Dog walking in Morton

North Morton

Morton's very own off-leash dog park can be found in the town's northeastern corner. Oakwood Dog Park is a spacious area that includes a section for all dogs, as well as a separate small dog enclosure. Throughout the park, there's a variety of terrain for your pet to explore, from ravines and wooded areas or open spaces and hills. There are also water fountains for both dogs and humans to use, as well as a fire hydrant that sprays water when the button is pushed. Your dog can also join you in other areas of Oakwood Park, including the playgrounds and covered seating areas, but they must be on a leash.

Oak Lawn

It may not be an off-leash space, but the River Trail of Illinois in northwestern Morton is undoubtedly a dog-friendly activity. This nine-mile asphalt trail is a pawpular dog walking spot in town, and it will take you through prairies, bluffs, rolling hills, cornfields, and forests along the way. This trail is one of 1,600 trails in America that were repurposed from abandoned railway lines. These trails are all connected, and they're also popular with inline skaters, cyclists, or cross-country skiers in the winter. You'll come across a few parks along the way that are excellent places to stop and rehydrate with your pup.

West Peoria

You and your dog can drive to a suburb of Peoria, Illinois known as West Peoria in only 15 minutes. West Peoria is where you'll find Bradley Dog Park, a five-acre off-leash space inside Bradley Park that has big and small dog areas. Some of the dog park's other features include water stations, waste disposal supplies, and seating. Bradley Park is a 140-acre park that's just adjacent to Bradley University. In addition to the dog park, Bradley Park has features like picnic spots, horseshoe pits, disc golf, playgrounds, sports courts, and much more. Your dog can accompany you to these other areas when they're wearing their leash.

Pekin Heights

Mineral Springs Park is a 200+ acre recreational space that's just a couple miles outside the Pekin Heights neighborhood, and it's less than a 20-minute drive from Morton. In addition to sports courts and fields, multi-use trails, a skate park, playgrounds, and picnic areas, Mineral Springs Park also has its own off-leash park. The Happy Tails Dog Park is a sizeable dog park with separate areas for big and small dogs. Both sections have double-gated entry systems, and there are also water stations and waste disposal supplies throughout the park. There aren't any benches or picnic tables within the dog park, so many visitors bring their own lawn chairs.

Beverly Manor

It will take you and Sparky less than 15 minutes to drive to the Washington Bark District Off-Leash Dog Park in the Beverly Manor neighborhood of southwest Washington, Illinois. This dog park can be found on the western edge of Meadow Valley Park, a 90-acre space with playgrounds, trails, picnic facilities, and much more. The off-leash park has been divided into separate areas for big and small dogs, and it also includes water fountains and waste disposal supplies. There are four different trails in Meadow Valley Park that range in length from 0.3-0.6 miles, and your dog can hike them with you when they're on-leash.