Dry Saint Vrain Trail

If you and your furry friend are trying to find a new short hike in the Rocky Mountains of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, check out the Dry Saint Vrain Trail in Lyons, Colorado. This out and back trail is fairly easy and short, so you don’t have to worry about being an experienced backpacker to hike this path. 

Start out at the Dry Saint Vrain Trailhead on Conifer Hill Road (Forest Road 185). Take the dirt road up the hill, but stay off the private land and on the road most traveled if you do not see any signs. However, the trailhead is marked with a large sign where it meets the edge of the forest. 

The Dry Saint Vrain Trail takes you and your pooch downhill for about a mile, meandering along the Dry Saint Vrain Creek, which is the intermittent tributary of the North Saint Vrain Creek. This area is known to have a lot of moose and elk, as well as many other critters, so be aware. Keep your canine cutie on a leash for safety. 

You will spend most of your walk in the forests of aspen, fir, and pine, and can enjoy the autumn colors of the maples, alders, and elders if you are here in late summer or early fall. The spectacular color displays of the wildflowers are stunning if you are here in the spring or summer, with purple columbine, wild roses, and the fairy slipper orchids. 

You will not find any fountains or restrooms along the trail, so bring your own H20 and clean up bags, and practice “leave no trace” principles for both you and your canine kid. Be sure to bring a camera, because you are going to have a lot of photo ops along the way as well. 

For a stunning walk in some of the most beautiful Colorado country, try the Dry Saint Vrain Trail!