Top-Rated Dog-Friendly Parks in the USA

Public parks are a haven for humans and pets alike. Of course, just because a park welcomes people doesn’t mean it’s the most lenient with pups. As such, we set out to uncover the top-rated dog-friendly parks in the USA. In doing so, we landed upon a mix of gorgeous National Parks, popular city parks, and next-level dog parks that will make your pooch dream of running free. While not all of the parks featured below allow for off-leash activity, they do all offer ample new scents that will inspire your pup to go on a sniffari. So, whether they’re getting their zoomies out or using their snoot to enrich their mind, your pups are bound to have a blast at the bucket list dog-friendly parks below.   

But first, a few quick guidelines. First and foremost, most parks require that visiting dogs are licensed and vaccinated — make sure your pup is up to date. Second, whenever exploring parks with pups, it’s important to be mindful of their impact on the landscape, whether it’s in the woods or within a bustling city. If your pup poops, pick it up; if they catch a whiff of another critter, don’t let them hunt them down. The same goes for their impact on other park patrons. If your pup gets revved up around kids, steer clear of parks with playgrounds in proximity; if you notice that they’re overstimulated and may become reactive, remove them from the premises. All in all, it boils down to letting your pup have a good time while not impeding on the land or anyone else’s fun. Capeesh?

Now, let’s get to it!

Our best dog-friendly park picks in the USA

• Acadia National Parkin Maine

• Shenandoah National Parkin Virginia

• New River Gorge National Parkin West Virginia

• Cuyahoga Valley National Parkin Ohio

• Indiana Dunes National Parkin Indiana

• White Sands National Parkin New Mexico

• Great Sand Dunes National Parkin Colorado

• Central Parkin New York

• Tompkins Square Dog Run in New York

• Boston Public Gardenin Boston

• Marymoor Parkin Washington

• Shelby Farms Parkin Tennessee

• Newtown Dream Dog Parkin Georgia

• Dog Mountainin Vermont

• Cherry Creek State Parkin Colorado

Acadia National Park — Bar Harbor, Maine

Maine’s Acadia National Park is a temperate paradise for well-behaved, nature-loving pups. With over 100 miles of trails to explore along Maine’s scenic coastline, Acadia National Park is sure to satisfy the trekkers among us. If you decide to make a weekend of it, consider staying at one of the park’s three dog-friendly campgrounds. For full pet guidelines at Acadia National Park, click here. 

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Must be leashed at all times; leashes no longer than six feet

• Hours: 24/7, 365 days a year

• Anything else: Dogs can become an Acadia Bark Ranger; ticks are prevalent in the spring and fall — use tick spray or a preventative to keep your pup safe

Shenandoah National Park —  Front Royal, Virginia

Craving a lush adventure through the woods with your pup? Shenandoah National Park delivers with 35 pet-friendly trails. For a truly memorable adventure, take your pooch to White Oak Canyon, a famous Shenandoah destination renowned for six spectacular waterfalls (up to 86 feet!) and various swimming holes. Just keep in mind that snakes may linger on rocks and in the water, so keep an eye on your and your pup’s footing. Furthermore, Shenandoah has a notable black bear population. While they’re unlikely to approach you and your dog, it never hurts to hike with bear spray. For full pet guidelines at Shenandoah National Park, click here. 

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Must be leashed at all times; leashes no longer than six feet

• Hours: 24/7, 365 days a year

• Anything Else: Dogs can become a Shenandoah Bark Ranger

New River Gorge National Park — Glen Jean, West Virginia

West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park is a fan-favorite among dog parents. The reason? Despite being the newest National Park to join the NPS roster, New River Gorge is the only National Park that allows dogs on every single trail. Of the more than 40 hiking trails, the Endless Wall Trail and the Glade Creek Trail are standouts. For full pet guidelines at New River Gorge National Park, click here. 

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Must be leashed at all times; leashes no longer than six feet

• Hours: 24/7, 365 days a year

• Anything else: Dogs can become a New River Gorge Bark Ranger

Cuyahoga Valley National Park — Peninsula, Ohio

Moving to the Midwest, Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park is beloved for its waterfront views, cascading waterfalls, and 100+ trails. When visiting, make sure to explore Brandywine Gorge, home of the 60-foot Brandywine Falls. As stunning as the falls are, there are so many beautiful places within Cuyahoga — to keep your pup safe while seeing all there is to see, consider mapping out your hike ahead of time to prepare for any overlooks that could pose danger to your pooch. For full pet guidelines at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, click here.  

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Must be leashed at all times; leashes no longer than six feet

• Hours: 24/7, 365 days a year

• Anything else: There are various gorges and overlooks at Cuyahoga; keep an eye on what’s ahead to keep your pup from getting too close to the edge

Indiana Dunes National Park — Porter, Indiana

You might not associate Indiana with sand, but given that the state borders Lake Michigan, that’s exactly what you’ll find at Indiana Dunes National Park. When visiting the park, pups are permitted to explore the dunes, as well as many of the more than 50 miles of trails. Best of all, if your pup likes to swim, they’re more than welcome to hop in the lake. Though, they must remain leashed when doing so. For full pet guidelines at Indiana Dunes National Park, click here. 

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Must be leashed at all times; leashes no longer than six feet

• Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• Anything else: Dogs can become an Indiana Dunes Bark Ranger; dogs must be leashed even when swimming

White Sands National Park — Alamogordo, New Mexico

Embarking on a bucket list of all the best dog-friendly dunes in America? New Mexico’s White Sands National Park deserves a visit. The otherworldly, wavy white sand terrain is a prime spot for hiking, sand sledding, stargazing, and picnicking. Just keep in mind that, located in the Chihuahuan Desert, the park can be very hot and very dry. Make sure to pack plenty of water for you and your pooch. For full pet guidelines at White Sands National Park, click here.

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Must be leashed at all times; leashes no longer than six feet

• Hours: 7 a.m. to sunset 

• Anything else: Be sure to keep your pup very hydrated, as the sands get quite toasty

Great Sand Dunes National Park — Mosca, Colorado

Perhaps the most bucket-list pick of all is Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park. Home to the nation’s tallest dunes, towering over 700 feet from their base, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a sight to behold, especially against a backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, a subrange of the Rockies. Often referred to as “Colorado’s Sahara,” Great Sand Dunes National Park is an especially unique hiking destination for pet parents, as most outdoor areas at the park are dog-friendly. For full pet guidelines at Great Sand Dunes National Park, click here. 

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Must be leashed at all times; leashes no longer than six feet

• Hours: 24/7, 365 days a year

• Anything else: Be sure to keep your pup very hydrated, as the sands get quite toasty

Central Park— New York, New York

Moving a smidge away from the great outdoors, we have Central Park, the Big Apple’s  (if not the world’s) most iconic park. Fortunately for pet parents, Central Park is dog-friendly, so much so that, unbeknownst to many, it offers off-leash hours early in the day and late at night. So, whether you want to recreate some of your favorite Friends, Elf, or When Harry Met Sally scenes, or simply get out for a picnic and a stroll, Central Park encourages visitors to bring their pups along for the fun. For full pet guidelines at Central Park, click here. 

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Dogs must be leashed from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily; dogs are permitted off leash with voice control from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

• Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., 365 days a year

• Anything else: Some locations within the park require leashes at all times. See here

Tompkins Square Dog Run — New York, New York

Another must-visit NYC park is Tompkins Square Park—specifically, the Tompkins Square Dog Run, New York City’s largest dog park. Home to the city’s famous Halloween Dog Parade, Tompkins Square Dog Run is a top-tier dog park for small and large dogs alike, complete with separate fenced areas for the two, featuring turf and sandy gravel terrain, plus the occasional pool in summer. Our advice? Go in the morning to kickstart your pup’s day, then jazz up your own with a stellar breakfast sandwich from nearby Sunny & Annie’s on the way out. 

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Dogs permitted off leash in the dog run; must be leashed elsewhere throughout the park 

• Hours: 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.

• Anything else: Tompkins Square hosts New York City’s iconic annual Halloween dog parade — it’s a must-see

Boston Public Garden — Boston, Massachusetts

The Boston Public Garden is an iconic picnic spot in New England, and fortunately for pup parents, pooches are allowed to partake. So long as they’re on a leash, pups can stroll the paths, sniff their surroundings, and lounge on the lawn. For off-leash fun, head over to the adjacent Boston Common. There, you’ll find Common Canine, where dogs are permitted to roam free (so long as they respond to recall). For full pet guidelines at Boston Public Garden, click here. 

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Dogs must be leashed at all times, except in designated off-leash areas on the Common

• Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• Anything else: There are a bunch of great off-leash dog parks throughout Boston. Check out our guide here [TK link to Boston guide once it goes live]

Marymoor Park — Redmond, Washington

Known as “Doggy Disneyland” to locals, Washington’s Marymoor Park touts an astounding 40-acre off-leash dog area where pups can roam to their heart’s content. Whether they’re traipsing through fields, sniffing every other tree in the forest, or taking a swim in the Sammamish River, your dog is sure to have a wonderful day when visiting Marymoor Park. And if they like to walk right by your side, there’s also the option to peruse six miles of on-leash trails. 

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Off-leash allowed; dogs must be leashed outside of the designated off-leash area

• Hours: Sunrise to sunset

• Anything else: Dogs are not permitted on playgrounds or sports fields

Shelby Farms Park — Memphis, Tennessee

Shelby Farms Park is another remarkable dog-friendly park worth traveling to. The vast Tennessee farm is home to the Outback Off-Leash Dog Park, boasting over 100 acres of fields, ponds, and trails, all of which your pup can sniff out on their own, so long as they remain within sight and sound. In addition to creating a warm, welcoming space for pups to explore, Shelby Farms Park also goes a step above to honor and celebrate dogs. Visitors can place custom dog tags on the sign in the dog park, purchase a Legacy Walk paver stone, or sponsor memorial tree plantings. Learn more here.

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Must be leashed outside of the designated Outback Off-Leash Area

• Hours: Sunrise to sunset

• Anything else: Dogs must respond to voice control; only one dog per person permitted

Newtown Dream Dog Park — Johns Creek, Georgia

As dreamy as a 100-acre off-leash dog park is, there’s something pretty special about finding even an acre of free space within a city. That’s why Georgia’s Newtown Dream Dog Park, located in the Atlanta suburbs, is such a worthwhile pick in our book. The Purina-sponsored park features clean turf, sprinklers to romp in, bridges and tunnels to navigate, hoops to jump through, and more. And with designated areas for large and small dogs, it places safety at the forefront. For the full list of Newtown Dream Dog Park rules, click here.  

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Off-leash allowed

• Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily

• Anything else: The dog park is closed for maintenance every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Cherry Creek State Park — Arapahoe County, Colorado

Colorado’s Cherry Creek State Park is home to over 100 acres of off-leash territory for your pup to explore. Given the draw of the park for pet parents, there are sometimes wait times during peak hours, as the park regulates the number of pups permitted at any given time to prevent chaos (they do so by requiring a $3 off-leash day pass). Beyond the off-leash area, Cherry Creek State Park showcases over 35 miles of trails, most of which are dog-friendly, so long as your pup remains leashed. For full pet guidelines at Cherry Creek State Park, click here. 

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Leash required when outside of the designated 100+ acre off-leash area

• Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., 365 days a year

• Anything else: Three dogs per handler permitted; dogs must remain within sight and sound control

Dog Mountain — St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Whether your pup is spry and ready to adventure, getting up there in age, or they’ve just crossed the rainbow bridge, Dog Mountain in Vermont is a precious, one-of-a-kind destination. The leash-optional destination spans 150 acres and is home to a handful of trails, an agility course, Angel Dog Overlook, and the Stephen Huneck Gallery & Dog Chapel, a place where people from all over the world have congregated to honor and remember their most adored four-legged friends. 

Know before you go:

• Leash rules: Off-leash allowed

• Hours: Dawn to dusk

• Anything else: Dogs must be under voice control