Dog parks are an excellent way to get outside, exercise your pup, and socialize with other dog owners. They typically feature a large, fenced-in, grassy area where you can let your dog off its leash to run around and play with other dogs. Some will have multiple enclosures for different sizes of dogs and some will have equipment to play with, like tunnels & ramps.
If you’re new to Indiana or recently adopted a new puppy, here are our picks for the best dog parks in the Hoosier State.
Paul Ruster Bark Park
Located at: 11300 E Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN, US, 46239
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The Paul Ruster Park in Indianapolis includes a great dog park that’s part of a network of four dog parks in Marion County called the Pooch Pass. These parks do require a yearly paid membership for each of your dogs, but there are options for discounted passes depending on when you join and how many dogs you own. The paid memberships keep your dog safe by requiring all pups to be vaccinated and help upkeep the park. Once inside the fenced-in Bark Park, you can let your dogs off their leashes to run around and play on agility equipment. Paul Ruster Bark Park is maintained by the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation.
Humane Society of Indianapolis Dog Park
Located at: 7929 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN, US, 46268
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The Humane Society of Indianapolis operates a dog park at their main location on Michigan Road. They boast a full acre of fenced-in area for your pooches to run around. You can either pay for a day pass or an annual pass to the dog park. The fees not only help maintain the property but also go towards the Humane Society’s efforts in rescuing dogs. You must provide vaccination records and your dogs must be fixed to visit the park. This keeps everyone’s pets safe while having fun.
Smock Bark Park
Located at: 3901 E County Line Rd, Indianapolis, IN, US, 46237
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The Smock Bark Park is another park in the “Pooch Pass” network in Indianapolis. As with the Paul Ruster Bark Park, you’ll purchase an annual pass for your doggies to access these parks while keeping the community safe. The Smock Bark Park is operated by the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation.
Woodland Park Dog Park
Located at: 2100 Willowcreek Rd, Portage, IN, US, 46368
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The Woodland Park in the City of Portage has a beautiful fenced-in dog park right next to the playground. You can bring your kids and dogs to the same park and easily keep an eye on both of them at the same time. There is no fee to enter and the park is managed by the City of Portage Parks and Recreation.
Karst Farm Dog Park
Located at: 5200 W Airport Rd, Bloomington, IN, US, 47403
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Right next to the Karst Athletic Complex in Bloomington is the Karst Farm Dog Park. This park features two fenced-in areas, for large and small dogs, with shade structures and drinking fountains at dog and human heights to keep you cool in the summer. The Karst Farm Dog Park is managed by the Monroe County Parks and Recreation Department and requires an annual fee to help with upkeep and maintenance.
Washington Township Paw Park
Located at: 115 S County Rd 575, Avon, IN, US, 46123
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The Washington Township Paw Park in Avon is the first dog park in Hendricks County. It provides a safe and secure space for dogs to run around. Water supply was recently added to keep your pups cool during the summer heat. The Washington Township Parks and Recreation manages the park and hosts events at the park. There is an annual fee.
Bed & Biscuit Dog Park
Located at: 3809 IN-32, Westfield, IN, US, 46074
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The Bed & Biscuit Kennels is a grooming, boarding, and doggy daycare business that also features a wonderful dog park. You don’t need to be scheduled for an overnight stay or grooming appointment to access the park, you can become a member to access the park anytime. In the center of the park is a fun pond for water-loving pups to play in - a unique feature that you don’t find in too many dog parks.
Dogwood Run at Lemon Lake County Park
Located at: 6322 W 133rd Ave, Crown Point, IN, US, 46307
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Lemon Lake County Park has a great dog park called Dogwood Run. It is one of the largest dog parks in the state, with 14 acres of space for your dogs to run around. You will need a “Pooch Pass” to gain access to the dog park, which requires proof of vaccination to keep your dog and the dogs around them safe while playing. Dogwood Run is managed by the Lake County Parks and Recreation.
Mishawaka Dog Park at Margaret H. Prickett Marina Park
Located at: 13100 Jefferson Rd, Mishawaka, IN, US, 46545
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Near Penn High School, the Prickett Marina Park has many great features, like a boat launch, fishing piers, and a dog park. The Mishawaka Dog Park has agility equipment for training and 2 fenced-off areas for small and large dogs. The park is managed by the City of Mishawaka Parks and Recreation.
Bark Park at Creek Ridge County Park
Located at: 7943 W 400 N, Michigan City, IN, US, 46360
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The Creek Ridge County Park includes a Bark Park with fun agility equipment to play with and dog-friendly water fountains to cool off during the summer. There are two fenced-off areas to separate small and large dogs. The Bark Park is maintained by LaPorte County Parks and financed by a daily or annual fee to access the park. Annual passes are good at all LaPorte County Bark Parks.
Niles Ave Bark Park
Located at: 900 N Niles Ave, South Bend, IN, US, 46617
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The first-ever dog park in South Bend is located on Niles Avenue. The park is divided into large dog/small dog partitions and is furnished completely with recycled materials such as old fire hydrants and playground equipment. The park is managed by the City of South Bend Venues, Parks, & Arts.
Nappanee Dog Park
Located at: 1300 N Oakland Ave, Nappanee, IN, US, 46550
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The Nappanee Dog Park located at the Derksen Wetland is a great place for your dog to enjoy. They host events throughout the year, like foundational training classes, for you and your pup to participate in. You do need a membership to access the park, which helps to fund the upkeep and management of the park by the Nappanee Parks & Recreation.
Rover's Run Bark Park
Located at: 2770 N Franklin St, Greenfield, IN, US, 46140
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The Rover’s Run Bark Park, located in Beckenholdt Park, features two fenced-off areas for large and small dogs. Rover’s Run has agility equipment throughout the park for your dogs to play on and several shade structures for you to relax while watching them play. The park does require an annual membership fee along with proof of vaccination to keep everyone safe. Rover’s Run is managed by the City of Greenfield Parks and Rec.
Bark Park at Bluhm County Park
Located at: 3855 S 1100 W, Westville, IN, US, 46391
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Another great dog park in LaPorte County is the Bark Park at Bluhm County Park. Membership to the LaPorte County Bark Parks gets you access to this park and three others to play in. Alternatively, you can pay a daily fee if you’re just visiting. The Bluhm location features some of the most fun equipment your dogs will play with, like a tire jump. The park is managed by LaPorte County Parks.
Mehlig Dog Park
Located at: 1701 W Carter St, Kokomo, IN, US, 46901
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As the first dog park in the City of Kokomo, the Mehlig Dog Park boasts several great features, like agility equipment, a water fountain, and convenient dog waste baskets to help keep the park clean. There are two fenced sections to separate large and small dogs. The Mehlig Dog Park is free to use but the City of Kokomo Parks & Recreation relies on the generosity of donors to help maintain the park. Consider donating if you frequent the park.
Dog Park at Clay Terrace
Located at: 14390 Clay Terrace Blvd, Carmel, IN, US, 46032
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The Clay Terrace shopping center has its own dog park that’s free for the public to use! It includes agility equipment and a unique feature is the kissing booth so you can “smooch your pooch” and snap a photo. The park is maintained by Clay Terrace and they only ask that you clean up and look after your dog to keep the park membership-free.
Huntingburg Bark Park
Located at: W Park Dr & Bartlett St, Huntingburg, IN, US, 47542
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The Huntingburg Bark Park is a one-acre park located on the Southwest corner of Southside Park. The Bark Park includes fun agility equipment to play with and water fountains to cool off. The park is free to use and maintained by Huntingburg’s Park and Recreation but they do ask you to stop by city hall to sign a waiver before using the Bark Park.
Fort Harrison State Park Dog Park
Located at: 8725 Fall Creek Rd, Indianapolis, IN, US, 46256
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Fort Harrison State Park includes almost 10 acres of dog park, split into three sections with different features in each section. Two sections include agility equipment, water fountains, and shade structures. The largest section includes a pond for all of the aquatic dogs to enjoy, which is regularly tested for algae and cleaned to keep your pup safe. There are also wooded areas within the fences for your pooches to explore the canopy. The park is maintained by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and requires an annual or weekly pass to access.