Raleigh, North Carolina is a fun city that loves pups! Throughout Raleigh, you’ll find tons of dog-friendly hotels, shops, and restaurants. If your pup wants to stretch their legs, there's also plenty of parks where you can bring your furry best friend. This includes furrific off-leash parks and huge forest-filled parks that welcome dogs on-leash. When you’re in Raleigh, finding great things to do with your dog is easy as can be! If you live in Raleigh, or are planning a trip to the beautiful Southern city, here are 10 parks you won’t want to miss.
Jaycee Park is home to a furtastic off-leash dog run that every pup is sure to love! This dog run features one big fenced area where dogs of all sizes can play, and the ground in the park is covered in wood chips. There are plenty of benches for owners to sit on, and if you need to clean up after your pup, the park has a dog waste station you can use.
If you’re looking for a great place to hike with your dog, head to Walnut Creek Wetland Park. This park allows dogs on-leash, and it’s home to a trail that goes along the lovely Walnut Creek. The trail also passes by beautiful Boneyard Lake, and takes you past a series of wetland habitats. If all this excitement makes your dog thirsty, a water bowl is available right outside the Walnut Creek Wetland Center.
Oakwood Dog Park is a fun-filled off-leash park with two separate fenced sections: one for big dogs and one for small dogs and elderly pups. Both sections feature lots of space for dogs to run and play, and there are trees that keep the park shady and cool. While your dog plays with their new friends, you can watch from one of the park’s picnic benches.Â
Durant Nature Preserve is a picturesque park that allows dogs on-leash. This pawsitively amazing park has five miles of trails to explore with your pup. These trails take you through hardwood forests that are filled with wildflowers, along peaceful streams, and past two scenic lakes. Plus, the preserve also has three gardens you can explore with your dog. If you need to clean up after your dog, doggy bags are available in the park.
If you’re looking for another place to take an on-leash hike with your pup, try Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park. This park has three loop trails to trek on with your dog, including the 0.93-mile Hidden Rocks Trail, which takes you past unique rock formations. The park is also home to the lovely 0.57-mile Pond Trail, which goes through a meadow and around a pond. Your dog will always have fun in this park.
Lake Johnson Park is a great place to go for a hike with your pup! Dogs are welcome in this park on-leash, and the park has a beautiful lakeside trail to explore. The 2.8-mile trail on the east side of the lake is paved, and the 1.5-mile trail on the west side of the lake is unpaved and hilly. If all this hiking makes you and your dog hungry, the park has a picnic area with charcoal grills.Â
Located within Buffaloe Road Athletic Park, Buffaloe Road Dog Park is a pawesome off-leash park with separate enclosures for large and small dogs. Both sections have wood chip bases, and there are lots of trees to keep your pup cool on hot summer days. If your dog gets thirsty while they’re playing, water is available in the park. There are also waste stations for convenience.
The William B. Umstead State Park is one of the most pawpular places to go for on-leash hikes with pups in Raleigh. This park has over 20 miles of hiking trails to explore with your dog. These trails take you through a scenic forest, along peaceful creeks, and past the park’s three lakes. The trails range in length from 0.4 miles to over seven miles, making this park perfect for every hiker!Â
Millbrook Exchange Dog Park is a huge dog run with three enclosures: a small dog section, a large dog section, and a separate enclosure with picnic tables. The park also has lots of fun agility equipment for your pup, and there are shade structures to keep your dog cool. There’s also a doggy water fountain to keep your dog happy and hydrated, and lights that allow your dog to play safely at night.
The Carolina Pines Community Dog Park is a great place to take your dog for some off-leash time. This park has separate large dog and small dog sections, and the ground is covered in wood chips that are comfortable for your pup’s paws. Both sections are also filled with oak trees that provide plenty of shade, and water and doggy bags are available throughout the park.