15 Beautiful Off-Leash Dog Parks in Austin, Texas, You Can Visit Today (2023 Update)

Having your favorite canine join you while you’re out and about is a great time, but in most places, your pup will have to be on a leash while accompanying you. Leashes aren’t always our dogs’ favorite things, though, so it’s helpful to know where the off-leash areas in your city are. After all, you want your pet to have the chance to romp and play somewhere bigger than your backyard!

If you live in Austin, Texas, you’re in luck because this city has plenty of off-leash areas you can take your dog—particularly parks. Whether you’re in the mood for some hiking, prefer to laze by a river or creek, or just want a dog park where you can grab a drink, Austin has you covered. Below are 15 great off-leash dog parks in Austin, Texas, that you can visit today!

The 15 Beautiful Off-Leash Dog Parks in Austin, Texas

1. Auditorium Shores Off-Leash Park

Near river, so dogs can splash and play
Entire park is not off-leash, only certain areas
Features a dog drinking fountain
For people, there are hiking trails and picnic areas
Off-leash area is not fully fenced in and is near a busy road, so caution is advised

2. Big Stacy Neighborhood Park

🗺️ Address:	📍700 E Live Oak St, Austin, TX 78704
🕐 Open Times:	6 AM to 8 PM (Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday); 12 PM to 8 PM (Sunday)
💲 Cost:	Free
🐕 Off-leash allowed?:	Yes

Plenty of open spaces for pups to run around
Pool with free admission for humans
Not much else to do besides the pool and open spaces
Can park on street or private lot

3. Davis White Northeast District Park

Entire park is not off-leash, but one area is
Off-leash area is not fenced in
Features basketball courts and playgrounds
Hiking trails on one side of park with exercise areas

4. Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Fabulous view of Lake Austin
Plenty of hiking trails for dogs and people
Very thorny plants in some areas, so beware
Parking is sometimes scarce

5. Great Northern Dog Park

Large off-leash area with retention pond and paths
Not fully fenced in, so exercise caution
Doesn’t get overly crowded
Has poop bag stations, but it’s still advisable to bring your own

6. Mary Moore Searight Metro Park

Features “Metro” trail for hikers, walkers, etc., and “Equestrian” trail for horseback riders
Contains a shallow stream for your pup to play in
Park hosts a radio-controlled park airfield, so prepare to hear plenty of plane engines
Dog park area is on the north end of the park

7. Metropolitan Park at Walnut Creek

293-acre park
Off-leash area for dogs to play, but need to be leashed on the 15 miles of trails
Trails cross the creek a total of nine times, so there are plenty of opportunities for dogs to play in water
Playground areas for kids

8. Neighbors Dog Park

🗺️ Address:	📍5609 S Congress Ave #220, Austin, TX 78745
🕐 Open Times:	7 AM to 8 PM (Monday–Friday); 8 AM to 8 PM (Saturday, Sunday)
💲 Cost:	$12 day pass; monthly memberships also available
🐕 Off-leash allowed?:	Yes

Dog park and coffee shop
Dogs must be spayed or neutered to come play
No harnesses allowed
Doggie daycare and training also available

9. Norwood Estates Dog Park

Separate areas for small and large dogs
Fully fenced-in areas
Plenty of benches in shaded areas for dog parents
Water available to keep pups hydrated
Very clean park

10. Onion Creek Greenbelt

Park is less well-known, so may be less crowded
Park is also extremely large, with considerable areas to run around in
Features pond and walking trails
Playgrounds and picnic areas available

11. Red Bud Isle

Small island park
Play area for dogs, plus walking trails
Easy for dogs to get into the water in several areas
Trails can get muddy in the summer months

12. Shoal Creek Greenbelt

Designated area for off-leash, but dogs must be on leash elsewhere
5 ½ mile walking trail to enjoy (rated easy)
Lots of wildlife to see
Parts of trail have been under construction in the past year

13. West Austin Dog Park

Fenced dog park area to let your pups run free
Dog park area is more dirt than grass, so dogs may get dirty
Leash required for rest of park
Kid-friendly, with lots of play areas
Pool available in summer months

14. Yard Bar

🗺️ Address:	📍6700 Burnet Rd Austin, TX 78757
🕐 Open Times:	11 AM to 10 PM (Sunday thru Wednesday); Noon to 10 PM (Thursday thru Saturday)
💲 Cost:	$9 per dog; memberships also available
🐕 Off-leash allowed?:	Yes

Dog park and bar
Dog park only allows people who are 21+
All dogs must be spayed or neutered
Pups must be 4 months or older
Only 2 dogs per person allowed

15. Zilker Metro Park Off-Leash Dog Area

45-acre area of the 350-acre Zilker Metro Park is designated off-leash
Huge area of grass for dogs to run and play
Dog area is not fenced in, though, and is near busy roads, so be cautious
Rest of the park dogs must be leashed while you explore trails, lakes, springs, and more

divider-dog

Conclusion

As dog parents, we love spending time with our canine pals. And Austin, Texas, seems to be a pretty dog-friendly place, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding great spots to visit with your favorite pup. If parks are your thing, though, you can visit any of the 15 parks listed here and have a wonderful time with your pet!

Featured Image Credit: Roman Seliutin, Shutterstock