- Wag!
- Dog Walking
- Makanda, IL
Dog walking in Makanda
Book on demand and scheduled walks with local dog walkers
How it works
Flexible scheduling
Select the date and time that best suit your needs. Want a walk ASAP? We’ve got you covered.
Customized for your pup
Choose between a 20-minute, 30-minute, or 60-minute stroll for your dog.
Follow along
Track your walk with our live GPS tracker, then view your detailed report card after the walk.
What is Wag!?
Wag! is the nation's fastest-growing network of pre-screened and insured pet sitters and dog walkers. In less than 15 minutes you can book a nearby dog sitter, daycare provider, or dog walker, who'll take complete care of your loved one - at their place or yours.
Book walkers near you
Hey. My name is Shelbie. I am 27 year old female. I have two cats. I am a manager of Walmart. I work an average of 60 hours a week so I do not have time to raise a dog on my own. I am signing up for this app to share my love for walking and dogs with you guys! I love animals and would love my own dog but this is as close as it gets. Feel free to ask any other questions. Hopefully I get to meet your fur ball soon.

Background Checked
“Animal Behavior Bachelor of Science”
I recently graduated from IU with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior and a minor in Biology. I have four guinea pigs and a horse and I enjoyed working at a dog daycare where I cared for up to 70 dogs per day. This has given me so much experience in understanding dog behaviors and being able to meet dogs of different sizes and personalities.

Background Checked
Dog first aid and/or CPR, Oral medicine administration, Injected medicine administration, Senior dog care, Special needs dog care, High energy dogs, Dogs who pull, Puppy care, Training experience, Obedience training, Potty training, Puppy training
Dog Walking in Makanda
Quirky, creative and close to nature, the village of Makanda, IL has been voted the most "hippie" place in the whole state. Walking through downtown, it’s hard not to soak up the good vibes -- you and your pooch can check out the windows of the local emerging art galleries, or take a stroll down the Makanda Boardwalk past specialty shops selling handmade jewelry, soap, and a whole host of weird and wonderful stuff. Just make sure the smell of incense et cetera isn’t too much for your fur-baby’s sensitive schnozz! True to form, Makonda holds many festivals throughout the year -- you and your leashed pup are welcome at many of the outdoor events during the Vulture Festival, a massive party to celebrate the return of the turkey vulture from warmer climes.
Makanda doesn’t have its own dog park, but you and your buddy shouldn’t get too "melan-collie" about it! If drumming circles aren’t your thing, don’t worry -- Makanda sits right in the middle of a ginormous state park, so outdoorsy pooches won’t lack for fur-friendly hiking options. The village is near a wine trail, too, and many local vineyards welcome wagging tails with open arms. And if your doggo longs to lose the leash, don’t worry -- you’ll find some pawesome dog parks just a short drive away!
Best Dog Neighborhoods in Makanda
Giant City State Park
Giant City State Park
With Giant City State Park completely surrounding Makanda, you and your pooch would be barking mad not to check it out! The park is named after Giant City Streets, huge sandstone bluffs that were formed over twelve thousand years ago. It goes almost without saying that the preserve is breathtakingly beautiful, featuring untamed, forested wilderness and carpeted with ferns, unique wildflowers, and flowering mint. Not only that, but you’ll find a trail here for every age and ability. With Makanda as a base, you could spend days or weeks exploring here!
Sherwood/ Briarwood
Sherwood/ Briarwood
You’ll have to cross the state line into Missouri to get to the closest fenced area where your furry friend can run free, but once your fur-baby gets through the double gates at the Dog Town Playground in Kiwanis Park, you’ll be glad you made the trip! Located in the historic Mississippi riverside college town of Cape Girardeau, this off-leash area is a pawfect place for your pup to play and socialize. There’s plenty of room in both the large and small dog areas for even the most energetic of pups to run around and tire themselves out in, and bags and water are provided.
Alto Pass
Alto Pass
Another oasis of civilization in the middle of Giant City State Park, Alto Pass is home to the excellent Hedman Vineyards and Peachbarn -- and after all, since you’re in wine country, it’d be a huge faux paw not to go for a tasting! Hedman Vineyards is part of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, and they do a fantastic Traminette. Your pooch is welcome at an outdoor tasting, as long as they're leashed! Afterward, you two can chow down at The Peachbarn, an onsite restaurant that serves up the best in Swedish cuisine and caters to canines outside.
Southwest Murphysboro
Southwest Murphysboro
Compact, friendly and just a seventeen-minute drive from Makanda, the small city of Murphysboro really is a mutts-visit! It’s home to the furrific Friends of Murphysboro Dog Park, which has the distinction of being the first dog park in southern Illinois. The dog run might not be as big as the one in Cape Girardeau, but there’s still enough space for a large furball to leap about to their heart’s content, even when the park is crowded. Like the Cape Girardeau park, there’s a separate small dog area, too. Bags and water are provided, so just bring your pup and prepare to play!
Downtown Carbondale
Downtown Carbondale
Laid-back and full of charm, Carbondale is home to the University of Southern Illinois, an institution that has been supplying Makanda with artists for years. Not only that, but Pure Pet is based here, and a treat from this local gem will certainly make your pup sit up and beg! Aptly located on Sweets Drive, Pure Pet stocks everything from healthy daily rewards to more occasional indulgences. Of course, owners need to eat, too! Don’t worry, though -- many restaurants in Carbondale are fur-friendly. Bandana B-B-Q serves up a great Brunswick stew, and welcomes wagging tales at their outdoor tables.
