
Welcome to ThinkVail – we hope you find this article about Vail, CO Dog Parks helpful.

Below is a list of local dog-friendly parks and trails in the Vail Valley where you can take your furry companion for some outdoor fun.

We all love our fur babies and want the best for them, and in Vail, Colorado we know that life is better when your dogs (and your kids for that matter) are tired out from a fun day of exercising. Dogs that hike, walk, play Frisbee and run around are less likely to: chew your shoes, eat the couch pillows, go through the trash or do any of the other hundreds of destructive things that dogs do when they are bored and want your attention. The solution? Take them to the dog park!

Keep in mind that most Vail Valley dog parks and trails require your dog to be on a leash, have voice-control over your dog and to cleanup after your pet. Also during the winter months, it gets dark early, make sure you have a LED lighted dog collar to keep track of your dog in the darkness and so that they are easily visible to motorists and other people.

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See Also: Winter Dog Coats to Keep Your Dog Warm

Vail Dog Parks

Bighorn Park Off Leash Dog Park

Located in East Vail, this off-leash established dog park is perfect for your friendly, obedient dogs to run and play. There are also playgrounds, picnic tables, restrooms, amazing views of the East Vail chutes, falls, and surrounding forests.

Stephens Park Off Leash Dog Park

Located in West Vail this is the other off-leash dog park option in Vail. Friendly, obedient dogs are welcome and your dog will LOVE the creek to play in. Access to the creek is open and not fenced off. Voice control over your dog is recommended for this dog park. You can also enjoy the BBQ pit, restaurants, and picnic tables that are also at this park.

Buffer Creek Park

Located in West Vail off North Frontage Road, this is a lovely neighborhood park where you can bring your leashed dog for some exercise or a walk down the bike path. There is a nice big green grassy area, perfect for Frisbee or throwing a ball. Other amenities include a picnic area with grill, a kids’ playground with a slide and a swing set, public restroom facilities and a water fountain. Easy access on and off from the highway.

Eagles Nest & Eagle Bahn Gondola

Come and enjoy beautiful Vail Mountain with your leashed dog. Enjoy this beautiful hiking area with free gondola rides down for you and your dog. You must, however, hike your dog up the mountain, as National Forest

rules prohibit dogs from being carried up in the Gondola or chair lift. So enjoy a fun hike up the mountain with your dog and then sit back, relax and take in the views as you come down the mountain on the gondola.

Booth Falls Trail

Welcomes dogs and is 4 miles round trip with 1000-1500 ft elevation. The trail head is one mile off I-70 at the East Vail exit with a parking lot that fills up quickly; hike up the road a few steps past the gate to the trail head sign and trail register. Open Mar.-Oct

Booth Lake Trail

Includes the Booth Falls trail but goes on up to Booth Lake. This 7.8 mile moderate hike in the White River National Forest is a 3000-foot uphill climb with a spectacular 60-foot waterfall and breathtaking views (7 hours round trip). Open Mar.-Oct

Pitkin Lake Trail

Leashed dogs are welcome on this wonderful challenging hike. The trail begins in East Vail and ends at Pitkin Lake with a strenuous climb that takes you through aspen and fir forests with steep switchbacks before reaching two waterfalls and lovely Pitkin Lake. Open June-Oct

Vail Bike Paths

Vail has a beautiful bike path that stretches from East Vail through West Vail. It is the perfect place to take your leashed dog and you can literally walk for miles. Beautiful scenery surrounds you on this bike path, so much fun! Remember, to always clean up after your dog.

Vail Nordic Center – Leashed dogs are allowed and welcomed on the snowshoe trails at the Vail Nordic Center during the winter months. This is a great place to take your dog skijoring. The Nordic Center is located just east of town along the Town of Vail Golf course, leashed dogs are welcome. Dogs are not allowed on the cross-country ski trails.

Eagle Vail Dog Parks

For years dogs have been a big part of the Eagle Vail culture. People get together with their dogs out on the golf course after hours or just walking through the neighborhood. But keep in mind that Eagle Vail regulations require that dogs must be on a leash at all times when not in a house or a fenced yard.

COYOTE PARK

Located on Stone Creek Drive, West of Coyote Court.

Playground equipment, picnic table and grill.

HOLLAND POND

Located on Stone Creek Drive, West of Cottonwood Drive. A lovely pond can be found here.

MIKAELA’S PARK

Located at 538 Eagle Road, West of the Pavilion. Playground equipment, sand pit.

PTARMIGAN PARK

Located at the corner of Deer Blvd. & Ptarmigan Court. Playground equipment and a picnic table.

TROUT POND PARK

Located at Stone Creek Drive, South on Cottonwood Drive, East on Trout Pond Lane. Playground.

WEST PARK

Located on Deer Blvd, West of Pheasant Court. Playground equipment, picnic table, covered sand pit, gazebo, volleyball court, basketball court.

Minturn Dog Park

Little Beach Dog Park – Leashed dogs are welcome to this wonderful community park that offers play structures for kids of all ages, playground, climbing wall, basketball court, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, river access, an outdoor amphitheater for concerts and events. Located on Cemetery Road (just over the Cemetery Bridge) right on the Eagle River, just outside of downtown Minturn.

Meadow Mountain Trail – This popular hiking and snowshoe trail begins just south of the Holy Cross Ranger Station off Hwy 24 en route to Minturn, the hike is an old forest road with relics of cabins and corrals, and even evidence of old ski runs. Leashed dogs are welcome. This becomes a great snowshoe trail in the winter

Avon Dog Parks

Harry A Nottingham Park – This wonderful park sits on a lovely pond with incredible views of Beaver Creek. From 6:00am-9am daily there are off-leash areas of the park which include the entire upper grass field, sediment pond area and grass area on the north side from the fishing pier to the bike path. Water access for canines is permitted in these areas. All dogs need to be under strict voice command. There is bike path that encircles the pond and is a perfect place to walk your leashed dog. There is also a playground, restrooms, picnic areas, grills and paddle board and paddle boat rentals.

Wildridge Dog Park Located in Avon this is an Off-Leash Dog park. The off-leash area has a rustic-style, split rail wood fence which has been covered with wire mesh to make the park secure. There are picnic tables with benches where pet owners can sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings while watching their dogs play. Located in Wildridge, take Metcalfe Road to Wildridge Road to 2601 Old Trail Rd. Dog owners do need to take a supply of poop bags as there are none provided at the park.

Avon Bike Path -The Avon Bike Path is the perfect place to take your leashed dog as it meanders along the Eagle river and is just beautiful. You can go all the way to Edwards to the west or all the way to Eagle Vail to the east. Lots of benches and picnic tables along the way to stop and rest and to take in the views.

Edwards Dog Parks

Freedom Park Off Leash Dog Park. This is a wonderful unfenced, open dog park that features a big pond and a large, sandy beach are for dogs to play. There is a big grassy area that is perfect for Frisbee and throwing a ball. There is also a nice paved path around the pond for strolling and the path connects to the bike path that will lead you all the way to Avon and EagleVail. There are lots of poop bag stations and plenty of parking. Located next to the WECMRD field house and across the street from Berry Creek High School.

Lower Homestead Dog Park – A small pocket park located in Lower Homestead on Edwards Village Blvd. The park is fenced with wood split rail fencing and is nice and sunny. Open year-round and has a restroom and easy parking. A great little neighborhood park.

Eagle River Preserve – is a 72-acre park, located in the heart of Edwards that borders a beautiful quarter-mile stretch of the Eagle River. The Eagle River Preserve offers: nature walks, fly-fishing, picnics, bicycling, an off leash dog park, snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, bird watching, and more! The Dog park area is a big grassy area, near the river that is partially fenced. It has nice log benches so you can sit while your dog runs and plays. Poop bag stations are situated throughout the area. Your dog will also enjoy a walk along the beautiful dirt paths that meander around the property and past ponds, bridges and the river. This area closes in the winter for wildlife migration.

Edwards Bike Path – This bike path starts in the parking lot of Marko’s Pizzeria and Fiesta’s New Mexican Cantina, so there is lots of parking here or just park in Riverwalk Shopping Center. The bike path follows the river and behind Riverwalk and heads past the Freedom Park dog park, the Edwards Skate Park and onto Avon. It is a scenic, popular trail that welcomes leashed dogs.

Cordillera Dog Parks

Cordillera Dog Park -During the non-winter months, Cordillera maintains a large, fenced, Off-Leash Dog Park on Carterville Road. Pets should have current and proper shots/vaccinations. Dogs must be properly socialized and trained to be around other dogs. Owners must clean up after their pets. This is a wonderful place for dogs to run and socialize. In the summer, Cordillera residents attend weekly Yappy Hours during which people socialize over glasses of wine while their dogs socialize with each other, so much fun!

Eagle Dog Parks

I-70 MM147 E/W Rest Stop Dog Area – Located right off the freeway, this dog area is neither off-leash or fenced, but has a great grassy area by the river with picnic space for you to take a break with your pooch and walk them on the trails next to the Eagle River.

Eagle Ranch Dog Park – This is a large, partially fenced, Off-Leash area with a lovely little creek side trail, seating, and two fully fenced smaller areas, one being a cool, little agility course and one a safe space for smaller dogs. Located at the south end of Brush Creek Park, across the street from the Eagle Ranch Golf Course Club House along Sylvan Lake Road.

Gypsum Dog Parks

Free Community Dog Park at the Gypsum Animal Hospital- Located at 680 Red Table Dr. The Gypsum Animal Hospital has opened the town’s first dog park. The fenced in property on the 1-acre animal hospital property, offers grassy open space, some agility equipment, chairs and benches, landscaping, a pet watering station and a poop station/waste receptacle.

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See Also: Best LED Lighted Dog Collars

Comments

Please leave a comment if you believe any local Vail dog parks have been forgotten or if any information is incorrect. Also, tell us the experiences that you and your dogs have had at these dog parks.

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