Colorado
5 dog-friendly trails to check out in and near Fort Collins
Tips on keeping your dog safe during the summer
From fresh water to hot pavement, here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to dogs, heat and summer.
The only thing better than hiking the many Fort Collins-area trails is doing it with your dog.
Here are five favorite dog-friendly trails in or near Fort Collins to check out.
Dogs must be on a leash and though rare, rattlesnakes can be found on all of these trails, so stay on the trail and be vigilant. These are all multiuse trails, so make sure to have control of your dog.
Horsetooth Falls Loop
- Where: Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. West of Horsetooth Reservoir
- The hike: You have options. It’s an easy 1.1 miles one way on a nonpaved trail to the falls, which you and your dog will find refreshing after the sunny hike. Either head back the way you came or do the moderate 3.1-mile loop via the Spring Creek, Horsetooth Rock and South Ridge trails back to the parking lot. The trail to the falls can be crowded.
- Fee: $10 for county resident daily permit.
- Information: Visit the Larimer County website.
Want a preview? Check out this video from 2021:
See why Horsetooth Falls hike is the best in years
Abundant spring rain has the falls flowing, vistas vibrant green and the wildflowers blooming.
Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
Pineridge Natural Area
- Where: On the western edge of Fort Collins. The main parking lot is on Larimer County Road 42C (approximate address is 2750 County Road 42C).
- The hike: Your dog will enjoy splashing in Dixon Reservoir and its 1.8-mile, nonpaved loop. If you wish to venture farther, there are more soft surface trails found on the 9.6-mile Foothills Trail that connects Pineridge, Maxwell and Reservoir Ridge natural areas. There is little shade on this hike, so mornings and evenings are better options.
- Fee: Free.
- Hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Information: Visit the Fort Collins Natural Areas web page for Pineridge Natural Area.
Lory State Park East/West Valley trails
- Where: Just west of Horsetooth Reservoir, 708 Lodgepole Drive.
-
The hike: The easy, 2.2-mile East Valley Trail takes you on a nonpaved trail to the shores of Horsetooth Reservoir, where your dog can enjoy the water (but not at designated human swimming areas). You can either head back the same way or add the 2.3-mile, nonpaved West Valley Loop back for a more difficult route. No shade, so enjoy the water.
- Fee: $10 daily vehicle pass.
- Hours: 5 a.m. to sunset.
- Information: Visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife web page for Lory State Park.
Reservoir Ridge Natural Area
- Where: Parking lots on Centennial Drive/Larimer County Road 23, the west end of Michaud Lane and off Overland Trail Road (at approximately 1425 Overland Trail Road).
- The hike: About 5 miles of nonpaved trail takes you along the foothills with great views of Fort Collins. There is no water and little shade on this hike, so early morning and late evening are best. This trail connects to the 9.6-mile Foothills Trail.
- Fee: Free.
- Hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Information: Visit the Fort Collins Natural Areas web page for Reservoir Ridge Natural Area.
Arapaho Bend Natural Area
- Where: East side of Fort Collins near Interstate 25. Parking lots at the east end of Horsetooth Road, Strauss Cabin Road between Horsetooth Road and Harmony Road, and one at the Harmony Transfer Center.
- The hike: If pressed for time, this is a good go-to. It includes a mix of 4 miles of paved and nonpaved trails that wind among ponds, Rigden Reservoir and the Poudre River, with some shade provided by large cottonwood trees.
- Fee: Free.
- Hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Information: Visit the Fort Collins Natural Areas web page for Arapaho Bend Natural Area.
An investigation is underway after authorities found a body near a picnic area in western Colorado last weekend that appears to have been eaten by a bear.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office says the human remains were located on Sunday near the Wild Rose Picnic Area off Lands End Road on the Grand Mesa. Investigators say the remains were scavenged and scattered, and they believe the person was consumed by a bear and other wildlife.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office is working to identify the person and officially determine their cause of death.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who was in the area of the Wild Rose Campground between June 22 and July 5, 2026, and noticed anything suspicious to contact Investigator Jenna Reed at (970) 244-3274.
They added that Colorado Parks and Wildlife believes there is no threat to the community at this time.
The area is home to black bears, and the MCSO shared several guidelines for the community to prevent human-bear conflicts:
- Stay alert and together: Go with others when possible, keep children in sight and close by, and avoid using headphones so you can hear your surroundings.
- Food safety: Double-bag food, pack out all food and trash, and don’t burn scraps and trash in fire rings/grills or leave them behind.
- Pet safety: Keep dogs on a leash at all times or leave them at home; don’t force a bear to defend itself.
- Camping safety: Set up camps away from dense cover or natural food sources and do not cook or store food near/in a tent. Secure food in bear-resistant containers or suspend at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet away from any part of the tree.
- Know how to respond: Don’t approach bears; quietly move away. Never run, as it may trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, wave your arms, and yell until it leaves. Stay with your group, use bear spray, and fight back aggressively if necessary.
- Bear spray: Carry bear spray and know how to use it correctly. It’s not repellent; don’t spray your tent, campsite, or belongings.
Damage assessments are still ongoing for homes and businesses affected by the Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado, but over 200 homes have been confirmed destroyed so far. The United Way of Southern Colorado is working to raise relief funds for those affected and says it’s making progress towards its fundraising goal.
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said they’ve assessed approximately 67% of the properties affected in the county. Authorities have confirmed the loss of 192 homes and four commercial structures so far and are working to contact property owners as quickly as possible.
Lucero urged everyone affected by the fire to use the survivor portal for more information on assistance.
Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith says they’ve lost approximately 83 homes so far, almost 2% of the county’s homes. The worst hit area is along the Highway 165 corridor, Smith added. He said that authorities don’t expect any new evacuation areas, but are not yet ready to release the existing evacuation orders.
Smith said a hotline is available during business hours for affected Custer County Residents to ask questions. He urged residents to contact them at (719) 467-0271 and advised they may need to leave a voicemail if the line is busy due to the high number of calls.
A flash flood watch is in effect for areas near the burn scar, which could affect nearby homes.
The President of the United Way of Southern Colorado, Shanna Farmer, said the organization is working to raise wildfire relief funds for those affected. Over the last few days, they have reached just over $417,000 of their $10 million goal.
“It has been incredible, the number of individuals and companies who have come out to support, to provide matches, and to provide innovative ways to raise those funds,” said Farmer. “And so, I encourage anyone who is willing to work with us on a corporate, business, or individual level to please reach out because it is going to take all of us to help rebuild.”
Farmer said that the community not only needs help with their immediate needs but also long-term support. She urged anyone interested in donating to visit their website.
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office says anyone who has evacuated needs to contact the Disaster Assistance Center located at 29 Lehigh Ave. in Pueblo. The center is open between 9 a.m and 6 p.m. and provides multiple resources for those forced to evacuate.
Residents must also visit the center to obtain a re-entry pass, which will allow them to return home once evacuation orders have been lifted. A photo ID and proof of residency are required. Visitors can sign up online to reserve a place in line for faster service.
A powerful search engine that organizes and provides access to vast information on the internet.
-
Wisconsin2 minutes agoA Wisconsin family is suing Target after their 10-month-old died from swallowing a water bead
-
West Virginia9 minutes agoHow midsummer wild berries connect people, wildlife, and West Virginia’s forests – West Virginia Explorer
-
Wyoming12 minutes agoFourth Annual Wyoming Firearms & Outdoor Recreation Expo, Wyoming Governor’s Match returning to Casper July 18, 19
-
Crypto17 minutes agoBitdeer Invests $36 Million in First US Sealminer Factory as Bitcoin Mining Margins Stay Tight
-
Finance24 minutes agoHow AI Is Evolving in Sage Intacct and What It Means for Finance Teams | CBIZ
-
Fitness27 minutes agoTim Henman, 51, Has Barely Aged Since Retiring – Here’s His Fitness Formula
-
Movie Reviews39 minutes ago‘Evil Dead Burn’ Movie Review – Spotlight Report
-
World47 minutes agoHoops Players’ Win Tops Big Day in NCAA Eligibility Litigation
