Barking Chronicles in Boulder, Colorado
- Luie Boone
- Sep 5
- 7 min read
This vacation destination is a part of our third series of blog posts titled Rover Ready.
Luie Boone loves to bark. Squirrels? Bark. Cars? Bark. His hoomans? Bark. Anything? Nothing at all? Bark, bark, bark. It's his job, okay? So, when he and his hoomans head off on a vacation to Boulder, Colorado, you better believe that he's bringing the noise. That's right—the Barking Chronicles are coming with him!
Boulder, Colorado, is a literal dream come true for outdoor enthusiasts who don’t want to leave their pup behind. Imagine strolling along miles of scenic trails, stopping at dog-friendly patios, and soaking in breathtaking views of the Flatirons. Now, the Flatirons are not like the flat iron that his hooman Rachel uses to straighten her hair sometimes. Nah-uh. The Flatirons are Boulder's iconic slanted, reddish-brown sandstone formations that rise dramatically from the foothills. This incredible landmark, as well as all the potential adventures to share in Boulder with your pooch, is waiting for you!
A huge part of Boulder's charm is all of the different hiking opportunities. One incredible spot is Chautauqua Park, which offers several trails that lead right into the Flatirons and reward you with iconic views at every turn. If you're looking for something more relaxed, the Boulder Creek Path might just be the trail for you. Boulder Creek Path is a paved trail that winds through the town. It is perfect for casual walks along the water (and, maybe, cannonballs from Luie Boone). If you and your pup are up for more of a challenge, consider Mount Sanitas. This spot provides a moderately steep climb with panoramic views at the top! Please remember that wherever you go, it’s very important to bring water and take moderate breaks. The sun and the elevation can be tough on dogs (and their hoomans, too!).
When you're trying to find a place to stay in Boulder, you won't have to worry. There's plenty of dog-friendly options. The historic Hotel Boulderado is one great choice, as well as Basecamp Boulder. The later offers a fun, adventure-focused vibe that suits the city perfectly. Vacation rentals are another great choice, especially if you want more flexibility or space for a bigger dog to stretch out and relax. Luie Boone will bark more about his hoomans' vacation rental choice, The Boulder Mountain Getaway, below.
Dining out with your dog is one of the best parts of a trip to Boulder. You should consider visiting Avery Brewing Co., which is a must stop for its craft beer and large, dog-friendly patio. A popular spot for brunch is The Buff, which has been serving breakfast and lunch for 29 years! Another welcoming restaurant is the Mountain Sun Pub, which is a six-barrel brewery. Luie Boone says you have to try their signature pub fries (and, maybe, just maybe, sneak some to your pup!). Overall, Boulder’s patio culture makes it easy to include your dog in your dining plans. Most spots will be happy to bring out a water bowl for your pooch, alongside your meal.
Beyond hiking and eating, Boulder has plenty of other dog-friendly activities. The Boulder Reservoir is a great place for your pup to splash and cool off. Pearl Street, with its street performers and lively pedestrian mall, is perfect for wandering together. For a chance to run and socialize, Valmont Dog Park provides wide-open space for off-leash play.
To make the most of your time, it helps to pack extra water and a collapsible bowl for hikes, bring a towel for muddy paws, and prepare for quick shifts in weather between sunny days and cool nights. Please be sure to follow leash laws and practice good trail etiquette, so Boulder can remain welcoming to dogs and enjoyable for everyone.
In the end, a trip to Boulder is all about embracing the outdoors with your best friend by your side. Whether you’re hiking trails, dining on a patio, or strolling down Pearl Street, your pup will be part of the experience every step of the way. With its mix of natural beauty, adventure, and dog-friendly culture, Boulder makes for a vacation you and your dog will always remember.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay in Boulder, Colorado. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Boulder Mountain Getaway
This rental has 3 bedrooms with 4 beds and 2.5 baths.
Photos courtesy of Airbnb
It features the following amenities:
Stunning views of the Flatirons and front range
Relaxing hot tub
Outside wrap-around deck
Charcoal grill
Fire pit
All-glass observation room
Home gym
Hiking trails nearby
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
My hoomans say Boulder is a super-duper dog-friendly town. When we go there, we'd stay at the Boulder Mountain Getaway. This is a mountain home that sounds like it was made for wagging tails just like mine! From what I’ve overheard, the house has a special glass observation room. How cool is that?! That's where I'm going to stretch out in the sun, while watching for deer and birds. There’s even a dog run just for pups like me. I’ve also heard about the hiking trails nearby, which means extra-long walks, where I'll be able lead my pack and sniff every pinecone in sight. And when my paws are tired, I can curl up on the deck, while my hoomans soak in the hot tub or cook something delicious in the kitchen. I do plan to supervise closely in case anything tasty drops. I’ve also heard from other pups that have stayed at this house that they loved it! They ran around the dog run and explored the mountain scents! Between the mountain air, the trails, the wildlife, and all the cozy spots to nap, I can already tell this will be the kind of trip that fills my puppy-dog heart with joy.
Paws Venture Here
Twin Lakes Off-Leash Dog Swim
This is the perfect spot for your furry friend to enjoy a splash! It offers a spacious area, where dogs can romp freely and swim in the refreshing waters of Twin Lakes. Luie hopes he can find a spot to do a big cannonball from!
Chautauqua Park
This park is a part of a national historical landmark, which dates back to over 100 years ago in 1898! It is a dog-friendly recreation area, providing access to multiple open-space mountain park trails. It also hosts tons of grassy areas for pups to run and play!
The Flatirons
These are the Flatirons that Luie Boone was referencing before. They are the striking, slanted, reddish-brown sandstone formations that make up a portion of Boulder’s foothills on the west side of town. There are plenty of trails for you and your canine companion to hike, which will take you around and up to the Flatirons. The Flatirons provide habitat for wildlife, including squirrels, rabbits, bats, falcons, bears, and even mountain lions. Be sure to keep an eye out for the wildlife and to respect it!
Mount Sanitas
Mount Sanitas is a great area to hike with your pooch. It offers great overviews of Boulder. The hike can be challenging, as there are many steep sections and various rocky surfaces. For something a little easier, try the Valley Trail or Dakota Ridge.
Realization Point
Realization Point offers a stunning vantage above Boulder, Colorado. It also provides access to several trails for you and your pup. This is one of Boulder’s signature hiking and picnicking areas. Luie Boone reckons it's called Realization Point, because it's where a puppy-dog's hoomans realize their pup needs all the fiddles in the world!
Wonderland Lake
Wonderland Lake has a family-friendly and pooch-friendly trail, which leads through a diverse ecosystem circling the lake. The wildlife sanctuary here has streams, wetlands, short-grass prairies, and shrubs that provide essential habitat for local wildlife!
Bear Peak
As Boulder's second tallest peak at over 8,400 feet high, Bear Peak offers a physical challenge and incredible vistas! No matter the route that you take to reach the top, you and your pal will be rewarded with sweeping 360° views of mountains, foothills, and plains.
Hungry Toad
Hungry Toad is an English gathering place, which offers eight dog-friendly tables outside. Fido can order off their dog menu, while pet parents can choose from various burgers, nachos, salads, and more. The pup pictured to our left is enjoying a fishbowl from the dog menu. Don't tell Luie Boone's kitty brother, Tobi, about that—or he's going to be really jealous!
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Boulder, Colorado
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
I’ve never been to Boulder, Colorado, but I hear that there are mountains to sniff, creeks to splash in, and plenty of squirrels to chase! My stuffed squirrel plushie, Sally, is coming with me. She is absolutely not included in any chase! Going to Boulder sounds like a dream come true to me and Sally, but then we heard about something: Moose. I’ve heard these moose are enormous. They can be taller than cars and heavier than a whole pack of dogs. And they strut around with trees on their heads! And the worst part? They don’t like dogs. They think we’re wolves. Sure, those are my ancestors, but I'm not a wolf. I'm a dog that's only interested in belly rubs, snacks, and making sure that Sally is safe on our trip. According to my hoomans, Colorado has between 3,000 and 3,500 moose. And in Boulder County, there are plenty of them. Sometimes these moose even wander right into town, which means I might see one while I’m supposed to be enjoying my meal! I might get so scared by the moose that my hoomans will have to order me a second meal to make me feel better. Anyways, I’ve got a plan to stay safe. Want to hear it? Well, here it is: I’m going to stick close to my humans, keep Sally right by me, stay on my leash, and let the moose keep their space. We should always respect wildlife because they deserve the space and the freedom to live without interruption from curious humans or overly enthusiastic pups.
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