Six places to celebrate National Walk Your Dog Day with your pup
If every dog has his (or her) day, then Feb. 22 just might be that day.
That’s National Walk Your Dog Day, which seems like a pretty good day if you’re a dog. After all, say the word “walk” to your dog right now and watch him freak out. Then, after you’ve mopped up the puddle on the floor, celebrate the day by taking him outside, perhaps to a new place. Here are six ideas gathered from Dog Lovers of Denver’s Facebook group and park websites:
Lair o’ the Bear Park. This Jefferson County Open Space in Idledale — which has to be one of the coolest names ever for a park — features picnic tables and fishing at Bear Creek. But it’s also a good place to walk your
dog. There’s even a 12.6-mile, round-trip trek on Bear Creek Trail that passes through three Denver mountain parks, but no one except your dog is saying you have to go that far to have a good time. jeffco.us/1254/lair-othe-bear-park
Bear Lake State Park. This spot’s extensive network of soft trails makes it the perfect place for the Bear Chase Trail Race, which covers distances from 10K all the way up to a 100K. It’s a gorgeous area, with creeks and trails you can hike for hours. lakewood.org
Are you feeling a little pressure because we’ve included two places where you can go on a Bear Grylls-like adventure? Don’t worry, there are places to go that don’t require a backpack. We’re barely getting started. (See what we did there?)
Westminster Hills Off-leash Dog Park. If you or your pup are not up for a long day of walking, this place sounds like an Elitch Gardens for dogs. There’s a dog swimming pond, a dog drinking fountain and 420 acres in which your dog can romp and play with other dogs. The best part: You don’t need a leash. You can walk your dog on the trail, play fetch or just watch the other dogs run into each other. Keep in mind that off-leash dogs can be a little crazy, so if you bring young children, keep an eye on them so they don’t get run over. Note: Your dog should respond to voice commands and should not harass other dogs or wildlife. No bullying on the playground, in other words. cityofwestminster.us Cherry Creek State Park.
This park, just like the one in Westminster, is a favorite of folks on Dog Lovers of Denver’s Facebook page. This is a quieter time for the park, as the lake is closed (it should open in March), but there’s a natural prairie over gentle, rolling hills. There’s also a family shooting range, but we’re guessing that doesn’t include your dog, so you may want to stick to the extensive aselection of hiking trails.
cpw.state.co.us
North Table Mountain Park. Golden is an amazing place for trail-runners, and since the city just hosted a festival that attracted more than 1,000 Golden Retrievers (and our heart just burst at the thought of it), this is a pretty cool place to walk your dog. The area is rugged but safe, and you can go as far as you want. If you are looking for a more civilized stroll, there’s always the concrete trail next to the river that sweeps through the city and through Lions Park. cityofgolden.net
Sloan’s Lake. This park got rave reviews on Tripadvisor for being less crowded than Washington Park or City Park. Many people say the 2-mile walk around the lake is also prettier. Bonus: There’s even a large parking lot. You’ll have to keep your dogs leashed, but we’re guessing they won’t mind. tripadvisor.com