Dog walking in Simpsonville

Keeneland

In just 20 minutes, you can make the drive to the E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park in northeastern Louisville, Kentucky. Here, you'll find Sawyer Dog Park, which offers ruffly six acres of space divided into big and small dog sections for your pet to enjoy. There are water stations, waste disposal supplies, gazebos, and seating areas in the park, and a membership is required to visit. The rest of E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park sits on 533 acres, and it has playgrounds, sports fields, and other activities to enjoy. Your pet can accompany you in most other areas of the park when they're leashed.

Fern Creek

Another one of Louisville's great dog parks is less than 20 miles from Simpsonville, near the Fern Creek area. The Vettiner Dog Run is part of Charlie Vettiner Park. The off-leash space takes up two acres of land, and it's divided in half to give big and small dogs separate spaces. You'll find drinking water, waste disposal supplies, and seating the dog park. As with all other Louisville dog parks, a membership is required, and your membership will give you access to all of the city's dog parks. The rest of Charlie Vettiner Park encompasses 283 acres, and your pet can join you throughout it when they're wearing a leash.

Beechland Beach

The beautiful Garvin Brown Nature Preserve and Dog Exercise Area is less than a half-hour drive from Simpsonville. Located on the northern tip of Louisville, this 46-acre nature preserve boasts impressive natural views and lots of space to explore with your dog. Although there's a designated area for dog exercise, dogs must remain on a leash throughout the entirety of the preserve. Many visitors call this the best-kept secret in the area and one of the most beautiful spots in Louisville. There is beach access for dogs along the Ohio River, so be sure to bring a towel to dry them off, as well as drinking water and a bowl.

Fisherville

A little more than ten miles west of Simpsonville is where you'll find The Barklands at Beckley Creek Park, near the neighborhood of Fisherville in Louisville. This off-leash park has three, one-acre areas: one for big dogs, one for small dogs, and a third area that's kept closed on a rotating schedule so the grass can regrow. The dog park offers drinking water for pets, as well as waste disposal supplies and seating. Other areas of Beckley Creek Park, including the 22-acre Egg Lawn, are also dog-friendly, but your pet must be on a leash. There are also miles of paved and unpaved trails to explore with your dog.

Orchard Crossing

Red Orchard Park was once a 131-acre farm in western Shelbyville, Kentucky, but today, it's part of the Shelby Parks Department and a beloved spot in the community. It's less than eight miles from Simpsonville, and it has playgrounds, trails, and picnic spots. Red Orchard Park also has its own off-leash park, and it's known as Michael Kay's Dog Park. The dog park has a two-acre lot for dogs who weigh less than 30 pounds, as well as a three-acre lot where dogs of all sizes can interact and play. There's also agility equipment, shade structures, seating, and water fountains available in the park.