There’s no shortage of places to run near Denver, but when it comes to running with a dog, the list is quickly abbreviated during the hot summer months. Read on as I share 5 of my favorite trails for running with my dog—especially in the summer.
Keep in Mind: The trails I’ve chosen are notable for their shade, access to water, and beautiful views. Keep in mind that the water at each park may not be safe for your dog to drink. Water can contain toxic algae (look for the signs!). In general, I recommend bringing water and merely using the water off trail to douse your dog. As always, obey signage at the parks.
I create the map (above) to provide extra options for running with your dog during the warmer months (which honestly consists of May-September in Colorado). They’re categorized by paved paths vs. unpaved trails. You’ll find each of the options below on the map!
Lair O’ the Bear
Just west of Morrison, Colorado, you’ll find Lair O’ the Bear. The park offers a quieter, trail run ideal for an easy day with your pup in tow. If you want to maximize the miles, start your adventure from Little Park; it’s a smaller parking lot with great spots to ice bathe in the river post-run!).
What makes Lair O’ the Bear excellent is that it is relatively quieter, has running water along the entire lower trail, and it offers more shade if you get there in the morning. If you and your dog want some vertical gain, you can continue up to Panorama Point—go on past that to access trails at Corwina and Pence parks, as they’re all connected!
The trails at Lair O’ the Bear are not technical. Plus, the mountain bikers you see near the trail head spend most of their time on the designated bike-only trail, Rutabaga.
As a word of caution: Lair O’ the Bear is way too icy to access during the winter months—especially with a doggo. It is only fifteen minutes from Lakewood but feels much more “in the mountains.”
I sometimes need to lookout for folks who are fishing or stray children by the creek, but I rarely see other dogs running—so keep this gem a secret, why don’t ya?
Bear Creek Greenbelt
Bear Creek Lake Park is a stellar spot for running with a dog, but it still gets hot and crowded. Why not try its less-popular neighbor? The Greenbelt—which runs through the park—is one of my dog’s favorites, and it’s always very quiet.
The trail is pretty flat, which makes it great for a recovery run as well.
Start wherever you’d like, but be sure to keep heading east past the underpass on S. Wadsworth. Once you are in the small park (Bear Valley Park), you’ll see a small toe path running alongside the river. The path is a blast for humans and dogs—roots, little hills, and close proximity to flowing water. When you reach John F. Kennedy High School, you’ll cross the bridge to the other side of Bear Creek. But don’t be fooled: The trail continues just to your left after you cross the bridge. You’ll wind back down to the water and can run along there for quite a while. With a few segments on the hard bike path, you can even make it down to Bear Creek Park by Logan Cemetery. The former has fresh water, restrooms, and more trails hidden amid the fields and trees!
Please Note: As a female, I will share that I often run by unhoused people (usually by the bridge at S. Wadsworth and by the bridge further down under 285. I’ve never been approached or made to feel uncomfortable, but please be aware.
Genesee Park
Located right up Highway 70 (about 20 minutes west of Morrison; 30 minutes from West Denver), Genesee offers the best of Colorado’s beauty. Opt for the Chavez and Beaver Brooke Trail Loop. It’s 5.1 miles with the option to add on by heading up the Beaver Brook Trail, which eventually ends on Lookout Mountain.
This loop is 99 percent shaded. The shade is particularly appreciated when you are doing the climbing on the latter half of the run—you descend to the creek and then loop back up. The creek at the bottom is marvelous. There are even large rocks to sit on while your dog dunks in the water. If you head up the Beaver Brook Trail, be warned that there is not much shade for the first two miles coming from Genesee.
Note: If your dog is feisty like mine, the downhill can be a bit nerve-wracking. It is steep and there will be squirrels. I advise taking it easy on the way down and then pushing the pace heading back up. It’s safer for both of you that way. As you can see in the photos below, the trail is a bit dicey at sections (fun on your own, but risky with a pup).
Standley Lake Regional Park
I will admit I’ve only made it up to Standley Lake once. It is on the north side—just south of Broomfield. While it’s not as close to the west-siders, it is a quick 15-minute drive from Arvada. The trails are pretty flat, but you can get some hill work in if you go toward the north side of the lake. If you run toward the Westminster Open Space, you’ll be able to get roughly 400 ft. of vert in 4.5 miles (AllTrails distance is a wee bit off, so don’t take those as exact measurements).
The lake is pretty quiet and there are quite a few easy entry spots for dogs to splash around. My dog loved cooling down by the running stream on the east side of the lake!
South Platte Park
To call South Platte Park a “trail,” I needed to fudge the rules a bit. Sure, there are other good options that are legit trails (Chatfield and Cherry Creek, to name a few), but those spots are typically very crowded and you must pay to get in.
For zero dollars (Monday-Thursday), you can park at South Platte Park just north of Chatfield State Park. The streams through there are all along the 1-2 miles of trails. The best part, however, is when you go south under the bridge. You enter into Chatfield (this is completely free and legal, by the way) from the north side. The park even offers an off-leash dog park in case your pup needs to run off a little more energy once you are done. Stick near the water and you’ll have no trouble with shade and water access.
One you get back to your car, you can let your four-legged buddy jump in the water at South Platte Park for one last hurrah. It is a great option in the winter too, I will add! The mix of pavement and trail options make for a diverse plethora of options. I can’t even tell you which trails I’ve run on because I’ve criss-crossed lots once getting into the park. Sometimes those off-the-cusp runs are the very best kind—especially when you have peace of mind that your dog can cool down.
Let me know if you try any of these routes or if you have others to recommend. I plan to keep exploring and sharing my favorite (and not-so favorite) spots. Stay tuned as I post trail reviews and other updates.
Love,
Han
A Grateful Life Lived 
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