FREE | Get to know Boulder: 3 Hikes and Iconic Eateries (Pup-Friendly)
FREE | Get to know Boulder: 3 Hikes and Iconic Eateries (Pup-Friendly)
Lauren Weatherly
In this FREE guide, we offer three dog-friendly hikes that are easy to access, easy-moderate in difficulty, showcase a variety of scenery, and are sure to blow away both humans and doggos. We also offer two great spots for food/drinks/vibes, perfect for chilling out after hiking, and two suggestions for hotels if you're making a weekend out of it (All pet friendly!)
This guide is perfect if you're in new to the area, or visiting for a couple days. If you want to hit some stellar Boulder spots the way locals do, grab this guide and hit the trails!
With each trail, you'll find:
-Trail description & photos
-Access & parking considerations
-Personal opinions on highlights
-Considerations for success with your puppers
-Alltrails links so you can find the exact trailhead coordinates and see other hikers' reviews
Tips are always appreciated, and additionally check out my variety of low cost guides that offer larger curated collections of trails to try out.
Updated ago
3
Share
Red Rocks Trail
This quick little hike takes you to some of the coolest scenery in Boulder. Plus, if you're looking for more difficulty, continue up the Anemone Loop trail for even more views!
Red Rocks Trail
@pupperscouts
This is one of the places that I return to again when I'm looking for a quick hike and/or relaxing scenery gazing. If I'm in the mood for a workout, I add on the Anemone Hill Loop Trail, which begins about halfway from the upper Red Rocks loop and is well marked.
The Red Rocks Loop Trail is an easy hike that takes you back and forth across a ridge dotted by cool rock formations, Right in the center, you have the opportunity to get a closeup loop at the towering red rocks formation that loops over downtown Boulder. Look for folks climbing, scrambling, and bouldering on the rocks.
I love this hike because it's central, giving you a unique view of the flatirons and University of Colorado campus to the south, Pearl Street to the east, and North Boulder to the North, in addition to the eastern plains and downtown Denver in the distance. It's the perfect place to feel all the Boulder vibes.
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Popularity Rating: High
Shadiness Factor: None
If you're hiking in the summer heat, go for early morning or evening.
-Trailhead: Centennial Trailhead (You can also start this hike from the Settler's Park Trailhead and do the loop in reverse)
-Stats: 1.2 mi RT, 377 ft elevation gain
-Getting there: Easy peasy!
-Parking: FREE designated parking at either trailhead
-Restrooms at the trailhead: Pit latrines
-Puppers: Friendly to all! But because this is a popular trail, be sure you know your pup's reactivity level, and give lots of space to other hikers. Additionally, paw wax is encouraged during summer hikes.
-Best time to visit: Any time of year!
📍Boulder, Co, is located on the ancestral homelands of the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Hinono’eino’ Biito’owu’ (Arapaho), & Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) peoples
Add to
Details
Woods Quarry from NCAR Trailhead
All the Flatiron goodness without the parking hassles by Chatauqua? Yes please! When you arrive at the quarry, be sure to lounge in the sandstone "living room" that previous hikers have constructed, and enjoy the stunning views.
Woods Quarry Hike from NCAR
@pupperscouts
I love this trail because it's a great way to experience everything Chautauqua Park has to offer...except the crowds! Beginning at the NCAR trailhead means ample and easy free parking, plus an awesome architectural landmark to see.
This trail is a series of ups and downs, and a mix of shade and sun. Please note that this specific trail is not available on AllTrails. Follow the directions below, and grab the map I've embedded in the guide to find this locals-favorite trail!
-You begin on the NCAR trailhead and head west on the mesa.
-Stay left at the intersection with water tank road, and then right at the fork just after the water tower.
-The next fork you reach will be with the Mesa trail. You will stay right, officially merging onto the Mesa trail. Here you'll travel down a gulch, then back up through a meadow.
-When you reach the fork with Skunk Canyon Trail, stay left on Mesa Trail. You'll follow this around a ridge, and come upon a forested portion of trail.
-Here you'll see another fork, where you'll head left to Woods Quarry. Be sure to stop and check out the little stone cottage in the woods. No one quite knows this history of this structure, which makes it even more intriguing.
-Just past the cottage, you'll ascend the Woods Quarry trail, the steepest part of this hike, but don't give up! The steep part is super short.
-At the top of the steep section, head right, and you'll emerge in an open sandstone quarry, with several rock benches and lounge chairs constructed by hikers.
-Have a seat, and enjoy the stellar views before heading back the way you came.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Popularity Rating: Moderate
This whole area is popular, but this specific variation is more of a locals version, so a little bit less trafficked.
Shadiness Factor: Mixed, roughly 1/3-1/2 shaded
-Trailhead: NCAR Trailhead
-Stats: 3.7 mi RT, 702 ft elevation gain
-Getting there: Easy!
-Parking: FREE & vast
-Restrooms at the trailhead: Restrooms available inside NCAR
-Puppers: They'll love this! But if you hike in mid-summer, it will be hot in the mid-day, so best to stick to mornings and evenings.
-Best time to visit: Year round
-Good to know: The National Center for Atmospheric Research is a world-famous example of modernism in architecture, and a breakout design from world-famous I.M. Pei. It was built in 1966, and is totally worth a stroll around the grounds to check out! Read more about the history here: https://docomomo-us.org/news/ncar-modernism-on-the-mesa
📍Boulder, Colorado, is located on the ancestral homelands of the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Hinono’eino’ Biito’owu’ (Arapaho), & Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) peoples
Add to
Details
NOTE: This specific hike is not currently listed in AllTrails, so grab the map I created below in order to hike this specific route.
Fowler Trail
Eldorado Canyon State Park is such an iconic destination in the Boulder area. AND when done in reverse, this trail skirts the State Park fees, timed entry requirements, and parking hassles! You'll be treated to stunning views of the Front Range, and can explore all the State Park has to offer.
Fowler Trailhead
@pupperscouts
When you look at the AllTrails route, it says to start this out & back trail inside Eldorado Canyon State Park. BUT, we like to reverse it and start from the trailhead off Co. Rd. 67 right outside the park instead. Not only does this save you the cost of entering the park, it also saves you the hassle of pre-purchasing timed entry, and finding parking. So to find this, just look up the trail on AllTrails, then start at the "end" rather than the "beginning".
Starting outside the park is also fun because you begin with sweeping views of the Front Range, then slowly enter the canyon. Once you're in, you are treated to all the drama the canyon has to offer!
Once you reach the "end" of the trail (the trailhead in the state park), you can walk around, find a shady picnic area, check out the visitor center and gift shop, etc. before heading back to where you started.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Popularity Rating: High
Shadiness Factor: Mixed. The trail from outside the park starts with little shade, but once you're in the canyon, forest and canyon walls keep you protected.
-Trailhead: Fowler Trailhead off Co. Rd. 67
-Stats: 4 miles RT, 410 ft elevation gain
-Getting there: Co. Rd. 67 is a dirt road, but easily navigable
-Parking: FREE parking along the road by the trailhead
-Restrooms at the trailhead: None at the trailhead, but both pit latrines and flush toilets when you get into the park.
-Puppers: Super dog friendly, and lots of play spaces. Be sure to stay on leash though, as this area is highly trafficked.
-Best time to visit: Spring, Summer, Fall. We love visiting in the winter when there's snow on the trail, to beat the crowds. Microspikes recommended, and paw wax for your puppers.
-Good to know: This area is very popular for hikers and rock climbers, so just be comfortable sharing space, and you'll have a great time!
Add to
Details
Bonus: After-Hike Food/Drink/Hangout Spots
These spots are Boulder classics, and dog-friendly!
The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
@pupperscouts
It's hard to think of a more iconic Boulder Destination than the teahouse! Smack dab in the middle of downtown, this beautiful structure was a hand-built gift from Boulder's sister city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
They have an extensive outdoor pupper-friendly patio overlooking Boulder Civic Area park, perfect to sit and soak in the Boulder vibes. They obviously have an extensive and interesting tea menu, but also serve a wonderful array of world cuisine. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, high tea, and dinner, this place is a great stop anytime!
Please note that the patio seating is not full service, so you will order your tea, coffee, or food from the bar inside, but full menus are available.
Add to
Details
The Hungry Toad
@pupperscouts
This places is a classic British pub-style eatery, and part of Boulder's history since the 1990's. It's a locals' favorite, and they have a pupper-friendly patio to enjoy bites and brews while you enjoy the vibes.
Add to
Details
Bonus: Where to Stay
Making a weekend out of it? Try either of these pet-friendly and adorable places to stay! Location is everything at either one.
Foot of the Mountain Motel
@pupperscouts
This is a traditional motel that has been renovated with super cute design! The location is A+, right in front of Eben G. Fine Park, a locals' favorite park by Boulder Creek that often features dramatic rock stacks by a local artist. And it's a budget-friendly option in a town known for being pricey!
Add to
Details
Hotel Boulderado
@pupperscouts
This is easily the most classic place to stay in Boulder. Located right downtown, it's a historic gem, located adjacent to all the food/drink options you will ever need. It's where to stay if you're looking for some luxury, and doggos are welcome in certain rooms, so do be sure you indicate you're brining a dog when you book.
Add to
Details
Add-ons: Iconic Hike Guides
Lauren Weatherly
12 Iconic Co Leaf-Peeping Hikes for You and Your Pup: Locations within 2 hr drive from Denver
Autumn in Colorado is all about hunting those vibrant golden sparkles of Aspen leaves that cover the mountain meadows and hillsides. This guides gives you a huge list of our favorite fall hikes.
Expect colors to peak in these areas Sept 15-Oct 5 (ish), but you will still catch some magic if you visit up to a week outside these days.
EMAIL me for a 15% discount code! pupperscouts@gmail.com
Inside you'll find 12 of our absolute favorite leaf-peeping hikes, all within 2 hrs drive from Denver.
Included with each hike:
-Access & parking considerations
-Trail description & photos
-Personal opinions on highlights
-Considerations for success with your puppers
-AllTrails links so you can find the exact trailhead coordinates and see other hikers' reviews
-Other information to ensure the best possible hike
You'll also find suggested add-on itineraries for weekend trips (or day trips), that include:
-Lodging options
-Restaurant options with fall-forward vibes (think Oktoberfest beers, seasonal menus, smokey flavors, & scenic views)
-Best hikes for viewing foliage, all in the easy-moderate range of difficulty
-Suggestions for scenic leaf-peeping drives
-Suggestions for epic sunset-viewing spots
The best part is that ALL of these spots are vetted and dog-friendly, meaning you never have to make arrangements for leaving your doggo behind if you don't want to.
This is a living guide, and will be updated as more information is learned. This is a living guide. As I discover more, I'll add more. You only have to unlock it once, and you'll get all future updates.
$9.00
Private
10% off
* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Weatherly
I’m a teacher, of littles and of teachers, who likes to get lost in the wilderness as often as possible. I’ve lived in Colorado for 25 years, and my little pupper scouts are my favorite adventure companions. Together with my partner Bryan, we love to hike and road trip all over the US.
While adventuring, we always find ourselves wishing for more useful info about dog-friendly experiences. So I decided to combine my love for education with my love for adventuring, and start making some little travel guides to share our experiences with others.
Some important things you'll want to know about my guides:
-They're ALL dog-friendly. That doesn't mean that you have to hike with dogs to enjoy them. It just means that if you DO adventure with your dog, you don't have to spend a minute of extra time researching if/how dogs are welcome. I've got you covered!
-In my own hiking adventures, I swing between visiting the most iconic and popular places, and finding off-the-beaten-path places that our pack can enjoy in solitude. You'll find a little bit of both in all my guides.
-As a hiker, I’ve always leaned toward easy to moderate hikes, with stunning scenery. There's beauty abound in Colorado, and you don't have to be gaining thousands of feet of elevation to find it. If you're into extremes, you do you! But my guides focus on more accessible fun for all.
-As a traveler, I tend to seek opportunities to engage in nature, eat amazing food, see some art, learn about history, and get a sense for how locals experience the place. If these also tick your travel boxes, you'll like my guides.
-I'm passionate about diversity & inclusion in outdoor spaces. EVERYONE belongs outside, so bring a welcoming vibe with you on every adventure! Gatekeeping has kept many folks from marginalized communities away from natural spaces, and it's up to ALL of us to change that.
-If you like these vibes, you can follow our adventures on Instagram @pupperscouts, where I'm continuously sharing new info about dog-friendly hiking and road tripping.
A quick intro to my hiking guides:
-In my FREE hiking guides, you get a curated list of a handful of hikes. With each, you get basic trail information and perspectives on why I love them.
-In my $10 guides, you get a larger curated list of 8-12 hikes. You get basic trail information and perspectives on why I love them, plus additional info, photos, and recommendations. I also provide additional resources for successful hiking with humans and puppers.
-A small number of hikes appear in multiple guides, but I prioritize making each guide a unique series of adventures with unique perspectives related to the overall theme of the guide.
Road trip guides coming soon!
Send A Tip
Support Lauren Weatherly’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Explore related destinations
Read more about places in this guide
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Lauren Weatherly 2024 • Help • Privacy • Terms • Copyright • Become a Seller • Seller Academy • About • Careers • Blog • Explore Places