced wide open space, including two ponds and miles of paved and unpaved trails. Dogs must be under voice control when off-leash. NOTE: this is a FEE AREA. A daily or annual pass is required, and can be purchased at the park entrance when staffed. For more information, click here.
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