Dog Parks in Pierce County That You & Your Pup Will Love!
There is no shortage of dog parks in the many cities and neighborhoods that make up Pierce County, Washington. In this blog post we’re sharing just a few of our favorite dog parks in the South Puget Sound area. This is by no means a complete list, but it’s certainly a great place to get started in exploring Pierce County with your pup!
Dog Parks in Tacoma
Wapato Park Off-Leash Dog Park
“My dog Charlie and I enjoy walks around the lake at Wapato Park, and popping into the off-leash dog park area!” shares REALTOR® Maddy Mixter. “The different areas, plus the trails, allow for adventure and exploration for him!” Wapato Park in Tacoma is a scenic place to spend the afternoon, or even an entire day. In addition to the trail that guides you around the lake, there’s a beautiful historic pergola to admire, a playground, picnic amenities, and of course, a fenced in dog park. There are 3 separate fully fenced areas for dogs to have fun in, including an area designated for small dogs.
Point Defiance is one of those places that you can return to time and time again for years… and still see something new! This 760-acre park features a 7-acre off-leash dog park nestled right along Five Mile Drive and south of Fort Nisqually. There is also a great ⅛-acre area for smaller dogs here. One of the major highlights of this park is that there is a waterfront bluff area (don’t worry, it’s fenced!) with incredible water views.
Fenced Field at Jefferson Elementary School
This unofficial “dog park” recommendation comes from REALTOR® Anders Ibsen, and he highly recommends visiting this “hidden” dog park: “The fenced field at Jefferson Elementary School in North Tacoma [is the best dog park.]” shares Anders. “[There are] friendly people, and vast open spaces for pooches to sprint, chase each other, and dash after tennis balls."
Dog Parks in Gig Harbor
This popular Gig Harbor dog park is right over the Narrows Bridge and just off of Highway 16, making it easy to access no matter which side of the bridge you live on. This 9-acre park is fully fenced and even has a fenced off section for small dogs. This park is named after Tubby, a Cocker Spaniel who was the only fatality of Galloping Gertie (the old Narrows Bridge) collapsing in 1940. We are glad that Tubby’s name can live on in this great dog park!
McCormick Forest Off-Leash Dog Area
McCormick Forest Park is a 122-acre park made up mostly of natural forested areas. Here you’ll find about 4 miles of trails to explore, and it’s ideal for taking your furry friends to get out some energy while you get in your steps for the day! There is also a completely fenced-in dog park portion of the park, so you and your doggy get the best of both worlds—a scenic stroll through the forest AND leash-free play time!
Rotary Bark Park in Gig Harbor is another great option when you and your pup need some fresh air and you’d like to be surrounded by quintessential Pacific Northwest beauty. Yes, that means that this picturesque dog park is tucked away in 97 acres of natural forested area where you can get lost in nature for a while. The off-leash dog park portion includes a generous 15-acre area for play.
Dog Parks in Lakewood
“The Fort Steilacoom dog park has an awesome agility course. My dog ‘Sir Cody’ loves the off-leash area there, too; it’s a huge park with a lot to explore!” shares REALTOR® Kyle Jochen. When Kyle says this is a huge park, he’s not joking; Fort Steilacoom Dog Park features 22 acres of fenced, off-leash space for doggies to run and play with abandon! There is also a fenced area for small dogs. You can also take your pup to explore the rest of the park (on leash of course), and the 340-acre Fort Steilacoom Park has plenty to do and see including an expansive trail system, sport courts, and an impressive state-of-the-art playground.
Dog Parks in Puyallup
Nestled right in between Clarks Creek Park North and Clarks Creek Park South, Clarks Creek Dog Park includes a fully fenced ⅔ of an acre that you can access via either of the aforementioned parks. There is also an extensive trail known as the Puyallup Loop Trail that runs through the area as well, and there are several sections that make up the entire 4-mile loop. This is a great trail to explore with your dog if they’re up for the trip, and of course you can make a fun detour at the dog park!
Meridian Habitat Off-Leash Dog Park
Meridian Habitat Park and Community Center (known by some as the Puyallup Amphitheatre, if you’re a local!) is a 36-acre park with plenty of outdoor space and amenities to enjoy. One of the highlights here is the off-leash dog park area, a 2-acre, fully fenced space at the southeastern end of the park. Come here for play and socializing—it’s a great spot for your doggy to make some new friends and for you to meet neighbors in the community.
Dog Parks in University Place
Chambers Bay Off Leash Park & Beach
Chambers Bay is one of the Puget Sound area’s most iconic parks. Not only will you find absolutely breathtaking views of Chambers Bay from here (especially during sunset), but the internationally acclaimed Chambers Bay Golf Course is also here. This sprawling park also has a playground, trails, beach access, and huge grassy fields perfect for picnics, and of course there’s a dog park too! The fenced off-leash dog park makes up 1 acre of the park, and there’s even a designated area for small/elderly dogs.
Dog Parks in Bonney Lake
This nearly 4-acre dog park in Bonney Lake offers a wonderful variety of terrain for your doggies to explore. There are grassy spaces and wooded areas and there are pathways throughout the park as well. Of course, the park is fenced for peace of mind as you let your pets explore. Also, fun fact—this park is right next to Bonney Lake Elementary, and the school mascot is a viking, hence this dog park’s name!
Dog Parks in Orting
Orting Dog Park (also known as Calistoga Park) is nestled right along the Puyallup River. Calistoga Park features a playground, a baseball field, access to the Puyallup River, and the fenced-in dog park area is included here as well. Let your pup frolic with furry friends in the dog park area, then head out for a scenic leashed walk along the river.
Here are a couple more great dog park resources:
Dog Friendly Sites in Pierce County: In addition to official off-leash dog parks, there are many parks throughout Pierce County that have dog-friendly amenities. Click here for more info!
6 of Our Favorite Dog Parks in Pierce County: This is another one of Windermere Professional Partners’ blog posts all about dog parks (yes, we have a lot of pet lovers at our brokerage!). You can find even more tips on our favorite dog parks here.