Dog-Friendly Itinerary

Weekend Getaways – Traveling with Your Dog

Colorado Springs is often claimed as one of the top pet-friendly cities by magazines and websites such as theilovedogssite.com.  Below is just an idea of activities you and your dog can enjoy on a weekend visit.

Day 1 - Friday

Check into one of these pet-friendly hotels, many of which offer goodie bags for your best friend. If the weather is right, head to one of the great restaurants around town that have a patio so your pooch can join you for dinner.  Our favorite patios include:

• Phantom Canyon Brewery
• Pizzeria Rustica
• TAPAteria
• Salsa Brava
• Here’s a list of more restaurants with pet-friendly patios

Day 2 – Saturday

Grab breakfast and get ready for some exercise.  The Colorado Springs region has fantastic hikes that are pet-friendly.  Be sure to keep your dog on its leash unless it’s a designated off-leash area, and always remember bags to clean up after them.  Bring lots of water for them and yourself as well. Some of our favorite parks that have an off-leash section include:

• Palmer Park has a fenced-in dog park as well as  an off-leash 1-mile loop
• Garden of the Gods Park is pet-friendly throughout and has an off-leash section near the main entrance of the park by Rock Ledge Ranch
• Red Rock Open Space has miles of hiking trails and two off-leash loops for dogs
• Fox Run Dog Park is near Black Forest and is a fenced-in area with lots of shade

In the afternoon, you and your dog can discover some of the area’s attractions.  Head up Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, or explore the Manitou Cliff Dwellings . More pet-friendly attractions can be found here.

Day 3 – Sunday

No dog-focused trip to Colorado Springs is complete without a visit to Bear Creek Dog Park.  Highlights of the park include: 25 acres for the dogs to explore, a ¾ mile loop, a small-dog section, a creek with multiple swim areas, beautiful views of the foothills, a new agility course and human restrooms with running water.  The entire park is off-leash to dogs under command control, so let your dog run free and enjoy the fresh new smells.

Because there’s always time for shopping, head to some  pet-friendly shopping locations, including the Outlets at Castle Rock, Promenade Shops at Briargate, and the shopping districts of Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City.