From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city!
When well-maintained, public and private dog parks can provide wonderful opportunities to pets and their people:
- Biological fulfillment. At their best, dog parks help fulfill our dogs’ natural canine instincts (running, sniffing, digging, etc.) in a secure and legal environment. This can be especially valuable for urban owners who don’t have a yard of their own or easy access to walking trails nearby.
- Playtime. While most dogs don’t want to play with strangers, some particularly outgoing canines might enjoy games with brand-new friends. Truly “dog social” dogs are good candidates for traditional public dog parks.
- Distraction training. Dog parks can be an ideal place to practice advanced training, like recalls, around the distractions of other dogs, people, and nature scents.
- Owner connections. Many owners enjoy the human social aspect of the dog park. Public spaces enable those relationships without the costs commonly associated with formal group training classes or dog sports practices.
While dog parks have many benefits, they’re not all created equal. There are risks associated with bringing our dogs to any public place, especially if it’s an off-leash area.
At Sniffspot, we believe every dog deserves the opportunity to run freely and know how important your peace of mind is as an owner. That’s why we’ve put together rankings of the best dog parks — both public and private fields, hiking trails, beaches, and more — in cities across the country!
These guides will help you make informed decisions about where to play with your dog. Whether you’re hanging out near home or planning for your next travel adventure, the perfect dog park is waiting.