Popular Places for Pooches To Hike with Their Humans
With warm weather upon us, it’s finally time to enjoy the outdoors again – and what better way to do it than going on a hike with your dog! There are many trails in and near Cheyenne that welcome dogs to come along for the adventure, as long as they are well-behaved and leashed. We have listed a few nearby areas that we recommend for both you and your pup to get exercise, fresh air and quality time together.
Also, remember to be on the lookout for wildlife in these areas as there are many animals living nearby that should be avoided to protect ourselves, our dogs and the wildlife itself from possible danger.
Medicine Bow Rail Trail
About an hour and a half west of Cheyenne is this spacious 21-mile trail that runs through the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Along your hike, you will be surrounded by towering trees, grassy meadows, streams, ponds, and lakes – which can be great spots for a break for you and your pup to cool down. Because it’s made of hard-packed gravel, this terrain is easy to walk with dogs and is great for many outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The trail is also non-motorized, making it extra safe for dogs as there is no need to worry about vehicles coming through. Access costs $5 per vehicle and there are six trailheads throughout the route, all of which have their own parking area, picnic tables, quick access to the trail, and restrooms (except at the Dry Park and Vienna trailhead).
Curt Gowdy State Park
Expanding from the Granite Reservoir to the Crystal Reservoir are 35 miles of beautiful hiking and biking trails that makeup Curt Gowdy State Park. This area is about a 30-minute drive from Cheyenne and charges $7 per vehicle, making it perfect for a day trip that still feels far from home. Trail difficulty ranges from easy to extremely difficult, appealing to all levels of hikers. Crow Creek Trail, an intermediate four-mile hike, is one of the most popular routes in the park, mainly because it finishes at a stunning waterfall that cascades into a stream. Although the route can get quite narrow and steep, it is a fun hike to do especially with a water-loving dog as they can take a break and splash around the waterfall!
Vedauwoo
Though this rocky oasis is most known for its world-class rock climbing, there’s much more to do at Vedauwoo including mountain biking, camping, fishing and hiking with your dog! For a roughly 40-minute drive and a price of $5 per vehicle, you can explore over 20 miles of trails through meadows, trees and unique rock formations. As a first-time visitor, it is recommended that you begin your journey with the Turtle Rock Trail, a 3-mile trek surrounded by forest and beaver ponds that loops around the Turtle Rock formation. It is best to begin here to get familiar with the area as all other trails do not have signage or trail markings. However, they are either easy to follow or great for people who want a spontaneous adventure. With its variety of levels and terrain, the hiking trails at Vedauwoo offer something for everyone, and make for a great place to exercise with your dog!
Greater Cheyenne Greenway
Want to get a good outdoor walk with your dog but remain more local? No problem! Cheyenne offers a 39-mile concrete path throughout the city for people to walk or bike. The Greenway connects parks, schools and neighborhoods together – making it more accessible for people to get around and helping the community come together. Lions Park and Holliday Park are great areas to take your pup as both have walking trails that loop around gorgeous lakes and plenty of lawn space for your dog to run around or play fetch. The Greenway was specifically made to separate pedestrians from vehicles and roads to help increase safety for both people and their dogs, create a space where nature can flourish and allow people to appreciate and learn from the environment around them.
We hope you and your pup have a fun and safe journey if you choose to explore any of these stunning areas. And don’t worry if your pup gets dirty along the way, as we have many qualified groomers here at All Star to get your dog fresh and clean again so they’ll be ready for your next adventure outdoors!
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