Austinites love being active outdoors — running, hiking, walking, swimming, picnicking — and our four-legged friends do too!
Austin consistently ranks as one of the most dog-friendly cities in the nation, and with good reason. From dog festivals and pet-friendly restaurants, to a progressive attitude towards animal rescue and care, Austin hospitality doesn’t just apply to humans! Even apartment complexes are leveling-up how they cater to the dog-loving community of Austin – check out these 5 properties with unique amenities just for your pup!
With several off leash areas for you to enjoy, dogs are welcome nearly everywhere on City property — including the luscious green grounds of the State Capitol — as long as they are on a six-foot leash. But, there are a few ordinances to be aware of, for both on-leash and off-leash areas:
- Dogs must be within sight and sound control of owners/handlers at all times
- Dogs in heat are not allowed in off-leash areas
- Rabies vaccinations are required for all dogs, as required by State Law
- Owners/handlers must clean up after their dogs and deposit waste into a trash can
- Aggressive dogs must be removed from public spaces immediately
- Do not leave a dog alone on a chain or tether
- When not in specifically designated off-leash areas, the Austin leash ordinance requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than six feet on all City land
Here are 15 of the best Austin dog parks!
Parks listed with an asterisk (*) offer off-leash areas.
Vic Mathias Auditorium Shores*
900 W. Riverside Drive
On the banks of Lady Bird Lake, just west of the First Street Bridge, lies a place bustling with activity. Auditorium Shores is an outdoor concert venue with an especially busy summer schedule, a place to catch the fireworks on the Fourth of July and the hub of Austin’s most popular hike-and-bike trail. If splashing is your dog’s favorite thing, head for Auditorium Shores. Dogs here can dive into Lady Bird Lake, in the shadow of the city skyline. Today, after a much needed re-development, the park boasts a new irrigation system, re-graded lawn, high performance turfgrass and an enhanced off-leash dog area.
Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake
First Street Bridge at Lady Bird Lake
Residents and visitors alike enjoy trails in a range of terrains and difficulty levels, including the dog-friendly 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake. The loop includes two pedestrian-only bridges that are great for dogs and serves as a social hub for runners, walkers, cyclists, and canines.
Barking Springs
2101 Barton Springs Road
Just downstream from Barton Springs, a humans-only swimming hole, you’ll find what’s nicknamed “Barking Springs” for its popularity with four-legged water lovers. People and their pooches can wade together at the spillway for Barton Springs. The 68-degree, natural springs water is guaranteed to cool off pups, even on the hottest Austin day.
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Barton Creek Greenbelt
3755 B Capital of Texas Highway
The Barton Creek Greenbelt is an urban oasis. Its trails provide opportunities for biking, running, rock climbing, swimming and hiking. Don’t forget your suit – there are also several swimming holes along the creek for cooling off during the warm summer months. Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash. Some of the more popular access points to the trails are Zilker Metropolitan Park, and Loop 360 (south of MoPac/Loop 1). It starts at the Zilker access point down to Hwy 290 in susnet Valley. It will eventually reach the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and into Hays County.
Bob Wentz Park
Bob Wentz Park Road
This 211-acre park is located in the basin area of Lake Travis, in the scenic Texas Hill Country. Bob Wentz Park’s facilities, and close proximity to Austin (approximately one-half hour’s drive from downtown), make it attractive for picnicking, swimming, windsurfing, sailing, and scuba diving. The shoreline areas (including a sandy peninsula known as “The Point”) are heavily used, while an adjacent 150-acre tract is maintained as a natural area. The park includes two sand volleyball courts, a shoreline walking path, a boat dock, and a pavilion available for rent by reservation only.. Pets are allowed in the park, but must be kept on a leash and are not permitted on The Point.
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Bull Creek District Dog Park
6701 Lakewood Drive
Bull Creek District Park covers 48 acres and 32 square miles of ecologically unique terrain. Bull Creek watershed includes limestone seeps, springs, and waterways; scenic cliffs and waterfalls; interesting archaeological and cultural features and so much more. This dog park is not fenced, but it has access to the creek, rocky ledges, hilly terrain and tall, majestic trees. All dogs can roam and play, but have to be on-leash at this fun watering hole.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park*
1401-1711 City Park Road
Set within an oak and juniper forest bordering Lake Austin, Emma Long Metropolitan Park is one the largest parks in Austin at almost 1,200 acres. It’s just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Austin, and easy to get to from RR 2222. The main part of the park, which is adjacent to the lake, features a well-equipped and well-used boat dock, as well as several swimming areas. Follow scenic City Park Road down to the shores of Lake Austin, and spend the day swimming, water-skiing, picnicking, or camping. The leash-free area is between City Park Drive, the west park boundary fence, Turkey Creek, and the top ridge of the bluff line overlooking Lake Austin. Gorgeous views surround you on the bluff!
Mary Moore Searight*
907 West Slaughter Lane / 9401 S 1st Street
The park features six miles of trails with a semi fenced off leash dog area. The dog park can be accessed on 1st Street south of Slaughter Lane in the north end of the park. When leashed, your furry friend is welcome to join you on the six miles of trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The main trail in the park forms a large loop with smaller trails veering off. Some other features include picnic and barbecue areas, a wide variety of athletic fields and courts, a fishing pier, and playground.
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Onion Creek District Park*
7002 Onion Creek Drive
Onion Creek Metro Park sits just south of the Onion Creek Greenbelt area, that offers a small playground, more hiking trails, and beautiful nature scapes. The park also features a dog specific area called Dog Park Blue on the North East tip of Onion Creek. Dogs can run around, off-leash, on this 106-acre property. The area is completely unfenced and is close to the creek for swimming. There are not any water fountains so be sure to bring your own water for your pup. Poop bags are provided via dispensers scattered throughout the park and trails.
Davis White Northeast District Park*
5909 Crystalbrook Drive
Northeast Park is a great place for a neighborhood BBQ or a picnic. With a covered area to eat and plenty of trees for shade, it’s perfect for a date, family outing or alone time. Located east of Ed Bluestein Blvd. (HWY 183) at the corner of Loyola and Crystalbrook. The park has a lighted basketball court, volleyball pit, two horseshoe pits and a playground. One large outdoor pavilion is available for reservations and it will seat 84, or accommodate 100. There are four BBQ grills adjacent to the pavilion. The leash-free area is between Crystal Brook Drive, the railroad right of way, and Decker Lake Road.
Red Bud Isle*
3401 Red Bud Trail
Surrounded by water, this 13-acre leash-free dog park is a must visit for any canine lover. Dogs can romp and swim, under the comfort of shaded natural paths. Bring a towel – you both are bound to get a little wet and dirty. This park is on Lady Bird Lake, just below Tom Miller Dam, and is the entry point for the Redbud Trail. The park is a peninsula surrounded by the lake, and is a great place for water dogs. The whole park is leash-free!
Shoal Creek Greenbelt
2600-2799 Lamar Boulevard.
You haven’t been in Austin long enough if you haven’t seen Shoal Creek…or sat creekside while enjoying a cold drink at a local restaurant…or discovered fossils walking through the creek bed in Pease Park. Flowing through the heart of Austin, from Braker Lane down to Cesar Chavez St, Shoal Creek encompasses the beauty and stresses of an urban creek. As you walk along the crushed limestone, gravel and concrete trail, you will enjoy the shady trees and opulent green spaces. You are sure to find the perfect spot for a picnic or leisurely stroll with friends, your special someone, or your best bud (dog). The portion of the trail from 24th Street to 29th Street is designated as a no-leash zone, and dog owners flock to the area on the weekends for the pure enjoyment of the area.
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Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 N. Lamar Blvd.
Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park is located in North Austin. Renovations to the trail have added a concrete walking and bike trail, for everyone from the “young at heart” to the “still moving along” to enjoy. Southern Walnut Creek Trail is a nature lover’s delight. This beautiful trail extends from Govalle Park to the Walnut Creek Sports Park at Johnny Morris Road and Daffan Lane, and includes five bridges, culverts, signs and benches, offering a breath-taking view at every turn.
Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs Road
Though not technically a park, Zilker Botanical Garden allows leashed dogs. Stroll through the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden to see the native plants that are tolerant of Central Texas’s hot, dry summers. Nearby, keep Fido away from the spines at the Cactus and Succulent Garden filled with West Texas cactus and succulents. Blooming cherry trees fill the Isamu Taniguchi Oriental Garden in early spring, while the Mabel Davis Rose Garden blooms throughout the season. Your dog walk can also include the Herb and Fragrance Garden and the Hamilton Parr Memorial Azalea Garden, in bloom during March and April, and the Douglas Blachly Butterfly Trail, lined with local flowers and plants that attract numerous species of Texas butterflies.
Zilker Dog Park*
2100 Barton Springs Road
Zilker Park is probably one of the best known parks in Austin. With a scenic view of downtown across the lake, this dog park is not fenced, but well-behaved dogs can roam and play off-leash. It hosts rolling hills and beautiful trees as it runs along the waters of Lady Bird Lake. On weekends, the park comes alive with impromptu games of football, soccer, Frisbee and catch, family picnics, runners, and lots of four-legged friends enthusiastically getting in the thick of it all. The dog park is located in Zilker Metropolitan Park at 2100 Barton Springs Road.
Featured photo via Hoy from Pexels.
Article written with the assistance of Joell Alejandro.
