Westminster Hills Off-Leash Dog Park
10500 Simms St, Westminster, CO 80021
About This Park
Westminster Hills is where you go when your dog needs to run, and we mean really run. At 420 acres of rolling prairie within the 15,000-acre Colorado Hills Open Space, this park offers the kind of wide-open freedom that most urban dogs never experience. The landscape is quintessential Colorado high plains: gentle hills, native grasses, and unobstructed views that stretch for miles. A small pond provides swimming opportunities, and the park includes practical amenities like a dog fountain, shade shelter, and benches. The catch is that it's only partially fenced — your dog absolutely must be voice-trained and responsive to recall.
Last verified: September 30, 2026 (editorial text review only; not an on-site inspection). Confirm current conditions and policies with the park operator before visiting.
BEST FOR
Westminster Hills is strictly for dogs with reliable, proven recall — if your dog doesn't come when called in distracting environments, this is not the park for them. For well-trained dogs and owners who want genuine open-space hiking together, it offers an experience closer to backcountry than dog park.
Who This Park Works For
Westminster Hills is for dogs whose idea of a good outing is covering open ground, following scents, and ranging across rolling prairie with their person. The designated off-leash area spans 420 acres, making it a very different proposition from a small fenced run: there is room to walk farther when the trailhead feels busy and to make the outing as short or long as the dog can comfortably manage. The high-plains landscape also offers broad views rather than an enclosed, landscaped setting.
Reliable recall is essential, not a bonus. The supplied information says the space is only partially fenced, and prairie trails, pond activity, and other dogs can compete for attention. Choose another setting if your dog is not responsive when distracted or if you need a secure enclosure. For a dog who can check in consistently, this can offer a satisfying mix of free movement and shared walking; the small pond may appeal to swimmers, but a water break should never replace supervision or an assessment of conditions.
Getting There & Planning Your Visit
The listed trailhead is 10500 Simms St, Westminster. The details describe sunrise-to-sunset access year-round and free admission, with a gravel lot that may fill during peak weekend mornings. Confirm current rules, hours, fees, parking, and closures before leaving. Earlier visits are suggested to avoid the busier late-afternoon period, though quiet is not guaranteed.
Terrain & Layout
Four hundred and twenty acres of Colorado high plains prairie make Westminster Hills unlike anything else in the metro. Rolling hills of native grasses stretch in every direction, broken by gentle drainages and the small swimming pond near the trailhead. The terrain is natural and largely unmaintained, which means uneven ground, foxtail risk in late summer, and the kind of sniff-rich environment that makes dogs slow down and genuinely investigate. Trails are informal dirt paths rather than maintained routes, and the space is large enough that visitors can find complete solitude even on busy days by simply walking further in. The open landscape provides spectacular views of the Front Range on clear days.
Ground Conditions, Shade & Boundaries
The ground is natural prairie, with rolling uneven terrain and informal dirt paths rather than a surfaced route. Sturdy footwear and a flexible pace make sense, especially if weather may leave trails muddy or icy. The source notes foxtail risk in late summer; check your dog's coat and paws after moving through prairie grass. A small swimming pond is identified, but current water quality, access, depth, and restrictions are not specified; confirm before planning water play.
Shade is limited, though a shade shelter and dog fountain are listed. Check their current availability and operation. The area is partially fenced; no separate small-dog enclosure is identified. Bring water, rely on voice control, and verify fencing and facilities before visiting.
Amenities
Seasonal Notes
Summer can be challenging without shade — bring substantially more water than you think you need and plan morning visits before 9am. The pond provides some relief for water-loving dogs. Fall and spring are ideal seasons with moderate temperatures. Winter keeps the park open but dirt trails can become muddy or icy — check before heading out. Prairie grasses go dormant in winter but crowds thin considerably after October.
Pro Tip
Only partially fenced, so dogs must be voice-trained. Peak time is around 5 PM - go earlier for more space. Free admission, sunrise to sunset.
Nearby
The park sits within the 15,000-acre Colorado Hills Open Space with additional trail access. Westminster's 92nd Ave corridor has pet stores and services nearby.
What Works — and What Might Not
The scale and open horizon are the draw: a confident dog gets broader roaming and walking than at a compact city park. The pond, prairie vegetation, and changing terrain add interest without formal facilities.
Openness leaves little margin for dogs that bolt or ignore calls. Uneven paths and limited shade require planning, and late afternoons or weekend mornings may be busier. This is not the most forgiving first off-leash trial.
After the Park
Colorado Hills Open Space is described as offering additional trail access; check rules before extending the walk, since off-leash permissions may differ. Westminster's 92nd Avenue corridor has nearby pet stores and services.
Questions Before You Go
Does Westminster Hills have full fencing?
It is described as partially fenced, so dependable recall is necessary.
Is the park free?
The listing says free; confirm current access rules.
Is there water for dogs?
A fountain and swimming pond are listed. Availability and water conditions are not guaranteed; bring water.
What kind of paths are there?
Informal dirt trails cross natural, uneven prairie rather than surfaced paths.
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