Why to Bring the Dog to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado

This YMCA property, Snow Mountain Ranch, holds a special place in our hearts. Not only is it truly beautiful, our dog Xena was there twice. She loved staying at Yurt Village and the cabin life suited her well. In fact, she was the quintessential Colorado mountain dog that spent her earlier years camping and hiking, so this place was luxurious.

Why to Bring the Dog to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado. HeidiTown (4)
Fritzi at the Snow Mountain Ranch reservoir. An excellent spot for wildflowers.

We lost her two years ago and this time around, we got to take Fritzi, now a year old, to a cabin at Snow Mountain Ranch—it was definitely the place for her. By the way, this spoiled road trip pup has already gotten to stay at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, the other YMCA property in Colorado. 

RELATED:  Have a Puppy? Get to the Riverwalk in Estes Park

The first reason Snow Mountain Ranch is loved by dogs and their owners is the fact that there are trails literally everywhere. We stayed in Wild Rose, a cabin with a patio that looked out over a meadow.

Why to Bring the Dog to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado. HeidiTown (9)
The horses went through the meadow multiple times during the day and Fritzi was mesmerized.

From our location, we could walk Fritzi in any direction, and we did. On the first day, we walked from our cabin to the waterfall (a good hike). I am sure this is when Fritzi knew that this place was awesome. She loves the walking life! 

Why to Bring the Dog to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado. HeidiTown (1)

Why to Bring the Dog to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado. HeidiTown (3)
Waterfall at Snow Mountain Ranch on Pole Creek.

During our two-night stay, we took her on multiple walks from the cabin, mostly hitting trails that emerged from the meadow, but sometimes we kept to the gravel roads. 

RELATED: A Snow Mountain Ranch Summer To-Do List

On this trip, we explored the Snow Mountain Park Dog Park. Xena was an older dog when we visited and she did not like or need a dog park. Fritzi, however, has been to dog parks in three different states and goes almost daily to the one in the neighborhood. At her age, she needs to run around and around and around. 

Why to Bring the Dog to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado. HeidiTown (5)

I can honestly say that the dog park at Snow Mountain Park is the best dog park we’ve been to, and like I wrote above, we have been to a lot. 

RELATED: Traveling with a Dog & the Importance of Dog Parks

The dog park at Snow Mountain Ranch is three acres, has an area for big dogs and another for small dogs, and has its own forest. That’s right, there’s a forest inside the dog park. 

Why to Bring the Dog to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado. HeidiTown (7)

We walked the perimeter with Fritzi. She spent the majority of her time sniffing things and chasing bugs, although I did make her pose for one or two photos. The park features benches for humans and a watering system for dogs. Fritzi, already familiar with these, took full advantage of this luxury that isn’t available at our private park.

Why to Bring the Dog to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado. HeidiTown (8)

On our last day at Snow Mountain Ranch, we took a walk from our cabin to Yurt Village, through part of the disc golf course and by a barking marmot on his woodpile. We even saw a deer but the best part was that we walked by the yurt we stayed in with Xena.

A stay at Yurt Village at Snow Mountain Ranch. Ryan & Xena. HeidiTown.com
Our yurt with Xena at Snow Mountain Ranch, 2016.

Great memories flooded back. She absolutely loved yurt life.

RELATED: A Stay at Yurt Village at Snow Mountain Ranch

Colorado is fairly friendly when it comes to dogs, especially in the mountains where it seems like everyone owns at least one. If you are traveling with your dog this summer, know that many hotels allow dogs, but Snow Mountain Ranch is a special kind of dog-friendly place. 

Why to Bring the Dog to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado. HeidiTown (2)

We’ve stayed on the property only once without a dog, and that was in a lodge room during a one-night stay. Yes, the view was outstanding, but I missed Xena. 

Snow Mountain Ranch is a place to make memories, and many of our memories have a dog smack dab in the middle of them. Whether it’s Xena sleeping in front of the fire, or posing as a sentinel in front of our yurt, those are memories I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Why to Bring the Dog to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado. HeidiTown (10)

I am sincerely happy to start making new dog memories at Snow Mountain Ranch with Fritzi, and I hope you get to make a few with your pup as well. 

Dogs are welcome at Snow Mountain Ranch in their campground, yurt villages, some lodge rooms and most cabins.

Why to Bring the Dog to Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado. HeidiTown (11)

Thank you to Snow Mountain Ranch for hosting us on this beautiful weekend.

1 Comment


  1. Your inviting description of Snow Mountain makes me wish Colorado was closer to Washington. Gabby would love this place!

    Reply

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