We’ve found the best county and state parks with off-leash areas where dogs can swim and play in the water. The following parks offer dog swim areas:
OHIO
Ohio State Parks
Dog swim areas are provided adjacent to the dog parks at the following Ohio state parks: Alum Creek, Delaware; Mosquito Lake, Cortland; Portage Lakes, Akron; and Salt Fork, Lore City. Lake access for dogs is offered at the following state parks: Alum Creek; A.W. Marion, Circleville; Deer Creek, Mt. Sterling; Harrison Lake, Fayette; Lake Alma, Wellston; Mosquito Lake, Portage Lakes, and Salt Fork.
Alum Creek State Park Dog Park, Delaware, OH
Ohio Metro Parks
Columbus Area, Ohio
The Metro Parks are a group of 16 metropolitan parks near Columbus, Ohio. The following parks offer dog swimming areas: Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Pleasant Valley Area, Orient; Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Darby Bend Lakes, Hilliard; Walnut Woods Metro Park, Buckeye Area, Groveport.
Ohio Metro Parks Dog Swim Areas
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin State Parks
The following Wisconsin state parks offer dog swim areas: Governor Dodge, Dodgeville; Harrington Beach, Belguim; High Cliff, Sherwood; Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit, Dousman; Kohler-Andrae, Sheboygan; Lake Kegonsa, Stoughton; Whitefish Dunes, Sturgeon Bay.
Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, WI. By: http://winnieviews.blogspot.com
Brookfield, WI
Fox Brook Park Dog Swim Area
2925 North Barker Rd.
Brookfield, WI 53045
Located in Waukesha County, Fox Brook Park is well known for its swimming beach located around a man-made lake. There is a dog swimming area on the northeastern shore of the lake, where the watercraft launch site is. The dog swimming area is open to all park users; its use is included in the park admission fee.
Fox Brook Park Dog Swim Area, Brookfield, WI
CALIFORNIA
Santa Barbara, CA
Arroyo Burro Beach Country Park (Hendry’s Beach)
2981 Cliff Dr.
Santa Barbara, California 93109
Arroyo Burro Beach County Park is located 5 miles west of Santa Barbara’s city center on Cliff Drive near Hope Ranch. Dogs are required to be on leash through the parking lot and bathing beach until, passing Arroyo Burro Slough, dogs are welcome to run free in the Pacific Ocean surf below the city’s Douglas Family Preserve. Open daily from 6:00 AM to Sunset.
Arroyo Burro Beach County Park, Santa Barbara, CA. By: Jaynie Wood
COLORADO
Longmont, CO
Union Reservoir Dog Beach
461 County Road 26
Longmont, Colorado 80504
Located approximately 7 miles west of I-25, Union Reservoir is a 736 acre body of water providing many outdoor recreational activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, and the one and only dog beach in Northern Colorado. A dog training area is located on the south side of the reservoir. Dogs are allowed off leash and may swim in this designated area. Dogs must be leashed in all other areas of the park.
Union Reservoir Dog Beach, Longmont, CO
Littleton, CO
Chatfield State Park Dog Off-Leash Area
11500 N Roxborough Park Rd.
Littleton, CO 80125
The Dog Off-Leash Area provides 69 acres of open space for dogs to exercise, including two ponds where dogs can swim, and miles of paved and unpaved walking trails. A valid Dog Off-Leash Area (DOLA) Daily OR Annual pass is required for the use of the area.
Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO. By: Stephanie Lucero
KANSAS
Shawnee, KS
Shawnee Mission Park Dog Off-Leash Area
7900 Renner Rd.
Shawnee, Kansas 66219
A Johnson County Park, Shawnee Mission Park is a multi-use, 1,600-acre park that features a beautiful 120-acre lake and a 53-acre off-leash area for dogs. Located east of the observation tower on John Barkley Drive, the off-leash area features a dog swim area along with wood chip and natural surface trails through grassland and wooded areas. The off-leash area also includes paved parking and portable toilets. The area is open year-round during regular park hours except Tuesdays from 5:00 am to 9:00 am for routine maintenance.
Shawnee Mission Park Dog Off-Leash Area, Shawnee, KS
ILLINOIS
Lake Forest, IL
Prairie Wolf Dog Exercise Area
Lake County Forest Preserves
Lake Forest Illinois 60045
This preserve features a 20-acre wetland, wet prairie and adjacent oak woodlands, a 1.75-mile trail for hiking, bicycling and cross-country skiing, a 1-mile self-guided nature trail, and a special dog exercise area. Prairie Wolf Dog Exercise Area is one of four designated off-leash dog areas within the Lake County Forest Preserves. The 44-acre area is fenced and features training enclosures, large fields, trails, toilets, water and a drinking fountain. Dogs are allowed to swim in a pond located through gates at the east end of the dog area. The separate Dog Exercise Area entrance and parking area is located on Waukegan Road (Route 43) south of Old Mill Road and north of Half Day Road (Route 22). A permit is required to access this Dog Exercise Area. Annual or daily permits are available.
Prairie Wolf Dog Exercise Area, Lake County Forest Preserves
Lake Forest IL. By: Natasha R.
TEXAS
Austin, TX
Red Bud Isle
3401 Redbud Trail
On Town Lake, just below the Lake Austin dam
Austin, Texas 78703
Part of the Austin Parks & Recreation Department’s Lady Bird Lake Corridor system of parks, Red Bud Isle is a 13 acre off-leash dog park situated on a peninsula surrounded by Lady Bird Lake. A short loop trail is great for walking with your dog and the point is a great place to watch your dog swim.
Red Bud Isle, Austin, TX
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston, SC
James Island County Park
871 Riverland Dr.
Charleston, South Carolina 29412
Just a short drive from downtown Charleston, this 643-acre park offers an abundance of exceptional recreation offerings and natural beauty. The enclosed, off-leash dog park features a separate, fenced-in area for small dogs, bag stations and trash cans, drinking water for dogs and humans, a water hose/cleaning station, and a large lake in which dogs can swim and play.
James Island County Park, Charleston, SC
