DogMap Open the map

The Best Dog Parks & Beaches in Washington

The DC metro has some of the best — and most rule-bound — off-leash spots on the East Coast. Inside the District, every official dog park requires a DC registration tag (and a DC dog license behind it). Across the river in Arlington and Alexandria, and out in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs, the rules shift county by county. Here are the verified off-leash spots worth the trip, with the rules that actually apply — including the famous members-only off-leash program at Historic Congressional Cemetery.

12 spots mapped · 2026 · updated June 25, 2026

🐾 Open the live map Add a spot

Featured

Off-leash dog parks

  1. Shaw Dog Park

    Shaw · 1673 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

    One of DC's largest off-leash dog parks (~15,000 sq ft), fully fenced with a pea-gravel/stone-dust surface. Run as a partnership between DPR and the Shaw Dog Park Association.

    Fenced dog parkFreeDawn to dusk
    View on the live map →

  2. Walter Pierce Park Dog Park

    Adams Morgan · 2630 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

    DC's first official off-leash dog park (2004), a securely fenced Adams Morgan space (~11,000 sq ft) with a paw-friendly sand/gravel surface and mature shade trees.

    Fenced dog parkFreeDawn to dusk
    View on the live map →

  3. S Street Dog Park

    Dupont Circle · 17th St & S St NW, Washington, DC 20009

    A compact, fully fenced off-leash park northeast of Dupont Circle. Resurfaced in 2023 with synthetic dog-park turf, bench seating, a lighted plaza, and a water fountain.

    Fenced dog parkFreeDawn to dusk
    View on the live map →

  4. Historic Congressional Cemetery

    Capitol Hill (Hill East) · 1801 E St SE, Washington, DC 20003

    DC's most exclusive off-leash spot: 35+ fenced, historic acres where K9 Corps members walk dogs leash-free among the graves. Off-leash here requires a paid annual membership.

    Open dog parkTicketedDawn to dusk · members only · closed to dogs Sat 11 AM–3 PM
    View on the live map →

  5. Shirlington Dog Park

    Shirlington / Four Mile Run · 2710 S Oakland St, Arlington, VA 22206

    One of Arlington's first off-leash parks (1995): a long, ~2-acre 'Community Canine Area' running a quarter-mile along Four Mile Run, with stream access where dogs love to wade and swim.

    Open dog parkFreeDaylight hours · closes at sunset
    View on the live map →

  6. Benjamin Banneker Park Dog Park

    Bluemont · 1680 N Sycamore St, Arlington, VA 22205

    A fully fenced 'Community Canine Area' in a 12.5-acre park near the Four Mile Run, W&OD, and Custis trail connections, with shady trees, dirt and artificial-turf footing, and cement play tunnels for the dogs.

    Fenced dog parkFreeSunrise to 8 PM
    View on the live map →

  7. Dog Run Park at Carlyle

    Carlyle / Eisenhower · 450 Andrews Ln, Alexandria, VA 22314

    A fully fenced, gravel-covered urban dog park (opened 2009) with a double-gated entry, a few steps from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro.

    Fenced dog parkFreeSunrise to sunset
    View on the live map →

  8. Chinquapin Park Dog Exercise Area

    Chinquapin · 3210 King St, Alexandria, VA 22302

    A designated off-leash dog exercise area in a grassy, wooded Alexandria park with water access — open rather than fully fenced, so reliable recall matters.

    Open dog parkFreeSunrise to sunset
    View on the live map →

  9. Cabin John Regional Park Dog Park

    Cabin John · 7400 Tuckerman Ln, Bethesda, MD 20817

    A popular Montgomery Parks dog park inside Cabin John Regional Park, with separate large- and small-dog areas, climbing structures, and drinking fountains.

    Fenced dog parkFreeSunrise to sunset
    View on the live map →

  10. Olney Manor Recreational Park Dog Park

    Olney · 16601 Georgia Ave, Olney, MD 20832

    A 1-acre fenced Montgomery Parks dog park (opened 2010) with a mulch base, separate small-dog area, a pavilion, and a small agility feature.

    Fenced dog parkFreeSunrise to sunset
    View on the live map →

  11. Baron Cameron Park Dog Park

    Reston · 11300 Baron Cameron Ave, Reston, VA 20190

    A large, well-known Fairfax County Park Authority off-leash dog park in Reston, with separate large- and small-dog areas and a capacity of 35 dogs.

    Fenced dog parkFree7 AM (8 AM weekends/holidays) to ½ hr after sunset
    View on the live map →

  12. Rock Hill District Park Dog Park

    Chantilly · 15150 Old Lee Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151

    One of Fairfax County's largest off-leash dog parks (90-dog capacity), in Chantilly, with a separate small-dog area.

    Fenced dog parkFree7 AM (8 AM weekends/holidays) to ½ hr after sunset
    View on the live map →

Washington dog parks & beaches: FAQ

Do I need a permit to use a DC dog park?
Yes. Every official DC dog park (a "Dog Exercise Area") requires your dog to display a DC DEA Registration Tag, and DC residents must first hold a current DC Dog License (which requires proof of rabies and distemper vaccination). The parks themselves are free — the tag is a licensing requirement, not a fee. The Virginia and Maryland suburbs (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Montgomery) don’t require the DC tag; they just require current vaccinations.
How does off-leash at Congressional Cemetery work?
Historic Congressional Cemetery on Capitol Hill is DC’s most exclusive off-leash spot — 35+ fenced, historic acres — but it’s members-only. The K9 Corps membership runs about $400/year (with an 8-hour volunteer commitment) or $500/year without, plus $50 per additional dog. Non-members can buy a $15-per-dog day pass. It’s closed to dogs Saturdays 11 AM–3 PM and during funerals and events.
Where can my dog swim off-leash near DC?
Shirlington Dog Park in Arlington is the spot — its long off-leash area runs a quarter-mile along Four Mile Run, where dogs wade and swim. Note the stream itself isn’t fenced and isn’t technically part of the dog park, so stream access is at your own risk. Alexandria’s Chinquapin area also has water access, but it’s an open (unfenced) area that needs reliable recall.
Are DC dog parks fenced?
The District’s DPR dog parks (Shaw, Walter Pierce, S Street) are fully fenced, as are the suburban county parks (Banneker, Carlyle, Cabin John, Olney, Baron Cameron, Rock Hill). The exceptions are Chinquapin (an open, unfenced exercise area) and Shirlington, whose main area is fenced but whose streambank is open.
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, including the members-only and gated-hours 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 →