Right in the middle of the eastern state of Maryland, Baltimore is a major city with a population of more than 585,000 residents. In fact, it is the most populated independent city in the country. Less than an hour from the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., the city calls historians from all over to visit its historic attractions. Some of these include the Civil War-era USS Constellation, the original Washington Monument, the Edgar Allan Poe House, and Fort McHenry.
The year-round mild temperatures make it pleasant to be outside, with average highs in the summer of 83 and average lows in the winter of 35 degrees F. This city is serious about its outdoor activities too! There are more than 360 parks and recreational areas in Baltimore, and many of them allow your fur puppy to join you. We know your cuddly canine likes it best when he is running and playing off the leash, so we found 15 of the best pooch parks in Baltimore.
Abingdon Road Dog Park
The first park on the list, Abingdon Road Dog Park, is about 30 minutes from downtown Baltimore to the northeast. This is a large, four-acre open space with ample room for roaming, romping, and running amok. And the only thing you need is a dog license. No memberships or fees are needed! It is not difficult to find either. Just go to the water treatment plant and look for the dog paw prints on the path up the hill.
Inside the double-gated pup park, there are several benches for the pet parents to get comfy while they watch their fur puppies play. However, you will not find any shade, so wear a hat and sunglasses and use lots of sunscreen. Bring your own water and doggie bags too. The park has a doggie bag dispenser, but they may run out the one time that you really need one. The rest of the park allows leashed dogs and has a paved trail and a pavilion.
Bark Social Park
In southeastern Baltimore, about 15 minutes from downtown, Bark Social was the very first social club for pups and pup parents in the city. And everyone is welcome whether you have a dog or not. Humans under 19 are allowed before 8 PM as long as they are with an adult. You will have to register your canine compadre and show his vaccination records. Although you need a membership for your dog, you can score a free day pass online to check it out first!
The space is about 15,000 square feet and serves food and drinks, including breakfast and coffee in the morning and adult beverages and food in the afternoon. They even have dog items like popsicles and dog ice cream. With an outdoor and indoor area, you and your pooch are covered if the weather gets bad too. The pup party starts at 8 AM and ends at 10 PM S-Th and 11 PM on the weekends.
Broadneck Park Dog Park
Minutes from the coast, the dog park at Broadneck Park in Annapolis is about a half hour from downtown Baltimore. You can find this fenced playground for pooches in the southeastern corner of the park, right next to the ballfields and Broadneck Park Walking Trail. The smallish park has a double gate for safe entry and exits, a separate space for small dogs, and fresh water for your pups to drink from, as well as cleanup posts and seating for pet parents.
Although the park provides doggie bags, it is a good idea to bring your own just in case they run out. All pupsters need to be up to date on their shots, socialized, and healthy. No smoking or eating in the fenced area, and do not leave your cuddly canine alone at any time. Fido can join you in the rest of the park as long as he is on a leash at all times.
Burdick Park Dog Park
About a half hour from downtown Baltimore, Burdick Park Dog Park is another fantastic spot to let your fur puppy run amok. No leashes are required here as you get past the fence and watch your cuddly canine go wild. There is so much to do in both the small and large dog sections, with both natural and man-made obstacles, from huge boulders to fallen trees and agility ramps and tunnels. No matter whether you have a small pooch or a big giant dog, they are going to love it here, and so will you.
Pet parents are not left out. There are benches and chairs all over the park in the shade and out in the sun and running water in case you need to fill your poochie’s bowl. They also have several waste stations with doggie bags and pooper scoopers for your convenience. You will need to register your pooch online, but there is no fee required, just shot records from your vet.
Canton Dog Park
Less than a mile from Bark Social near the Patapsco River, Canton Dog Park is ready for your fur baby to come to join the pack! With about an acre of space surrounded by a double-gated perimeter fence, this pooch park is perfect for all dogs, from tiny Terriers to huge hounds. There is a separate space for small dogs and older dogs for your peace of mind so the little ones do not get overwhelmed.
You should bring your own doggie bags because they run out often at this pup popular spot. It does have water fountains, shaded seating for the humans, and lots of space for playing. It is all sand, so it is easy on your pup’s paws but not so great right after it rains. Also, it is just a block from Canton Waterfront Park, which is also dog-friendly as long as your dog is on a leash.
Dr. Bruce Morley Dog Playground
Dr. Bruce Morley Dog Playground can be found in the southeastern corner of Leo E. Wilson Community Park. You will need to sign up for a membership for this pup play area at the Lauren Municipal Center Parks and Recreation Office. The fee is minimal, and it is worth it to know that your cuddly compadre will be playing with other pooches that are healthy and well-cared for. There are two fenced areas here, one for large dogs and another for little tykes under 30 pounds.
Each side also features water fountains for the pups, shaded seating for the pup parents, and plenty of room to romp around. The dogs love the hilly area with trees, so they can run up and down to get rid of those zoomies. Absolutely no children under six are allowed, and all dogs must be registered and have all of their immunizations required by law.
Hannah More BARC Park
Your dog will go wild for BARC Park at Hannah More Park in Reisterstown, MD. BARC stands for Baltimore Animal Recreation Center, and it is a popular pooch park in northwestern Baltimore. This fenced, off-leash dog park includes separate areas for small and large pets. An annual fee is required, so be sure to check the city website prior to visiting with Fido. You can find the park in the southeastern corner of Hannah More Community Park, right by the parking lot.
This large park also has several agility ramps and tunnels as well as doggie pools for them to cool off in during the summer. Any other time, you can use them to clean your canine companion if he gets dirty before going back to the car. Outside the park, put his leash back on, and you can take a walk on the trail, watch a ball game, or let the little humans play on the playground.
Howard’s Park Dog Park
Located in the historic Seton Hill and Mount Vernon neighborhoods of northern Baltimore, Howard’s Park Dog Park features astroturf in some areas, a paved walkway, and rocks to climb around on, as well as some hills, ramps, and trees to run through. There is a special section for small and elderly dogs so they do not feel overwhelmed by the big, rambunctious pooches, and each side has its own water fountain, seating, and cleanup stations.
Although it is small, with only about half an acre, it is one of the best dog parks you can find in the urban Baltimore area. You will notice that the locals seem to all know each other since the same pup parents visit the park almost every day after 5 PM. However, they make everyone feel welcome no matter where you are from. Everyone is welcome, from tiny teacup Poodles to large Labrador Retrievers.
Latrobe Park Dog Park
Latrobe Park was established in 1902 and named after one of the first mayors of the city. You can find it by Fort McHenry on the peninsula surrounded by the Patapsco River and Winans Cove right off Interstate 95. The dog park is in the southeastern corner of the park on Andre Street, and it boasts plenty of fun for all fur babies. There are several agility ramps, tunnels, and jumps, as well as shaded seating for the pup parents.
There is a large hill in the middle that the dogs love but most humans do not like, and a giant fallen tree that acts as a bridge as well as a tunnel to climb under. Leashed canine companions are welcome to join their pup parents at the park outside the fence, where you will find two playgrounds for the kiddos, a walking path that goes through the woods, basketball, soccer, tennis, and baseball.
Maryland City Dog Park
You can find Maryland City Dog Park in southwestern Baltimore at Maryland City Community Park. It is just east of the Patuxent Research Refuge and north of the Patuxent River, so you can visit both of these places after you check out the pooch park. The fenced area features a huge wide open space with well-maintained grass separated for small and large pups. You can have a nice game of fetch or frisbee in the large dog section.
It is best if you bring your own doggie bags for pickup. There is a Mutt Mitt dispenser, but it is often empty. And although there is running water, bring your own and a bowl for your canine compadre. If you want to explore the rest of Maryland City Park, attach your pup’s leash, and you can take a walk on the trails, enjoy a meal at one of the picnic tables, or let the kiddos play at the playground.
Patterson Park Dog Park
This popular park is located in downtown Baltimore by Patterson Park Public School, where you can find the pup popular Patterson Park Dog Park. It is located between the VIP volleyball courts and the Mimi DiPietro Family Skating Center just south of the tennis courts. There are two sections for big and small dogs. Both have tons of natural agility items like huge boulders, a stone bridge, and several hills with synthetic grass. There are also a few water fountains, lots of benches, and trees to lift a leg on.
One of the neatest and most unique things about this park is the Doggie Stick Library. In the southeastern corner of the park by the Eastern Avenue entrance, you will find a “library” of sticks for dogs to choose from. It is a really cute idea, and the dogs love picking out which one they like best. You will have to put your fur baby’s leash back on to get a stick because it is outside the fenced area.
Paw Point Dog Park
Does your fur puppy like to swim or play in the water? Well, bring him to Paw Point Dog Park at Roland Lake Park in northern Baltimore. This fenced off-leash area provides more than just 1.25 acres of open space, agility equipment, and water fountains. It also has a fenced section of Roland Lake where your canine companion can play in the water without a leash holding him back. You can toss a ball in the water or just let him swim with the other dogs.
The park does have a membership fee, so if you are only in town for one or two days and you want to let your dog swim, you can do that outside the private Paw Point Dog Park area. Just make sure you keep his leash on and bring plenty of baggies to pick up anything he drops. But if you are going to be in Baltimore for a while, we recommend the membership because all the dogs are vetted and fully vaccinated.
Perry Paw Dog Park
Another private dog park, Perry Paw Dog Park, is also worth the price of admission, which is actually less than a trip to the fast food joint with the family. It is located in northeastern Baltimore, about 20 minutes from downtown in Perry Hall. Inside the double-gated security fence, you will find two sections for small and large dogs, water fountains for the pupsters, lots of seating for the pup parents, and cleanup stations with baggies for… cleaning up. However, it never hurts to bring your own, just in case.
You will need to register online and provide proof of shots before heading to the park. Also, note kids under 12 are not allowed, so if you have young humans, make other arrangements. The rest of the park is pup-friendly for leashed dogs, though, so you can visit the playground and other areas of the park with your dog as long as he is on his leash.
South Carroll Dog Park
Northwestern Baltimore also has a members-only canine club located at the South Carroll Senior Center. South Carroll Dog Park membership fees are the same as Perry Paw Dog Park, so it is very affordable. You will find it behind the senior community center along a walkway where your dogs can romp and play all day if they want to. There is more than two acres of space for off-leash fun, and it has a separate space for little and shy dogs.
All the dogs have access to water fountains and bowls you can fill for them as well as agility equipment to play on. The cuddly canines love to run up, down, and under the ramps. Like the other parks, you will need to provide your fur baby’s vaccination records before you can enter so we know all the dogs are healthy. Since it is out in the open, there is not much shade, but the park has recently installed shade structures over some of the seating.
The Ma & Pa Dog Park
At The Ma & Pa Dog Park in Bel Air, there is a ton of fun going on day and night! This park has it all! There is a section for large dogs, one for small dogs, and another section for dogs that need a time out or a break. Each one has one area covered in astroturf as well as natural grassy sections. Then, there are the tunnels, hoops, jumps, ramps, and weave poles! Oh yeah! You cannot forget the fire hydrants! Dogs love to leave their mark on them.
It is really hard to believe that this park is free to everyone because it is so nice and clean, with so much to do and new amenities for pup parents too. There is a pavilion with picnic tables, drinking fountains, and waste stations with free doggie bags and pooper scoopers. During the summer months, the park volunteers supply each section of the park with kiddie pools for cooling off too.
Worthington Dog Park
Just about a half hour to the west of downtown Baltimore, you will find the Worthington Dog Park in Ellicott City Worthington Park. It has almost three acres fenced off into two different sections for different-sized canine companions. You may notice that there are three dog sections, but one is always in a resting period to let the grass recover. This helps prevent muddy paws. You will have to pay a daily fee of five dollars or get a membership for a full year if you are a resident.
The park also has ramps to run up and down on, hoops to jump through, and natural play toys like logs, hills, and trees. Each section also has several water fountains, but they are shut off from November until April. And the Mutt Mitt dispensers are almost always full, but it is a good idea to bring extras anyway. Make sure your pup has all his shots and a rabies tag before heading to the park.
The Final Woof
Thinking of taking a cruise on the bay? You can bring your cuddly canine companion on a yacht at Watermark Baltimore Cruises. Dogs are welcome on almost all their cruises but ask first. If you would rather explore Baltimore on land, Baltimore Ghost Tours is a fun and exciting pup popular guided tour where you can learn about the haunted history of the city. Or why not take your furry family member to the drive-in for a movie? Bengie’s Drive-In is a dog-friendly outdoor movie theater like your mom and dad or grandparents used to rave about going to when they were kids.
