Is Twin Lakes off-leash?

The west lake is off-leash; the east lake is on-leash and clearly signed. Neither side is fenced, so dogs need reliable recall.

Can dogs swim at Twin Lakes?

Yes. The west shore has several gentle entry points where dogs wade and swim, and most head home soaked and tired.

Do I need a permit for off-leash access?

Off-leash areas on Boulder County Open Space run on the Voice and Sight tag program. Register your dog, carry the green tag, and keep it under voice control.

How long is the loop, and is it flat?

The full loop around both lakes is a little under two miles on flat dirt trail with essentially no elevation gain. An easy walk in any season.

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Twin Lakes Open Space

A two-mile lake loop with an off-leash west side and breweries across the street

4.7 · 223 reviews

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Off-leash Water Parking

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About this park

Two lakes in Gunbarrel with a two-mile flat dirt loop, clear signage splitting the east side (on-leash) from the west side (off-leash), and multiple shoreline spots where dogs can wade and swim. Avery and Asher breweries sit directly across the way for a classic Boulder-area dog walk.

Amenities

Off-leash Water Parking

Twin Lakes Open Space reviews

What visitors consistently say

The highlights

Reviewers love the setup: flat mileage, multiple swim access points, and mountain views across the water. The proximity to Avery Brewing makes it a favorite afternoon walk with an obvious post-dog stop.

The community

Early mornings belong to Gunbarrel locals out for a quiet lap around the water. Without a fence or central gate, the crowd stays spread along the two-mile loop rather than gathering in one spot, so it feels more like a neighborhood walk than a pack-up-at-the-gate dog park.

Best for

Social dogs High-energy

Before you go

Off-leash privileges on the west lake require a Boulder Voice & Sight green tag; bring it or keep your dog leashed. The east lake is on-leash only and clearly signed. The full loop is a little under two miles with essentially no elevation gain.

Frequently asked

Is Twin Lakes off-leash?: The west lake is off-leash; the east lake is on-leash and clearly signed. Neither side is fenced, so dogs need reliable recall.
Can dogs swim at Twin Lakes?: Yes. The west shore has several gentle entry points where dogs wade and swim, and most head home soaked and tired.
Do I need a permit for off-leash access?: Off-leash areas on Boulder County Open Space run on the Voice and Sight tag program. Register your dog, carry the green tag, and keep it under voice control.
How long is the loop, and is it flat?: The full loop around both lakes is a little under two miles on flat dirt trail with essentially no elevation gain. An easy walk in any season.

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