A Guide to Dog Friendly Breckenridge

Exploring Breckenridge’s 100s of miles of trails is the perfect activity for you and your pet.

There’s no better reason to bring your four-legged adventure partner with you to Breckenridge than our amazing trail network. Breckenridge is surrounded by miles and miles of hiking & biking trails that offer a fantastic variety of terrain, elevation and difficulty levels.

While the trail choices are pretty much endless, we’ve picked some favorites with dogs in mind.

• Southside Trail, off of Boreas Pass Road
• Moonstone and Sunbeam trails, accessible from Carter Park
• Sawmill Trail, off Four O’Clock Road
• Trail Forest, near Shock Hill
• Peaks Trail, off the parking lot for the trail, located near the edge of Cucumber Gulch.

Dogs can also join you on the bike path, which parallels the blue river. Please keep your furry friends leashed, even when the paved path leaves the town limits.

Local Tips: 

• Keep your dogs on leash when enjoying dog friendly trails and pack out their waste all the way to a trashcan.
• Breckenridge has hundreds of miles of trails throughout town and nearby National Forest. By staying on the trails, you’re helping natural areas stay natural.
• Even though shortcuts can be tempting, please don’t take them. A few extra strides on the path will protect native plants and the homes of the true furry locals.

Gold Run Nordic Center

Gold Run Nordic Center offers thousands of miles of impeccably groomed classic and skate ski and snowshoe trails. With a fun mix of beginner (green), intermediate (blue), and advanced (black) terrain, the trail system winds up and across the historic Delaware Flats and Gold Run Valley areas at the mouth of the Swan River. Take in views of the Ten Mile Range and ski through trees and rolling terrain. View the map for a list of dog-friendly trails.

The BreckConnect Gondola transports guests from town to the base of Peak 8.

Take a Gondola Ride

Not many people know that Breckenridge Ski Resort’s gondola is pet-friendly — and free.

The gondola glides over Cucumber Gulch, a designated wildlife preserve, which provides a habitat for the Boreal Toad (which is state-endangered), moose, deer, elk, beavers, and even mountain lions. As a result, dogs are prohibited in the 77 acres of wetlands. The gondola runs throughout the ski season and during the summer when Epic Discovery is open.

Good news: Dogs are allowed on almost every other town trail, so there are plenty of places to hike. Once you reach the top of the gondola ride, dogs are welcome to wander around the Base of Peaks 7 and 8, or even explore up the mountain in the summer!

Visit Carter Park

Carter Park Dog Park is a great place to exercise your dog off-leash and experience the best of dog-friendly Breckenridge.

If your furry friend didn’t get their fill of the outdoors exploring trails, head to the dog park for a meetup with other local owners. There’s plenty of room to run and play at this free, off-leash space, with a separated area for the small pups. The Dog Park is located at the south end of High Street, next to the Carter Park Pavilion, and offers almost one full acre of fenced-in space for your dog to frolic in. Find a full run-down on dog regulations within the Town of Breckenridge.

Explore Main Street

Strolling Historic Breckenridge is the perfect activity for you and your pup!

Within town limits, dogs must be leashed, but they’re allowed to walk pretty much anywhere.

Most stores along Main Street allow well-behaved dogs inside, just be sure to duck your head inside and ask. Your dog will love stopping inside Peak A Boo Toys thanks to their large selection of treats, squeaky toys and chuck its.  Many stores even have their own dog-in-residence. If you’re strolling Main Street, stop in For Pets Sake Thrift Store on 203 N. Main St. They offer everything from clothing and housewares, to books and art. The best part is all purchases benefit homeless pets in need, through Animal Rescue of the Rockies. For extra fun, head to The Downhill Dog pet store to try out the tennis ball dispenser, dog arcade, photo booth, and so much more. They even have fresh refrigerated food and local bakery treats!

Local’s Tip – Many coffee shops, like Cool River Coffee House and Clint’s, make their own homemade dog treats. Stop in to get the pups a few treats, and for the humans, try their incredible homemade granola and baked goodies. In the summer, kick back by the river with your pooch and cool off with a smoothie.

Enjoy Patios & Decks

Broken Compass features award-winning libations and a pup-friendly atmosphere.

There’s no better way to end the day than happy hour on a deck with a view! Here are a few of our favorite dog-friendly patios in Breckenridge:

Broken Compass Brewing – A community-based taproom located directly next to the Brewery, boasting 12 Taps filled with original Broken Compass brews. With large communal tables and a shelf full of games, get ready to meet your neighbors and share good laughs and great beer. This dog-friendly establishment allows well-behaved pawed pals inside and on their patio space and welcomes you to bring your own human snacks.

Kenosha Steakhouse – Throw horseshoes and soak up some sun outside with your pooch. Incredible views and great draft beer make this a popular deck in spring and summer. Human must try: sweet potato fries and rotating local craft brews.

Motherloaded Tavern – Meet the locals and play a few patio games with your furry friend in tow. Human must try: fried okra, cheese curds, and a bar boasting 19 house made infusions!

Breckenridge Distillery – Hand Crafted Cocktails, indoor/outdoor bar and expansive outdoor patio area with lawn games make this spot a must on your list. While the distillery may be known for creating award winning spirits, it’s the resident four-legged characters that often steal the show at this watering hole.

RMU – People watch with your pup up front, enjoy the intimate bar scene and ski gear inside, or head to RMU’s expansive beer garden for live music and laid back atmosphere.

Après Handcrafted Libations – Après offers award-winning handcrafted cocktails made from scratch, house-made syrups and bitters and plenty of board games to keep your group entertained.

Local’s Tip:  If a restaurant isn’t on this list, simply ask an employee if your dog can join you on the patio.

Join us for the annual Holiday Dog Parade down Main Street.

The Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas welcomes dogs who’ve made Santa’s nice list to parade down Main Street in Breckenridge as a part of the Lighting of Breckenridge. Costumes for two and four-legged participants are always encouraged!  No Scrooges, please.

Other dog friendly events:

You and your dog are welcome at many of Breckenridge’s year-round calendar filled with exciting festivals and events.  We ask that you check individual event pages for rules, restrictions and tips for brining your furry friend. Owners should keep in mind that many of our events fall on the very popular, loud and chilly side and might not be the best experience for your best friend.

Many lodging companies and properties are happy to give your dog the VIP treatment.

While Breckenridge is extremely dog-friendly, that’s not always the case with lodging. Be sure to check pet policies and fees before booking a room.  Pet-friendly accommodations are often limited, so we recommend booking early to ensure availability.

The Lodge at Breckenridge – Ranked as one of the world’s highest-altitude hotels, the Lodge at Breckenridge has one of the best dog packages of any lodging company.  While some properties welcome any kind of pet, others have limited offerings. Check with the individual property for policies, and be sure to request pet rooms when booking.

Beaver Run –  This ski-in/ski-out property allows most dog breeds for a fee. Advance reservations are required as not all units are pet-friendly. In summer, head over to the nearby Burro Trail, where your pooch can cool off in the creek. Dogs are allowed on the property shuttle, so it’s easy to get to the dog park and beyond.

DoubleTree by Hilton – Just across the street from the slopes, the DoubleTree’s location makes it easy for skiers to get back to their pets several times during a ski day. Pets up to 75 pounds are allowed for a fee. This property is also within easy walking distance of the Burro Trail.

The Village Hotel – This hotel allows dogs in rooms only (not in condominiums) for a nightly fee. Advance reservations for a pet room are required.

Residence Inn – Conveniently located right in downtown, this inn allows pets for a fee with no restrictions on size or amount.

A pampered pooch is a happy pooch.

The Dog House offers dog boarding services including a standard kennel, hotel kennel, condo, or the mellow room, a large living room-like experience (including television!) for chill dogs. Daycare, training and grooming services are also available, so they’ll be nice and clean when you come back to pick them up!

Animal Lover’s Pet Supply has all your pet supply needs and much more. They offer expert grooming available by appointment, as well as two self service dog wash stations available 7 days a week. In addition to the high quality pet foods, they offer unique pet toys and a diverse selection of pet treats. 

The Downhill Dog pet shop is Main Street’s independent mountain town retailer exclusively offering canine products. With a passion for pups and peaks at its core, Downhill Dog is proud to support local businesses, showcasing the best Colorado has to offer — 1/3 of their brand portfolio features regional companies.

About the only places dogs can’t hang out is at Cucumber Gulch Wildlife Preserve (below the gondola), the Breckenridge Golf Course, the fields at Kingdom Park (near the recreation center), and the Riverwalk Center Lawn.

Otherwise, Breckenridge is just waiting to be discovered with four paws, so take your dog for a walk through the nooks and crannies of dog-friendly Breckenridge.

Leash Regulations

Within Town limits, dogs are required to be leashed. Outside of Town limits dogs may be under voice command, with the exception of the Rec Path, where dogs are required to be leashed at all times.

Dog Waste

Wherever you enjoy the company of your dog, please Leave No Trace and dispose of waste properly.