Hiking, biking, and trails in Colorado
Colorado trail access, permits, pets, and etiquette
How land managers, private boundaries, permits, seasonal closures, dogs, horses, and posted trail rules fit together.
One trail can cross more than one rulebook
State and local parks
Entry fees, hours, dog rules, bike rules, and seasonal closures can be property-specific.
National forests and BLM land
Local offices can set trail, road, fire, camping, group, and seasonal rules.
National parks and protected areas
Pets, bikes, camping, permits, and reservations may be more limited than on nearby land.
Private land
A route line or old trip report does not create permission. Stay on the authorized route or get the owner's permission.
Make room for the other people using the trail
- The common yield pattern says bicyclists yield to hikers and horses, and hikers yield to horses.
- Check the signs too. The land manager can post a different pattern for the exact trail.
- Slow down before passing and speak early enough that nobody is surprised.
- Give horses room and follow the rider's direction when the trail is narrow.
Dogs need their own trail check
Leash and pet rules vary widely. Some trails welcome dogs under stated controls, while others do not allow them. Check the exact property, carry water, pack out waste, and keep the dog from wildlife and other visitors.
Take this with you
At the trailhead
- ✓ The parking area and route are open for today's date.
- ✓ Permits, entry, pet, group, and seasonal rules are settled.
- ✓ The route does not depend on crossing private land without permission.
- ✓ The group knows the posted yield and stay-on-trail expectations.
Official sources and review
Check the current rule before you act
These links go to the agencies that control this part of the trip. Use the exact page, license, listing, map, order, or confirmation for your situation.
Use this carefully: Access, permits, reservations, pet rules, and closures can change by property and season. Confirm the exact manager's current page and follow posted signs even when an old map or trip report differs.
Keep going
The other parts of hiking, biking, and trails in colorado
Find the right trail
How to use COTREX, identify the land manager, compare route demands, and confirm parking, permits, and current access.
Altitude and day-hiking safety
A calm plan for thin air, lightning, changing temperatures, navigation, layers, water, and the decision to turn around.
Bikes and e-bikes
How to check whether a Colorado trail allows a bike or e-bike, which manager controls the route, and what to settle before riding.