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10 Awesome Off-Leash Dog Parks in Minnesota in 2024

Chris Dinesen Rogers

By Chris Dinesen Rogers

brindle cardigan welsh corgi dog sitting on a path in the park

Minnesota is a dog-friendly state, with off-leash parks dotted all over the Land of 10,000 Lakes. While many are popular destinations, you’ll find a few hidden gems and a unique take on this theme in Minneapolis. Many sites offer swimming experiences for your pup. You’ll find both indoor and outdoor places. After all, Duluth is one of the coldest cities in the country.

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The 10 Off-Leash Dog Parks in Minnesota

1. Park Point Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 45th Street and Minnesota Avenue, Duluth, MN
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas, only
  • Busy location
  • Lots of other amenities
  • Cold swimming in Lake Superior
  • Rental buildings on-site
  • Beautiful scenery

2. Minnehaha Off-Leash Recreation Area

🗺️ Address: 📍 5399 Minnehaha Park Drive S Minneapolis, MN
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 AM to midnight
💲 Cost: Daily or annual pet permit required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  • Very popular area
  • Stunning scenic views
  • Three-dog limit
  • Garden and walking path
  • Plenty of dog-friendly restaurants nearby

3. Meeker Island Dog Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 471 Mississippi River Blvd N Saint Paul, MN
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to 11:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Welcomed, as long as your pets are under control in designated areas only
  • Unfenced play area
  • Three dogs max
  • Check the status for seasonal high waters
  • Located at northernmost lock-and-dam
  • Pets 4 months or older

4. Unleashed Hounds and Hops

🗺️ Address: 📍 200 East Lyndale Ave N Minneapolis, MN
🕐 Open Times: Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Monday – Closed; Tuesday-Friday – 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.; Saturday – 10:00AM to 9:00PM
💲 Cost: Free for owners; pets, daily, 5x, or annual memberships
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, with pets under control at all times
  • Pre-registration with proof of vaccinations
  • Indoor/outdoor dog park, taproom, and eatery
  • Small dog area available
  • Reservations highly recommended

5. Battle Creek Dog Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 2350 Upper Afton Road, Maplewood, MN
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset
💲 Cost: No permit required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, with pets under control at all times
  • Fully fenced
  • Swimming available in small ponds
  • 35 acres
  • Wooded and prairie habitats
  • No cleaning products on-site

6. Matoska Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 4810 Lake Avenue North White Bear Lake, MN
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, with pets under control at all times
  • Public restrooms
  • Reservable gazebo
  • 4 acres of shoreline
  • Walking trail

7. Loring Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 1382 Willow Street, Minneapolis, MN
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Daily or annual permit required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas and under control
  • Fully fenced
  • Designated area part of the larger park
  • Night lights
  • Three-dog maximum
  • Lots of nearby dining options

8. Alimagnet Dog Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 1200 Alimagnet Parkway, Burnsville, MN
🕐 Open Times: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Optional annual membership
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, with pets under control at all times
  • Heated shelter
  • Night lights
  • Fully fenced
  • Swimming in pond
  • 7 acres

9. Dakota Park Dog Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 2643 Dakota Avenue S, St. Louis Park, MN
🕐 Open Times: 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM
💲 Cost: Resident dog license or non-resident dog park permit
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in the designated area
  • Small dog area
  • Fully fenced
  • Off-street parking
  • Part of the larger park
  • Clean up after your pet

10. Lake of the Isles Off-Recreational Area

🗺️ Address: 📍 2845 W Lake of the Isles Parkway, Minneapolis, MN
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Daily or annual permit required
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, with pets under control
  • Small dog area
  • Night lights
  • Fully fenced
  • Street parking only
  • 1.87 acres

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Conclusion

Not only is Minnesota dog-friendly, but its parks have owners in mind too—with amenities to keep you warm when the temperature dips below freezing. You’ll find that most places have similar vaccination requirements and limitations on the number of pets under one handler. It’s par for the course. However, we suggest visiting the site’s website for updated rules before getting your excited pup in the car.

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Featured Image Credit: Liudmila Bohush, Shutterstock

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