DogMap Open the map

The Best Dog Parks & Beaches in Baltimore

Baltimore’s off-leash scene has a registration quirk and a couple of genuine swim spots. The city fenced dog parks (Patterson, Canton, Locust Point) require a BARCS off-leash registration tag — cheap, but you need it, along with a city pet license and proof of vaccination. For swimming, two stand out: Baltimore County’s Paw Point at Lake Roland, where a gated section of the lake lets dogs actually swim (annual membership), and Anne Arundel County’s Quiet Waters Park near Annapolis, which has a dog beach on the South River (park entry fee). The suburbs add paid Howard County parks. Here are the verified spots, with the rules that apply, each checked against the official source.

7 spots mapped · 2026 · updated June 26, 2026

🐾 Open the live map Add a spot

Featured

Off-leash dog parks

  1. Patterson Park Dog Park

    Patterson Park / Highlandtown · 200 S Linwood Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224

    A double-gated, fully fenced off-leash park south of the tennis courts on Linwood Avenue, with separate runs for large and small dogs, artificial turf, benches and a water fountain. Run with the Patterson Dog Park Association and the city.

    Fenced dog parkFreeOff-leash all day · dawn–dusk
    View on the live map →

  2. Canton Dog Park

    Canton · 3221 Toone St, Baltimore, MD 21224

    A fenced, double-gated off-leash park in Canton divided into two sections — one for large dogs and one for smaller or older dogs — with shade, nearby parking and a notice board. Maintained by the Canton Community Association.

    Fenced dog parkFreeOff-leash all day · dawn–dusk
    View on the live map →

  3. Locust Point Dog Park (Latrobe Park)

    Locust Point · 1518 Latrobe Park Terrace, Baltimore, MD 21230

    A fully fenced off-leash park in the southeast corner of Latrobe Park with artificial turf, trees, rock outcroppings and a dog water slide. Maintained by a volunteer Dog Park Committee.

    Fenced dog parkFreeOff-leash all day · dawn–dusk (small/senior only 9–10 AM & 3–4 PM)
    View on the live map →

  4. Paw Point Dog Park at Lake Roland

    Lake Roland / Ruxton · 1000 Lakeside Dr, Baltimore, MD 21210

    A fully fenced one-acre off-leash swim-and-play park on the peninsula at Baltimore County’s Lake Roland, with a code-controlled gate and a safety-gated section of the lake where dogs wade and swim. One of the few local off-leash parks with real open-water access.

    Fenced dog parkTicketedOff-leash all day · sunrise–sunset (membership; depart 15 min before sunset)
    View on the live map →

  5. Quiet Waters Park Dog Park & Dog Beach

    Annapolis Neck · 600 Quiet Waters Park Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403

    Anne Arundel County's flagship dog destination: two fully fenced off-leash runs for large and small dogs plus a separate off-leash dog beach on the South River where dogs wade and swim. The beach is only partially enclosed, so solid recall matters.

    Fenced dog parkTicketedOff-leash all day · 7 AM–dusk (vehicle fee; dog park closed Tue 8–11 AM)
    View on the live map →

  6. Worthington Dog Park

    Worthington Park · 8170 Hillsborough Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043

    Howard County's official off-leash dog park, with a large-dog enclosure and a separate area for small, timid or elderly dogs behind 6-foot double-gated fences. Open seasonally, weather permitting, with rentable private fenced areas also available.

    Fenced dog parkTicketedOff-leash all day · park hours (permit; closes in wet/muddy weather)
    View on the live map →

  7. Columbia Dog Park

    Oakland Mills

    A 2.7-acre fenced off-leash park run by the Columbia Association, split into separate fenced areas for large and small dogs. A pay-per-visit park serving the Columbia planned community.

    Fenced dog parkTicketedOff-leash all day · dawn–dusk (per-visit fee)
    View on the live map →

Baltimore dog parks & beaches: FAQ

Do I need to register for a Baltimore dog park?
For the city fenced runs, yes. Patterson, Canton and Locust Point require a Baltimore off-leash dog-park registration tag through BARCS — $20/year ($10 for seniors) — plus a city pet license and proof of rabies and spay/neuter. It’s not a gate fee, so the parks are free to enter once you’re registered. The county and suburban parks have their own systems (Lake Roland membership, Howard County permits).
Where can my dog swim off-leash near Baltimore?
Two spots. Paw Point at Lake Roland (Baltimore County) has a gated section of the lake where dogs actually swim — it requires a $35/year membership and key code. Quiet Waters Park near Annapolis has a dog beach on the South River (with a park vehicle fee). Note: the Chesapeake Bay dog beach at Downs Park is currently closed for shoreline repair, so it’s not included here — check the county site before relying on it.
Are Baltimore dog parks free?
The Baltimore City fenced runs (Patterson, Canton, Locust Point) are free once you have the BARCS registration tag. The swim and suburban parks charge: Lake Roland’s Paw Point ($35/yr membership), Quiet Waters (park vehicle fee), Howard County’s Worthington ($5/day) and Columbia ($5–6/visit).
Which Baltimore dog park is best for a small or senior dog?
Most of the fenced parks have separate small-dog sections, but Locust Point at Latrobe Park reserves the whole park for small and senior dogs daily 9–10 AM and 3–4 PM. Quiet Waters and Columbia also split large and small dogs into separate runs.
Where can my dog be off-leash right now?
Open the live map — each spot shows whether off-leash is allowed at the current date and time, and flags the registration- and fee-required parks.
Can I add a spot?
Yes — open the live map, drop a pin, snap a photo, and it’s on the map for every dog owner.

More United States

All United States spots →