Fresh mountain air, endless scents, great exercise and time with their owners. It’s no wonder most active dogs love hiking. And of course, like the good Colorado residents that we are, we love it too!
We hope you’ve been out this summer enjoying the weather but if you haven’t, you still have time-- late summer and early fall are perfect for hiking. In fact, you might have even more fun during the slightly cooler temps when you’re less likely to overheat or run into snakes.
The American Hiking Society has helpful tips for hiking with dogs. The most important thing to do is make sure you are choosing a dog accessible trail or park. Definitely check the website of National Parks before assuming all trails are dog friendly.
Second, though it may be tempting to let your dog run free, it’s super important to keep them leashed. Wildlife encounters are unpredictable and could cause danger to your dog or to the wildlife.
Third, always practice hiking etiquette by leaving no trace. That means you’ll need to take care of your dog’s waste. (But that should be standard practice no matter where you’re going, right?)
To find epic hiking near you, check out REI’s Hiking Project. If you’re based in Colorado like we are, this blog from REI co-op gives wonderful and detailed information on hiking with your pooch.
After that post hike meal, your dog will be thrilled to relax and chill out in their cozy B&B Kustom Kennel.
So, what are you waiting for? Get out and hike!
(Beware of dog, he will steal your heart! Bethany ran into Gizmo & @reylenelucero during a kennel photoshoot while they were hiking Red Rocks Open Space.)
