Our Favorite Colorado Dog-Friendly Backpacking Trails
Posted On | May 2, 2017
Welcome to Colorado, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and their four-legged companions. If you’re seeking unforgettable backpacking adventures with your dog, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ve curated a selection of top-notch dog-friendly backpacking trails across Colorado, ensuring both you and your loyal companion have a safe and enjoyable experience.
To help you plan your journey, we recommend utilizing two valuable resources: Alltrails.com and the COTREX App. These resources provide essential trail information, including difficulty levels, mile markers, maps, and recent hiker comments. Most importantly, AllTrails specifies whether dogs are allowed, enabling you to plan with confidence and prioritize your furry friend’s presence. The COTREX app allows you to download maps offline for free and we love to use their trail measure tool to measure distances to water sources and key features.
It is crucial to stay informed about local regulations, restrictions, and trail conditions before setting out on your backpacking adventure in Colorado. Contact local ranger stations to check for closures or restrictions on campfires.
While exploring these trails, remember to prioritize your dog’s well-being. Ensure they have access to water, take breaks during challenging sections, and adhere to Leave No Trace principles to protect the environment and wildlife.
Now, let’s dive into the heart of this guide. I’ve handpicked a range of dog-friendly backpacking trails that showcase Colorado’s breathtaking landscapes, from majestic peaks to tranquil alpine lakes. These trails cater to various skill levels and preferences, offering both day hikes and multi-day expeditions.
Chicago Lakes
Location: Mt Evans Wilderness/Arapahoe National Forest | Idaho Springs, CO
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Distance: 4.6 miles one way to great backcountry camping spots (opportunity to hike further up to Upper Chicago Lake or even summit Mt. Evans)
Elevation: 1,587 ft
Pros: Best views down the Chicago Lakes Basin. Waterfall for fresh water. Lots to explore and good day hike to Upper Chicago Lake.
Cons: It’s not the easiest of hikes. Definitely has some distance and elevation gain. Right below the tree line, so does get colder at night. Firewood can be sparse.
Wigwam Trail
Location: Lost Creek Wilderness | Bailey, CO
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 1.3 – 11 miles one way (our favorite meadow area to camp at is approximately 3.7 miles from the Wigwam Trailhead)
Elevation Gain: 1,616 ft to our favorite camping spot
Pros: Great for early-season backpacking since the majority of the camping spots are at a lower elevation
Cons: Close to the Denver area and can get busy, especially in early season.
Mayflower Lake & Mohawk Lakes
Location: White River National Forest | Breckenridge, CO
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Distance: 2.5 miles one way from the Spruce Creek Trailhead (If you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle starting in mid-June to July you can drive up further to 39.421479, -106.075044 and make it only a .38 mile hike)
Elevation Gain: 982 ft
Pros: It’s a fairly easy hike and the option to drive further up when you’re heading up backpacking late on a Friday afternoon is great. There is an awesome day hike to Mohawk Lakes.
Cons: Can get busy at Mohawk Lakes. Mayflower Lake was partially destroyed/covered in tree debris due to an avalanche.
Mayflower & Mohawk Lakes Trail Link
Wheeler Lakes & Lost Lake
Location: Eagles Nest Wilderness | Copper Mountain, CO
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.3 miles one way (additional 2 miles and 697 ft of elevation gain to Lost Lake)
Elevation Gain: 1,496 ft
Pros: We love the expansiveness of the area next to Wheeler Lakes (we saw a few elk and a moose on our trip). You can either backpack up to or do a day hike from Wheeler Lakes to Lost Lake which is one of the most pure, blue, stunning, high-elevation mountain lakes we’ve seen in Colorado
Cons: The water seems pretty stagnant at Wheeler Lakes so be confident in your water purification system. There are also the weirdest “dinosaur fish” with legs that are quite unique/creepy (but nothing to be scared of)!
Blue Lakes
Location: Mount Sneffels Wilderness/Uncompahgre National Forest | Ridgeway, CO
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.2 miles one way (additional 1+ miles and 800+ ft of elevation gain to Middle and Upper Blue Lakes with option to summit Mount Sneffels)
Elevation Gain: 1,641 ft
Pros: Absolutely stunning and unique scenery! You MUST hike up above the Lower Blue Lake so you can truly experience its turquoise color. Lots of campsite spots at Lower Blue Lake.
Cons: Very popular area and backpacking sites. Campfires are prohibited.
Crater Lakes
Location: Indian Peaks Wilderness Area | Rollinsville, CO
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2.8 miles one way (additional .9 miles to upper Crater Lake)
Elevation Gain: 1,418 ft
Pros: Beautiful area around Lower Crate Lake for camping. Nice easy day hike to Upper Crate Lake.
Cons: Very popular area and backpacking sites. Campfires are prohibited.
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