In the list below, we’ve featured 9 of the best dog parks in Virginia. Continue reading to learn about them!
1. Red Wing Dog Park (Virginia Beach)
Red Wing Dog Park is a 1-acre, fully fenced area for dogs to play and exercise in. Located in Virginia Beach, VA, small and large dogs can play together from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm daily. There is parking nearby and many other amenities at the large Red Wing Park, including picnic areas, sporting courts, playgrounds, and gardens.
When visiting Red Wing Dog Park, owners must clean up after their dogs and only bring dogs that are licensed and vaccinated. Dogs may be off-leash, but need to have a collar with identification and need to be leashed when entering and exiting Red Wing Dog Park.
2. Lafayette Dog Park (Norfolk)
Lafayette Dog Park is fully enclosed with benches and shaded areas to relax while your dog plays off-leash. Based in Norfolk, VA, Lafayette Dog Park is a smaller park with running water, but there’s still plenty of space for your pup to enjoy.
If you’re driving to Lafayette Dog Park, there’s plenty of parking outside the park on the nearby streets. The park does not have separate sections for small and large dogs – all dogs are free to play together. There’s also agility equipment for your dog to play on, water fountains, and more. Make sure your dog is playing safely, pick up their waste, and supervise your dog at all times.
3. Chesapeake City Park (Chesapeake)
Chesapeake City Park is a huge open space in Chesapeake, VA. The park is over 90 acres in size, with a dog park that is a fully enclosed, 1.5-acre area where dogs of all shapes and sizes can play. The park has a separate area for small dogs (under 25 lbs) so that they can play safely away from the bigger dogs. There’s a water supply, though it’s turned off in the winter.
The dog park at Chesapeake City Park has benches, poop bags, and trash cans to dispose of your dog’s waste. The park is open from sunrise to sunset every day. Off-leash play is encouraged, but your dog must be on a leash when you enter and leave the park.
4. Church Hill Dog Park (Richmond)
Located in Richmond, VA, Church Hill Dog Park is a fully fenced park that’s perfect for off-leash doggy adventures. During the warmer months, your dog can enjoy the cool-down stations – there are three of them across the park. There’s also a hose to fill up water bowls, plenty of convenient parking nearby, and other amenities like benches and picnic tables.
The Church Hill Dog Park has two separate areas – one for large dogs and one for small dogs. Both enclosures are covered in dirt and grass, and there are some shaded areas for both the pups and their owners. Please pick up your dog’s waste and ensure that they are supervised throughout your visit.
5. Shirlington Dog Park (Arlington)
Shirlington Dog Park is located in Arlington, VA, and is open from sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. This park is spacious and can get fairly busy, so it’s a great spot to bring your dog if they’re looking to meet some new friends.
Dogs can be off-leash inside the park, but need to be leashed for entering and leaving the park. Please pick up your dog’s waste using the bags and trash cans provided, and please supervise your dog during their visit to Shirlington Dog Park.
6. Bayville Farms Park (Virginia Beach)
Bayville Farms Park (and its corresponding dog park) is located in Virginia Beach, VA. The entire park is a 68-acre area encompassing tennis courts, a playground, a disc golf course, and more. The dog park itself is fairly small but does have separate enclosed areas for small and large dogs to play.
The park is open daily from 7:30 am and closes between 5:00 pm and 8:30 pm each day – opening hours are posted at the park. Puppies under four months cannot visit Bayville Farms Park, but all other dogs are welcome as long as they are healthy, vaccinated, and licensed.
7. Ghent Dog Park (Norfolk)
Ghent Dog Park is located in the 1300 block of Stockley Gardens in Norfolk, VA. At 0.61 acres in size, Ghent Dog Park has plenty of space for your pup to run around in. The park is fully fenced with two double-gated entrances and a fresh water supply, but it can get muddy after it rains, so keep a towel in your car to dry off your pup with.
Ghent Dog Park provides waste bags in two mailboxes at either end of the park, and there’s a trash can to dispose of them in as well. Please supervise your dog while they play and return any toys you borrow to the baskets inside the park. The park is open from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm daily.
8. Deep Creek Park (Chesapeake)
Deep Creek Park is located on George Washington Hwy South in Chesapeake, VA. The park has ball fields, picnic shelters, and a dog park that encompasses a 1.5 acre, fully enclosed area. The park is not separated into areas for smaller or larger dogs – all pups are free to play together. There’s a drinking fountain for dogs, though it’s turned off in the colder months.
The dog park at Deep Creek Park has benches, bag dispensers, and a nearby playground where your kids can play while you supervise your dog. The park is open from sunrise to sunset – please make sure that your dog is licensed and has a collar while playing in the park.
9. Glencarlyn Dog Park (Arlington)
Glencaryln Dog Park is part of the greater Glencarlyn Park complex – a beautiful expanse of land covering almost 100 acres located in Arlington, VA. The park has picnic shelters, nature trails, playgrounds, and of course the dog park. Glencaryln Dog Park is open from sunrise until sunset each day.
Dogs at the dog park must be supervised during their entire visit and need to be on a leash when they enter and leave the park. Please supervise your dog and note that smoking is not permitted inside the park.
“Emily is an avid writer and dog lover who usually prefers the company of pets over people. Based in Los Angeles, when not stuck in traffic she spends her days reading in the sunshine, relaxing at the beach, or planning her next adventure.”
