The 9 Best Dog Parks in Austin
Looking for all the best dog parks Austin has to offer? We’ve got you covered—on and off leash.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Table of Contents
- #1: Red Bud Isle
- #2: Auditorium Shores
- #3: Shoal Creek Greenbelt at Pease Park
- #4: Zilker Metro Park
- #5: Mary Moore Searight Metro Park
- #6: West Austin Park
- #7: Onion Creek Greenbelt
- #8: Work & Woof
- #9: Yard Bar
- How to make your dog park visit a success
- How to save on car insurance in Austin
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Whether you’re looking for a traditional dog park like Red Bud Isle or something a little more off-beat like the canine-human coworking space at Work & Woof, you and your four-legged best friend can find your perfect spot on this list of
Austin’s
best dog parks. The capital city of
Texas
should also be named the capital city of dogs. In fact, according to a recent survey by WalletHub, Austin is the fourth most pet-friendly city in the country and ranks #1 for dog-friendly restaurants. With an estimated 193,600 canine residents, it’s no wonder that Austin is home to some of the Lone Star State’s greatest dog parks. Here to give you (and your dog) the tour of Austin’s best dog parks is
Jerry
, the super app
created to help you save money on car insurance
. We’ll explore all the best places to let your furry friend run wild and soak up some nature at the same time—including a couple of unique parks that double as human establishments! RECOMMENDED
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#1: Red Bud Isle
Address: 3401 Redbud Trail, Austin, TX 78746
Hours: 7am-10pm daily
Off-leash? Yes
There are dog parks, and then there are dog islands.
That’s right, Red Bud Isle is a fully off-leash 13-acre island in the middle of the Colorado River that’s totally devoted to man’s best friend. It’s the ideal place for an early-morning run with a view of the water, an afternoon fishing session, or a weekend hike. You can also use this outdoor paradise for kayaking and canoeing (though your dog will have to stay on shore!).
#2: Auditorium Shores
Address: 900 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
Hours: 5am-10pm daily
Off-leash? Yes
As the name suggests, this open green space in Town Lake Metropolitan Park is a frequent venue for outdoor concerts and other performances—but it’s also the perfect spot for kicking back and watching your dog frolic!
Plenty of water access points, plus shaded picnic tables and river access for dogs that love to splash, make this an ideal summer hangout for dogs and humans alike. And thanks to its central location, you’ll get a great view of the city’s skyline! Just be careful if you’ve got a pup who likes to break loose from the beaten path—the area isn’t fenced in, and it’s close to heavy traffic on West Riverside Drive.
#3: Shoal Creek Greenbelt at Pease Park
Address: 2600 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705
Hours: 24 hours
Off-leash? Yes
Dogs must be leashed in most of Austin’s venerable
Pease Park
, but the Shoal Creek Greenbelt, which winds away north between 24th and 29th Streets, is a designated off-leash area. It’s also one of the city’s most pleasant hiking trails, and one of the quieter destinations for you and your dog. It’s very accessible from the University of Texas campus, and as you’re jogging down the peaceful trail with your furry buddy, you might forget that you’re in the heart of the city. #4: Zilker Metro Park
Address: 2207 Lou Neff Rd, Austin, TX 78746
Hours: 5am-10pm daily
Off-leash? Only in designated areas
The 351 sprawling acres of
Zilker Park
make up what the Department of Parks and Recreation calls “Austin’s most-loved park.” There’s something for everyone here, from the Austin Nature & Science Center
and Zilker Botanical Garden
to the always-warm waters of Barton Springs Municipal Pool
—oh, and did we mention the outdoor theater
? Dogs are also welcome at Zilker, although you’ll need to keep them on a leash outside of a few designated areas. The Barton Springs pool is off-limits to pets, but you and your dog can explore the park’s stunning hiking trails, which will take you past several scenic overlooks on the Colorado River.
#5: Mary Moore Searight Metro Park
Address: 9401 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78748, Austin, TX 78748
Hours: 5am-10pm daily
Off-leash? Only in designated areas
Mary Moore Metro Park is the ultimate summer destination for dogs and humans alike. Horseback riding, grilling, and disc golf are just a few of the hot-weather pastimes Mary Moore has to offer—and for dogs, there’s an off-leash area in the north end of the park.
Instead of entering by the main route, take 1st Street south of Slaughter Lane to access the dog park, which makes up just a portion of this massive park.
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#6: West Austin Park
Address: 1317 W 10th St, Austin, TX 78703
Hours: 8am-8pm daily
Off-leash? Yes
Looking for a classic fully-fenced dog park with a great social scene? Head to the Clarksville neighborhood, where West Austin Neighborhood Dog Park has the perfect place for your dog to get out all their energy while you relax in the shade. This small park also has a pool and a playground, so if you’ve got small humans in tow along with your pooch, everyone can keep cool and have fun!
#7: Onion Creek Greenbelt
Address: 7002 Onion Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78744
Hours: 24 hours
Off-leash? Yes
For dogs and their owners looking to get a little further from the city center, there’s the vast expanse of Onion Creek District Park and the off-leash Greenbelt walking trail. This 2.3-mile out-and-back hike is a great way to keep fit and active while spending some quality time with your pup—and with Mother Nature!
#8: Work & Woof
Address: 4930 S Congress Ave building a, Austin, TX 78745
Hours: 7am-7pm weekdays, 10am-5pm Saturdays, closed Sundays
Off-leash? No
Is it a dog park? Is it an office? Is it the best doggy daycare in the city of Austin?
At
Work & Woof
, the answer to all three questions is yes. Monday through Friday, from 7am to 7pm, humans can use the coworking space to bring home the bacon while their dogs enjoy the indoor/outdoor play park under the watchful eyes of professionals. Memberships for private offices start at $450/month, but you can buy a day pass for just $35! Oh, and the whole place is BYOB, so you can crack open a cold one as soon as you’re finished with any work.
Be aware that the dog park at Work & Woof comes with a lot more requirements than your typical outdoor park. Your dog must be at least 6 months old, spayed or neutered, and up-to-date on all vaccinations.
#9: Yard Bar
Address: 6700 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
Hours: 11am-10pm
Off-leash? Only in designated areas
A bar that’s also a dog park, with some of the best beer, sliders, and tots in Austin?
Yard Bar
is, quite simply, a monument to everything that makes life worth living. Picture this: it’s the end of a long day. You head to Yard Bar, order a pint of Austin Beerworks Pearl-Snap pilsner, and lean back under a spreading tree while your dog frolics and makes new friends under the supervision of Yard Bar’s Bark Rangers. You’re starting to get hungry, so you stroll over to the counter at
Fat City
for a sack of sliders, an orange dreamsicle float, and a scoop of peanut-buttery All Dogs Go To Heaven Ice Cream for your best friend. You’ll have to pay a $9 park fee per dog, and your canine companion must be at least four months old, spayed or neutered, and up to date on vaccinations. Monthly memberships start at just $25 plus tax—and you’ll get unlimited access!
How to make your dog park visit a success
If you’re a dog park pro, you’re probably already making your way to one of Austin’s stellar dog parks. But if this is your (or your dog’s) first time, keep these best practices in mind before you roll up:
- Be mindful of your dog’s age: There’s a reason some dog parks put age requirements in place—an off-leash park just isn’t an ideal environment for a puppy. Not only should your dog have all their vaccinations, but they’ll also need to understand basic commands.
- Do a trial run at home: Don’t just throw your doggo to the wolves (so to speak). Before you take them to an off-leash park, practice at home to see how they behave off-leash. They should be able to promptly follow commands like sit, stay, and come before you venture into public off-leash territory.
- Make sure vaccinations and microchips are up to date: This should go without saying, but never bring your dog to a public dog park if they aren’t fully vaccinated against ailments like rabies, parvo, adenovirus, and distemper—not to mention flea and tick treatments!
- Leave the toys and treats at home: The joy of a dog park comes from blissful off-leash freedom and social interactions with other dogs. Bringing your pup’s toys or food might seem like a good idea, but it could actually lead to fights with other dogs.
- Keep a leash on hand in case of drama: Speaking of trouble, you should be ready to put your dog on a leash promptly if they need to be removed from the park.
- Clean up behind your dog: And finally, what should be another no-brainer: your dog’s poop won’t magically vanish from the dog park any more than from the sidewalk. So bring those baggies, and get ready to scoop.
How to save on car insurance in Austin
When your four-legged roommate needs to get some zoomies out, Austin’s best dog parks will be there for you. And when you need to keep your car’s zoomies going,
Jerry
will be there for you with the best (and fastest) car insurance shopping experience in the world. While you’re headed to the park, take a minute to update your car insurance with help from Jerry. It’s a nearly hands-off process, with no phone calls required and just 45 seconds needed to identify the best rates for you. Best of all, Jerry users save over $800 a year on car insurance on average. That’s money you can put in the bank for other essentials—or you can use it to spoil your dog!
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Jerry
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