Dogs and Horses on County Open Space
Hiking with your dog or riding horseback on open space trails is a
great opportunity for both you and your dog or horse to enjoy nature close
to home. Dogs, horses, and
other pets are allowed on most Boulder County's open space trails with
some exceptions, noted below.
Follow
all open space rules and regulations
by reading the kiosk at the trailhead.
Finding a Balance:
Resource Protection and Public Enjoyment
Boulder County parks and Open Space trails offer great
opportunities for dogs and their owners to enjoy leashed adventures
together. In fact, over one-hundred-thousand dogs explore these trails
every year. County parks are also home to wildlife like mountain lions,
black bears, mule deer, songbirds and raptors.
Dogs
are allowed on all county open space trails, except those at Caribou Ranch, Hall Ranch, Heil
Valley Ranch and Dodd Lake, which are considered prime wildlife habitat
areas. See map below for properties and a list of
off-leash
exceptions.
Boulder County Parks and Open Space is charged with
providing recreation for the public, and also protecting wildlife and
their habitat. The cumulative impact of so many dogs can have a
tremendous effect on local wildlife. One of the ways we protect wildlife
is by requiring all dogs to be on a leash and under control at all
times.
Some benefits of having your dog on a leash include:
-
Knowing your dog is safe from hazards like
rattlesnakes, lions and cacti
-
Knowing your impact on native wildlife habitat is
minimized
-
Having friendly interactions with other park
visitors
-
Improving your chances of seeing wildlife
-
Avoiding an expensive ticket
Enjoy the benefits of keeping your dog on a leash in
Boulder County Parks and Open Space. Happy trails!
Dog Map
(2.0MB PDF)
Reynolds Ranch open space is one exception to the leash rule
and currently allows dogs off-leash. Also, the west lake at Twin Lakes
is a dog off-leash area. Please note that as of April 14, 2007, the east
lake will be leash-required and will be enforced.
Remember, without a leash, even friendly dogs can be a menace to wildlife and
other users, especially children. Using a leash can also help reduce the
risk of serious injury to your dog.
Any owner/guardian accompanying a dog in an off-leash area must have
the ability to restrain his or her dog when requested by POS staff.
No dogs are allowed to harass users or engage in threatening behavior
which creates a nuisance for any user, domestic animal, or livestock.
Please remember to pick up, carry out and
properly dispose of all dog excrement.
Do you have questions about the the City of Boulder's Voice and Sight Dog Tag Program?
For information on the City of Boulder's Voice and Sight Dog Tag
Program or for more information on the City's rules and regulations for
open space, please visit the City's Open Space and Mountain Parks website at
www.osmp.org, or call (303) 441-3440.
 Horses
and pack animals are allowed on all open space trails except on the Lichen
Trail at Heil Valley Ranch and in incorporated areas within Lafayette and
Louisville.
Horses are prohibited on Coal
Creek/Rock Creek trails within incorporated areas. Trails
outside the incorporated areas, including Coalton Trail, Mayhoffer/Singletree,
the new spur on Imel and all trails on Rock Creek Farm do allow horses.
Equestrians should also be aware that the Walker Ranch
Loop Trail includes a 500-foot cliff-like section of stone steps that is
not recommended for horses.
Equestrians are encouraged to stay on
designated trails. Again, because of the large number of hikers, bikers,
equestrians and dogs on open space trails, horses must be under the
physical control of a person at all times. The following guidelines will
help make your ride more pleasant.
Please use weed-free hay when feeding horses at
open space trailheads. The spread of aggressive, non-native plants is a
large problem in Colorado. Once these aggressive weeds become established,
they are difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate.
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