I’m excited to share our latest adventure in Estes Park, Colorado. We brought our three-year-old Australian Shepard, Sky. I was nervous about how well our active pup would do on the long drive from Arkansas to Colorado, but after talking to her vet and the owner of her doggie daycare, we decided to bring Sky along with us.
Kruger rock trail
The first hike we took her on was the Kruger Rock Trail in Hermit Park, located just outside of Estes Park on Highway 36. It is a dog-friendly area with dozens of campsites, a nice pavilion, and a few other trails to explore. The open space requires entrance and camping permits and is open from March through mid December. You can read more here.
The elevation of Hermit Park is 7,880-8,964 feet which makes it a good ‘lower elevation’ and early-season hike compared to many of our favorite hikes in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. We hiked over Memorial Day weekend.
The trail is roughly 2 miles each way, steadily gaining just under 1,000 feet of elevation. Less than a mile in, you reach a junction with the Limber Pine trail.
Continue up the trail to find a series of rock outcroppings ideal for catching your breath and taking in the wide views of the Estes Valley.
In November 2021, a wildfire burned in this area. Thankfully the fire was contained, but the damage can still be seen along the trail.
Once we got to the top, we took turns climbing Kruger Rock without Sky. This is a fun scramble with spectacular views.
Dog-friendly hiking tips: bring bags to pick up waste, extra water, and a water bowl. Dogs should remain on a leash.
Dog Friendly Estes Park
We found Estes Park, Colorado to be a dog-friendly destination. The Estes Park Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor Center provide a comprehensive list of lodging, food and beverage, and retail destinations that allow dogs.
rocky mountain tot 