Man oh Man it’s gettin’ hot round here!!! I keep thinking if I just get up early enough I can get the boys out for a jog before that Summer sun melts my Nordic dogs. This morning my alarm went off at 6:30, a time I don’t normally see unless there’s photos to be taken. And as I started to hit the snooze an adorable fuzzy muzzle popped up reminding me that dogs can't tell time and don't care how early it is.
Around Colorado large, active dogs fit right into our usual climate and lifestyle. But right now’s a tough time to be a big-dog mom. When your dogs need to burn off some energy but the pavement is burning their paws, what’s a pet parent to do?!
Fortunately for us there are some awesome dog friendly waterways sprawled all over our fair Front Range:
Downtown Oasis: If you prefer a most Urban spot to cool off cruise on down to Confluence Park. It’s right at the edge of LoDo where Cherry Creek & the South Platte Rivers converge right around 15th St. & Little Raven St. Grab a picnic and sit on the shore or splash around at the edge of the river. Dogs are welcome to cool off as well, though technically leashes are required. For your entertainment you may also spot kayakers and tubers cruising the small collection of whitewater rapids. I first discovered this cool area while enjoying the annual S. Platte River Festival. A fantastic fest with fair food, and free paddleboard & rafting. In fact, this is where I first got to try out and fall in love with Standup Paddle-boarding.
Coot Lake in Longmont/Boulder:
This tucked away oasis is a local favorite. Boasting a large green tag open space area. A nice wide trail circling the lake, and of course Coot Lake itself. This hidden gem is a great place to cool off your favorite water dog with a round of diving fetch. People are not allowed in the water though, and fishing is. So keep an eye out for discarded fishing line. Also, because it's a small lake there's the potential for algae blooms as the hot summer wears on, so be sure to check for notices when you arrive. The parking area in front of the dock is quite tiny, but just across the street is a much larger lot catering to Tom Watson Park, so don't fret if you can't find a space. Tom Watson is a lovely, lush park with plenty of large shade trees to relax under while your dog dries off.
Clear Creek, Lion's Park in Golden:
Clear Creek also comes down out of the mountains running along Clear Creek Canyon/ Hwy 6 through Golden and beyond. Clear Creek is a popular with kayakers and white-water rafters so care should be taken during the higher water months. My favorite point to access Clear Creek also happens to be my absolute favorite spot to photograph, Lions Park in Golden. With rapids and eddies and lots of big rocks to enjoy a hot afternoon with your toes in the water it’s a great spot to escape the Summer sun.
Bear Creek
Bear Creek starts way up in the mountains, well past Morrison or Evergreen and makes it's way all the way through Littleton and Englewood before dumping into the South Platte. If you can find parking at O'Fallon Park that's probably the best place to enjoy a section of Bear Creek. Either before or after a lovely hike along the trail of the same name. In fact, this is one of my absolute favorite ways to spend a morning with my pups. A hike up Bear Creek Trail finished out a dip in the chilly creek. You can enjoy Bear Creek at Lair O' The Bear Park as well. Or add a bit of history to your cooling off by tucking into the creek at The Old Stone House park in Lakewood. Just keep in mind dogs aren't allow in the ponds at this park. If you'd prefer to go on a neighborhood adventure, try and find Bear Creek Park, tucked away in the neighborhood of Bear Valley.
Chatfield Or Cherry Creek Reservoirs (or almost anywhere that allows boating):
If you’re a fan of watersports like SUP or kayaking you’re in luck! Your dog can join you almost anywhere you go. Late in the Summer a lot of lakes end up teaming with toxic algae, so be sure to keep an eye out for warning signs. Just a half hour south of Denver, Chatfield Reservoir is my absolute favorite place to paddle-board with my dogs. While dogs aren’t allowed on the swim beach, they are allowed just about everywhere else. Though they must be kept on a leash, the rules about dogs getting in the water to cool off are very laid back. And the reservoir is deep enough that in my 5 years paddle-boarding there I’ve never seen a toxic algae issue. Which makes it a wonderful place for some afternoon fun in the sun. Don’t have a board or kayak? No problem, pack a cooler and some beach towels and set up on the edge of the water. Or you can rent from several local providers, be sure to confirm they don’t mind your canine companions on their boards. Some even include doggy lifejackets with the rental. There’s also a massive off leash dog park which has it’s very own ponds. It’s a state park so there is an $10 entry fee unless you have an annual pass.
Cherry Creek Dog Park:
If you’re on the Southeast side of town, Cherry Creek Park might be right up your ally for a refreshing adventure. Your state parks pass will get you in for water activities. Or if you prefer off-leash enjoyment head to their massive 107 acre dog park, completely fenced with access to a doggy beach and Cherry Creek! Be aware the dog park requires a separate fee but it’s minimal for all the fun your dog can have.
Dock Diving:
You could also teach your dog to take a flying leap and give Dock Diving a try. I happen to know of a great spot just North of Denver called Jasper's Splash Zone. Reservations are required along with an introductory class. But if your dog loves this high flying sport as much as mine did he'll sleep well for the rest of the day, or maybe two! Dock diving is an exciting new dog sport which combines training & athleticism to see which dog can jump the farthest or highest in pursuit of their favorite floating toy.
Or, of course, there’s always the back yard oasis! We’re currently on our second doggy pool this summer. It turns out empty swimming pools are perfect chew toys for naughty pups! But he has so very much fun snorkeling for Kongs I just couldn’t resist replacing it. After a little research I found out most of the dog pools use a hard cardboard or mdf insert to hold up the sides. This bent and folded after a few days and crashes from wild pup Freki. It took some hunting on my favorite “everything in the world delivered in 24 hours” website but I found this pool from BingPet which uses hard plastic inserts and so far those are holding up much better.
I'd be remiss if I didn't at least briefly touch on safety.
- Burned paws are the worst! Not all dogs will effectively alert you to how hot the pavement is so be sure to use the bare palm test. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their feet. And it's not just asphalt that poses a danger. When air temps are this high, just about any surface could be a hazard: Rocks, sand, cement, truck beds, boat decks and wood and plastic docks can get dangerously hot. When possible keep your dog on the grass, or carry them over hot terrain. Boots may also help protect their pads, but even the boots could heat up if they're standing for too long. There are also Paw Balm product which can help protect and soothe pads. But if you suspect your dog has burned their pads get to a vet asap. It's a painful and drawn-out recovery process.
- Blue-green algae blooms: This scum is highly toxic if ingested and can cause skin irritation even if it's not ingested. Blue-green algae typically shows up later in Summer when static water has warmed up enough to support it. But in years past it has cropped up even in creaks. Fortunately, Denver Parks does a pretty good job of testing popular watering holes and posting signs when there's a danger. So be sure to read and head any warning signs.
- Water intoxication is rare but can happen. This is when a dog drinks far more water than their body can process. The first sign is usually vomiting large amounts of water. If this happens you need veterinary care immediately.
- Not all dogs are great swimmers. Just like people, some dogs are good in the water and some aren't. So keep your pets limitations in mind and don't hesitate to invest in a puppy personal flotation device. Especially if you're going to be in big water like a lake or river.
- Just because you're on the water doesn't mean your dog can't overheat. One of my SUP dogs isn't a big fan of the water so he will happily ride on my SUP all day without ever getting wet. Which is fine on cooler days, but when it's hot I keep an eye on him and wet him down when he starts to pant.
All water activities carry inherent risks and this is by no means an all-inclusive list. Knowing your pet and their abilities and choosing which activities are best suited for them is the responsibility of every pet parent.
Have Fun! Be Safe! And Stay Cool Out There!!!
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