Return of Off-Leash Areas at Our Parks and Trails.

Off-Leash recreation is a very important component to the health of our dogs and also to the enjoyment that caregivers experience in the relationships that we have with our dogs.  We are proud to say our hard work and the support of the community brought back some of the areas at our Parks and Trails that we have been using for decades.

Click Learn More to view the city’s Off-Leash page which lists current off leash parks and trails.

 
 
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Trail Etiquette.

Hiking with dogs comes with a set of responsibilities that some simply do not understand or just choose to ignore. The goal is to create an understanding of trail etiquette among all of us who hike with our dogs. Here are a few tips to help have a positive experience with your pets in Steamboat Springs:

  • Yellow Dog Project. A program the Routt County Humane Society launched in 2020. Dogs with a yellow ribbon have special needs. Give them a little room! FREE yellow dog bandannas can be picked up at RCHS. Go to https://routthumane.org/about/programs/the-yellow-dog-project-at-rchs/ to learn more about the program.

  • Pick up after your pet. Contrary to popular belief, there are no poop fairies here! Bring extra bags with you. Steamboat Digs Dogs supplies bags in over 25 bag dispensers year round. Help us save $ by bringing your own bags.

  • Leash your pets from your vehicle to the off leash areas. Parking areas are dangerous places for excited pets headed to get their exercise… and it is the law.

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The history of areas presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Steamboat Digs Dogs formed a list of suggested areas at our neighborhood parks and trails that provided the opportunity for users to remain in their neighborhood locations to recreate with their dogs.  This plan helped to keep the user group population spread-out across the community and prevents any one location from becoming over populated.  Managing the populations in this manner helps to prevent the park and trail surfaces from being over-damaged and prevents the neighborhoods from receiving too much vehicle traffic.

These are the areas we suggested:

  • Whistler Park (the school property and Mount Werner Water Property all year round, with the addition of Whistler park during the winter season)

  • River Creek Park

  • Fetcher Park (for small dogs)

  • Spring Creek Trail (small section of city owned property between the cabin and the pond)

  • Stehley Park (ungroomed area over the bridge and to the right coming from the park) and Butcherknife Trail

  • Emerald Mountain Trails (including Lower Lupine, Howelsen Meadows, Overlook, Emerald Meadows, Blackmere Drive, Gasline Trail)

 

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These areas were approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission to the City Council for trial use in addition to the two dog parks, Rita Valentine and Spring Creek.

  • Whistler Park - See map for sections of the park that are off leash.

  • Sailors Way - The trail behind Steamboat Springs High School.

  • Stehley Park - See map for which areas of the park are off leash.

  • Butcherknife Trail - Subject to leash requirement when students come and go from school.

  • Blackmere Drive - NO LONGER as of January 1, 2019. After a one year review, all of Emerald Mountain was declared on leash.