Sara

We visited Dinosaur Ridge because it was close to where we were staying, and it didn’t disappoint. We arrived early in the day in early July, which allowed us to park in the visitor center parking lot. Parking filled up while we walked, so get there early to secure your space. Our pups enjoyed the walk—a total of 1 mile uphill and one mile downhill. It is a self-guided tour with placards and signs for information on dinosaurs, flora, fauna, and fossils. My husband, who will tell you “almost had enough credits for a minor in geology” in college, loved it. From the top, there were beautiful city views on one side and a view of Red Rocks Amphitheater on the other. Be aware that the surface is mostly asphalt, so I would recommend visiting early in the day during summer months. It took us about an hour to complete our walk, with a water break at the top and reading the information along the way.

We’re visiting from Wisconsin with our 2 Aussies, so we appreciated the beginner-level difficulty of this trail. The trail shares the space between bikes, horses (although we didn’t see horses when we went), and hikers (some with Fido in tow). As mentioned in other reviews, this trail was not overcrowded, and we visited on a Sunday after a holiday! The people we met on the trail were courteous and friendly. Make sure to bring water for Fido and you, as well as a collapsible bowl. The bathrooms at the trailhead were not clean, but at least there are facilities at the entrance. We will definitely be visiting this trail again.

To be honest, we went here because it’s dog-friendly, but we will definitely be back when we pass through town again for the food. The outdoor patio is fully fenced in and a great place to enjoy dinner with our pups.