For most of the year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a dog-free zone. This Wednesday, August 26, is one of the rare exceptions.

Dog Days is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's annual special event welcoming well-behaved, leashed dogs onto the grounds alongside their families. For Colorado Springs families with dogs, it's one of the more unusual and memorable outings on the local calendar — a chance to share the experience of America's only mountainside zoo with a four-legged member of the household.

Requirements for Bringing Your Dog

Not every dog is a good fit for Dog Days, and the zoo's requirements exist for good reason. Based on Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's general dog policy for events of this type, families should be prepared for:

• Current vaccinations — dogs must be up to date on required vaccinations before attending
• On-leash at all times — no exceptions, including in open areas
• Well-behaved temperament — dogs that are reactive to crowds, other animals, unfamiliar sounds, or unfamiliar smells may not be suited for this environment

Before bringing your dog, think honestly about how your animal handles new environments with high stimulation. A zoo environment — with animal scents, unfamiliar sounds, crowds, and visual unpredictability — is a significant sensory challenge for many dogs. A dog that does well at parks or on neighborhood walks may still find a zoo visit overwhelming.

Verify Before You Go

The Dog Days date of August 26 has been confirmed from multiple sources. However, the 2026-specific hours of operation and ticket pricing for this event have not been definitively confirmed in our research. Zoo admission pricing and event-specific hours can vary from the zoo's standard schedule.

We strongly recommend checking cmzoo.org directly before making the trip to confirm hours, admission prices, and any Dog Days-specific entry requirements for 2026. This is one of those events where confirming the details in advance saves significant disappointment at the gate.

Planning the Visit

A few practical notes for families planning to attend:

• Arrive earlier rather than later — the morning hours tend to be cooler at elevation, and dogs handle heat better in the first half of the day
• Bring water for both your family and your dog — the terrain involves walking and elevation change
• Keep your dog on a short leash rather than a retractable one — tighter control is easier to maintain in crowded areas near animal exhibits
• Have vaccination records accessible in case they're requested at entry
• Plan your route through the zoo in advance — some exhibit areas may be more suitable for dogs than others

What's Next

Dog Days at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is this Wednesday, August 26. Confirm hours and ticket prices at cmzoo.org before heading out. The zoo is located at 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.

If Dog Days doesn't work for your family this year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's regular season continues through the fall — the zoo is open daily, and the cooler fall temperatures make September and October among the most pleasant months to visit.