Dog walking in Caledonia

Center Ave/ W Avalon Rd

In less than half an hour, you and your dog can drive north of Caledonia across the border into Janesville, Wisconsin. South Janesville is home to the Paw Print Dog Park at Prairie Knoll Park, and this exceptional off-leash park will become a new favorite in no time. There are big and small dog sections at Paw Print Dog Park, and the enclosures have double-gated entry systems to prevent your dog from making a run for it. This 17-acre park has water fountains for humans and canines, and there are also small pools set up for dogs to cool off in during the summer. A daily or annual membership is required to visit this park.

Lockwood-Searls Park

It will only take you and Rex ten minutes to drive to the Canine Corners Dog Park at Searls Park in northern Rockford, Illinois. This 24-acre space includes three separate sections, so dogs of similar sizes play in the same area. Two of the areas are heavily wooded, which makes it feel less like a dog park and more like you're exploring a forest with your dog! Canine Corners Dog Park at Searls Park is open daily from dawn to dusk, and it requires either a daily pass or an annual membership to visit. There are water fountains and waste disposal supplies provided by the park, and the paths and grass are very well-maintained.

Melwood Heights

There's another dog park in Rockford, and it takes less than 15 minutes to drive there. Located in East Rockford, the Canine Corners Dog Park at Elliot Park is a two-acre area with separate enclosures for big and small dogs. There are water stations and pet disposal stations provided by the park, as well as seating areas for pet parents. If you're stopping through, you can purchase a daily pass for $5, or residents can get an annual pass for $40, and visitors will get theirs for $50. Other features of Elliot Park include a golf course and a skate park, but dogs aren't allowed in these areas.

E Racine St

In about 25 minutes, you and your dog can drive to the Palmer Park Off-Leash Dog Area in eastern Janesville, Wisconsin. This dog park is part of the 164 acres that make up Palmer Park, and it's the second-largest park in town. In addition to the dog park, some of the park's other features include playgrounds, a wading pool, trails, sports courts, picnic pavilions, and much more. The off-leash area isn't fenced, so if your dog doesn't have good recall skills, your best bet is keeping them on a leash. As a seasonal dog park, pets are welcome in Palmer Park from September 16 to May 14.

Harlem

If your pooch fancies themselves to be more of a fish than a dog, they're sure to love Dog Paddle Beach in Loves Park, Illinois. This indoor dog pool is only about a 10-minute drive from Caledonia, and it offers visitors a unique way to entertain and exercise their dogs. The pool is kept at a comfortable 88 degrees all year long, so you can get in with your dog if you'd like. The pool is 21 feet in diameter and 54 inches deep, so there's plenty of room for your dog to get some exercise. While swimming is a good activity for senior or arthritic dogs, it's also a good way for energetic dogs to burn off energy. There's also a self-serve dog wash and dry station when your pup is done swimming.