Cherry Creek State Park Dog Off-Leash Area

Dog-friendly hike near Aurora · 12-Mile North Trailhead / south entrance at Parker Rd & Orchard Rd, Cherry Creek State Park, 4201 S Parker Rd, Aurora

Illustration of Front Range foothills trail

Illustration of the region, not this trail.

Dogs on this trail

Over 100 acres for off-leash exercise with a valid Dog Off-Leash pass; dogs must remain in visual distance and under voice control, a leash and waste bag must be carried for each dog, three dogs per handler, and dogs stay on leash everywhere outside the fenced area.

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

Leash ruleOff-leash allowed in designated area (pass required); leash elsewhere in the park
Water on trailCherry Creek runs through the area and dogs may swim
SeasonYear-round; muddy after storms, buggy in June
ParkingLots at 12-Mile North and the south entrance; extended waits at the entrance station on weekend and holiday mornings
Fee$3 daily or $25 annual Dog Off-Leash pass per handler (up to 3 dogs) plus the park vehicle pass ($10–$15 daily) and Cherry Creek Basin sticker
RestroomsVault toilets at the off-leash area; flush restrooms at the swim beach
Managed byColorado Parks & Wildlife

The metro area's biggest legal off-leash playground is a 100-plus-acre stretch of creek bottom, cottonwood and prairie inside Cherry Creek State Park. There is no fence along the creek, so this is for dogs with a solid recall, and CPW requires you to carry a leash and bag for every dog and keep them in sight. The main draw is water: Cherry Creek is shallow, slow and swimmable most of the year. Mud is the price you pay in spring. Weekend mornings are a parade of retrievers and trainers; weekday evenings are calmer. Buy the daily pass at the entrance station or get the annual if you will come more than eight times.