The Best Dog Parks & Beaches in Minneapolis

Hiawatha / Minnehaha · 5399 Minnehaha Park Dr S, Minneapolis, MN 55417

Minneapolis's signature off-leash area — over 6 acres of riverbank woods in Minnehaha Regional Park with a genuine dog beach on the Mississippi where dogs splash and swim. The city's largest off-leash park.

East Isles · 2845 W Lake of the Isles Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405

A fully fenced 1.87-acre off-leash park on the south side of Lake of the Isles, with a separate small-dog area. Despite the lakeside setting it is fenced off from the water — no dog swimming.

Seward · 925 Franklin Terrace, Minneapolis, MN 55406

A shaded, fully fenced 1.37-acre off-leash park in Mississippi Gorge Regional Park, just above the river bluff in Seward, with a second entrance onto West River Parkway.

East Harriet · 3845 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409

A small, fully fenced 0.62-acre neighborhood off-leash park near Lyndale Park and the Rose Garden, with a crushed-granite surface that drains well.

Loring Park · 1382 Willow St, Minneapolis, MN 55403

A compact, fully fenced 0.22-acre off-leash run in the north corner of downtown's Loring Park — convenient for apartment-dwelling dogs, with a street entrance at Maple St and Harmon Pl.

Elm Creek Park Reserve · 11750 Zachary Ln N, Champlin, MN 55316

At 29 acres, one of the largest fenced off-leash areas in the metro, set in Elm Creek Park Reserve with a separate area for small and frail dogs. Big enough for dogs to truly run.

Cleary Lake Regional Park · 6246 190th St E, Prior Lake, MN 55372

A 28-acre fenced off-leash area in Cleary Lake Regional Park south of the cities, with room to roam and a wetland pond. A roomy escape for high-energy dogs.

Carver Park Reserve · 7200 Park Dr, Victoria, MN 55386

A 27-acre fully fenced off-leash area in Carver Park Reserve west of the cities, with a complete perimeter fence and a separate section for small or frail dogs. Wide-open space for serious running.

Desnoyer Park · 471 Mississippi River Blvd N, Saint Paul, MN 55104

An unfenced off-leash run with a real dog beach on the Mississippi River, tucked below the river bluffs near the St. Paul/Minneapolis line. One of the few Twin Cities spots where dogs swim in the river — and it's free.

West Side / Upper Landing · 59 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102

A fully enclosed 7-acre off-leash park on a reclaimed former power-plant site beneath the Smith Avenue High Bridge, just above the river. Spacious and free.

Payne-Phalen · 400 Arlington Ave E, Saint Paul, MN 55130

A completely enclosed ~4.5-acre off-leash park with wooded trails, a shaded forest section, a sizable open area and a bowl-shaped slope. Five gated entrances and free to use.