Ultimate Colorado Road Trip: Discover Scenic Routes and Hidden Gems (Part 2)
Let’s continue our ultimate Colorado road trip loop. In this leg, we’ll explore unique hikes with dogs, visit captivating open museums, and enjoy many other fun Colorado activities.
If you missed the first part, click Dog-friendly Colorado – Part 1.
Day 8. Black Canyon and Mesa Verde
After Telluride, there are two options to continue your Colorado road trip.
I decided to go back following The Black Canyon. Another option is to drive further south to Durango, follow Route 160, and visit Great Sand Dune National Park and Preserve.
My initial plan was to follow route 50, from where you can access the South Rim of Black Canyon. However, I had to change our minds because of road work and travel following North Rim.
The Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park is a spectacular natural wonder that allows visitors to explore its awe-inspiring depths and rugged beauty.
Moreover, the North Rim provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Black Canyon and its sheer cliffs plunging into the Gunnison River below. The Chasm View and Painted Wall Overlook offer some of the most dramatic viewpoints, allowing you to marvel at the vertical rock walls and the deep, narrow canyon.
Mesa Verde
This direction gives you an opportunity for numerous stops. Generally, Mesa Creek is nestled in a picturesque setting, surrounded by rolling hills, meadows, and stunning mountain vistas. The area is characterized by its rugged landscapes, different canyons, and mesas, adding to its charm. The natural beauty of Mesa Creek is sure to captivate you.
The Blue Mesa Power Plant, a hydroelectric facility in western Colorado, is strategically situated on the Gunnison River. It is also located just downstream of the Blue Mesa Reservoir, which is the largest reservoir in Colorado.
The primary purpose of the Blue Mesa Hydroelectric Power Plant is to generate electricity using flowing water from the Gunnison River. The operation also considers environmental factors to ensure the preservation of the Gunnison River ecosystem.
The Blue Mesa Reservoir and surrounding landscapes provide stunning views of picturesque mountains and deep blue waters.
Day 9. Canon City
Canon City was the next stop on our road trip, and I must admit, it was the only Colorado location that didn’t delight me. It is home to several correctional facilities, including ADX Florence. It is one of the most secure prisons in the United States.
However, there are a couple of attractions nearby.
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
One of the most famous Colorado attractions in Canon City is the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, which has some dog-friendly options. The park is home to the world’s highest suspension bridge, which spans the impressive Royal Gorge, allowing visitors to enjoy breathtaking views of the gorge.
Dogs are welcome on the bridge, one of the most popular attractions in Colorado, but there are not many other dog-friendly activities around.
One option is to take a jeep tour, a 3.5-hour off-road tour. It takes you to high peaks overlooking the rim of the Royal Gorge and drives over America’s highest suspension bridge.
The bridge ticket is included in the price.
The Tunnel Drive Trail
The Tunnel Drive Trail is a popular hiking and biking trail near Canon City. It is named after the historic tunnel carved into the mountainside in the late 1800s for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Inside the tunnel, you’ll find informational signs that share the history of its construction and use.
The Tunnel Drive Trail is a 2.25-mile (3.6-kilometer) loop trail that winds through scenic terrain along the Arkansas River. Therefore, it provides stunning views of the surrounding area, including the river and the Canon City. The trail is relatively easy and a mix of paved and gravel paths. As you hike along the dog-friendly trail, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the region’s natural beauty and capture memorable photos for your Colorado album.
Day 10. Colorado Springs
The last stop on our road trip was Colorado Springs, a vibrant city near the majestic Rocky Mountains. Colorado Springs offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, dog-friendly hikes, and cultural attractions, making it a must-visit destination for adventurers and their pups.
The Garden of Gods
The Garden of the Gods is a remarkable natural landmark in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is a public park with stunning rock formations and breathtaking scenery. Additionally, The Garden of the Gods is famous for its unique and towering red rock formations, which have been formed over millions of years through geological processes. These formations, composed of sandstone and conglomerate rock, create a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape. The Garden of the Gods offers a network of trails that allow visitors to explore the park’s natural wonders up close. The trails range from easy, paved paths suitable for all visitors, including dogs.
The Manitou Cliff Dwellings
The Manitou Cliff Dwellings in Colorado is a fascinating archaeological site in Manitou Springs. Above all, visiting a dog-friendly museum is a unique experience.
It is a collection of relocated Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings that date back over 800 years. These dwellings were initially built in the Mesa Verde region of southwestern Colorado. And relocated and reconstructed in Manitou Springs in the early 1900s.
The buildings, made of local sandstone and timber, offer a glimpse into the way of life of the ancestral Puebloan people. Furthermore, visitors to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings can explore the site through self-guided tours, which lead them through rooms, passageways, and kivas (ceremonial chambers).
Another option for walking and photography is to visit a park in front of Pikes Peak Center. There, you can find the bronze Humpty Dumpty sitting outside the Center. He does sit on a wall–one low enough to allow children or dogs to sidle up to him.
A must-visit restaurant in Colorado Springs is Pub Dog Colorado. This spacious eatery with a dog-playing area serves an array of hearty pub grub standards alongside beer and wine.
Day 11. Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak is also known as “America’s Mountain.” It is a majestic peak in the Rocky Mountains and must be visited on your Colorado road trip. It stands at an impressive elevation of 14,115 feet (4,302 meters), making it one of the most famous fourteeners in Colorado. Above all, its snow-capped summit offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including vast mountain ranges, alpine meadows, and dense forests.
The Pikes Peak Highway is a scenic toll road that provides access to the summit of Pikes Peak. The 19-mile (31-kilometer) paved road winds through picturesque terrain, allowing visitors to enjoy stunning vistas. The road is open seasonally, usually from May to October, depending on weather conditions.
If you want to drive to the top of the mountain, booking a timed entry permit is essential. You can book it HERE.
If you don’t have permission, you’ll likely need to park a few miles before the summit. From there, you have the option to either take a bus or hike to the top. Generally, buses aren’t officially dog-friendly, but in Zen’s case, they made an exception, allowing him to join the journey. Alternatively, you can enjoy dog-friendly hikes in Colorado to the summit yourself.
And that’s all, folks. I hope you found some ideas from our itinerary and will enjoy dog-friendly Colorado as we did.
For more travel ideas, please check our DESTINATIONS.