Minneapolis South Metro Dog Parks to Check Out This Summer
Cleary Lake Dog Park
Located between Lakeville and Prior Lake, in Cleary Lake Regional Park—about 15 minutes southwest of Puppy Play and Stay. Cleary Lake Dog Park is a 28-acre fenced in, off-leash dog park in the outskirts of Prior Lake. It is heavily forested, with lots of trees/brush for your dog to sniff and explore. The trees also offer shade when you’re walking around the trails with your pup. The trails run throughout the center of the park and around the outside, creating plenty of new paths for your dog to explore. Towards the center of the park there is also a fenced in pond where the dogs can swim and cool off!
Details and Facilities
- Open 5 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily
- Pass required- annual or daily. Daily is $7 and can be purchased from your phone with a credit card. Annual is $55 and gains you access to 9 dog off-leash areas run by the Three Rivers Park District throughout the metro.
- Fenced, and has a fenced wetland pond
- Restroom for humans
- Water fountain with dog bowl at bottom- very clean! They have a hose attached as well.
- Dog waste bags available
- Many picnic tables and benches for sitting
Ritter Farm Dog Park
Ritter Farm Dog Park is conveniently located off I-35 and 185th St in Lakeville—about 10 minutes south of Puppy Play and Stay. It includes a 4-acre all-breed area and a 1-acre small-breed only area. The park is heavily forested, lots of trees and brush for your dog to sniff and explore. The trees also offer shade when you’re walking around with your pup. It is next to the interstate but the noise isn’t terrible. There are picnic tables and benches for sitting. When my dog and I visited, it wasn’t too busy- maybe 10 dogs total spread across the 2 areas, so there was plenty of space. The other dogs that we’ve personally encountered were friendly as well!
Details and Facilities
- Open 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily
- Free entry (no passes required) and free parking (18 parking spots)
- 2 Areas-
- All breed area- very large space (4-acres).
- Small breed only area- smaller (1-acre) but perfect for small dogs.
- Porta potty for humans
- Water fountain for humans and dogs with dog bowl at the bottom- when I visited the dog bowl was clogged and full of muddy water. Would recommend bringing your own travel dog bowl. We use a silicone collapsible bowl when we’re on the go.
- Picnic tables and benches for sitting
Alimagnet Dog Park
Located off County Road 42 E in Burnsville, just east the 35W/35E split. Less than 10 minutes North of Puppy Play and Stay. Alimagnet Dog Park is a 7-acre, fenced, off-leash dog park with a pond in the center. It is heavily forested with lots of shade to enjoy when walking around with your pup. The trail circles the pond and there is one entry where you can avoid the water if you don’t want your pup near it.
Details and Facilities
Large dog area- includes two fenced access points from the main gate. One leading to the pond, and the other without water access. The pond is maintained as stormwater runoff and allowing your dog to swim in the pond is at your own risk.
Small dog area- under 30 pounds or dogs with special needs. The small dog area had two entrances; one is accessed at the main dog park entrance, the other is located at the far side of the park near the playground. This area also includes a covered shelter and picnic table seating.
- Open 5 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily
- Dog waste bags available
- No admission fees
- Easy to find and plenty of parking
- Bowls and water
- Tables and benches for sitting
- Porta Potty at the entrance
Savage Dog Park
Located just off of Highway 13 in Savage, about 15 minutes NorthWest of Puppy Play and Stay. Savage Dog Park is a 2-acre off-leash, fenced open space for your dog to play. It’s an open, flat terrain with seating for humans and water provided for pups. There is a separate fenced area for small dogs as well!
Details and Facilities
- Open 7 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily
- Dog waste bags available
- No admission fees
- Easy to find and plenty of parking
- Bowls and water provided
- Tables and benches for sitting
- Porta Potty at the entrance
Bloomington Off-Leash Dog Park
Located just south of West Old Shakopee Road, on Nesbitt Ave S & West 110th Street in Bloomington. Less than 20 minutes Northwest of Puppy Play and Stay. Bloomington Off-Leash Dog Park is a 27-acre, fenced, large grassy area with hills. Trails line the outskirts of the park and are made of wood chips. The park is wide, and open with not a lot of shade but plenty of room for pups to run with new friends!
Details and Facilities
- Open 7 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily
- Dog waste bags available
- No admission fees- however, dogs must be licensed in the city they’re from
- Easy to find and plenty of parking
- Bowls and water provided
- Tables and benches for sitting
- Porta Potty at the entrance
Southbridge Community Dog Park
Located not far off of Hwy 169 in Shakopee, Southbridge Community Dog Park has a 10-acre all-breed park area and a .5-acre area for small-breed dogs. This off-leash dog park offers winding trails and a spacious area for pups to sniff and explore.
Details and Facilities
- Open 6 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily
- Dogs must be licensed in Shakopee to use the park
- Water fountain at the entrance
- Benches for sitting
- Porta Potty at the entrance
What to Keep in Mind with Dog Parks
Keep in mind with dog parks, it may be a different experience each time. When visiting any dog park, be sure to always keep a close eye on your dog and other dogs. Including body language or any queues that may let you know it’s time to create some distance.
Don’t Want to Supervise? Try Dog Daycare!
If you’re interested in letting your pup play with other dogs in a more controlled environment than this where you personally don’t need to supervise—bring them to Puppy Play and Stay! Our daycare staff is highly trained to pay close attention to all dogs’ body language. Not only to make sure everyone is having an enjoyable time, but because safety is our top priority. We have indoor and outdoor play areas as well! Interested in setting up an orientation for you dog or learning more about what we have to offer? Give us a call! We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.
