Which Washington dog parks are fenced?

Alethia Tanner Dog Park, Dock 79 & The Maren Dog Park, Francis Dog Park, Guy Mason Dog Park, Hardy Dog Park, JBAB Bark Park, Kingsman Dog Park, Langdon Dog Park, S Street Dog Park, Shaw Dog Park, Upshur Dog Park, Walter Pierce Dog Park — 12 of 25 parks tracked in Washington, DC match fully fenced off-leash areas with secure gates.

Are these Washington dog parks open to the public?

Most are public off-leash areas, but Dock 79 & The Maren Dog Park, JBAB Bark Park have restricted access (private, membership or military) — check the access notice on the park page before you go. Public Washington parks need no membership; some jurisdictions ask for an inexpensive annual permit.

When is the best time to visit a Washington dog park?

Weekday mornings and the hour before sunset are the calmest windows. Weekend mornings are the busiest and the most social — check the "right now" activity on each park page before you go.

12 Fenced Dog Parks in Washington, DC

12 parks

Some Mud
Alethia Tanner Dog Park
Also known as Eckington Dog Park
227 Harry Thomas Way NE, Washington, DC 20002
The dog park inside Alethia Tanner Park, a 2.5-acre green space that opened in 2020 along the Metropolitan Branch Trail. It was voted Washington City Paper's Best Dog Park in 2022 and stays busy from the after-work rush onward. The surrounding park adds a big lawn, a playground and trail access if you want to keep walking.
- Fully Fenced
- Benches
- Trails Nearby
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 4.8 out of 5(90 reviews)
PrivateNot open to the public
Dry & Firm
Dock 79 & The Maren Dog Park
Also known as Capitol Riverfront Resident Dog Run
79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
A tidy turf dog run tucked into the Dock 79 and The Maren riverfront apartment community along the Anacostia. Artificial turf, rinse station and separate small-dog space make it a favorite for residents, and it stays usable right after rain.
- Fully Fenced
- Small Dog Area
- Water Access
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 4.4 out of 5(19 reviews)
Mostly Dry
Francis Dog Park
Also known as West End Dog Park
2500 N St NW, Washington, DC 20037
The West End's off-leash area inside Francis Field, supported by the West End Dog Park volunteer group. A city capital project added ornamental fencing, a concrete leash-up pad at the entry and lighting, making it one of the more finished-feeling DC dog parks. Easy walk from Foggy Bottom Metro.
- Fully Fenced
- Double Gate Entry
- Lit at Night
- Benches
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 4.5 out of 5(2 reviews)
Some Mud
Guy Mason Dog Park
3600 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC 20007
A pocket-sized fenced dog run on the Guy Mason Recreation Center grounds in Glover Park, roughly 6,750 square feet. It's a neighborhood park in the truest sense — small, familiar faces, quick visits. Handy if you live off Wisconsin Ave and want off-leash time without driving.
- Fully Fenced
- Benches
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 4.4 out of 5(45 reviews)
Some Mud
Hardy Dog Park
4500 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20007
A small fenced off-leash area tucked beside the Hardy Recreation Center on the Georgetown–Glover Park border. At roughly 7,500 square feet it's a quick-visit park rather than a long-romp destination, which suits the regulars who walk here. Street parking on Q St is the usual approach.
- Fully Fenced
- Benches
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 5.0 out of 5(1 review)
Military BaseNot open to the public
Some Mud
JBAB Bark Park
Also known as Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Dog Park
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC 20032
A fenced off-leash park on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling serving service members, DoD civilians and base families. Grass surface with shade and benches, close to base housing.
- Fully Fenced
- Shade Trees
- Benches
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 4.3 out of 5(16 reviews)
Some Mud
Kingsman Dog Park
Also known as Kingsman Field Dog Park
D St NE & Tennessee Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Opened in 2011 at Kingsman Field through a partnership between DC Parks & Recreation and the Hill Hounds community group. Regrading and drainage work has improved how it holds up after rain, and on-site water access was restored after a recent construction closure. A staple for Capitol Hill and Kingman Park dogs.
- Fully Fenced
- Water Access
- Benches
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 4.2 out of 5(158 reviews)
Some Mud
Langdon Dog Park
2901 20th St NE, Washington, DC 20018
An 11,000-plus square foot fenced dog park inside the Langdon Park complex in Ward 5's Woodridge neighborhood, alongside a recreation center, pool and playgrounds. There's more room to move here than at most DC runs, and mature trees around the wider park give some relief on hot days. Easy on-site parking is a bonus.
- Fully Fenced
- Shade Trees
- Parking Available
- Large Run Area
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 4.6 out of 5(7 reviews)
Mostly Dry
S Street Dog Park
17th St NW & S St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Dupont Circle's fenced dog run at 17th and S Streets NW, about 7,500 square feet in the middle of one of the densest dog-owning parts of the city. It's busiest in the early morning and again after work. Everything you need — coffee, brunch, a vet — is within a few blocks.
- Fully Fenced
- Benches
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 4.4 out of 5(303 reviews)
Some Mud
Shaw Dog Park
1673 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
A compact but beloved fenced dog park at 11th and Rhode Island Ave NW, run by DC Parks & Recreation in partnership with the volunteer Shaw Dog Park Association. Two separate enclosures mean small dogs get their own space away from the big-dog scrum. It sits right in the middle of Shaw, so it doubles as the neighborhood's unofficial front porch.
- Fully Fenced
- Small Dog Area
- Double Gate Entry
- Benches
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 4.2 out of 5(251 reviews)
Some Mud
Upshur Dog Park
4300 Arkansas Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011
Petworth's fenced off-leash area near the Upshur Recreation Center, about 9,500 square feet. It draws a steady, friendly crowd from the surrounding rowhouse blocks. Upshur Street's cafés and restaurants are a short walk away when you're done.
- Fully Fenced
- Benches
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 4.3 out of 5(111 reviews)
Some Mud
Walter Pierce Dog Park
2630 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
One of the larger DC dog parks at roughly 11,000 square feet, set inside Walter Pierce Community Park in Adams Morgan. The tucked-away, tree-lined setting off Adams Mill Rd makes it feel more secluded than most city runs. Popular with the Adams Morgan and Lanier Heights crowd.
- Fully Fenced
- Shade Trees
- Benches
Off-leash dog park
Google rating 4.2 out of 5(9 reviews)