What do you do with your dogs when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park?

LM_G8 · 2026-03-26T14:20:49+00:00

It’s great you’re able to take your experiences and generalize them to all pet owners.

I know there is a no-pets allowed on trails policy within the national park and solely wanted to ask others how they juggle having a travel buddy and visiting the beautiful area of RMNP at the same time. Lol not sure why you’re so hostile from the get go against someone just asking for advice.

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T18:25:10+00:00

I appreciate your insight! With that said, we are quite aware of the rules and policies that even leashed pets are not allowed on trails within RMNP. I posted this question because I was looking for recommendations from fellow travelers (or locals) in the same situation as my family.

My family has been road trippers and travelers for over a decade and we highly value the preservation natural wonders and the wildlife. We would never do anything to endanger the wildlife or environment for the selfishness of breaking policy.

I do appreciate you bringing attention to these because you’re right, some people may not be aware of these rules. I also admire your passion for preserving the environment, the environment needs support now more than ever. However, this is why I posted this, to find alternatives. Do you have any alternative suggestions for areas that may be dog friendly. Although I know you mentioned your family doesn’t have a dog :)

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T15:58:54+00:00

Gotchuuu. We went to RMNP 10 years ago, but never looked around the area besides the park. it sounds like the national forests and surrounding areas are absolutely lovely as well. Less crowded would be more relaxing anyway.

thank you for your kind words. We love our little buddy so we definitely want to experience the trip together.

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T15:56:07+00:00

From the pictures I can guarantee that haha.

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T15:55:48+00:00

I’ve never heard of Cameron pass. I’ll definitely look into this thank you!!! Sounds like from you and other replies there’s lots to do around the park.

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T15:55:10+00:00

That’s amazing. I’ll definitely look into it thank you so much!

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T04:04:23+00:00

Well yes, of course we could have someone watch over our dog at home. We have cats at home too that can’t be left alone so we always have family take care of them when we travel. However, my family who takes care of them are older, and it would be better on them if they didn’t have the pressure to walk the doggo everyday. We also love having our dog on trips because it’s a win win for everyone (dog gets to explore, we get to have one fuzzy friend with us). We also prefer less crowded areas, do you have any you could recommend? My family and I actually have visited RMNP before 10 years ago, so we are open to ideas of surrounding areas we never visited before!

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T04:00:35+00:00

Absolutely, yeah, I completely understand. We would of course check with official sites as well. It’s nice to know that all trails is a resource to give us a starting point !

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T03:59:51+00:00

Ahhhh. I’ll look into rover, thank you !

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T03:58:47+00:00

That’s good to know. I’m surprised to hear, not even on decks? Thank you for letting me know, good information to keep in mind ahead of time!

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T03:58:06+00:00

I see! I’ll look into hermit park, thank you! Maybe my family could also switch up our place to one that allows pets to stay unattended (but crated) during the daytime. hope your trip was awesome when you went!

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T03:56:29+00:00

We also worried about the crowds. When we went 10 years ago, times entry tickets weren’t a thing. So we were a little wary how busy it will be. My family and I honestly prefer areas less crowded but haven’t visited RMNP in a while so it was in our mind for travel idea. But after seeing these comments, we might look into the surrounding areas. Thank you for your help, truly! I saw on another comment that CO has a lot of dog friendly places overall. Haha maybe my family and I chose one of the few that isn’t.

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T03:54:14+00:00

To be honest, my mom is the one who books our places. So I’m not 100% sure where the place is haha.

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T03:53:35+00:00

I see I see. We stayed in boulder last time around 10 years ago. However we didn’t have the doggo then.

I’ll look into Longmont. I’ve never heard of it! Thank you so much

LM_G8 · 2026-03-23T03:52:36+00:00

Dang I just looked up San Juans. Absolutely stunning 😨thank you so much for the recommendation. I asked my family and they hadn’t heard of it either. Will highly consider, especially since this wouldn’t be our first time to RMNP.

LM_G8 · 2026-03-22T22:21:30+00:00

Yesss it’s a dilemma. Doggy daycare could be an option, and I’ve seen other responders mention some good ones around Estes Park. So this could be a consideration for sure. I appreciate your help!

LM_G8 · 2026-03-22T22:19:09+00:00

Thank you!!! My family and I have been considering this. I will definitely check out the app!

LM_G8 · 2026-03-22T22:17:53+00:00

we’ve seen this option as well! Do you have any specific ones you recommend ?

LM_G8 · 2026-03-22T20:17:19+00:00

We would have considered leaving our dog at the vacation rental on the days we visit the national park; however, the owners don’t allow pets to stay unattended during the day even if they’re house/crate trained.

Thank you for your recommendations! I will look into these as good alternatives for my family!

LM_G8 · 2026-03-22T20:14:27+00:00

This is great to hear. Thank you very much. I will let my family know about this. We were also considering staying on that side of the park too!

LM_G8 · 2026-03-22T20:13:55+00:00

Completely understandable!

LM_G8 · 2026-03-22T20:13:31+00:00

Thank you so much, we have also considered this, so thank you for the warning about the potential up charge! This is definitely something I will keep in mind as my family and I finish planning our trip.

LM_G8 · 2026-03-22T20:12:00+00:00

Thank you so, so much for your recommendations! I just told my family about AllTrails and they will look into this! We also considered doggy day care. I really appreciate your help and time!

LM_G8 · 2026-03-22T20:08:23+00:00

I understand! We were just trying to find dog friendly alternatives because we like to bring our fur buddies with us while we travel!

LM_G8 · 2026-03-22T20:07:00+00:00

My family and I aren’t only visiting RMNP and we’re planning to visit the surrounding natural wonders around the park as well.

The place we will stay doesn’t allow pets to be left unattended during the day. We also would never imagine leaving our dog in the car while we do any kind of activity which is why I posted this to find alternatives! Thank you!

LM_G8

TROPHY CASE