Albuquerque is a remarkably dog-friendly place. With miles of walking trails, large parks and open spaces, your furry friend has plenty of options to stretch his legs. However, leash laws are in effect for most of the city. If you’re looking for some quality off-leash time, consider these five local favorites.
1. North Domingo Baca Dog Park
This charming park is attached to the North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center and the larger North Domingo Baca Park located a few blocks north of the intersection of Paseo del Norte and Wyoming. The large grassy fields surrounding the park are often used for soccer games, while the paved loop track is a great place to practice some obedience or get a bit of a workout yourself. Keep your dog leashed while using this part of the park.
The fenced-in dog park is divided into two sections for large and small dogs. Both have an external entrance, plus a gate between the two sections. There are a handful of trees and bushes spread throughout the park to give a little shade and some foliage for your dog to sniff, and the ground is covered with soft wood chips. Like most Albuquerque parks, Domingo Baca has several well-stocked bag dispensers and trash cans for your convenience.
For humans, there are multiple plastic park benches scattered throughout the fenced-in area. Some are open, while others are under metal pavilions to keep out the rain or sun. There is also a fountain with several levels to help both humans and dogs stay hydrated in the dry Albuquerque air, but this is only turned on during the summer so bring your own water during the colder months. This park is lighted for evening visits.
2. Ouray Dog Park
Ouray Dog Park is located on the Westside, near the intersection of Ouray and Ladera. There’s plenty of nice scenery around, with Ladera Golf Course and Ladera Pond located nearby. It’s also fairly close to Petroglyph National Monument, so it can be a nice stop to let your dog run off some steam before going for a leashed hike.
What really sets this park apart, is the full agility course. It is part of a City of Albuquerque pilot program, but, as of 2015, it is the only public dog park with this equipment. You can play with your dog on a full competition-quality agility course, including tunnels, see-saws, adjustable hurdles, and ramps. It is not lighted, so get there earlier in the day to use the equipment. There is water available during the warmer months.
Like most Albuquerque dog parks, Ouray has a wood chip floor to give traction and easy cleanup. There are shaded benches with concrete pads beneath them, so you and your pooch can get out of the sun.
3. Rio Grande Triangle Dog Park
Rio Grande Triangle Dog Park is located  near the ABQ BioPark, which can give it an interesting atmosphere. In certain conditions, you may even be able to hear the seals barking or big cats roaring. This park is also distinctive for its more varied settings. It has a significant number of large shade trees and other foliage, which most Albuquerque dog parks lack due to the arid climate. There is also a mix of footing in this park, including grass, wood chips, and sand. It’s a good choice for dogs that like to dig. Just remember, you’re required to fill in any holes your dog creates!
This park has two sections for large and small dogs. It is adjacent to miles of walking trails along the Rio Grande, and many owners use it to let their dogs run around for a few minutes before a leashed walk. It also has water fountains available during the summer months.
4. Canine Skyline Dog Park
This little park doesn’t have many amenities but many locals consider it one of the nicer parks in the city. It is located just off of Montgomery east of Tramway, behind the Albuquerque Police Department substation. It is very close to the foothills and offers a lovely view of the Rio Grande Valley, although the large apartments and townhouses block this in some directions.
There is only one section in this park, so be careful bringing puppies or small dogs to it. However, it is usually not particularly crowded and the pooches that frequent it are usually polite. There is limited seating available with only a couple of benches.
The large open space is great for playing fetch or for particularly active dogs, and the east side has a rock pile that adventurous pups enjoy climbing on. There are a few smaller deciduous trees and some evergreens to give a bit of interest, but there is not much shade in this park. Water is available seasonally, and it is well-lighted and in a very safe area for evening visits.
5. Roosevelt Park
Roosevelt Park is one of the oldest mix-use parks in Albuquerque. Located in the University area, it features a large, grassy open space with gentle hills to give your dog a bit of a workout. There are numerous large trees for shade, and walking trails, picnic tables, and other amenities scattered throughout.
Although Roosevelt Park is one of the most popular dog parks in the city, it is important to note that it is not fenced and does border some fairly busy streets. Make sure your dog has a solid recall and is not easily distracted before letting him off the leash here. Roosevelt is also popular with non-dog owners, and you may encounter picnickers, Ultimate Frisbee players, skaters, and joggers using this area. If your dog is easily distracted, consider using a long line or going to one of the fenced dog parks in the city. This park is usually fairly empty during weekdays, but it gets busy during evenings and weekends.
In addition to these lovely off-leash parks, there are plenty of Open Space lands and other parks for playing with or walking your dog. Albuquerque is an unusually dog-friendly city, and most neighborhoods are home to plenty of parks for you and your pup to enjoy. Remember, though, that Albuquerque does have some strict licensing requirements and dog park regulations, so visit the City of Albuquerque website to make sure you’re following the rules.
2 Point Highlight
With miles of walking trails, large parks and open spaces, your furry friend has plenty of options to stretch his legs.
You can play with your dog on a full competition-quality agility course, including tunnels, see-saws, adjustable hurdles, and ramps.
