Dogs at Garden of the Gods

The rules

The park rules page allows dogs on a leash of 6 ft at most and asks owners to pick up waste. The same rules prohibit off-trail travel, so dogs stay on the trails with their owners. The paved Perkins Central Garden Trail, 1.5 miles round trip, is the paved walk; the hiking trails page lists the others.

Heat, snakes and wildlife

The park warns of strong sun at altitude and advises hikers to carry water, which applies to a dog as much as its owner; summer afternoon storms can also form within minutes. The prairie rattlesnake lives in the park, along with bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes and black bears, so a short leash keeps a dog out of the grass and away from animals. The animals page lists the park’s wildlife, and the best time to visit page covers the cooler hours.

Tours and pets

The Segway tour’s listing states no pets, and so does the full-day tour from Denver. The other four listings do not mention pets, so the operator is the one to ask before booking. See which tour.

Frequently asked questions