Des Moines Dog Parks

Des Moines Dog

by Erin Huiatt

Des Moines Dog Parks

We love to explore the outdoors with our furry, four-legged friends! If you are a dog owner, you will want to add these dog parks in the Des Moines area to your list to explore. Before you visit please note that many may require a dog park permit, annual permits, and/or city pet license, and proof of vaccination records. When you arrive take a quick glance at the posted dog park rules before entering. Make sure you check all the details below and the website before you take your four-legged friend to one of these Des Moines dog parks.

Here is a giant list of dog parks in the Des Moines, Iowa area!

Altoona Dog Park or 17th Ave Dog Park

Location: 851 17th Avenue SW, Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Pricing: No Fee / No Registration

Details: The Altoona dog park is a one-acre fenced area just west of the Altoona Campus. It has benches, boulders, a dog waste station, and water on-site. Most of the site is for larger dogs, with a .10-acre section set aside for small dogs.

Ankeny Dog Park

Location: SW Ankeny RD and SW Goodwin St., Ankeny

Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Bathrooms: Yes, non-flush

Permit: Dog park permits are required. Resident $25/Non-Resident $35 per year. You can purchase permits through Ankeny Parks and Recreation.

Details: A 7.5-acre park for dogs to run and play off-leash with 6.75 acres for large dogs and .75 acres for smaller dogs. It’s a fenced park with a pond, trails, and benches.

Bailey’s Bark Park at the ARL

Location: 5452 NE 22nd Street, Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday

Details: The Animal Rescue League dog park is fenced includes agility equipment, and is open to dogs in adoption. It’s also available for private rental. The park is set up for dogs to run off-leash without the concern of other dogs around.

Ewing Dog Park

Location: 4660 Indianola Avenue, Des Moines

Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Bathrooms: Unknown

Permit: $20 per year. The permit can be used at all three Des Moines Parks and Recreation dog parks in Des Moines. You must have proof of rabies vaccinations and you can purchase them at the City Clerk’s Office within the Des Moines City Hall.

Details: This dog park is located near Ewing Park and offers an 8.5-acre fenced area for large dog areas and a 1-acre fenced for small dogs. The area has an open-air shelter, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain from May to October.

Indianola Off-Leash Playground

Location: 1710 S K Street, Indianola

Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Bathrooms: Yes, non-flush

Permit: $25 per year permit. Permits can be purchased through the Indianola Parks and Recreation office

Details: The Indianola dog park is a part of Downey Park. This dog park offers agility equipment, benches, a fenced-in area, picnic tables, water, and shelter.

Kinship Brewing Company – Kinship Lois Park

Location: 255 NW Sunrise Drive, Waukee, Iowa

Hours: Brewery Hours

Bathrooms: Yes, in the brewery

Permit: No permit, but must be a customer of Kinship Brewing while your dog is in the dog park.

Details: Kinship Lois Park is a part of Kinship Brewing in Waukee. As a customer of Kinship, you are able to use the dog park which is a fenced-in space off the brewery patio. Must sign the waiver here before entering. They offer separate areas for large and small dogs so dogs of all sizes can play!

Norwalk Dog Park

Location: 907 North Avenue, Norwalk, Iowa

Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Permit: A pass is required to use the park and can be purchased through the City of Norwalk.

Details: Norwalk Dog Park is located within Norwalk City Park. It isn’t a huge park but has fenced areas for small and large dogs with open space and shade trees. Water is on-site, and restrooms are at City Park.

Paws & Pints

Location: 6218 Willowmere Dr., Des Moines, IA 50321

Dog Park Hours:

Monday – Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday – Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Price: There are many different packages and memberships available which is a great option for dog lovers who want unlimited visits. A day pass into the park starts at $10 per dog.

Details: At Paws & Pints, dogs and their pet parents can enjoy over 20,000 sq. ft. of indoor dog park and outdoor dog park space outfitted with synthetic grass. The turf is cleaned and sanitized from both sides to avoid mess, making it the ultimate surface for group play. The outdoor dog park is the perfect place for your furry best friend. They have walking paths, water features, separate small dog areas, and more. The best part is, that your dog can enjoy a park-like atmosphere regardless of what Mother Nature brings. When the weather permits, our dog park heaven extends another 3.5 acres.

For the humans, Paws & Pints offers plenty of indoor and outdoor TVs, live music, multiple bars for easy access to a drink, a walking trail, games to keep the kids entertained, WiFi, a snack kitchen for both you and your dog, special events and plenty of relaxing seating to watch your best friend have the time of their doggy lives!

Reno Memorial Dog Park

Location: 3325 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Permit: $20 per year. The permit can be used at all three Des Moines Parks and Recreation dog parks in the city of Des Moines. You must have proof of rabies vaccinations and you can purchase them at the City Clerk’s Office within the Des Moines City Hall.

Details: The Reno Memorial Dog Park is a 4.2-acre fenced area with a short paved trail. It’s a grassy area with some mature trees and picnic tables. Dog waste stations are on-site. No specific water stations are available.

Riverwalk Dog Park

Location: 111 Illinois St., Des Moines (Near the Principal Riverwalk)

Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Bathrooms: Yes, non-flush

Details: This dog park offers 4 acres of fenced-in areas for dogs to run off-leash in downtown Des Moines. There are two fenced unleashing areas. Picnic tables and dog waste station. It is located near the riverwalk and other trails.

Raccoon River Dog Park

Location: 2500 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to dusk

Bathrooms: Yes, non-flush

Permits: $20/Resident and $40/Non-Resident per year. You can purchase a day pass for $5. Permits can be purchased through West Des Moines Parks and Recreation.

Details: The Raccoon Dog Park offers a 10-acre dog park with a fenced play area separated for large dogs and small dogs. While visiting do not forget to check out the Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge.

Stylin Paws Play Place

Location: 3901 121st St, Urbandale, IA 50323

Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bathrooms: Yes, inside.

Pricing: $12.00 per visit for one dog / $6.00 for each additional dog

Details: Stylin Paws Play Place offers an indoor park in Urbandale, Iowa. The indoor dog park offers fun, dog-approved play structures, agility equipment, seating, and waste removal supplies. They also offer fun events and social activities throughout the year.

Trailside Dog Park

Location: 590 SE Brick Drive, Waukee

Hours: 7 a.m. to sunset; daily. Closed on Thursday’s 7 to 10 a.m.

Bathrooms: Yes, enclosed flushable

Permits: $25/Resident and $45/Non-Resident per year. Single-day passes are available for $5. Purchase dog permits through Waukee Parks and Recreation.

Details: Trailside Dog Park offers 4 acres of fenced-in land for dogs to run and play unleashed in Waukee, Iowa. There is a small dog area available. Drinking fountains, dog waste stations, shade areas, benches, and walking trails are also available.

Windsor Heights Dog Park

Location: South of Colby Park and I-235. Colby Park is located at 6900 School Street in Windsor Heights

Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Bathrooms: Flush bathrooms are available at Colby Park.

Permits: No

Details: The Windsor Height Dog Park is the perfect addition to Colby Park. For best access, park at Colby Park and take the bike trail south underneath the I-235 bridge. This dog park offers a large fenced-in area for dogs to run and play. It is free and no pass is required.