9 Best Dog Parks in Arlington, Virginia 

Dogs need plenty of space to run and play. Exercising a dog can be difficult if you lack a large enough area, and sometimes you may want to try another way to get the energy out of your dog other than a walk. Dog parks are a great way to exercise your pooch and introduce them to other dogs to play with.  

Let’s look at 9 of the best dog parks in Arlington, Virginia, as each has something different to offer. Some dog parks have very large open spaces for your dog to play, while others have different structures for them to use, like an agility tunnel. Here are 9 of the best dog parks in Arlington so that you can plan a fun day with your dog. 

1. James Hunter Dog Park 

A simple dog park in its area, James Hunter Dog Park is a medium-sized area for your pup to play off-leash. This dog park is located in the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington. James hunter dog park is one fenced-off area for dogs to play, with dirt and gravel surfacing. In the rainy or snowy season, the area may get flooded and cause your dog to get dirty easily. 

While not the largest of off-leash parks, it is a convenient spot to let your dog play if in the area. There are plenty of benches and tables to sit and relax. Free poop bags are also provided at this park, and a water fountain for when your pup gets thirsty. Since there is not much shade, avoiding this dog park in hotter temperatures is best. 

2. Towers Park Dog Park 

In the 4-acre large neighborhood park of Tower park, there is an off-leash area for your dog to play. The park also has walking trails, sports fields, and a community garden, but the dog park is the only area where dogs can be off-leash. Towers park dog park is split into two fenced-off sections, one area is for large dogs, and there is a separate section for small breeds to play. 

This dog park has a water fountain and picnic tables for seating. There are large trees well shading the area. The dog park at Tower Park is just one thing to do in the area as there is also a trail to go on leashed walks and various sports courts. 

3. Fort Barnard Dog Park

Fort Barnard dog park is one large section for all breeds to play with no separate area for smaller dogs. This dog park is not the largest, but there is plenty of space for your dog to have fun off its leash. Most of the surfacing of this dog park is dirt, mulch, and grass, which means in the rainy season, it may be muddy. 

At night Fort Barnard dog park is well lit with lights that stay on until 9 PM, and there are picnic tables around for seating. This dog park is near Fort Barnard park, which has water fountains, trails, and sports fields. Fort Barnard dog park is a simple area with enough space for any dog to love its time off-leash. 

4. Clarendon Dog Park

Found in the neighborhood of Clarendon Arlington, Clarendon dog park is a friendly area for your dog to play. The dog park is fully fenced off, with a double-gated entrance, so no dog escapes. Clarendon dog park has sandy surfacing and is one large area for all dogs to socialize. The sandy surfacing of this dog park may get your pup a bit dusty, and there may also be large puddles in the rainy season.

In this dog park, a water feature is active in the summer for breeds who love to get their paws wet. Clarendon dog park has water fountains for when your dog gets thirsty and water bowls. The area is fairly clean, and seating like picnic tables are placed around the dog park. 

5. Utah Dog Park

This dog park is not in Utah but gets its name from the street. This dog park is fully fenced off, with two double-gated entrances for your convenience. Not the largest of dog parks, there is ample space for larger breeds. The ground is made of gravel and dirt, which may not be comfortable if you don’t like dust or go during the rainy seasons. It is also best if your dog can play with any sized pup since there is no small dog area. 

Utah dog park has plenty of shade since the area has several large trees. You should bring your poop bags, but there are a few water fountains in the park. 

6. Benjamin Banneker Dog Park

A well-maintained dog park in its area, Benjamin Banneker dog park is a fun visit for any pup. A large area exists at this park for all dogs to play, but there is also a separate area for smaller and older breeds to enjoy. Benjamin Banneker dog park has water for dogs and plenty of seating to watch your pup play. A trail is also nearby the dog park if you want to go on a walk, bike, and look at the scenery. Benjamin Banneker park is where this dog park is located and is around 12.5 acres large. 

There is plenty of shade at this dog park to cool off when it gets hot. The surfacing is a mix of concrete, artificial turf, and gravel. There are a few agility tunnels around for your dog to use for physical stimulation. 

7. Gateway Park Interim Dog Park

A well-kept and clean off-leash area, gateway dog park is a simple area where you can let your dog frolic about. There are small and large dog areas at this dog park, which are fully fenced off. Gateway park interim dog park is a fairly new addition to the Roselyn neighborhood of Arlington, first opening in 2021. 

Neighborhood events like a costume party for your dog are sometimes held at this dog park. Most of the visitors regularly visit and live near the area. The dog park has plenty of space for your dog to run and agility structures like tunnels, A-frames, and bars for them to play with. 

8. Glencarlyn Dog Park

A 100-acre park with an off-leash area, Glencarlyn dog park is a sometimes forgotten dog park in Arlington. Dogs are only allowed to go off their leash in their designated area. The off-leash area at this park is not fully fenced in, but the river and large hills make it hard for dogs to sprint away. This spot is best for dogs who love to swim, as they can splash around and get their paws wet. There are always various long trails to hike and enjoy the surrounding scenery. 

9. Shirlington Dog Park

A huge dog park in its area, Shirlington dog park has been a fun area to visit with your dog in Arlington since 1995. This dog park is around 2 acres large and is one of the first off-leash parks in its area. The dog park has a narrow shape, running right along a spring. It is a very popular park, with around 200,000 visitors yearly. 

Shirlington dog park is run by a non-profit, and volunteers living in the area help maintain and clean this dog park. Along with its large size, this dog park has the necessities needed for your pups, like water and poop bag stations. The river is also accessible from the dog park, making it easy for you to take your dog to splash around.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Solovyova