Is Estes Park Dog Friendly? Visiting Estes Park With Dogs

How Dog Friendly Is Estes Park?

Estes Park, Colorado is very dog friendly with plenty of restaurants, shops, hiking trails, and parks welcoming dogs. General rules must be followed like using leashes, managing, and picking up after your dog, but you should have no trouble with your furry friend. 

In this quick guide, I will go over dog-friendly places in Estes Park and a few things to expect during your visit. 

During my 14 years in Colorado and over 80 trips to Estes Park, I’ve taken my pets with me and learned from first hand experience how to handle dogs in this little mountain town. 

Please, double check all the details, especially with restaurants, trails, and accommodations about their pet policies. These can change at any moment and we wouldn’t want any distractions from the wonderful mountain fun. 

Can Dogs Go On Hikes In Estes Park?

Yes, dogs can go on hikes in Estes Park, Colorado, but only on specific trails within the town limits. However, dogs are not allowed on trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.

When hiking with your dog in Estes, it’s important to follow some general guidelines:

1. Always keep your dog on a leash to ensure the safety of your pet and others, as well as to protect wildlife.
2. Make sure to bring enough water and snacks for both you and your dog.
3. Carry waste bags and clean up after your dog to maintain the cleanliness and beauty of the trails.
4. Check specific trail regulations beforehand, as some trails may have different rules regarding leashes or access for dogs.

If you decide to break any of these rules, park rangers are friendly, but will write citations.   

Perfect Dog Hikes In Estes Park

Not all trails in Estes are open to pets and furry friends. I recommend always checking online first to see if this trail is still available for dogs, and double check the signs at the trailheads before starting your hike. 

Here are a few dog friendly hikes close to Estes Park:

Bible Point Loop: 2.5 miles, moderate, 577 ft elevation gain, loop
Lily Mountain Trail: 3.8 miles, hard, 1282 ft elevation gain, out and back
Lion Gulch Trail: 6.3 miles, moderate, 1374 ft elevation gain, out and back
Lake Estes Trail: 4 miles, east, 206 ft elevation gain, loop
Krueger Rock Trail: 3.6 miles, moderate, 984 ft elevation gain, out and back

Are There Dog Friendly Restaurants In Estes Park?

Most restaurants in Estes Parks allow dogs on the patios and outdoor seating areas. As long as your pet is well behaved, there won’t be any problems with your pet sitting outside with you. 

Just a bit of advice, always call the restaurant to confirm they have seating with dogs available.

If your favorite restaurants don’t have a patio, try ordering the food to go, and grab a seat around Lake Estes or at Bond Park. I’ve done this plenty of times with my dogs and it’s a great way to eat what you want and let your dog have fun in the process. 

Here are a few notable restaurants in Estes Park that I love and are great for dogs:

The Barrel: A dog-friendly bar with a large patio, offering hard seltzers, beer, wine, and cocktails. Food can be ordered from rotating food trucks or brought from other restaurants.
Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Brew: A popular barbecue joint that serves up favorite smoked meats like brisket and pulled pork. 
La Cabana Mexican Bar and Grill: Casual Mexican restaurant with a view of Estes Park.
Claire’s on the Park: Offers premium steaks, pasta, and salads.

Are There Dog Friendly Hotels And Accommodations?

Estes Park is home to a wide range of accommodations, hotels, and rooms that allow dogs and pets. These rooms are usually special and must be booked in advance for pets to stay in the room. 

Expect to pay a bit extra for these pet-friendly rooms and there may be an additional security deposit or cleaning fee required. 

For a full list of pet-friendly accommodations, check out the official Estes Park website.