Here are five of our favorite off-leash dog parks in or near the Denver Metro Area. We’ve taken into account size, facilities, accessibility, terrain, etc., and have come up with some amazing places for you to take your dog to this weekend. In no particular order:

Elk Meadow Open Space   

(32391 Stagecoach Boulevard, Evergreen, CO)

Pros:

• The park has two fenced-in areas and a number of open areas
• There are gorgeous trees, trails, and freshwater streams for your four-legged friends to run around in
• The park is actually green and grassy – not muddy and brown like some other dog parks
• There is no entrance fee

Cons:

• It’s a bit of a drive
• You’ll fall in love and never want to leave!

Westminster Dog Park

(105^th Avenue and Simms Street, Westminster, CO)

Pros:

• This dog park is enormous (over 400 acres!)
• There are great views of the Rockies
• It’s absolutely FREE!

Cons:

• With few trash cans, doggy messes can be a bother
• There are no water fountains or spigots on the trails (so bring your own H2O!)
• There is some debate as to whether or not the area is still radioactive (read more here)
• Since the park is unfenced, only bring dogs that respond to vocal commands

Stapleton Dog Park

(2002 N. Spruce Street, Denver, CO)

Pros:

• This park is different – it’s sandy, like a day at the beach (minus the ocean)! Definitely a top contender if you want Spot to get properly tired out
• There are lots of water fountains to keep you and your pup hydrated
• Like Elk Meadows and Westminster, Stapleton is FREE!
• Since it’s so easy to get to, your dog will have lots of friends to play with – good if you like socializing

Cons:

• No kids under 12 allowed (although this could be considered a “pro” for some!)
• You will continue to find sand in your car / shoes / clothes for hours after a visit
• As this park can get a bit crowded, take care if your dog is shy / timid / aggressive

Cherry Creek State Park

(4201 S. Parker Road, Aurora, CO)

Pros:

• This is another big park – approximately 125 acres
• Lots of open fields, rivers with fresh water, and a sandy beach make for a great time for dogs and owners alike
• Because the dog park is located within a state park, it’s fantastically well-kept – bathrooms, paved roads, doggy bag stations, trashcans, etc.

Cons:

• There is a small price for what has been lovingly dubbed “Doggy Disneyworld” by park-goers – a $9 park entrance fee plus $2 for the off-leash dog park (or $20 for a yearly pass – get more information here)
• Due to its (well-deserved) popularity, the park can get a bit crowded, especially on weekends

Chatfield State Park

(11500 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, CO)

Pros:

• Chatfield is one of the bigger dog parks – it boasts an impressive 69 acres of varied terrain
• Another state park, Chatfield is just as well-kept as Cherry Creek, meaning year-round restrooms, maintained paths and parking lots, and lots of trash cans and doggy bags

Cons:

• There is an $8 park entrance fee, plus $2 for the off-leash dog park (or $20 for a yearly pass – more info here)
• Chatfield is slightly out of the way for most Denverites, but totally worth the drive
• Also deservedly popular, the park can get a bit crowded on the weekends

So there you have it! Five of our favorite off-leash dog parks in the Denver area. Just three last things to remember before you go running off to your nearest park – 1) remember to check yourself and your dog for ticks at the end of the day, 2) if Fido plays in a pond (stagnant water), give him an extra bath once you get home to protect him from any potential bacterial infection, and 3) HAVE FUN!