10 Spectacular Off-Leash Dog Parks in Gig Harbor, WA (2024 Update)
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Off-leash dog parks are among the best places to meet new canine friends and let your dog use their nose to follow all sorts of new smells. Gig Harbor benefits from the woodland areas surrounding Puget Sound and the city’s proximity to Seattle and Tacoma.
Although there aren’t many parks where you can let your dog be off leash in Gig Harbor itself, there are several options within a few miles if you want to spend the day outside. This list covers off-leash dog parks within Gig Harbor and a few in the surrounding areas.
The 3 Off-Leash Dog Parks in Gig Harbor, WA
1. Tubby’s Trail Off-Leash Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 1701 14th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Surrounded by wooded nature trails to explore with your dog.
- The trails aren’t fully fenced, and your dog should be leashed if they don’t obey recall commands.
- There are separate fenced areas for big and small dogs.
- Can get dusty in dry weather due to the lack of grass.
- Amenities include an on-site water fountain, dog waste bags, garbage cans, and wheelchair accessibility.
2. McCormick Forest Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 10301 Bujacich Rd, Gig Harbor, WA 98332 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 24/7 |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes, but dogs should be leashed in the rest of the park |
- There are plenty of walking trails within the off-leashed area for you to explore with your dog.
- Remember to keep your dog leashed outside of the designated off-leash area.
- Take a towel and proper shoes, as the nature trails aren’t paved and can get muddy.
- Fully fenced with plenty of space for your dog to keep to themselves or socialize.
- There is a large, open area for playing fetch or practicing your recall commands.
3. Rotary Bark Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 10100 Bujacich Rd, Gig Harbor, WA 98332 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- The off-leash area is 15 acres of walking trails and open grassy areas for exploring, socializing, and playing.
- Rarely crowded due to the size of the park.
- You’ll need to wear reliable shoes and bring a towel when it rains, as the trails can get muddy.
- Bring your own water if you visit during winter, as the on-site water fountains often freeze.
- Right next to McCormick Forest Park if you want to explore walking trails, but remember to keep your dog leashed outside of the off-leash areas.
The 7 Off-Leash Dog Parks Near Gig Harbor, WA
4. Bandix Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 13390 Bandix Rd SE, Olalla, WA 98359 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Easy access to the hiking trails in and around the park, so remember to keep your dog leashed outside of the off-leash area.
- Features wooded nature trails and open areas for playing fetch.
- A secluded, peaceful park that is rarely busy.
- Make sure your dog obeys recall commands, as some parts of the park aren’t fenced.
- There is a separate area for small or quiet dogs.
5. Chambers Bay Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 6320 Grandview Dr. W, University Place, WA 98467 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- There is beach access for dogs that love to swim.
- Surrounded by a golf course and walking trails, but remember to bring a leash for use in areas outside of the off-leash park.
- Community tennis balls, waste bags, and water fountains are provided inside the dog park.
- There is no shade in the off-leash area, so be careful during hot summer days.
6. Fort Steilacoom Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 8804 Dresden Ln SW, Lakewood, WA 98498 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- The off-leash area is part of a larger park with walking trails, sports courts, and a kid’s playground.
- There are on-site water fountains, dog waste bags, trash cans, public restrooms, and shaded seating areas.
- A popular camping spot in summer, but there’s plenty of space for everyone.
- Separate off-leash areas for quiet and loud dogs.
- The park has a few agility course obstacles to practice with.
7. McKinley Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 907 Upper Park St, Tacoma, WA 98404 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes, inside the 7-acre off-leash area |
- The off-leash area is a 7-acre plot within the 26-plus acres of the main park.
- Dogs are only allowed off-leash inside the fenced off-leash area, so keep them leashed everywhere else.
- Family friendly, with plenty of walking trails to explore.
- The off-leash area has plenty of space for socializing or keeping to yourself and giving your dog somewhere to run around.
8. Point Defiance Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 Five Mile Rd, Tacoma, WA 98407 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- The main off-leash area isn’t completely fenced, so make sure your dog obeys recall commands.
- There are sheltered picnic areas and an on-site watering station that uses rainwater.
- Small or quiet dogs can stay away from large dogs in the fully fenced section nearby.
- Surrounded by nature trails and views of the bay, but remember to keep a leash for areas outside the dog park.
- The park is mostly dirt and sand, which makes it incredibly dusty during dry summers.
9. Rogers Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 3151 E L St, Tacoma, WA 98404 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 9:15 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- The park is wheelchair accessible and is next to a playground, sports courts, and a community garden.
- There is a water fountain on-site.
- Remember to bring waste bags to clean up after your dog and help keep the park clean.
- A wide open grassy area is perfect for games of fetch or playing tag with canine friends.
- One of the smaller dog parks in the area, but it rarely gets crowded.
10. Wapato Off-Leash Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 6802 S Sheridan Ave, Tacoma, WA 98408 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- There are three off-leash areas to cater to dogs with different personalities.
- Surrounded by running tracks and wooded hiking trails, but remember to keep your dog leashed outside the off-leash areas.
- The park’s amenities include waste bags, trash cans, and water fountains.
- There are sheltered seating areas for picnics and sunny days.
- All the off-leash areas are fully fenced and well-maintained by the community.
Conclusion
Located on the banks of Puget Sound, Gig Harbor and the surrounding area has an abundance of parks and wooded nature trails. The variety of hiking paths offers plenty of places to explore with your dog, but there are only a few areas where you can let your dog off their leash while you enjoy the scenery.
These off-leash dog parks in Gig Harbor and the surrounding areas are where you and your dog can wander freely.
Featured Image Credit: Samuel Haché, Pexels
