Dog-friendly parks & trails in Austin & Central Texas

Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail

Leashed dogs welcome on the full loop. Leash max 6 ft. Water fountains with dog bowls at several points along the trail. Limited shade midday in summer.

• Water bowls

Auditorium Shores Off-Leash Area

Designated off-leash area under City of Austin park rules. Dogs must be leashed walking to and from the area, and must stay within sight and sound control. Dogs in heat are not allowed. Rabies vaccination required by state law.

• Off-leash

Bark Park

Fenced off-leash park with separate areas for small dogs (under 30 lbs) and large dogs. Dogs must be leashed entering and leaving. Current rabies and other vaccinations required, with the rabies tag on the collar. Spiked collars not permitted. Water fountains with dog bowls throughout.

• Off-leash
• Fenced area
• Water bowls
• Shaded / covered

Blue Hole Park

Leashed dogs welcome on the trails and lawn. Dogs are not allowed in the swimming area.

• Shaded / covered

Brushy Creek Regional Trail

Leashed dogs welcome. A fenced off-leash dog park sits at Brushy Creek Lake Park. Water stations at trailheads.

• Off-leash
• Fenced area
• Water bowls
• Shaded / covered

Buda City Park

Leashed dogs welcome throughout the park. Buda's off-leash dog park is no longer here — it moved to Historic Stagecoach Park in January 2026.

• Shaded / covered

Cameron Park

Leashed dogs welcome on all trails. Heavy shade makes it a good summer option.

• Shaded / covered

Cedar Bark Park

Fenced off-leash park open dawn to dusk, with closures for maintenance Tuesday mornings and Friday mornings. Dog pond for swimming, dog showers, drinking fountains and waste stations on site.

• Off-leash
• Fenced area
• Water bowls

Davis White Northeast District Park

Designated off-leash area under City of Austin park rules. Dogs must be leashed walking to and from the area and stay within sight and sound control.

• Off-leash

Dog Depot Dog Park

Fully fenced off-leash park with separate large-dog and small-dog (under 40 lbs) areas plus a rotation area. All dogs must be vaccinated and microchipped. No food or treats of any kind inside the park. Aggressive dogs not permitted. Covered seating and water fountains on site.

• Off-leash
• Fenced area
• Water bowls
• Shaded / covered

Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Designated off-leash area within the park; leashes required elsewhere. Park entry fee applies. Dogs must stay within sight and sound control and be current on rabies vaccination.

• Off-leash
• Shaded / covered

Far West Off-Leash Area

Designated off-leash area under City of Austin park rules. Dogs must be leashed walking to and from the area and stay within sight and sound control.

• Off-leash

Garey Park

Leashed dogs welcome throughout the park; a fenced off-leash dog park with separate small-dog area is available.

• Off-leash
• Fenced area
• Water bowls
• Shaded / covered

Historic Stagecoach Park Dog Park

Two fenced yards: small dogs under 30 lbs and large dogs 30 lbs and over. Buda posts a strict rule list — no dogs under four months, two dogs per person maximum, handlers must be 17 or older, no food or toys of any kind, pinch and prong collars removed before entering, and current rabies and registration tags on the collar. Shade umbrellas and picnic tables around the edges; young trees mean limited shade in the middle.

• Off-leash
• Fenced area
• Shaded / covered

Lake Pflugerville

Leashed dogs welcome on the loop trail. Dogs are not allowed on the designated swim beach.

Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park

Designated off-leash area under City of Austin park rules; leashes required on the rest of the trails. Dogs must remain within sight and sound control.

• Off-leash
• Shaded / covered

Norwood Tract at Town Lake Metro Park

Designated off-leash area under City of Austin park rules. No fencing — dogs must be reliably within sight and sound control. Rabies vaccination required.

• Off-leash

Old Settlers Park

Leashed dogs welcome throughout. The fenced dog park area includes separate large and small dog sections, water spigots and shade structures.

• Off-leash
• Fenced area
• Water bowls
• Shaded / covered

Onion Creek District Park

Designated off-leash area under City of Austin park rules. Dogs must be leashed walking to and from the area and stay within sight and sound control.

• Off-leash
• Shaded / covered

Red Bud Isle

Entire island is off-leash. Dogs can swim in the lake at the shoreline access points. Watch for posted algae advisories before letting dogs swim.

• Off-leash
• Shaded / covered

San Gabriel River Trail

Leashed dogs welcome on the full trail. Good tree cover on most segments.

• Shaded / covered

San Marcos Dog Park

Fenced off-leash park with double-gated entries and separate large-dog and small-dog areas. Water fountains, shade, covered shelter and waste stations on site.

• Off-leash
• Fenced area
• Water bowls
• Shaded / covered

San Marcos Rio Vista Park

Leashed dogs welcome in the park. Dogs allowed in the river away from crowded swim areas; clean up is enforced.

• Shaded / covered

Shoal Creek Greenbelt Off-Leash Area

Designated off-leash area along the greenbelt; leashes required on the connecting trail segments. Dogs must stay within sight and sound control.

• Off-leash
• Shaded / covered

Steeplechase Dog Park

Fenced off-leash dog park open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Dog waste stations throughout the park. Dogs must be leashed in the rest of the park.

• Off-leash
• Fenced area

Stone Hill Dog Park

Fenced off-leash park with partitioned large-dog and small-dog areas. Shade structure added in 2023. Dogs must be leashed elsewhere in Stone Hill Park.

• Off-leash
• Fenced area
• Water bowls
• Shaded / covered

Walnut Creek District Park

Designated off-leash area under City of Austin park rules. Creek access makes it a favourite summer swim spot. Dogs must stay within sight and sound control; clean-up required.

• Off-leash
• Shaded / covered

West Austin Park

Designated off-leash area under City of Austin park rules. Small and busy — best outside peak hours. Dogs must stay within sight and sound control.

• Off-leash
• Shaded / covered

Zilker Metropolitan Park

Leashed dogs welcome throughout the park. The Great Lawn area near the Polo fields is a designated off-leash zone. Dogs are not allowed in Barton Springs Pool.

• Off-leash
• Shaded / covered