Located in southern California in the Sonoran Desert, Palm Springs is a pup popular tourist city where you can find all sorts of great dog-friendly places and activities. With its numerous resorts, hot springs, spas, and country clubs, there are also lots of ways to relax while your pooch hangs out at one of the local doggie daycare establishments. The city has over 100 parks, from small city parks like Baristo, with 2.5 acres, to the humongous Mount San Jacinto State Park, with more than 10,000 acres.
Almost all of the parks are dog-friendly as long as you keep your canine companion on a leash. But there are also quite a few off-leash dog parks in Palm Springs where your pooch can play off the leash. In this guide, we have listed all of the dog parks in the city as well as some parks where Fido can play on the leash. These are our favorites.
David H. Ready Palm Springs Dog Park
- Address: 32000 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Open Hours: 6:00am – 10pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
The David H. Ready Palm Springs Dog Park is a large 1.6-acre fully fenced yard across from the Palm Springs City Hall right by the EV charging area. There is a separate area for small and timid dogs, so your little pup will not have to worry about big-dog anxiety. Both sections have drinking fountains for both pups and pup parents, picnic tables and benches made from recycled materials, shade structures, and doggie bags for cleaning up after your pup.
The stunning fence is truly a work of art called Desert Reflections by Phil Evans, a local artist. There is even solar lighting for playing after dark. Both sections have agility equipment like weave poles, ramps, seesaws, tunnels, and jumps, as well as numerous boulders of all sizes for climbing on. This is a very well-taken-care-of park and is constantly getting new equipment and shade structures, so there is almost always something new to enjoy.
Panorama Dog Park
- Address: 28905 Avenida Maravilla, Cathedral City, CA 92234
- Open Hours: 6:00am – 10pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
In eastern Palm Springs, in the community of Cathedral City on the eastern end of Panorama Park, this pup park was recently opened in 2022, so everything is still pretty and new for the most part. The gorgeous thick lawn with a smart irrigation system keeps the grass lush and soft all year long. The benches are made from recycled materials, and they have both natural and manmade shade structures for pups and their humans.
The park is well-lit, so you and your fur baby can play until 10pm and they have water fountains for everyone. There are separate sections for large and small dogs so everyone can play without feeling overwhelmed. There is ADA accessibility as well, so nobody is left out here. They even have a few agility ramps and a sand pit for the pups to dig in. The park also provides waste stations with free waste bags, a rake, and a shovel for easy cleanup.
Rancho Mirage Dog Park
- Address: 34100 Key Largo Ave, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
- Open Hours: 6am to 9pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
Rancho Mirage Dog Park is about 10 minutes to the east from downtown Palm Springs. It is a large park with about 4.5 acres. There are sections for large and small pupsters, each with grassy areas in the middle of a sand/gravel outer area. Being out in the desert, it can be extremely hot, and there are not a lot of trees for shade. However, the city built several shade structures with seating for everyone to enjoy.
There are numerous boulders of all sizes for pooches of all sizes to climb on, as well as some hills to run up and down. This is a perfect dog park for playing fetch or tossing a frisbee around. Just east of the park, there is a huge mall, the Monterey Marketplace Shopping Center, with all sorts of shops and eateries, some of which allow pups. PetSmart is one of the pup popular stores where you can get dog treats, toys, and other pet items.
Palm Desert Dog Park (Civic Center Park)
- Address: 43900 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
- Open Hours: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday 6am to 10pm. Monday and Friday 6am to 12pm and 2pm to 10 pm, Wednesday 6am to 9am, 11am to 12pm, and 2pm to 10pm.
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
Also known as the Civic Center Dog Park because it is located in Civic Center Park, you can find this awesome pup place between the skate park and baseball park. With a small section for little and timid dogs and a much larger section for the big pups, everyone can play happily and without stress. Although there are no agility equipment, there is plenty of room to romp around with all the other fur babies.
Because of the heat, the shade structures also have misters, which are perfect for cooling off a bit. There are also watering stations for the pooches, fountains for the pup parents, and lots of seating for everyone. The park has several waste stations as well, so you have easier cleanup. However, it gets busy, so it is a good idea to bring your own baggies just in case. The rest of the 70-acre park is also dog-friendly, but your canine companion has to be on a leash outside of the dog park.
Desert Hot Springs Rotary Dog Park
- Address: 13239 Don English Way, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
- Open Hours: 7am to 10pm except Thursday 9am to 10pm.
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
Just southwest of Joshua Tree Park in Hot Springs, DHS Rotary Dog Park is a cozy double-gated fenced pooch play space right next to Eastside Neighborhood Park. Even though it is small, it has separate sections for large and small dogs. One thing about it is you cannot beat the view. The stunning San Bernadino Mountains and Morongo Valley are a perfect backdrop for some fun selfies.
This was the first off-leash dog park in Desert Hot Springs and is very popular with the locals and visitors alike. There are several picnic tables and shade for pup parents and water fountains that serve dogs and their humans. Although it seems rare to have such gorgeous green grass in the desert, the efforts of the city keep the park lush and green all the time. Put your pup’s leash on, and you can explore the trails behind the park, too, but make sure you bring extra water and cleanup baggies.
Freedom Park Dog Park
- Address: 77400 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211
- Open Hours: 6:00am – 10pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
Located in the southwestern corner of Freedom Park, you will find a delightful dog park with small and large dog sections, lots of seating for pup parents, and plenty of shade to keep you as cool as possible in the desert. The park is right between the Ronald Reagan Elementary School and Kord Fire Protection Station just north of Palm Desert Resort Country Club. With stunning views of the Sonoran Desert and the Bermuda Dunes, you can get some great selfies here.
The small dog section is for pups 25 pounds and under, but it is also acceptable for elderly and timid dogs of all sizes. Each side has ample room for playing ball, tossing around a frisbee, or just chasing other fur babies around. There are water fountains, trash stations with doggie bags, and solar lighting for playing after dark. Put the leash back on, and your cuddly canine can join you in the rest of the park, where they have trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and ball fields.
University Dog Park
- Address: 74802 University Park Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211
- Open Hours: Sunrise to 11pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
University Dog Park has 2.4 acres of fenced recreational space for your pooch to play. You will find it just about three miles southeast of Rancho Mirage Dog Park off of Interstate 10. Although there is a special section for small dogs, all pooches are allowed in the large dog section, which has tons of space for play. The grass is always green, which is rare in the desert, and the dogs love it!
Pup parents have plenty of choices for seating, whether you want a bench in the shade or a nice sunny spot to soak up the sun. It is never really crowded, maybe because it is in a more isolated area next to Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge. After playing at the park with your poochie, why not stop by the Village at University Park Mall where they have several dog-friendly eateries and shops like Carl’s Jr. and Starbucks Coffee. There is even a Veterinary Urgent Care if you need them.
Fritz Burns Dog Park
- Address: 78100 Francis Hack Ln, La Quinta, CA 92253
- Open Hours: 7am to 10pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
In the southeastern corner of Fritz Burns Park in La Quinta, right next to Silver Rock Resort and Golf Club, this pup park is large and grassy, with tons of space to run around and play. It is right next to the tennis courts, so there is always an ample supply of tennis balls for a game of fetch. Smaller poochies have their own section, so big dog anxiety is not an issue here at all.
The park provides several shade structures and seating for pet parents and there are a few palm trees that provide some relief from the sun as well. The mountainous backdrop is simply gorgeous, with the palm trees in the foreground. The people and their pets here are always welcoming, so you never feel like an outsider, and there are plenty of pups to play with. They do have doggie bags and water, but bring your own, just in case.
Seasons Dog Park
- Address: 78296 Cloud View Way, La Quinta, CA 92253
- Open Hours: 7am to 10pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
Just over one-mile northeast of Fritz Burns Dog Park, Seasons Dog Park takes up the entire southwestern corner of Seasons Park in a quiet residential area. The large dog area is huge, and with the hills on either side, your pooch will get rid of those zoomies in a hurry. There are plenty of places to sit in and out of the shade too. And because of its location, it does not get overly crowded, but there is almost always someone to play with.
Be sure to bring a ball or frisbee so you and your cuddle buddy can play together, too. Your dog needs that one-on-one bonding time just as much as he needs social time. There are water fountains and cleanup stations, but it does not hurt to bring your own in case they run out. Your pup will love the soft green grass, and you will love that it never gets muddy.
Station 87 Dog Park
- Address: 42900-1/2, Golf Center Pkwy, Indio, CA 92203
- Open Hours: 6am to 10pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
The name says it all since this nicely maintained pooch playground is right outside Riverside County Fire Station 87. It was actually built by the city to provide the station dogs a place to play but was expanded to let the public pups and their parents enjoy it, too. It has separate sections for small and large dogs, several benches for seating, shade structures and trees to keep you out of the sun, and water fountains to keep everyone hydrated.
Your cuddly canine companion will have lots of room to play, and there are some obstacles like boulders and things to climb on for those energetic pooches. Also, there is an adorable fire hydrant painted like a Dalmatian that all pups like to sniff and pee on. The waste stations are typically well-stocked with poop baggies, but it is still a good idea to bring some from home because this is a pup popular place.
Pioneer Dog Park
- Address: 78695 Miles Ave, La Quinta, CA 92253
- Open Hours: 7am to 10pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
Between Indio and Palm Desert in La Quinta, Pioneer Dog Park is a fun pooch play space at the northern end of Pioneer Park. Just minutes from Palm Springs, you and your canine companion can spend an hour or a few hours here without getting bored because there are always dogs playing here. There is a really cool tug toy attached to a tree for some tugging fun, and they have lots of tennis balls lying around.
For the pet parents, you will find several shade structures with benches and tables, some paved walking areas, and water fountains for dogs and humans. Even though it is in a desert area with a super hot climate, the grass always seems to be green and clean because of the city workers and responsible dog owners. Just outside the fence, you can put your pup’s leash back on and have a picnic or let your human kids play at the playground.
Ruth Hardy Park
- Address: 700 Tamarisk Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Open Hours: 6am to 10pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: No
Even though your cuddle buddy has to be on a leash while he is here, Ruth Hardy Park is a lot of fun for everyone, and it is right in downtown Palm Springs. Named for a local council member, the park is one of her ideas. Whether you are bringing your little humans, just your pup, or your whole family, the 22-acre park has everything from basketball to volleyball. They even have covered picnic areas with barbecue grills in case you want to grill up some food.
Between the playgrounds for the kids and picnic tables for everyone, there are also tennis courts, sand volleyball, and basketball. The vast green spaces are often used as unofficial off-leash dog areas, but they are not fenced. The playgrounds are modern, with interactive activities as well as old-fashioned monkey bars and swings for the kids to enjoy. There are restrooms and water fountains as well, but you need to bring your own doggie bags.
Joe Mann Dog Park
- Address: 77810 California Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260
- Open Hours: 6am to 10pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: Yes
Just a few minutes east of downtown Palm Springs in the Palm Desert neighborhood, Joe Mann Park is a pretty place to take your pooch for some playtime at their off-leash area. The whole park is 2.5 acres but the dog park section is relatively small compared to other pup playgrounds. However, there is plenty of room to run since it is a long and narrow area with no obstacles. There is also a special section for small and timid pups.
There are shade canopies and seating for the pup parents and water fountains for the pooches. They also provide poop bags, but you should bring your own water and baggies just in case. The rest of Joe Mann Park is dog-friendly for leashed dogs and has an awesome rose garden that always seems to have something blooming. There are also picnic areas, a playground, volleyball, and basketball for the humans.
Baristo Park
- Address: 296 S Calle Encilia, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Open Hours: 6am to 10pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: No
This small community park in downtown Palm Springs has two acres of fun for all, with play equipment, a basketball court, picnic areas with BBQ grills, and walking areas for your leashed pooch. The mountains and palm trees make it look like a tropical getaway, and with the desert heat, it can feel like one, too. Luckily, there are plenty of shade trees and pavilions, as well as water fountains.
It is not a huge place, but it is perfect for a nice day out with your pooch and your little humans. One of the play structures has three slides, a climbing wall, and a tic-tac-toe interactive game; another has swings for babies and small children, and the third one has four slides, a bridge, and monkey bars. Pack a lunch, and you can enjoy a picnic while you are there. They have water fountains and restrooms, but they do not have doggie bags, so bring your own.
DeMuth Park
- Address: 4200 E Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264
- Open Hours: 6am to 7pm
- Price: Free
- Off-Leash: No
With more than 60 acres, DeMuth Park is the largest recreational area in the city of Palm Springs. It is only a few blocks southeast of the city center and features just about any kind of activity you like, as well as dog walking as long as your fur baby is on a leash at all times while you are there. Besides the community center with a fitness room, dance, yoga, and karate classes, where dogs are not allowed, there are also some great sports areas outside.
If you like pickleball, let someone else hold your pooch while you play a game in one of the 12 pickleball courts or maybe challenge someone to a tennis match. There are also baseball, soccer, and softball fields. The playground equipment has two areas for different ages. There are six slides of all sizes, a spinner, a dozen swings for all ages, interactive games, and climbing fun.
The Final Woof
Each of these great parks has its own perks. For active dogs, you may want to choose David H. Ready Palm Springs Dog Park because it has some great agility equipment to play on. For a park with lots of acreage, try Rancho Mirage Dog Park, with its 4.5 acres of space. But Palm Springs has other fun dog-friendly activities like visiting Moorten Botanical Garden to see what is in bloom or checking out the awesome airplanes at the Palm Springs Air Museum. You can also take your canine companion to a polo match at Eldorado Polo Club or grab a brew at Coachella Valley Brewing Company.
