Spectacularly dog-friendly Colorado Springs

Beatle and I really loved Colorado Springs as there was sooooo much to see and do! From the amazing Pikes Peak to the beautiful Garden of the Gods, the Manitou Dwellings, a vibrant downtown, historic Old Town and everything in between we had a fantastic visit. Add in lots of great places to eat and drink and you have an absolute winner.

In terms of being dog-friendly Colorado Springs was one of my top rated places to visit across the US and definitely deserves be on your ‘must do’ list!

THINGS TO DO

Drive up to Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak, also known as Americas’s Mountain is one of Colorado’s most famous and scenic 14’ers (mountains over a whopping 14,000 feet high). Best of all, you can drive up it with your dog to see some fabulous views stretching out across Colorado and the nearby Rockies. You’re also likely to see wildlife as you drive up, such as big horn sheep and there are lots of small areas to pull over and take in the views as you go.

Once at the top you can walk around to get different viewpoints and watch the bright red cog railway (which unfortunately does not allow dogs) as it works its way up and down the mountain. There is also a cafe at the top, and while dogs aren’t allowed inside, one person in your group could stock up on snacks while the others find a good spot to sit outside.

Do be aware, that much like altitude sickness can affect people, it can also affect pets… so be aware of any signs of this in your dog and don’t pressure them to exert themselves. Ensure they have access to plenty of water.and have a plan in place to manage this if it occurs.

Also be aware that the road has a steep incline and can be very hard on your vehicle on both the up and down journeys. So make sure your car is in good condition, abide by the recommendations in place (around air-con, braking etc) and don’t travel too fast. On the way down, there is an area where they can do brake checks and we saw several cars parked up, with smoke billowing from overheating.

The current cost to enter is $35 per car, which is reasonable considering you’ll likely spend half a day exploring the area - and its worth the admission fee alone to see the magnificent views.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings and Museum

Just a quick drive from Colorado Springs you’ll find the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. This is a great dog-friendly stop as the whole site is dog-friendly!

Getting the opportunity to walk through the dwellings and learn how these people lived was really interesting and I was suprised to learn that the dwellings had actually been relocated here from their original location.

The Dwellings are really interesting and it’s great that they allow dogs!

While dogs are welcome to join you in the dwellings, just be aware some areas are tight or have steps so you might have to assist your pet at times. The bright red sand also might mean you need to give them a wash once you’re back at your accommodation!

To see their pet policy and get additional information such as opening hours and ticket prices click here.

Garden of the Gods

We absolutely loved this park, so much that we went back a couple of times and it was one of our favourite attractions in the entire US. Beatle also had a fantastic time as there was so much to see and sniff.

Garden of the Gods is just spectacular, and as you explore the different paths and rock formations it’s hard to know where to look or when to stop taking photos! Once you make your way into the park there are several different ways you can go - each just as good as the next.

If you arrive early in the morning don’t be surprised to see mule deer and other animals enjoying their breakfast or even the odd rock climber. Depending on the time of day you can also watch the light change against the different rocky outcrops and sunrise has a magical glow to it.

While the park isn’t huge, you can definitely work up a sweat walking around all of the different formations. There are several areas where you can climb small paths to get impressive views out across the valley and all the way up to Pike’s Peak and beyond.

So many amazing spots to admire the stunning views

Note that when visiting the park dogs must remain on leash unless in the designated off-leash area.

Old Colorado City

Old Colorado City is a large street featuring lots of local shops, galleries and cafes intermixed with historical buildings and murals. We really enjoyed exploring this area and seeing all of the local arts and crafts on display in stores, and there were also a few good murals dotted around town. And if you happen to be visiting on the first Friday of the month you can also join the ArtWalk.

If you’re also looking for somewhere away from downtown and closer to attractions such as Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs , Garden of the Gods etc you might prefer to search for accommodation here

Downtown Colorado Springs

The word I think of when describing downtown Colorado Springs is ‘charming’. While it has all of the usual stores, it also has a good mix of unique stores selling outdoor equipment, quirky objects and art mixed in with a good variety of bars and eateries. The main street (Tejon) is mostly low rise and gives off friendly, small town vibes.

In terms of the best things to see and do in downtown, I would recommend the following things that you can also do with your dog.

In the centre of Alamo Square you’ll find the historic Pioneers Museum. While dogs can’t go inside, the building and artworks in the surrounding park it make it worth a visit. Out front of the Museum is the Plaza of the Rockies sculpture. From here its only a five min walk to the next attraction.

Spot the Humpties. I’m not exactly sure how many of these there are, but I counted at least three when we visited and I’m positive there are a few more. To find some of these super cute sculptures, head to the north side of Plaza of the Rockies and don’t forget to look up. Then get searching for the others!

Downtown Art Walk. Downtown Colorado Springs also has a lot of sculptural art that makes up its Art Walk. The artworks are located downtown and are pesented in a variety of mediums and materials. Walking around to locate these can be a great way to explore the city to find your favourite piece. In addition, there are a number of great murals to dotted around town. For more information about the art, including information about self-guided tours click here.

U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum and America the Beautiful Park

While dogs are not allowed inside the museum, the building itself is really interesting and you can walk and explore its exterior (and peek a little in through the windows). Behind the museum is a railway overpass and elevator that takes you down to the pretty 17 acre America the Beautiful Park. An expansive area of walkways and plantings with a large sculpture / fountain in its centre makes it a nice place to walk around and explore with your dog.

OTHER THINGS TO DO

The Broadmoor Seven Falls

Less than fifteen minutes from Colorado Springs is Broadmoor Seven Falls, a beautiful spot where you can explore the park with your leashed dog and see the famous Seven Falls cascade down a massive 1,400 foot box canyon.

From the parking lot you can take the free, dog-friendly shuttle to the park entrance, and from there its just a short walk to the base of the falls. As you make your way to the falls you can also explore the rest of the park, including some interesting rock formations.

If you want to see the top of the falls, the only option is to climb the 224 steps of the Main Falls Stairs. While dogs are allowed on the stairs, be aware they can get very crowded and include a LOT of steep stairs that may be wet and slippery - and are not suitable for every dog (or person!). It also important to consider what you would do if you encountered any issues and needed to carry your dog down.

However the good news is that if you’re just after a panoramic view then you can enjoy this from the Eagle’s Nest platform which is located within the park. This platform has 185 steps if you choose to climb up, but can also be reached via elevator - which dogs can also take for a small fee.

For more information, including a map of the park click here.

Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

This attraction is about an hour from Colorado Springs, but looks like a lot of fun! Your dog is welcome to join you to ride the 100 year old steam engine for a 45 min sightseeing tour where your dog can sniff out of the open windows while you admire the pretty scenery.

This attraction is only open seasonally, but runs several times a day - so check out their website here for opening hours and current pricing.

Miramont Castle Museum

I couldn’t find any information about dogs on their official website, but have seen on other sites that well behaved dogs are welcome to join you to tour this stately Museum. (note: I am unsure if this only applies to small dogs that can be carried, or includes well behaved leashed pets as well). Miramont is open Tuesday to Saturday and offers guided or self-guided tours and for more information click here.

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park was something I really wanted to do but we ran out of time! Located just over an hour from Colorado Springs it features the highest suspension bridge in North America over the Arkansas River. This park is incredibly dog-friendly and your best bud is able to join you to check out the sights from the bridge, the rim trail or even ride the gondola.

If your dog isn’t a fan of heights, or you want to do some of the other rides on offer there are free kennels available on site (on a first come basis).

While people will need to pay an admission fee to enter, pets are free and the park has plenty of water bowls available for them. There is also a cafe on site that allows dogs on its patio.

For more information about visiting with you dog click here.

Peterson Air & Space Museum

This is another activity we didn’t personally do, but looks like it would be really interesting. The Museum is open Tuesday to Friday and free to visit, but you will need to request a pass in advance of your visit and provide ID to enter the site. There are indoor and outdoor components to the Museum and my understanding is that dogs are only allowed in the outdoor areas (which are expansive), so if you want to see inside as well, you may have to take turns. Dogs must be leashed when visiting. For more info click here.

Visit a State Park

We didn’t personally visit any of these, but I wanted to include them as we really enjoyed visiting some of the amazing parks in the USA and found them to be more welcoming of dogs than many National Parks.

The following link will provide more information about which parks in Colorado are dog-friendly - including which are best for dogs depending on if you want to camp, swim, hike or have them off leash in.

Checking the specific park site you wish to visit will also provide you with useful information on dog-friendly trails, regulations, opening hours and any areas that are restricted click here.

Visit a Brewery

Colorado is well known for its craft beer and it has a large number of breweries that welcome well behaved dogs. For a list of dog-friendly breweries in Colorado Springs (and if they allow dogs indoors or only on their patios), you can click here.

SLEEP

We stayed at SCP Colorado. Its an older motel thats been modernised and has a lot of great amenities on site, including a pool and large communal area where you can buy drinks, play board games or sip a coffee or beer while you play a round of pool. You can find more info about SCP here.

IN SUMMARY

I was really suprised by not only how many dog-friendly activities there were to do in and around Colorado Springs, but the huge variety of attractions. The more laid-back lifestyle of Colorado Springs also meant that many breweries allow pets and a lot of eateries have plentiful outdoor seating and offer water bowls which highlights how much they appreciate furry visitors.

When we visited in summer it was really hot so unfortunately Beatle couldn’t join us for some of the activities we did. So if you want to make the most of your time in this area with your dog then I’d suggest visiting on the shoulder seasons.

For more information on visiting Colorado Springs with your dog click here.

Spectacularly dog-friendly Colorado Springs

Lots of Love for Loveland (including Fort Collins)