The Best Denver, Colorado Dog Parks

Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Denver? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the Mile High City.

This page is about public city dog parks and also includes Sniffspot private dog parks. Sniffspot is the largest network of private dog parks for rent in the world. Each of the thousands of Sniffspot dog parks are hosted by locals on private land with 100% private bookings to maximize safety for guests and their dogs. Sniffspot offers various types of dog parks, including fenced fields, water parks, indoor dog parks, dog beaches, and more. Click here to learn more about Sniffspots in Denver!

Know Before You Go: Public Dog Park Checklist

What to bring with you to a dog park in Denver

Here are a few things to bring with you when visiting a dog park in the Denver, Colorado area.

Keep dog waste bags on hand

Keep your parks clean! Always pack a few extra poop bags in case you need to pick up after your pup — and consider scooping any left-behind piles you come across, too. This will make the environment safer for everyone who visits and is particularly important to prevent groundwater pollution, especially around Colorado's beautiful wildlife areas.

Consider packing your own fresh drinking water

Some public dog parks in Colorado offer water bowls or fountains for your dog, but it’s a good idea to pack some of your own just in case. Never leave your dog’s hydration up to chance, especially in Colorado’s high elevation and often dry heat! Remember it’s one of the sunniest cities in the United States, too.

Have your dog wear a collar or harness with ID tags

If your dog will be playing with other dogs, it’s important to pay close attention to what they’re wearing. You don’t want anyone’s teeth or paws getting caught in loose fabric or buckles!

That said, it’s always a good idea to bring a well-fitted collar or harness along with your dog’s identification tags. The city of Denver requires all dogs to be properly licensed.

Pack a leash or two

Along with a collar or harness, bring a leash, even if the dog park you’re visiting is a designated off-leash area. This way you can keep your dog under control while walking to and from the entrance. (You can read more about Denver’s leash rules here.)

You might also consider packing an extra leash in case you need to grab hold of another dog or intervene if a conflict arises.

What to do before going into a Denver public dog park

Research the park ahead of time

Read reviews and be on the lookout for any common issues, like unruly dogs or left-behind waste. It can be hard to find reliable information about some public parks (one reason Sniffspot’s private listings might be a better option) — when in doubt, don’t risk it. Your dog’s safety and comfort are too important.

Watch the dog park for a few minutes before entering

Take inventory of the other dogs and owners in your chosen Denver spot.

• Is everyone under control?
• Are the dogs enjoying their play time?
• Is the area large enough that dogs can take breaks and get space from their playmates if they start to feel overwhelmed? (Tight spaces can prevent your pet from engaging in natural social behavior — more on that in the FAQ below.)
• Ultimately, is there anything about the situation that makes you feel uncomfortable?

Make sure you have basic knowledge of dog body language

This will help you make sure your dog is enjoying their time and keep everyone safe! Know what signs might indicate that your pup is stressed or overwhelmed — and be ready to step in if needed.

You can read more about interpreting your dog’s body language in this article.

How do Colorado dog parks compare to other areas of the country?

Sniffspot conducted a 2022 survey of dog owners across the country to better understand the state of public dog parks. The west’s public dog parks (including those in the Denver area) unfortunately came in last place on our survey:

• 18% of respondents say their dog has been attacked at a public dog park. This is remarkably high — that’s almost one in five owners who have experienced an altercation in a space designated as a safe exercise area.
• 17% feel their local public dog parks are unsafe.
• 20% say they are dirty.
• 30% say they are crowded.

Unfortunately, other options for dog exercise are limited in the West as well:

• 29% of respondents say that local dog owners are generally irresponsible, limiting their ability to feel safe out and about.
• 34% report often being approached by off-leash dogs outside of a public dog park context.
• 35% report that their dog has been attacked in general.

The Best Dog Parks in Denver, Colorado

Denver Parks and Recreation provides 12 designated off-leash areas throughout the city. A handful of other organizations host leash-free spaces as well. When not in a specified dog park, pets must be leashed and under control of their owners at all times.

Below are some of the top Denver dog parks, which are usually open between dawn and dusk unless otherwise noted. You can read more about Denver’s rules for dogs in parks here.

Westminster Hills Off-Leash Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: 10499 Simms St, Westminster, Colorado
• Hours: 24 hours
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Walking, hiking, running, swimming, wading, picnicking
• Entrance fee? No

Westminster Hills is a popular dog park for pet owners in the Denver Metro area. It’s a properly spacious park offering 420 acres (yes, you read that right!) between Standley Lake North Open Space and Colorado Hills Open Space Park. The spot includes a dog drinking fountain, swimming pond, plenty of benches, and patches of shade throughout.

Note that this area is very large and only partially fenced, so you’ll want to make sure your dog has a solid recall before you visit.

Chatfield State Park (public dog park)

• Address: 11500 N Roxborough Park Rd, Littleton, Colorado
• Hours: 5 am to 10 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Walking, hiking, running, swimming, wading, picnicking
• Entrance fee? Yes, $3 daily or $25 annual pass

Chatfield State Park is maintained by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. It’s 69 acres, which makes it smaller than Westminster Hills but still one of the largest dog parks in the country great for walking, running, chasing, and taking in all the mountain air smells. Chatfield State Park’s off leash area also has two ponds and some paved trails.

Note that this area is very large, so you’ll want to make sure your dog has a solid recall before you visit.

Cherry Creek State Park (public dog park)

• Address: 4201 S Parker Rd, Aurora, Colorado
• Hours: 5 am to 10 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Walking, hiking, running, swimming, wading, picnicking
• Entrance fee? Yes, $3 daily or $25 annual pass

Cherry Creek State Park is operated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife just like Chatfield — and it’s even bigger at 107 acres that’s completely fenced. Cherry Creek flows through the off-leash area to provide your pup with the opportunity to swim, wade, and cool down from Colorado’s dry heat.

Note that this area is very large, so you’ll want to make sure your dog has a solid recall before you visit.

Glendale Farm Open Space and Trail (public dog park)

• Address: 12300 S Havana St, Castle Rock, Colorado
• Hours: 7 am to 9:30 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Walking, running, nature viewing
• Entrance fee? No

Glendale Farm Open Space offers a 13 acre fenced dog park where your pup can run and play off leash. This is larger than most city dog park options, allowing for a slightly more natural social environment than many small fenced areas provide. Enjoy views of the Front Range while you’re there.

Lowry Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: Yosemite Way & E 4th Pl, Denver, Colorado
• Hours: 6 am to 8 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play
• Entrance fee? No

Lowry Dog Park is a fenced off leash area with both grass and sand surfaces. There are separate sections for small and large dogs, which can help prevent prey drive related incidents as pets chase each other around. There’s also an agility area with obstacles your pup can enjoy climbing.

Sociability note: This public dog park is relatively small in size compared to the previously mentioned options, which means your dog might not be able to make space from other pets if they aren’t interested in playing. You should only visit if you’re confident your pup is social and tolerant with unfamiliar dogs.

Kennedy Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: 9700 E Hampden Ave, Denver, Colorado
• Hours: 6 am to 9 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play, walking
• Entrance fee? No

Located in southeast Denver, Kennedy Dog Park is a fenced 3 acre space featuring bottled water, drinking bowls, a pet waste station, and plenty of climbing boulders along with shade trees. There’s also a shelter where you and your pup can avoid the sun completely on particularly bright days.

Railyard Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: 2005 19th St, Denver, CO
• Hours: 5 am to 11 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play, walking
• Entrance fee? No

Railyard Dog Park is one of the only lighted dog parks in Denver, making it a great option for early morning or late night visits — especially because it’s located right downtown. It has separate areas for small and large dogs which can help to minimize the rate of prey drive related incidents between pets who don’t know each other.

Sociability note: This public dog park is relatively small in size, which means your dog might not be able to make space from other pets if they aren’t interested in playing. You should only visit if you’re confident your pup is social and tolerant with unfamiliar dogs.

Carla Madison Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: 2405 E Colfax Ave, Denver, Colorado
• Hours: 6 am to 10 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play
• Entrance fee? No

Carla Madison Dog Park is located in downtown Denver. A popular urban destination, pet owners can find free parking on the local streets before visiting the medium-sized space complete with benches, shade trees, a pet waste station, and a drinking water fountain for both people and pets. The surface is lined with a sand pebble base.

Sociability note: This public dog park is small in size, which means your dog might not be able to make space from other pets if they aren’t interested in playing. You should only visit if you’re confident your pup is social and tolerant with unfamiliar dogs.

Berkeley Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: CO-95, Denver, Colorado
• Hours: 6 am to 11 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play
• Entrance fee? No

Berkeley Dog Park is in the heart of the Mile High City. It’s a fairly small, no frills fenced off-leash area with separate sections for high and low energy dogs, which can help owners better match their pet’s play styles. Dogs and people alike can enjoy views of Berkeley Lake while there.

Sociability note: This public dog park is small in size, which means your dog might not be able to make space from other pets if they aren’t interested in playing. You should only visit if you’re confident your pup is social and tolerant with unfamiliar dogs.

Abby’s 45 Acres (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Loveland, Colorado
• Size: 45 acres
• Fenced: No

45 beautiful acres to roam less than a mile off I-25 in south Loveland. Varied terrain provides plenty of interesting smells for your pup along with gorgeous views of Long’s Peak and the Rocky Mountain foothills, especially at sunset.

Note that this area is not fenced, so you’ll want to make sure your dog has a solid recall before you visit.

Rip’s Romper Room (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Calhan, Colorado
• Size: 40 acres
• Fenced: No

Rip’s Romper Room private dog park boasts 40 acres where your dog can run free without worrying about encountering other pets or people. Enjoy Colorado’s stunning views and a wide open space for fetch, chase, or simply walking about.

Note that this area is not fenced, so you’ll want to make sure your dog has a solid recall before you visit.

Mountain Paradise (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Black Hawk, Colorado
• Size: 4 acres
• Fenced: Yes

Take a lovely walk in the woods with your dog, let them sniff, and enjoy nature! Mountain Paradise private dog park has plenty of squirrels to chase, sniffs to enjoy, and hills to run up and down. The acres of forest are fully fenced for your enjoyment and bordered by National Forest land to create a calm, quiet oasis.

Sue’s Acres (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
• Size: 5 acres
• Fenced: Yes

Sue’s private dog park is a large, open field perfect for a game of fetch, a training session, or simply running around. The property is fenced but it’s a relatively low livestock barrier, so pay attention to your dog’s recall ability.

Brockel Dog Ranch (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming
• Size: 4 acres
• Fenced: Yes

Brockel Dog Ranch provides 4 acres of fenced pasture just northeast of Cheyenne. There’s plenty of room to run, play fetch, or sniff around in the hills, grass, and trees — all in a secure area where you can rest easy knowing you won’t run into other people or dogs.

Brighton Private Dog Park (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Brighton, Colorado
• Size: 1.5 acres
• Fenced: Yes

This private dog park is an open field on the back half of the host’s property. There are tables, chairs, a drinking fountain, and a refrigerator if you need to keep anything cool. The host also offers lure coursing available by appointment along with custom agility equipment — it’s the perfect dog training environment!

Mike’s Private Dog Park (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Parker, Colorado
• Size: 2 acres
• Fenced: Yes

Mike’s Private Dog Park is located in a large ravine with beautiful views and 2 acres of open space to roam.

Imperia’s Acre (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Aurora, Colorado
• Size: 1 acre
• Fenced: Yes

This Sniffspot offers an acre of fully fenced field with a drive through gate, meaning you can let your dog off leash right out of the car. The surface is mostly a soft, sandy dirt, which dries quickly once snow melts or rain stops. A walk around the interior fence line is almost 1/4 mile, so it's great for the active dog owner too!

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FAQ About Public Dog Parks in Denver, Colorado

Are Denver public dog parks good for dogs?

It is important for dogs to have off-leash exercise and plenty of opportunities to explore. But the free and open nature of public dog parks can have drawbacks.

Many dog behaviorists discourage visiting public dog parks and recommend Sniffspot's private dog parks. With Sniffspot, dogs can get their exercise safely — without worrying about other dogs, people, or potential disease transmission.

What are the biggest concerns with public dog parks in Denver?

While the popularity of dog parks has been skyrocketing in the United States, so has the number of professional trainers who caution against their use.

The top risks associated with public off-leash dog parks are that:

• Dog parks can create an unnatural social environment
• Busy dog parks can overwhelm shy or nervous dogs
• Dog parks can exacerbate problem behaviors like leash reactivity
• Bad experiences at a dog park can also create behavior problems in the first place
• Public dog parks can lead to physical injuries and illnesses

(Thankfully, private dog parks don’t have these concerns. Learn more about Sniffspot listings in your area here!)

Some concerns specific to public dog parks in Denver include:

Being an elevated city with lots of wildlife and mountain nature, many of Denver’s public dog parks also require owners to think carefully about other safety hazards like blowing off recall to chase prey or scrambling over uncomfortable terrain.

How do public dog parks create an unnatural social environment for dogs?

Many owners are drawn to dog parks because they want to socialize their pets. We’re inundated with messages of the “perfect” friendly dog. Our social media feeds feature viral videos of animal best friends that echo the cutesy movies we loved as children — but they often show a false reality.

While dogs are social mammals, it’s typically not natural for them to regularly engage in play with strangers. Dog sociability can be viewed as a sliding scale:

• Some dogs are truly dog social. This means they genuinely enjoy interaction with almost every dog they meet! We tend to think these dogs are more common than they really are — they’re the ones we most see out and about because they can handle the widest range of environments.
• Most dogs are dog tolerant or dog selective. They don’t often seek out new friends, but they can comfortably interact with other dogs when needed after a proper introduction process. (You can read more about properly introducing dogs who don’t know each other in this article.)
• Some dogs are dog aggressive. They might live with or know a few specific canine friends, but they don’t generally enjoy being around their own species.

Ultimately: It’s perfectly normal for our dogs to not want to play with other pets outside of our families. Renting a private dog park just for your dog and a few trusted friends might be the best option.

How can public dog parks overwhelm shy or nervous dogs?

Owners have great intentions when they bring their nervous dogs to the dog park in hopes of building social skills. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much for that plan to backfire.

Because dog parks are often busy, chaotic environments, it can be difficult to ensure all interactions are positive. Uncertain dogs are easily overwhelmed by large packs — if the space is fenced-in without adequate space to flee, these pets can quickly feel trapped or resort to the “fight” option of fight-or-flight reactions.

After a few stressful experiences, previously shy dogs can lose trust in their owners and even become fear aggressive.

Sniffspot takes these risks seriously. That’s why all of our private dog park listings are carefully booked to make sure there’s ample time between arrivals and departures — and you can filter listings by whether or not your dog is likely to see any other animals at all, even from afar.

Do public dog parks exacerbate problem behaviors like leash reactivity?

It’s not just nervous dogs who can be harmed by dog park visits — exuberant dogs might struggle in these environments, too.

Many social dogs struggle with excitement-based leash reactivity. When they see another dog, they want to say hi! When the leash prevents them from doing so, they experience something called barrier frustration. Eventually this boils over into an aggressive-looking display that makes it difficult to go on walks or explore public spaces.

While playing with other dogs can be an important part of a social pet’s fulfillment, too much unstructured off-leash time can have unintended consequences when they routinely practice running up to other dogs.

These risks are especially high when owners take their dogs to the dog park with the intent of tiring them out. Pets often arrive in an amped-up, energetic state of mind that impairs good decision making.

Can one bad experience at a public dog park have a lasting effect on a dog?

Even a previously social dog might develop a behavior issue (like fear reactivity) due to a negative interaction with another dog at a public dog park. Perhaps they get subtly bullied, feel overwhelmed, or are even bit — and they decide to preemptively try to keep other dogs away from them. Now your social dog is selective or even aggressive toward others.

While some dogs seem to let those negative interactions roll off their back (especially if they’ve been well socialized since puppyhood) others are affected in lasting ways. Each dog and situation is different.

What are the risks of physical injuries and illnesses at public dog parks?

Public dog parks also increase the chances of pets sustaining injury or developing infection.

Dog park injuries

While many dog-dog injuries at dog parks are accidental — canines can be mismatched in size, inadvertently break skin while wrestling with untrimmed nails, or simply come on too strong without realizing — others are overtly aggressive.

Even friendly dogs can start fights by failing to recognize another pet’s signals of discomfort. Resource guarding over food and toys can turn into a dangerous scuffle. Sometimes heightened arousal from being in a large social group elevates even a typically clear-headed dog’s prey drive.

Dog park illnesses

No matter how hard Denver works to keep their parks clean, it’s impossible to fully eliminate all infection risk. This is especially true in dog-designated spaces that see dozens, or perhaps hundreds, of different canines each week.

There’s no way to confirm that every dog entering an off-leash space has been fully vaccinated — and bacterial diseases like leptospirosis often thrive in wet, muddy terrain that’s been torn up by paws.

Young puppies and elderly dogs have the greatest chance of getting sick.

Are all public dog parks dangerous?

While dog parks certainly come with their risks, it would be unfair to claim they’re always a bad idea. Public dog parks do serve an important community service in cities.

Some areas lend themselves to safe interactions better than others — large plots of land with acres to maneuver are less dangerous than fenced-in city runs, for example — and responsible owner involvement can make a world of difference.

What are public dog parks good for?

Well-maintained off-leash dog parks can provide dogs and owners with:

• Biological fulfillment. At their best, dog parks provide an opportunity to fulfill our dogs’ natural canine instincts (running, sniffing, digging, etc.) without impacting others in shared spaces. This can be especially valuable if owners don’t have a yard of their own or walking trails nearby.
• Playtime. While most dogs don’t want to play with strangers, some particularly outgoing canines might enjoy playing with brand-new friends. A small percentage of truly “dog social” dogs are good candidates for traditional dog parks.
• Distraction training. Dog parks can be an ideal place to practice advanced training, like recalls, around the distractions of other dogs, people, and nature scents. Denver also has plenty of force-free professional trainers in the country you can team up with to plan a visit!
• Owner connections. Many owners enjoy the human social aspect of the dog park — and public spaces enable those relationships without the costs commonly associated with formal group training classes or dog sports practices.

How can I keep my dog safe at a public dog park in Denver?

If choosing to use a public dog park, you can do a lot to manage your dog’s safety:

• Make an honest assessment of your dog’s sociability. Are they one of the small portion of dogs that gets along with all other animals?
• Make sure your dog is up to date on vaccines to protect them against any bugs that may be present in the park.
• Choose an appropriate public dog park. Make sure that it is large enough and free from obvious hazards.
• Assess the dog park and other owners before entering. Are there any maintenance issues in the park that could be a problem? Is it overly crowded? (This is common, especially in small fenced parks in Denver’s main city area.) Are there owners that are not keeping a close eye on their dog? Are there dogs that could be an issue for your dog or others?
• Keep a close watch and be an active part of your dog's play.

FAQ About Private Dog Parks in Denver, Colorado

Are private dog parks safe?

While public dog parks have a number of safety issues, such as potentially aggressive dogs and disease transmission, Sniffspot dog parks are much safer.

Sniffspot bookings are private for just you and dogs you bring. We require every dog to be vaccinated (or have equivalent titers). All Sniffspot locations are vetted and reviewed by guests so you can find the perfect safe place for you and your dog.

How do I know if a Sniffspot private dog park works for my dog?

You can filter Sniffspot dog parks by fencing and distractions.

• If your dog is still working on their recall, you can visit one of our fully fenced dog parks in Denver. This also protects your pet from any other animals who might try to approach them.
• If your dog is reactive to other dogs, you can visit one of our off-leash areas where there are no dogs audible or visible nearby. You can also filter locations to avoid other domestic animals and people.

We recommend reading reviews and reaching out to the host with any questions.

Does Denver have any fully fenced private dog parks?

Sniffspot has fully fenced dog parks in and near the Denver, Colorado area. You can filter through all options by their fencing status (and even height) at this link!

Can I rent a private field for my dog to run near Denver?

There are plenty of Sniffspot fields in or near Denver where dogs can be off leash. Take a look at listings and filter by size and flat field space at this link.

Are there private dog agility courses for rent in Denver?

Yes, Sniffspot has dog parks with agility equipment and/or dog obstacles in or near Denver! You can filter all Denver listings by the presence of agility equipment here.

Get your dog the safe enrichment they need by renting a Sniffspot

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