The Top 5 Austin dog parks your pooch will love

Dog lovers, unite– and head straight to the heart of Texas for the best Austin dog parks. Austin is home to more off-leash dog areas on city parkland than any other cities do in Texas. More than 200 restaurants and 60 hotels are designated “dog-friendly”. Austin is home to hundreds of local businesses tending to canine needs, including organic dog treat bakeries and more than a dozen doggy daycares. From restaurant patios to music festivals, Austinites love bringing their pooches wherever they go. The city also holds the distinction of being the largest “no-kill” city in America, according to Austin Pets Alive. Dog Fancy Magazine even presented Austin with the title of “Dog Town USA” in 2014, declaring Austin the best city for dogs, according to the Austin-American Statesman.

It’s no surprise then that Austin is home to some of the country’s biggest and best dog parks, including an entire island that’s devoted to off-leash play. For the safety of all dogs and dog owners, note that the Austin Parks and Recreation Department requires all dogs who are off leash to be within sight and sound control of owners/handlers at all times. Rabies vaccinations are required for all dogs in accordance with state laws. Owners/handlers must clean up after their dogs and deposit waste into a trash can or face fines. Dogs in heat are not allowed in off-leash areas and aggressive dogs will be immediately removed. When not in a designated “off-leash zone”, dogs must be on leash no longer than 6-feet.

Here’s where to take your dog for the best off-leash play in Austin:

1. Red Bud Isle: Red Bud is a mini-oasis for dogs. The entire island is off-leash, making it perfect for dogs who need to be “fenced in” by the water but still want to run free and socialize with other friendly pups. The island lies on Town Lake just below Lake Austin dam, for easy access just minutes from west of downtown. Two wide paths loop around the island to the same end spot, with smaller side paths wandering off along the sides to different swimming holes. You can let your pups off-leash the minute you leave the parking lot and allow them to run free. Virtually everyone on the island is also a friendly dog lover. There are lots of games of group fetch played in the water and in the large green lawn near the parking lot. Keep in mind that parking is extremely limited, so get there early on the weekends or prepare to wait for a space.
2. Auditorium Shores “Leash Free Dog Zone” at Town Lake: When it comes to off-leash play in the heart of downtown, you can’t go wrong with Auditorium Shores. Located on the southern banks of Town Lake just west of the First Street Bridge and facing the downtown skyline, Auditorium Shores is a large, green field for playing fetch and socializing with other dogs. There is also access to off-leash swimming, so your pooch can practice his belly flop diving in after tennis balls. While the park recently underwent major upgrades, parking is still limited (albeit more plentiful that Red Bud), so prepare for a wait during peak times.
3. Barton Creek Greenbelt. The Barton Creek Greenbelt is an 809-acre park that begins in Zilker Park and winds through the southwest part of Austin. The greenbelt features multiple access points and one of the best hiking/biking trails in Austin that wind by sheer limestone cliffs and along Barton Creek. While the trails are technically on-leash, many pet owners let their dogs off-leash when the trails hit the water for their pups to swim in Barton Creek. One of the most popular access points for dogs is the Scottish Woods Trail, located off Loop 360. A short, 10-minute hike down a rocky hill leads to multiple secluded access points to Barton Creek, perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot afternoon.
4. “Barking” Springs. Barton Springs, the three-acre natural spring fed pool in Austin’s famed Zilker Park, is a top attractions for Austin residents and visitiors alike. The only draw back? The pool is “no dogs allowed” due to bacterial concerns. While the official swimming pool is no-dogs allowed, the spillway right beneath the pool, known as “Barking Springs” welcomes humans and canines alike to cool off on a hot summer’s day. With temperatures from the ground-fed spring holding a steady 70 to 72 degrees, you and your pup will want to splash in right away on a scorching summer’s day. Simply park in the designated area for Barton Springs and head right over to take a dip in the spillway.
5. Emma Long Metropolitan Park. Just a short drive from downtown Austin off 2222, Emma Long Metropolitan Park features more than 1200 acres of beautiful oak and juniper forest bordering Lake Austin. The park is a popular destination thanks to its well-used boat dock and swimming areas where Austinites gather during warm weather for swimming, water skiing, picknicking, and camping. Emma Long’s leash free area is located between City Park Drive, Turkey Creek, and the west park boundary fence at the top of a ridge overlooking Lake Austin. The panoramic views from the bluff are spectacular, and you’ll find lots of other friendly dogs eager to socialized and play games. A day-use fee is required and can be paid at automated pay stations in the park. The park is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year from 7:00am to 10:00pm.

2 Point Highlight

1- Austin is home to some of the country’s biggest and best dog parks, including an entire island that’s devoted to off-leash play.

2- Dog Fancy Magazine presented Austin with the title of “Dog Town USA” in 2014, declaring Austin the best city for dogs, according to the Austin-American Statesman.