DMV Dog Park
Shaw Dog Park
Plan Your Visit
Meet the regulars at Shaw Dog Park
This park is more than a place to run — it's a local hangout. Check in to let others know you're here, host or join a meetup, and connect with the dogs (and people) who come back week after week.
Right Now
Live updates from the pack
Today's Conditions
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Meetups & Playdates
The Field Guide
About This Park
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.
Locals' Guide
What locals know about Shaw Dog Park
Shaw Dog Park is an off-leash dog park in Washington, DC (Washington, D.C.). Community mud reports rate it 3/5, and regulars point to fully fenced and small dog area as what keeps them coming back. The park sits inside Washington, D.C.'s network of off-leash spots.
Best time to visit Shaw Dog Park
Weekday mornings before 9am and after 6pm on weekdays are the calmest windows. Saturday mornings between 9–11am are the busiest — expect a full parking lot and 20+ dogs. If your pup is on the reactive side or still learning play cues, aim for weekday visits or Sunday evenings.
Moving to Washington?
The neighborhood around Shaw Dog Park, in one paragraph
Thinking about relocating to Washington? Dog owners here tend to cluster around S Street Dog Park and Walter Pierce Dog Park. The area has Washington, D.C. is one of the more walkable, pet-friendly corners of the DMV. If you're weighing neighborhoods before you sign a lease or buy, the mix of parks, sidewalks, and off-leash culture here is a real plus.
Talk to a dog-friendly DMV realtor →More dog parks near Washington
Nearby dog parks worth knowing
Shaw Dog Park — frequently asked questions
- Is Shaw Dog Park fully fenced? +
- Yes — Shaw Dog Park is fully fenced, which makes it a safe off-leash spot for recall training and reactive dogs.
- Does Shaw Dog Park have water access for dogs? +
- Shaw Dog Park does not have on-site water. Bring water and a bowl, especially May through September.
- How muddy does Shaw Dog Park get? +
- Community mud reports rate Shaw Dog Park at 3/5 — moderate mud after rain. Reports are updated by locals and refresh throughout the season.
- Is Shaw Dog Park good for small dogs? +
- Yes — Shaw Dog Park has a separate small-dog area, so pups under 25 lb can play without the big-dog roughhousing.
- Where's the best parking at Shaw Dog Park? +
- Shaw Dog Park relies on street parking nearby. It's usually easy on weekdays but tight on weekend mornings — a weekday visit is the smoother option.
- Where is Shaw Dog Park located? +
- Shaw Dog Park is located at 1673 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 in Washington, D.C.. It's part of the Washington, D.C. dog-park network on DMV Paws & Parks.
On The Grounds
Amenities
Ground Conditions
Mud Factor
Moderate • Plan accordingly
Updated today
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Reviews
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Plan Your Visit
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Google Rating
Based on 250 reviews
Updated 9/10/2026
Ground Conditions
Mud Factor
Moderate • Plan accordingly
Updated today
Click to update the mud level