Eldorado Springs is a small community situated south of Boulder, Colorado. It sits at the base of the Boulder Mountain Range and is surrounding by hours of hiking, biking, and rock climbing opportunities. No bones about it, this town is definitely for adventure loving pups.
If you take a look around while you’re in Eldorado Springs, you’ll see mountains and peaks for days. So it’s no surprise that there are plenty of pawsome hikes just waiting for you and your furry hiking buddy. Grab a backpack and head over to Flatirons Vista Trail. Not only will you get great views of the Flatiron Mountains, you’ll also feel the freedom of walking in large open meadows. There are two loops to choose from, one runs 3.3 miles while the other is just 1.9 miles.
You can’t
come to Eldorado Springs without paying a visit to the Eldorado State Park. This
spectacular state park is famous for its rock climbing, but there are also
plenty of hikes for four legged visitors. Leash up your pup and explore the
streams, caves, and majestic sandstone cliffs. If you want a short hike, follow
the Streamside Trail. It’s only half a mile and follows a creek and canyon
walls. The Eldorado Canyon Trail in 3.5 miles and is perfect for dogs with energy
to burn.
If your pooch is ready to brave the great outdoors, head over to East Eldorado Springs. You’ll have access to some pupperific hikes that showcase Colorado’s natural beauty. Marshall Mesa Loop clocks in at 2.8 miles, and winds through scenic prairies and ponderosa pines. Doudy Draw Trail is another local favorite. It’s only about two miles, but connects with various other trails in the area, so you can keep going if your pal has loads of energy. Dogs can go without leash on both trails, but must be in sight and under voice control at all times. So go ahead and let Fido run free!
Travel six miles north of Eldorado Springs and you’ll come to Shanahan Ridge Park. Located in the Table Mesa neighborhood of Boulder, this park is a puptastic spot to spend some quality time with your pooch. Get her heart rate going with some laps around the paved walking paths. Be sure to stop and gaze at the nearby Flatiron Mountains, as these are one of Boulder’s trademarks. This park also has access to the Shanahan Ridge Trail, which branches out into a network of scenic paths. As long as your pup is in sight and under voice control, she can ditch her leash.
Next time your pooch is in the mood for some canine socialization, head 13 miles south of Eldorado Springs to the neighboring town of Westminster. The 420 acre Westminster Hills Off-Leash Dog Park is located in Walnut Grove, and is the perfect place for your pup to meet new friends. There is more than enough space for her to let loose and romp around with other pups. She can also splash around in the pond or get a drink at the doggy drinking fountain. Since the park is quite large and only partially fenced, make sure you keep an eye on your furry BFF.
If your canine companion wants some park time, head over the Westminster neighborhood of Kings Mill and stop by Oakhurst Park. This 10 acre community park is located about 15 miles south of Eldorado Springs, and features sport courts and multipurpose fields. After your pooch sniffs around the grassy fields, hop on the Big Dry Creek Trail and get some serious exercise. This trail runs for 12 miles and weaves in and out of Westminster neighborhoods. Walk, run or jog for as long as your pup can handle. Be sure to bring enough water to keep her cool and hydrated.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is 20 miles southwest of Eldorado Springs and definitely worth a visit. Located in the Coal Creek area of Golden, this state park spans over 12,000 acres and is just begging to be explored. Clip on your pup’s leash and go experience this area’s thick forests, rocky peaks, and tree lined meadows. Your fur baby will love getting his exercise in such a beautiful setting. There are 14 trails to choose from and they run from under a half a mile all the way to 7.4 miles. This area is also home to a wide variety of creatures, so keep your eyes peeled for moose, deer, elk and porcupines.