Sometimes, a dog’s just gotta run free. If your pooch likes wide open spaces — and is friendly to other dogs — an off-leash park is the place to be. These 32 dog parks in Alabama were designed as community spaces that allow congenial canines to romp, play, fetch, roll over and generally have a good time.
Leashes get unclipped when you enter specific fenced areas that typically are divided into spaces for small and large dogs. It's not a free-for-all, though; each park has its own safety rules and guidelines for appropriate behavior.
Now, let's go exploring.
AL.com file photo/Beverly Taylor
Where: Veterans Park, 7305 U.S. 119, Alabaster.
What you'll find: Off-leash areas for small and large dogs, splash pads, tunnels, hoops that squirt water, synthetic turf, walking course, water stations and more.
Good to know: Jenny Wilson, former executive director of the Shelby Humane Society, won a 2011 contest from Beneful that offered $500,000 to build a dream dog park.
Hours: Open sunrise to sunset, closed on first Wednesday of each month for cleaning and maintenance.
Image by Gerhard Bögner from Pixabay
Where: 520 Chadwick Lane, Auburn.
What you'll find: Grassy off-leash area, agility equipment, access to nearby trails and ponds.
Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
Image by SnottyBoggins from Pixabay
DOG PARK AT TOWN CREEK PARK
Where: 1150 S. Gay St., Auburn.
What you'll find: Large grassy area with fencing, benches, water fountain.
Good to know: The dog park is located near the restrooms, along the tree line. Walking trails and a pond are nearby.
Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com
GREEN SPRINGS DOG PARK
Where: George Ward Park, 1901 Green Springs Ave. South, Birmingham.
What you'll find: More than 2 acres of grassy land with fencing, separated into areas for small and large dogs. This off-leash park opened in 2009, and is the oldest in the city.
Good to know: There's no running water on site. Bring water to keep your dog hydrated.
Hours: Daily, dawn until dusk.
AL.com file photo/Hal Yeager
Where: Red Mountain Park, 2011 Frankfurt Drive, Birmingham.
What you'll find: 6 acres of grassy land with fencing, separated into areas for large dogs, small dogs and special-needs dogs. Shaded areas with benches, water station, trees.
Good to know: The park was funded by Birmingham philanthropist and animal lover Ken Jackson, who worked with more than 250 volunteers to create the park. It opened in 2014, and is named after Jackson's former pet.
Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays-Tuesdays and Thursdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7p.m. Wednesdays.
Image by Thomas B. from Pixabay
DOG PARK AT HERITAGE PARK
Where: 1699 Lee Ave. Southwest, Cullman.
What you'll find: Grassy, fenced-in area with agility equipment, water stations, separate areas for small and large dogs.
AL.com file photo/Virginia Bridges
DAPHNE DOG PARK
Where: Al Trione Sports Complex, 8600 Whispering Pines Road, Daphne.
What you'll find: Grassy, fenced-in space, separate areas for small and large dogs, water fountains, benches.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily.
Courtesy of Cheaha State Park
MIKE BOSARGE MEMORIAL DOG PARK
Where: Cheaha State Park, 19644 Alabama 281, Delta.
What you'll find: Grassy, fenced-in area, safety entrance for leashing and unleashing, obstacle course, water fountains, benches.
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset. The park is named for a nature-loving photographer who died in 2018.
Good to know: Park entrance fee is $5 for adults, $2 for children and seniors, free for veterans. Hike to the dog park on the Bigfoot Leave No Trace Trail from Cheaha State Park Vista Cliffside Restaurant (0.5 miles) or from the Upper Improved Campground (0.2 miles).
Image by Orna Wachman from Pixabay
EASTGATE PARK DOG PARK
Where: Eastgate Park, 2049 Sanitary Dairy Road, Dothan. Also known as Dothan Dog Park.
What you'll find: More than 4 acres of grassy fields, separate areas for small and large dogs, tennis balls stocked near entrance, tunnels and other play and training tools. Shaded area with tables and benches.
Good to know: Regulars say the park can be slightly hard to find: it's tucked at the back of the park near a pond.
Hours: April through October, Mondays-Saturdays 7 a.m.- 7 p.m,. Sundays 2 p.m.-6 p.m.; November though March, Mondays-Saturdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Image by LaBruixa from Pixabay
Where: Enterprise Recreational Complex (also known as Johnny Henderson Family Park), 1901 Neil Metcalf Road, Enterprise.
What you'll find: Separate areas for large and small dogs, benches, water stations.
Hours: 6 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay
FAIRHOPE DOG PARK
Where: Volanta Park, 523 Volanta Ave., Fairhope.
What you'll find: 2 acres of grassy land, separate areas for small and large dogs, water stations, benches.
Good to know: The park opened in 2010 and was the city's first leash-free park.
Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay
Where: 200 E. Orange Ave., Foley.
What you'll find: 2 acres of grassy land, separate areas for small and large dogs, trees, benches, water station.
Hours: Daily, dawn until dusk.
Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay
Where: Black Creek Park, 2408 Stouts Road, Fultondale.
What you'll find: Separate areas for large and small dogs, agility equipment, water stations, benches.
Image by samzara from Pixabay
Where: Gulf State Park, 20115 Alabama 35, Gulf Shores.
What you'll find: Large. fenced-in area with grass, agility equipment, seating, lake access.
Good to know: There's a $2 daily entrance feet at the park. Also, park officials warn visitors to beware of wildlife, including snakes and alligators.
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-sunset.
Image by Rebecca Schönbrodt-Rühl from Pixabay
GUNTERSVILLE DOG PARK
Where: Tom Jackson Park, Sunset Drive and Alabama 69. Guntersville.
What you'll find: Grassy, fenced-in land with separate sections for large and small dogs, benches, trees.
Good to know: The off-leash park is close to Lake Guntersville, but does not have direct water access.
AL.com file photo/Beverly Taylor
Where: 3469 Loch Haven Drive, Hoover.
What you'll find: Large, grassy land with separate areas for big and small dogs, obstacle course, water station, benches.
Good to know: There's a nearby walking trail and creek.
Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay
Where: 360 Harvestwood Court, Madison.
What you'll find: Grassy, fenced area with benches, separate areas for small and large dogs.
Hours: Daily, dawn until one hour after dark.
Image by Jan Steiner from Pixabay
Where: Cleveland Avenue, between Church and Meridian streets, Huntsville.
What you'll find: Grassy, fenced area with benches, separate areas for small and large dogs.
Hours: Daily, dawn until one hour after dark.
Image by Pezibear from Pixabay
Where: 235 Wade Road, Huntsville.
What you'll find: About an acre of grassy land, separate areas for small and large dogs, water station, pavilion with picnic tables
Hours: Daily, dawn until one hour after dark.
Image by Chiemsee2016 from Pixabay
Where: 16159 Chaney Thompson Road, Huntsville.
What you'll find: Grassy, fenced area with benches, separate areas for small and large dogs.
Hours: Daily, dawn until one hour after dark.
Image by Thomas Geider from Pixabay
Where: Ruffner Baseball Park, 301 Ruffner Road, Irondale.
What you'll find: Grassy, fenced area with benches.
Image by AnjaGh from Pixabay
GERMANIA SPRINGS DOG PARK
Where: Germania Springs Park, 801 Roy Webb Road, Jacksonville.
What you'll find: Fenced, grassy area with water station, obstacle course.
Image by Vember from Pixabay
JASPER'S DOG BARK
Where: Eagles Point Park, 12th Ave. Northeast, Jasper.
What you'll find: Grassy land with separate areas for small and large dogs, benches, water fountains, agility equipment.
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk.
AL.com file photo/Eric Schultz
Where: 38 Balch Road, Madison.
What you'll find: About 1.5 acre of grassy land, separate areas for large and small dogs, shade trees, water stations.
Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.
AL.com file photo/Victor Calhoun
JULIEN MARX DOG PARK
Where: Medal of Honor Park, 1711 Hillcrest Road, Mobile.
What you'll find: 4 acres of grassy land, separate areas for small and large dogs, benches, water stations.
AL.com file photo/Michelle Matthews
DANIELLE JUZAN DOG PARK
Where: Crawford-Murphy Park, 351 S. Ann St., Mobile.
What you'll find: Fenced-in, grassy area with benches and water fountain.
Good to know: The park opened in 2016 and is named after a writer and actress who died that year.
Image by Cristian Carriel from Pixabay
PUBLIC SAFETY MEMORIAL DOG PARK
Where: 2301 Airport Blvd., Mobile.
What you'll find: Separate areas for large and small dogs, benches, water fountains.
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk.
AL.com file photo/Amber Sutton
HANNAH DAYE RIDLING BARK PARK
Where: Blount Cultural Park, 6055 Vaughn Road, Montgomery.
What you'll find: More than 5 acres of grassy land with separate areas for large and small dogs, gazebos, benches, dog wash stations, water stations, shade trees, walking trails.
Good to know: The park opened in 2013, and is named for the daughter of Jim Ridling, the Alabama commissioner of insurance. She was an animal lover who died in a car accident at age 16.
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset.
AL.com file photo/John David Mercer
UNLEASHED IN ORANGE BEACH DOG PARK
Where: 27920 Canal Road, Orange Beach.
What you'll find: About an acre of grassy land, separate areas for small and large dogs, training stations, water stations, tennis balls, benches and shade.
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset.
Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay
COOTERS POND DOG PARK
Where: Cooters Pond Park, 1844 Cooters Pond Road, Prattville.
What you'll find: Large, grassy fenced-in area, trees, benches, watering station.
Image by Johannes Jäger from Pixabay
CAHABA DOG PARK
Where: 531 Cherokee Drive, Trussville.
What you'll find: About an acre of grassy land, separated into areas for small and large dogs.
Good to know: The park opened in 2018, and is Trussville's first off-leash park.
Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
Ben Flanagan | bflanagan@al.com
Where: Munny Sokol Park, 6198 Watermelon Road, Tuscaloosa.
What you'll find: 2.5 acres of grassy land, separated into areas for small dogs, large dogs and training. There's also a cement walkway lining the perimeter of the fenced park.
Good to know: The park opened in 2014 and is named after a youth who died in a 2013 hunting accident.
Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay
If you go:
Alabama summers are hot! Bring bottled water so you and your pet can stay hydrated, even if there's water available at the dog park.
Bring your own poop bags and use them, cleaning up after your pet. Some parks have waste stations, but they aren't always stocked with bags.
Make sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and parasite control. That's especially true for puppies, who should be finished with their shots and able to handle interactions with older dogs. In fact, some off-leash parks don't allow puppies younger than four months old.
Keep an eye on your dog at all times, and keep a leash at hand, in case playtime gets too rough or another dog becomes aggressive.
Don't be surprised if your dog gets dirty. In some parks, grass has worn away and dogs end up playing in dusty or muddy areas.
Don't bring food into an off-leash park. This might sound like a no-brainer, but we've seen folks spread a blanket on the ground and try to have a picnic while a bunch of dogs played around them. Begging, food stealing and fights ensued.
Take a minute to survey the scene when you arrive at the off-leash park. Many parks will have a small fenced-in spot at the entrance, allowing you to wait a bit, unleash your pet and pick the appropriate play area.
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