Castlewood Canyon Inner Canyon / Lake Gulch Loop

Dog-friendly hike near Denver · Castlewood Canyon State Park east entrance, 2989 S State Hwy 83, Franktown

Illustration of Front Range foothills trail

Illustration of the region, not this trail.

Dogs on this trail

Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet; pets are not permitted on the East Canyon Preservation Trail.

Source: Colorado Parks & Wildlife · checked 2026-10-24. Rules change; confirm before you go.

Distance1.75 mi
Elevation gain231 ft
Leash ruleLeash required
Water on trailCherry Creek runs along the canyon floor
SeasonYear-round; icy steps in winter, hot in July
ParkingPaved lots at the visitor center fill by late morning on nice weekends; west entrance lot is the overflow
Fee$10–$12 daily vehicle pass (Colorado plates) or $4 walk-in; Keep Colorado Wild pass accepted
RestroomsFlush restrooms at the east entrance; vault toilets at the west entrance
Managed byColorado Parks & Wildlife

Forty minutes southeast of Denver, Castlewood Canyon drops you into a surprising slot of rimrock and ponderosa with Cherry Creek at the bottom. The 1.75-mile Inner Canyon/Lake Gulch loop descends stone steps to the creek, follows it under the cliffs, then climbs back out through grassland with Pikes Peak on the horizon. Dogs get creek access and plenty of shade on the canyon floor; the rim is exposed. CPW keeps the six-foot leash rule here and bans dogs entirely from the East Canyon Preservation Trail, so stick to the west side. Rattlesnakes are common May through September. Good for confident dogs that handle steps.