Cherry Creek dog park: the off-leash area, the creek, and the passes
Over 100 off-leash acres with a creek running through, and no fence along the water. Which entrance to use, what it costs, and what the creek does to a coat.
Cherry Creek State Park's dog off-leash area covers over 100 acres in the park's 12 Mile area, with the creek running through it. You can get in from the south entrance at Parker Road and Orchard Road, or from 12 Mile North. Expect two fees: a park pass for the car and a dog off-leash pass, $3 a day or $25 a year. The area is fenced, but not along the creek.
It's the big off-leash option for Parker and Centennial, where plenty of our clients drive in from, and we're roughly 20 minutes from the south entrance in Lone Tree. The park details here are Colorado Parks and Wildlife's, and they're worth checking on CPW's Cherry Creek page before you go. The coat advice is ours.
How do you get into the Cherry Creek dog off-leash area?
Two ways. From Parker or the south side of Centennial, the south entrance at Parker Road and Orchard Road is the obvious one. From Aurora or the north, use 12 Mile North. Either way you'll pass an entrance station, which is also where you can buy the dog pass.
What does it cost?
| Pass | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Dog off-leash day pass | $3 | One handler and up to three dogs, for the day |
| Dog off-leash annual pass | $25 | One handler and up to three dogs, for 12 months from purchase |
| Park vehicle pass | Set by CPW | Required for every car, separate from the dog pass |
Dog passes are sold at the visitor center, the entrance stations, the self-service stations, and online. The annual pass pays for itself on the ninth visit.
The rules, and the one that matters most here
No more than three dogs per handler. Every dog stays within sight and under voice control, you carry a leash and a waste bag for each one, and dogs go back on leash the moment they leave the off-leash area. The park is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The rule that matters most at Cherry Creek is recall, because CPW is plain about the gap: there's no fence along the creek. A dog that follows a duck downstream can leave the off-leash area without ever touching a fence. If yours doesn't come back reliably when something is moving, keep a long line on until you know. CPW asks visitors to report breaks in the fence line to the entrance booth or at 303-690-1166.
Is the water safe for dogs?
Usually, but check first. Blue-green algae blooms have closed parts of Cherry Creek Reservoir in past summers, including the swim beach in 2023, and the state health department's advice during a bloom is to keep pets out of the water. The creek through the off-leash area isn't the reservoir, but the safe habit is the same: look for posted advisories before your dog goes in, and if they've been in water with a warning on it, rinse them with clean water and don't let them lick their coat dry.
What a Cherry Creek day does to a coat
Creek mud and fine sand work down to the skin and stay there, and a quick hose-off in the driveway mostly moves them around. For a doodle the bigger problem is drying: a wet curly coat that air dries without a brush-out tightens into mats behind the ears and in the armpits within a day or two. Brush and comb it out first, then wash, then dry completely while brushing. Double-coated dogs need drying all the way to the skin too, since a damp undercoat under a dry top coat is where hot spots start.
From about May through October, the grassy edges along the trail also load coats with foxtails. Run your hands between the toes, inside the ear flaps, and under the legs before the dog gets in the car. Foxtails that get missed burrow, and then it's a vet visit rather than a grooming one.
Wash the creek off on the way home
Our self-wash stations in Lone Tree take walk-ins, starting at $22 a dog, with raised tubs, warm water, shampoo, and high-velocity dryers, and we clean up after. If you'd rather hand the dog over, a bath and brush starts at $45 for a dog up to 20 lb. Heading to Parker's smaller parks instead? We covered the dog parks in Parker, and our page for Parker clients has the drive to the salon.
Common questions
How big is the Cherry Creek dog park?
Over 100 acres, in Cherry Creek State Park's 12 Mile area. It's fenced, but there's no fence along the creek that runs through it.
Do you need a pass for the Cherry Creek dog park?
Yes. The car needs a Cherry Creek State Park vehicle pass, and the handler needs a dog off-leash pass: $3 for the day or $25 for a year, covering one handler and up to three dogs.
Which entrance is closest to the Cherry Creek dog off-leash area?
The south entrance at Parker Road and Orchard Road, or 12 Mile North if you are coming from the north. Both lead to the off-leash area in the 12 Mile area.
Can dogs swim at Cherry Creek State Park?
Dogs can go in the creek inside the off-leash area. Check for posted blue-green algae advisories first, since blooms have closed parts of the reservoir in past summers, and keep dogs out of any water with a warning on it.
What are the Cherry Creek dog park hours?
Cherry Creek State Park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for closures before you go.
