The Animal Rescue League and the Des Moines metro have many dog parks where your pup can run, play and meet new friends! Be sure to follow city ordinances and park rules.
Bailey's Bark Park and Cassidy's Playground at the Animal Rescue League
Hours: Monday-Friday, 930am-8pm. Saturday-Sunday, 7:00am-6:00pm.
Location: ARL Main 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, IA
Bailey’s Bark Park is perfect for multi-dog households who want the fun of a dog park, but without all of the unknown dogs. It's also great for dogs that don’t have access to an enclosed area to run around. Cassidy's Playground is ARL's very own fenced in doggy playground! Furnished with agility equipment and a built in tunnel, your dog will have plenty of space for running and playing.
Altoona Dog Park
Hours: Sunrise to sunset.
Location: SW 17th Ave., south of SW 8th St.
The park is approximately 1 acre of fenced, off-leash play area. Features include benches, a drinking fountain and a dog waste station.
Ankeny Dog Park
Hours: Sunrise to sunset.
Location: SW Goodwin and S. Ankeny Road, just north of Somersby Park.
The park is 7.5 acres with a pond and trails. Permits are $25 for Ankeny residents and $35 for nonresidents. Proof of dog license and current rabies vaccinations are required. Permits can be obtained through Ankeny Parks and Recreation.
Des Moines Dog Park (Ewing)
Hours: 6 a.m. to sunset.
Location: 4660 Indianola Ave.
The park has 8.5 fenced acres available to all sizes of dogs and 1 fenced acre for dogs 20 pounds or less. It features sloped terrain with mature trees and a mix of tall and short grass. It also has a shaded open-air shelter. Permits are required.
Des Moines Dog Park (Riverwalk)
Hours: 6 a.m. to sunset.
Location: 1111 Illinois St.
The park has 4 acres of fenced area for all dogs, and features 5-foot architectural fencing, two fenced unleashing areas, a dog waste station, an enclosed portable restroom, picnic tables, two ADA parking stalls, and easy access to the nearby Riverwalk and trails. On-street parking. Permits are required.
Indianola Off-Leash Dog Playground at Downey Park
Hours: Sunrise to sunset.
Location: A mile south of the Warren County Fairgrounds at South K Street and West 17th Avenue.
The playground features fenced areas for small and large dogs, watering stations, and waste receptacles and bag dispensers for cleanup. A shelter and picnic tables are also available for park patrons. Annual permits are required and are $25 per dog. Proof of licensing and current rabies and parvo vaccinations are required. Permits can be obtained through Indianola Parks and Recreation.
Raccoon River Dog Park
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Location: Inside Raccoon River Park at 2500 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines. The dog park is located just east of the softball complex.
The 10-acre park features fenced play areas for both large and small dogs. Permits are $20 for West Des Moines residents and $40 for nonresidents.
Windsor Heights Dog Park
Hours: Sunrise to sunset.
Location: South of Colby Park and I-235, adjacent to the trail and Budget Storage.
To read the dog park rules, click here.