There are quite a few Minnesotans that get their dogs out for some socializing and general exercise. We all know that having your dog on the end of a leash can at times be a bit of a hassle (anyone that has a dog that has to sniff, mark, or inspect every tree they encounter knows what I mean…). A better alternative? Take Fifi or Fido and head over to a dog park.
(And make sure to check out our article on dog park etiquette before you go)
There are a total of 44 dog parks in the Twin Cites areas. This site has a fantastic list of all 44 if you’d like to know your options. If you’d simply like to the very best of them, then the following list is all you need.
Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park
Located inside Minnehaha Regional Park, 5399 Minnehaha Park Drive S
Minneapolis, MN 55417, this off leash area has a beach and part of the Mississippi River inside it’s boundaries. There are also mature trees and trails in this partially fenced area. A few things to keep in mind. There is a fee for using this park, you can either pay a daily fee of $5 per dog or buy an Annual permit. An annual permit with cost a Minneapolis resident $35 for their first dog and $25 for each additional dog. Non-Minneapolis residents will have to pay $60 for their first dog and $35 for each additional dog. One perk of the Off-Leash Permit is that it will get you into all 7 Off-Leash Dog Parks in Minneapolis. There is also a rule that there can be no more than 3 dogs per handler. So if you have a pack great than three you’ll need to bring a friend. There are pay lots at the park or you can usually find parking on the nearby streets. Plenty of information about the park can be found on their website.
Further reading: Why you should take your dog to Minnehaha Dog Park
Alimagnet Dog Park
This dog park is an off-leash dog park that is completely fenced in and is 7 acres, located in Burnsville at 1200 Alimagnet Pkwy #2. With a heated shelter and heated water dishes, this dog park can be used year round; finally an option for those dogs that simply love snow. The park also has a pond, lights for night visits, double entry gets, and even a dog washing station. Allow though there isn’t a required fee, there is an annual fee of $20 that goes to the upkeep of the park if you have the means to pay it. You also get some cool swag for purchasing it. Head on over to their website for more information.
WAG Farms Dog Park
Located off of Highway 61 at 9475 Glendenning Rd, this is a gigantic 14-acre dog park that is completely fenced in and run by volunteers as part of the Cottage Grove Municipal Park system. It is required that your dog be licensed and up to date on all their vaccinations. This park has wooded areas, trails galore, ponds for dogs to cool down and splash around in, and so much more. Double gate entrances help avoid any negative situations as you enter and leave and they even have a small dog area if your pup doesn’t handle large dogs well. There is no running water located here so make sure you bring plenty of water for your pooch. Check out all things WAGS Farms Dog Park here at their website. This park is completely free, but donations are always appreciated.
Battle Creek Dog Park
Run by Ramsey County Park and Rec, this dog park is at 2350 Upper Afton Rd in Maplewoo is completely free. It’s an expansive 35 acres of fenced-in fun, though there is no running water onsite. There miles and miles of wooded trails, multiple ponds, two doggie playgrounds. There are plenty of benches for pooch parents to sit while their dog runs and makes new friends, poop bag boxes, trash cans, and all the trails have wood chips on them to help with muddy paws and shoes. Head on over to their website and get all the needed information for an outing.
Lowertown Dog Park (Chuck & Don’s Dog Park)
On the smaller side due to being located in the Lowertown section of downtown St. Paul, this newly-renovated park (due to the building of CHS Field) is in fantastic shape. With wood chips and rock surfaces the park is built for urban dogs. Due to it being newer in nature the trees the park does have are not mature and offer little to no shade, something to keep in mind for our “fun” hot and humid late summer days. Open from dusk until dawn, the park also features a “doggie” water fountain, a great area for dogs to run in, and lighting for when the days begin to get shorter. A couple things to keep in mind: There are no public restrooms at the park, you have to bring your own poop bags, and, due to its downtown location, parking can be a bit of chore if there are other things going on.
