Mile High Loop at City Park

Dog-friendly hike near Denver · City Park, E 17th Ave & York St (Ferril Lake lots), Denver

Illustration of Front Range foothills trail

Illustration of the region, not this trail.

Dogs on this trail

Denver park rules: dogs and pets must be on a leash and under physical control at all times; dogs may not enter park waters.

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

Distance3.1 mi
Elevation gain51 ft
Leash ruleLeash required
Water on trailNone — carry water (park fountains seasonal)
SeasonYear-round
ParkingSeveral free lots off 17th Ave and inside the park; busy on summer weekends and during Zoo/Museum peak hours
FeeFree
RestroomsRestrooms near the pavilion and playgrounds (seasonal)
Managed byDenver Parks & Recreation

Denver's marked 3.1-mile Mile High Loop circles City Park past Ferril Lake, the Museum of Nature & Science and the Zoo, with a line on the pavement at exactly 5,280 feet. It is paved and dead flat, so it suits older dogs, post-surgery rehab walks and anyone who wants a predictable distance without driving to the foothills. Shade is patchy, so go early in summer. Geese, squirrels and off-leash scofflaws are the main distractions. The lake is off-limits to dogs under Denver's park rules, and the nearby dog park at the park's edge is the only legal off-leash spot. Combine with the shorter Ferril Lake loop for a 4-mile morning.