Dogs at dog park

Dog Parks by City/Town

Making Friends, One Wag at a Time!

Dog parks – a great place to have fun with your pup and to meet fellow pet lovers

Below is a list of local dog parks throughout the Triangle and Triad area for you and your pups to enjoy. Do you have a favorite dog park that’s not listed below? Please let us know and we’ll be sure to add it to our list!

Where Tails Wag and Friendships Grow

Dog parks are more than open fields — they’re happy places where friendships bloom.

  • For Dogs: It’s their social club! They run, wrestle, and reunite with familiar friends — tails wagging like crazy. Even shy pups quickly find their pack, with most parks offering separate areas for big and small dogs.
  • For People: It’s a chance to connect, too. Pet parents swap tips, share laughs, and cheer on their playful pups. Many even plan meetups so their dogs can see their best buddies more often.

At the end of the day, dog parks bring joy to pets and their people — one wag, one woof, and one new friendship at a time.

General Rules for Dog Parks

Some parks play by their own rules, so take a peek before you go.

Common Dog Park Rules:

  • Dogs must be leashed when entering and leaving the dog park
  • Dogs must be healthy, spayed or neutered, and fully vaccinated
  • Clean up after your dog
  • Stop dogs from digging and if they do dig, fill in holes
  • Remove choke, prong, pinch, or spike collars
  • Closely supervise children under the age of 12
  • Aggressive or uncontrollable dogs aren’t allowed
  • Puppies younger than four months are not allowed
  • Most parks are open sunrise to sunset

Is a Dog Park Right for You?

Tips to help you decide if your pup is ready for the park.

Dog parks can be a wonderful place for dogs to exercise, socialize, and burn off extra energy. They’re also a great place for pet parents to connect with other dog lovers.
 But they aren’t the right fit for every dog.

  • Healthy: Consider your dog’s health
  • Personality: Are they shy, anxious, aggressive toward other dogs
  • Training: Still learning basic commands

If your furry friend has any of the above, it may be better to start with smaller, controlled social settings.  Also, consider going to the dog park during non-peak, slower times.

Keep the Park Safe

Simple habits that keep our parks enjoyable for all.

  • Always pick up after your dog—every time, no exceptions
  • Dispose of waste in designated bins
  • If you notice trash or hazards, do your part to remove them
  • Make sure all gates close securely behind you

Keeping it clean keeps everyone safe—pets, people, and nature alike.

Share Your Favorite Spots!

Do you have a favorite dog park that deserves the spotlight? We’d love to know about it!
 Send us the name, location, and a brief description of why it’s special, and we’ll add it to our list of featured parks. Your recommendation could help other pet lovers discover their next favorite hangout.

Submit Your Favorite Dog Park

Discover great spots for dogs and their humans to play and connect

Sniff out your town in the alphabetical list below.

A

Apex

Apex Nature Park : 2600 Evans Rd.

You need a dog park pass and must register each dog annually. When you register, you’ll receive a key card that unlocks the gates leading into the dog parks. Additional key cards can be purchased for $10 a card.

Hunter Street Park : 1250 Ambergate Station

2 acre park, fenced and lighted. Pet waste stations. Separate sections for small dogs and for large dogs. Shade gazebos and benches, water fountains and wood chips for ground cover.

B

Burlington

Jiggs Askew Memorial Park : 1333 Overbrook Road, Burlington

The Jiggs Askew Memorial Bark Park is located off of Kitchen Street in Burlington City Park, behind the YMCA. It sits on approximately two acres of fenced-in land with two separated areas, one for smaller and older dogs and the other for larger dogs. Nicely landscaped areas with benches are found throughout the park for dog owners, as well as, access to water for the dogs.

C

Cary

Jack Smith Park : 9725 Penny Road, Raleigh (Town of Cary)

2 acre park, fenced and lighted. Pet waste stations. Separate sections for small dogs and for large dogs. Shade gazebos and benches, water fountains and wood chips for ground cover.

Robert V. Godbold Park : NW Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27513

Robert V. Godbold Park is like multiple parks in one! It features tennis courts, basketball courts, a playground, and trails. It’s also home to a dog park for our four-legged, furry friends and Cary Action Sports for bike and skate enthusiasts!

Chapel Hill

Homestead Dog Park : 100 Aquatic Dr.

Your dog can run and play without a leash in this 20,000 square foot enclosed area in Homestead Park. The dog park is entered through a double gate to ensure safe release of dogs from leashes. Separate small and large dog areas. The fence is 5 feet high to prevent dogs from escaping. Water and waste mitts are available.

Southern Community Park : (Address not listed)

Come visit our newest dog park at Southern Community Park. The approximate 2-acre dog park has water, a small dog area and will be split 50/50 shaded and sunny. Waste mitts are available.

Clayton

East Clayton Dog Park : 715 Amelia Church Road

Your four-legged family members will be in heaven at this park! We have about three acres of leash-free play area. We have two enclosed areas – one for small dogs and the other one is for large dogs.

D

Durham

Downtown Durham Dog Park : 304 Elliot St.

Downtown Durham Dog Park (located on the corner of Roxboro and Elliott Streets) features separate enclosed areas for small dogs and large dogs, benches and waste dispensers. The dog park will close for monthly maintenance on the First Tuesday of each month. It will reopen by 9 a.m. the following day.

PetSafe® Dog Park located at Duke Park : 106 West Knox St. (Duke Park)

The PetSafe® Dog Park located at Duke Park features two separate enclosed areas – a small dog area and a large dog area. Amenities within the dog park include waste bag dispensers and benches.

Piney Wood Dog Park : 400 E. Woodcroft Pkwy.

Piney Wood Dog Park located at 400 E. Woodcroft Parkway features four separate enclosed areas – a small dog area, large dog area, program area and entrance area. Amenities include water fountains, waste bag dispensers, benches and a kiosk.

Rock Quarry Dog Park : 701 Stadium Dr.

Rock Quarry Dog Park has officially opened its gates to the public. This brand-new dog park serves as a remarkable replacement for the Northgate Dog Park. The dog park is located along the Rock Quarry Spur Trail in the large wooded area along the east side of the trail. The project reached its completion in late Spring 2023. So, dog owners and their canine companions, rejoice!

F

Fuquay Varina

Fuquay-Varina Downtown Dog Park : 110 Woodland Dr.

This recreation area, located in Fuquay-Varina, NC, features 8 acres of grassy areas, benches, waste stations, and separate space for large and small dogs.

G

Garner

Lake Benson Dog Park : 921 Buffaloe Road (Lake Benson Park)

The Lake Benson Dog Park is a divided dog park, separating small dogs (25 lbs and under) and large dogs (26 lbs and over). Both dog areas have mulched surfaces.

North Garner Dog Park : 221 East Garner Road

Location: Garner Recreational Park. The North Garner Dog Park is a mulched park open to both small- and large-breed dogs.

H

Hillsborough

Dog Park at Gold Park : 415 Dimmocks Mill, Hillsborough

This recreation space includes separate fenced areas for large and small dogs to socialize. In addition to the dog area, the park also includes a multi-purpose field, playground equipment, picnic structures, and a little less than half a mile of Riverwalk.

K

Kernersville

Vivian F. Bennett Memorial Dog Park : 702 W Mountain Street

Vivian F. Bennett Memorial Dog Park is an off-leash recreation area in July Park in Kernersville, NC. This park includes a separate area for small dogs, a watering station and waste disposal bags.

Knightdale

Ashley Wilder Dog Park at Knightdale Station Park : 716 N First Ave.

This dog park features separate gated areas to allow your dog off-leash so that the little dogs (under 25 lbs) and bigger dogs (over 25 lbs) can feel free to be as comfortable and happy as physically possible.

M

Morrisville

Morrisville Dog Park : 329 Franklin Upchurch Senior Street

The mission of Friends of Morrisville Dog Park is to enhance community life by offering a safe, clean, friendly and attractive off-leash space for dogs of all sizes to come with their owners to play, exercise and socialize, free of charge.

P

Pittsboro

Dog Park at Knight Farm Community Park : 362 Vine Pkwy

The off-leash area features two designated sections for large and small dogs. The surface area is filled with wood chips for your four-legged companion. A restroom is also on site.

R

Raleigh

Carolina Pines : 2305 Lake Wheeler Rd

Pets will love socializing off-leash at the fenced-in dog park at Carolina Pines Park in Raleigh, NC. This recreation area offers shade and drinking water to keep your pup cool while playing. Two separate spaces provide play areas for dogs of all abilities and elderly, infirm, small or shy dogs.

Dix Park : 1800 Umstead Drive

Dogs and their owners are invited to run, romp, and relax at our off-leash dog park. The large grass-covered dog park has separate areas for small and large dogs. A water station is available for people and pets.

Jaycee Park : 2405 Wade Ave

Located just south of the parking area on Wade Ave, close to the playgrounds and tennis courts, is the off-leash dog run in Jaycee Park. This Raleigh, NC, recreation area features an accessible sidewalk, ample parking, benches, trash cans and a dog waste station. Fido must remain leashed when outside the run in the community park.

Kiwanis Park : 2525 Noble Road

Amenities include benches, wood chips, and disposable waste bag dispensers.

Millbrook Exchange Park : 1905 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27615

Raleigh’s oldest dog park opened in April 2003 where dogs can roam free off leash. This park is free to the public with drinking fountains for both dogs and humans. There are shade structures, fenced areas for both large and small dogs, picnic tables and benches, agility equipment, features a wood chip base, and lights are provided at night.

North Hills : 100 Saint Albans Drive

North Hills Dog Park in Raleigh, NC welcomes Fido to enjoy some exercise and fresh air at this 9,500 square-foot fenced park. Pups can spend some time off leash exploring the mulch-covered terrain or relaxing in the shade. Amenities include benches and waste receptacles, but water isn’t available on site so be sure to bring some for Fido.

Oakwood Location : 910 Brookside Drive, Raleigh, NC 27604

Dogs can roam free off-leash in fenced-in areas for both large and small dogs. This park is open from sunrise to sunset and free to the public year-round. This dog park officially opened in June of 2006.

S

Sanford

Lee County Dog Park at Sloan Park : 1550 Bragg Street

Located just south of the parking area on Wade Ave, close to the playgrounds and tennis courts, is the off-leash dog run in Jaycee Park. This Raleigh, NC, recreation area features an accessible sidewalk, ample parking, benches, trash cans and a dog waste station.

W

Wake Forest

Flaherty Dog Park : 1100 N White St.

The park is approximately two acres and is located adjacent to the baseball and softball fields. It features a 5′ high chain link fence, paved entrance and double gated entry, grass, picnic tables, water stations and pet cleanup stations. Note the park is closed for cleaning and maintenance on weekdays between 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM.

Winston Salem

Dog Park at Nelson Malloy Park : 2625 Bethabara Rd.

Features separate off-leash areas for large and small dogs. Both sections are spacious and secure, allowing pups to run freely and safely. Each area is equipped with a variety of agility equipment tailored to different sizes, providing a fun and active environment for dogs of all breeds.

Dog Park at Washington Park : 1490 Broad St S, Wi

This popular Winston-Salem, NC, recreation area features a fenced-in space for pups to socialize. There are separate areas for small and large dogs, picnic tables and a doggie water fountain.

Tucker’s Tap Yard : 1010 N Liberty St.

Tucker’s Tap Yard is an off-leash dog park and bar catering to both humans and their pups in Winston-Salem, NC. Fido will love the 12,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor space. Two-legged visitors can enjoy a bar serving wine, beer, local taps and cocktails. Dogs must be registered members prior to playtime. Tucker’s Tap Yard requires proof of certain vaccinations. Dogs 12 months and older must be spayed or neutered.

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Share Your Favorite Dog Park

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