Dog walking in Columbia

West End

West End is a pretty neighborhood, mixed with dense forests and homes. Woodland Park takes up a lot of the woods in the area, providing a park with forested trails, shaded sitting areas, and open areas to play in. The park has plenty more though, including a gazebo, a small scenic pond and fountain, fenced-in tennis courts, a playground, a picnic pavilion, and over a mile of trails to enjoy. Dogs are always welcome inside the park as long as they remain on a leash, and will have access to features like water fountains, benches, trash bins, and nighttime lights for the tennis courts.

Riverside

Riverside is a small residential neighborhood on the northern shore of Duck River. Right on the shoreline is Riverwalk Park that provides just what the name implies, trails along the river. With 1.2 miles worth of paved trails, there's also access to the river for fishing and boating. The rest of the park includes open space, tennis courts, a playground, a pavilion, and picnic tables. On the other side of the neighborhood, but still on the shore of the river is the Riverwalk Park Dam that offers a more scenic place to play, with views of the dam and nearby rapids created by the river. Enjoy the paved trails, restrooms, and shaded sitting areas to relax under. Dogs must be on a leash inside both parks.

Downtown Columbia

Downtown Columbia is a bustling community with lots of activity in and out of the shopping centers and businesses. Despite the busy atmosphere, the area still provides a quiet park known as Johnson Park. The park itself is surrounded by dense trees for privacy and shade, with paved walkways, a playground, and open areas to use. Dogs do have to remain on a leash inside the park, but can enjoy features like water fountains, benches, and trash bins. After a long day or playing and walking, head over to the Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant with Fido. The restaurant offers southern delights and a shaded, outdoor sitting area for pups and humans.

South Columbia

South Columbia is a pretty scarce neighborhood, with loose rows of residential homes, rolling hills and lots of fields. The Eva Gilbert Park has lots of space to offer to residents. There are multiple recreational fields, including baseball, football and soccer fields, paved walkways, a playground, a pavilion, and shaded sitting and picnic areas. Leashed pups are welcome in the park and fenced-in baseball fields, with access to additional features like water fountains, nighttime lights, clean-up stations, trash bins, and benches. Afterward, take a stroll over to Fat Mo's Burgers, which has lots of great barbeque options and hamburgers. There is dog-friendly outdoor seating and samples available for pups.

Columbia Gardens

Columbia Gardens is a quiet, but scenic neighborhood right along the shore of Duck River. The area has over 60 acres of land, with well-kept areas and dense forests surrounding the northern edge of the park. Throughout the dense forests are walking and bicycling trails, with access to the river for fishing and swimming. The park also provides a playground, paved walkways, and lots of open space to play, run around in, or enjoy a peaceful picnic. Dogs do not have to be on a leash inside the park and can enjoy all the trails, with access to water fountains and benches.