When you think of St. Louis, you may think of the Gateway Arch, Six Flags St. Louis, the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, or the Missouri River. But it is much more than that. There is the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Art Museum, and the St. Louis Zoo. Unfortunately, none of those places allow dogs though. So, if you plan to bring your pup to St. Louis, you will need to find some fun places to take him to while you are there.
There are over 300 parks and recreational spaces in St. Louis that cover more than 4,000 acres. And while many of them allow dogs on a leash, some are more lenient with their rules, allowing dogs off-leash in certain areas. If you are just traveling through the area, it can be difficult to find a park where you can let your cuddly canine play especially since many of them require memberships. We found 15 of our favorite pup parks to visit in St. Louis.
St. Johns Community Dog Park
In southwestern St. Louis near Mehlville, St. Johns Community Dog Park is located at the St. Johns United Church of Christ. You do not have to be a member of the church to bring your fur puppy to visit the pup park but many of the people there are members. You will find this quaint dog park behind the church. There are two sections, one for large dogs and one for small dogs under 35 pounds.
The whole area is fenced and there are signs with instructions and rules to follow. Some of the main rules to follow are that dogs have to be licensed with tags and collar on at all times, you are allowed up to two dogs per pup parent, and nobody under the age of 13 is allowed in the park. The park does have a waste station with doggie bags but bring your own just in case.
Treecourt Unleashed Dog Adventure Park
Treecourt Unleashed Dog Adventure Park is more than just a dog park, it is a doggie adventure park. It is located in western St. Louis right on the Meramec River between Meramec Landing Park and Simpson Park. The private pooch play haven is huge with more than 23 acres of space for your cuddly canine to enjoy. And you will enjoy it too! With trails, benches, water access, and free doggie bags, this park has all that you need.
The membership fee is minimal and is worth it when you know that all pup parents have to show proof of vaccinations and rabies shots and all dogs have to attend a temperament test to make sure they are socialized. It is important for all fur babies to be able to get along with other dogs as well as humans. So, you know that all the dogs in Treecourt Unleashed Dog Adventure Park are well-behaved and healthy.
Frenchtown Dog Park
In southern St. Louis near Soulard just minutes from the Mississippi River, Busch Stadium, and the Arch, you can find the Frenchtown Dog Park. It is not huge, at a little less than an acre, but it is well taken care of, fully fenced, and there are lots of benches under large shade trees for pup parents to relax. There are also separate spaces for small and big dogs to make sure everyone stays safe and happy.
The park does require a small donation with your membership but it is worth every penny to know that all dogs and their pet parents are vetted and that pups are vaccinated and healthy. You have to wait up to 14 days to be able to use the park once you fill out the application online so be prepared to do so in advance. It may not be convenient for visitors who are just passing through unless you have secured your membership before you show up.
Lucas Park Dog Park
Head to northern St. Louis to visit Lucas Park Dog Park with your canine compadre. Like the other private pup parks, it is beneficial to note that those who bring their furry family members to the park have passed the stringent regulations and paid a fee for entering. This ensures you that the humans are responsible for their pooches and do not mind paying a little to have a safe dog park. The rules are important and include immunizations, rabies shots, and health screenings.
The members-only park is just a few blocks from the City Museum as well as the Convention Center, Arch, and Busch Stadium. You will notice that the park is separated for large and small pups to play in their own spaces for safety and there are several obstacles for your pooch like tunnels and climbing platforms. The astroturf stays green and clean all year and there is even a playground for the kids next door.
Benton Bark West Dog Park
Cherokee Dog Park is another members-only dog park with a small fee to join. Your cuddly canine will have to be up-to-date on his shots, be in good health, and be spayed or neutered to join. Located in south St. Louis by the Missouri Botanical Garden, Cherokee Dog Park is one of the least expensive private parks in St. Louis and is also one of the most popular with pups and their pup parents. It is run by the Benton Park West Neighborhood Association but you do not have to live there as long as you pay your fee.
There are lots of benches and chairs placed in shaded areas for the pet parents to relax and watch their pooches play. But there is also plenty of room for a game of fetch or frisbee so bring them along. In addition, Cherokee Dog Park has a Facebook page where you can find out about fun events and pup playdates.
Ferd B. Lang Dog Park
In southern St. Louis, Ferd B. Lang Dog Park is a pup popular community park in Arnold about a mile from 55 and 141 on Old Lemay Ferry Road. The main park has over 25 acres with all sorts of activities such as horseshoe pits, volleyball nets, multipurpose fields, hiking trails, and basketball courts. They even have a skate park and playground for the kids as well as picnic areas including pavilions you can rent.
The off-leash dog park is in the front of the park across from the volleyball courts. And the best thing about them is that they are free and you do not need a membership! Your pooch will appreciate the space to run around, doggie fountain, and agility equipment. You will appreciate the separate sections for different-sized dogs and the shaded seating. They also have doggie bag dispensers but it is a good idea to bring your own anyway.
Ozark Drive Paw Park
Ozark Drive Paw Park is another Arnold park for pups only a mile to the southeast of Ferd B. Lang Dog Park. It is a large place with separate sections for dogs over 25 pounds, giving the little ones their own space. The park provides seating for pup parents as well as dog cleanup stations with Mutt Mitt dispensers that are always full. But it never hurts to bring your own. There is no water fountain so bring your own water.
Outside the off-leash dog area, your cuddly canine is welcome to walk the trails with you as long as he is on a leash. And they have a fun playground for the little humans to enjoy too! The trail will actually take you to Ferd B. Lang Park so you can visit both of the dog parks on the same day if you want to. Your fur puppy will be totally wiped out after that!
Babler State Park
In western St. Louis by the Missouri River between Wildwood and Weldon Springs, Babler State Park is a fantastic place to spend the day with your fur baby. In fact, you can stay even longer because they have 75 campsites available. But if you plan to stay, book your site far in advance because this is a popular park for locals as well as visitors from all over. The campground has restrooms, showers, a playground, and some sites have electricity and water.
With almost 900 acres of recreational space, you know there is plenty to do here and your pooch is welcome as long as he is on a leash at all times. The park has seven trails from the easy quarter-mile Amphitheater Trail to the longer and more challenging six-mile Equestrian Trail. Along these trails, you may see some wildlife such as skunks, coyotes, deer, possums, raccoons, foxes, and bobcats. Please keep your pup on a short leash and pick up after him.
Veterans Tribute Park
Veterans Tribute Park is a dog-friendly park in Weldon Spring between the Whitmoor Country Club and the St. Charles County Library. This is a beautiful park where you can find biking and hiking trails about two miles in total to explore the area with your leashed pooch. There are also two lakes here that are stocked for anyone interested in doing some fishing. Be sure to have a Missouri fishing license and remember that it is catch-and-release so you will not be cooking your catch for dinner.
The best spot in the park according to fur babies is the three-acre fenced pup park where pooches can run around and play without being held back by a leash. There are two sections to separate the big and small pups for safer play and the park has all sorts of obstacles, hills, and trees to run around. You can find this fun Fido spot in the southeastern corner of the park along Kisker Road.
Broemmelsiek Dog Park
Just a few minutes to the west of Veterans Tribute Park, Broemmelsiek Park in St. Charles County near Busch Wildlife Area also has a fantastic dog park. This massive community park is even larger than the others with almost 500 acres. This includes over nine miles of nature trails, several fishing lakes, and even horseback trails. One of the unique attractions here is the astronomy viewing area where you can join other stargazers every Friday night to watch the stars.
As long as Fido is on a leash, he can join you in the rest of the park. But the best spot for your fur baby to run around is the five-acre dog park where you can remove his leash and let him go. The dog park is in the northwestern area of the park just south of the astronomy viewing area. There is agility equipment and a small pond inside the park for pups to splash around in during warm weather.
Quail Ridge Park
Just north of Broemmelsiek Park, Quail Ridge Park boasts over 260 acres hills, fields, and pastures to explore and enjoy with your leashed canine companion. Just south of Wentzville off highways 70 and 64, this place has everything you could ever want in a park from seven miles of trails to the three-acre stocked fishing pond filled with catfish, bass, and bluegill. There is also an 18-hole disc golf course, a large picnic area, and a 2.5-acre dog park.
The huge off-leash park is fully fenced with sides for large and small pooches, pavilions and benches for the pup parents, and agility equipment for the more energetic dogs. Bring a ball and frisbee for a nice game of catch or a book so you can relax while your cuddly canine plays with the other fur puppies. They do offer doggie bags for cleanup but you should bring your own just in case.
Legacy Park Bark Park
You will find Legacy Park in northwestern St. Louis across from the St. Charles Community College in Cottleville. It has more than 100 acres of recreational space that includes two really fantastic playgrounds with soft rubber flooring where kids can climb, slide, and swing all they want safely. There are also volleyball courts, basketball, and a large lake called Vantage Lake with a walking trail and bridge over Dardenne Creek. Harmony Lake is another awesome spot with a fishing dock and walking trail.
Besides all that, there is a community garden, Koontz Fort, Old Log Cabin, and a Liberty Swing for those in wheelchairs. But your dog will be most excited about the pooch park. Named in honor of Mayor Donald Yarber, the Don Yarber Bark Park is a fun spot for fur babies to play without a leash. There is a one-acre section for big pups and about half an acre for the littler poochies. Bring water and extra doggie bags.
Eureka Dog Park
In southwestern St. Louis, the Eureka Dog Park can be found in Eureka between Greensfelder Park and Route 66 Park just south of the Meramec River. It is located in Berry Community Park where you will find over 23 acres of play space for everyone in the family. There is a modern playground with soft flooring for safety, trails for hiking and biking, and picnic areas with barbecue grills.
In the middle of the park, there is a nice and clean private dog park that requires membership and a small fee. As previously mentioned, visiting a private dog park is so much different than a public one because there are fewer dogs but the ones that are there are healthy and have all their shots. There are separate spaces for different-sized dogs, agility equipment, and lots of fun climbing obstacles. For the pup parents, you have lots of shaded seating, dog cleanup stations, and water fountains.
SLU Dog Park & Sculpture Garden
For a more refined and unique dog park experience, go visit the SLU Dog Park & Sculpture Garden, It is located in northwestern St. Louis at St. Louis University. But no need to worry. You do not have to be a student. Everyone is welcome here. The fenced pooch park is one of a kind, filled with awesome art sculptures. The official name on the sign out front says Ellen Clark Sculpture Park but do not be intimidated, there is a small gate where you can get in and enjoy the place.
A really neat opportunity here is that the park is open at night. From Thursday through Sunday, it is open 24 hours a day and the sculptures are beautifully lit up. You can get some great selfies and pup pics to share on your social media pages. There are puppy poo bag stations but bring your own because they run out often. Also, there is a water fountain but sometimes it does not work.
Bar K St. Louis
For something really different, pup parents who want to enjoy an adult beverage or two can bring their cuddly canine companion to Bar K St. Louis. Between Forest Park and Missouri Botanical Garden, this dog park bar is one of the only ones of its kind in the St. Louis area. The casual atmosphere and fun attitudes of pups and their pup parents make this a spectacular way for everyone to get to know each other.
Not only is there a full bar but there are also two different dog play areas. Inside, there is a huge 10,000-square-foot dog park and outside there is another two acres of play space. You will find two outdoor bars, a casual restaurant, and an indoor dining room to get booze, and food, and they even have a dog menu with ice cream nuggets, meatballs, chicken, and burgers. In fact, they even have a grooming salon if your dog needs a new hairdo.
The Final Woof
After working up an appetite at the dog park, take your fur puppy to Zoomies Pet Cafe & Boutique on Macklind Avenue. Dogs are welcome inside and out where you can both enjoy some beverages and snacks. Outside is a large backyard where your pooch can play off the leash! They also sell pet toys, treats, and other items. Then, take your pupster to the Arch. Your pooch may not be able to take a trip to the top of the Arch but he can join you on a Riverboat at the Gateway Arch. You can enjoy a 60-minute tour on the Mississippi River aboard a stunning riverboat and your pup can join you as long as he is leashed.
