Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in Colorado

Discover the best dog-friendly campgrounds across Colorado. Verified pet policies with trails, swimming, and welcoming sites.

20+ Campgrounds4.7★ AverageBest: Year-round (weather dependent)

Find Colorado Pet-Friendly Sites Set Availability Alert

Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in Other States

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Florida Georgia Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Maryland Massachusetts

View all Pet-Friendly Campgrounds nationwide →

Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

4.7

(434)

Vallecito Campground

San Juan National Forest

Dogs roam freely along Vallecito Creek Trail into the vast Weminuche Wilderness, where countless miles of backcountry paths await four-legged explorers. Your pup can splash through creek crossings and join you on horseback riding adventures through alpine meadows and pine forests.

Red Feather Lakes
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG

Dogs splash along the shoreline and explore wooded trails that wind around the entire lake, with plenty of open space for leashed adventures. The calm waters and wildlife-rich surroundings create a natural playground where four-legged campers can paddle alongside kayaks and discover new...

Minturn
White River National Forest

Dogs roam freely through pine-studded campsites and along the adjacent Colorado Trail, where alpine meadows and mountain streams create endless sniffing territory. The expansive valley setting gives four-legged campers room to explore while staying close to your tent or RV.

Tents

RVs

About Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in Colorado

Pet-friendly camping in Colorado opens up a world of outdoor adventure where your four-legged companions can explore alongside you through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in the country. From the towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains to the serene lakeshores of the Red Feather Lakes area, Colorado's pet-welcoming campgrounds offer exceptional access to hiking trails, riverside paths, and alpine meadows perfect for dogs who love the outdoors as much as their owners do.

Best Time

Late May through September offers the best window for pet-friendly camping in Colorado, with most campgrounds opening after snowmelt and closing before heavy autumn snows. June through August provides the warmest weather and fullest trail access, though these months also bring the highest visitation—reserve popular spots like Vallecito Campground and Peaceful Valley several months in advance for summer weekends.

What to Expect

Verified pet-friendly policies
Hiking trails for dogs
Spacious campsites
Swimming access at many locations

More Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in Colorado

Discover 17 additional top-rated pet-friendly campgrounds in Colorado

4.6

(228)

West Lake

Red Feather Lakes
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG

Your pup can splash in the calm, no-wake waters of West Lake after exploring nearby trails like the West Lake Trail and Mount Margaret Trail. The ponderosa pine forest setting provides shaded paths and open spaces where dogs can enjoy mountain adventures alongside their owners.

Creede
Rio Grande National Forest

Your four-legged companion can bound freely through riverside meadows and plunge into the Rio Grande's cool waters between adventures. Multiple wilderness trailheads depart directly from camp, leading dogs and their humans deep into the Weminuche backcountry for all-day explorations.

Boulder
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG

Your dog can splash in Middle Saint Vrain Creek and explore miles of mountain trails winding through aspen groves and conifer forests at 8,500 feet elevation.

Idaho Springs
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG

Your pup can explore alpine meadows at nearly 11,000 feet, with trails winding through wildflower-dotted terrain and South Clear Creek offering refreshing splash zones after mountain hikes.

Your dog can splash in the clear lake waters and explore miles of mountain trails, including access to the renowned Colorado Trail that winds through pine forests and meadows.

Graham Creek Campground

Bayfield
San Juan National Forest

Your dog can plunge into cool Vallecito Lake waters after exploring miles of forested trails that weave through the San Juan National Forest. The campground's spacious sites provide plenty of room for four-legged companions to stretch their legs between adventures on the water and mountain paths.

Silver Bar Campground

Aspen
White River National Forest

Your pup can splash through pristine Maroon Creek and explore alpine trails leading toward the iconic Maroon Bells, with trailheads steps from your tent. The walk-in sites keep dogs safely away from vehicle traffic while providing direct wilderness access for morning adventures.

Bellvue
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG

Dogs revel in splashing through the Cache la Poudre River's shallow banks and exploring forested trails that wind through this riverside retreat. Your four-legged companions can cool off in crystal-clear waters between hikes while you cast a line for trout from pet-friendly fishing spots.

Shepherds Rim Campground

Meeker
White River National Forest

Your dog can explore miles of pristine alpine trails radiating from the campground, with crystal-clear Trappers Lake offering refreshing swims and paddle adventures at 9,720 feet.

Tents

RVs

Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in Colorado

Map of campgrounds near Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in Colorado

Explore Interactive Map →

Map Key

Vallecito Campground

Dowdy Lake

Camp Hale Memorial

West Lake

River Hill

Peaceful Valley

Guanella Pass

Chalk Lake

Graham Creek Campground

Silver Bar Campground

Stove Prairie

Shepherds Rim Campground

Aspen (Co)

Lodgepole (Taylor River Canyon Near Gunnison, Colorado)

Narrows (Co)

Steamboat Lake State Park

Tunnel Campground

East Portal Campground

Cathedral Campground

Rifle Falls State Park

View all 20 campgrounds on interactive map

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Hiking mountain trails with leashed dogsLakeside walks and swimming at dog-friendly lakesRiverside camping with creek access for cooling offWildlife viewing (with pets safely leashed)Fishing from pet-friendly shorelinesPhotography of pets in scenic mountain settings

Tips & Recommendations

1Always carry extra water for your pet, as Colorado's high altitude and dry climate increase dehydration risk—dogs need significantly more water at elevation than at sea level.
2Pack a pet first-aid kit including tweezers for cactus spines or porcupine quills, paw protection balm for rocky trails, and any medications your pet requires.
3Leash laws are strictly enforced in all national forest campgrounds, typically requiring leashes no longer than six feet, and rangers will cite violations.
4Bring waste bags and pack out all pet waste—leaving it on trails or in campsites creates sanitation issues and wildlife conflicts.

20 campgrounds ranked

Based on real camper reviews

Curated for Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in Colorado

Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in Colorado FAQ

We've curated 20+ pet-friendly campgrounds in Colorado based on verified pet policies, user reviews, and trail access. Each campground welcomes dogs and many offer hiking trails, swimming areas, and spacious sites.

Not all campgrounds allow pets. Our Colorado pet-friendly list only includes campgrounds with verified dog-friendly policies. Always check specific leash requirements and pet fees before booking.

Essential items include: leash and harness, food and water bowls, dog bed or blanket, waste bags, current vaccination records, flea/tick prevention, and a first aid kit. Also bring familiar toys to keep your pup comfortable.