We love to explore the outdoors with our furry, four-legged friends too! If you are dog owners, you will want to add these dog parks to your list to explore. Many require a dog park permit, so make sure you check before you go. Here is a list of dog parks in Des Moines, Iowa including some basic details before you go! To learn more about each park, click the heading’s below for more details.
Altoona Dog Park
Location: 851 17th Avenue SW, Altoona, Iowa
Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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 am – 8 pm Monday-Friday; 7 am – 6 pm 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 Park 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 offers an 8.5-acre fenced area for large dog area and a 1-acre fenced for small dogs. The area has an open-air shelter, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain May-October. Learn more about Ewing park and everything it has to offer.
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 – 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. Must sign the waiver here before entering. They offer separate areas for large and small dogs.
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-Thursday: 8:00AM – 10:00PM
- Friday-Saturday: 8:00AM – 12:00AM
- Sunday: 10:00AM – 10:00PM
Price: 1-day $10 + $5 per additional dog
Details: At Paws & Pints, dogs and their owners can enjoy over 20,000 sq. ft. of indoor 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 best part is, that your dog can enjoy a park-like atmosphere regardless of what mother nature brings. When the weather does permit, 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 am – 10 pm, 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
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Bathrooms: Yes, non-flush
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: This dog park offers 4 acres of fenced-in areas for dogs to run off-leash. There are two fenced unleashing areas. Picnic tables and dog waste station. It is located nearby 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.
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.
