The Dallas Park and Recreation Department runs 11 off-leash dog parks. The largest, NorthBark in far North Dallas, covers roughly 12.7 acres, and all of them except one have separate areas for small and large dogs. Two Dallas quirks catch visitors off guard: the big parks close one weekday each week for maintenance, and after heavy rain they can close entirely — which is why the city runs a Dog Park Rain Out Line at 214-614-6711.
In this guide
This guide lists all 11 parks, their weekly closure days, the Dallas rules (including one about collars that most cities don't have), and how to plan around Texas weather.
All 11 Dallas dog parks
From the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. Sizes are measured from OpenStreetMap outlines of each dog park and are approximate.
| Dog park | Address | Size | Hours / closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| NorthBark Dog Park | 4899 Gramercy Oaks, 75287 | about 12.7 acres | 5 a.m.–11 p.m.; closed Tuesdays |
| Wagging Tail Dog Park | 5841 Keller Springs Rd., 75248 | about 5 acres | 5 a.m.–11 p.m.; closed Mondays |
| White Rock Lake Dog Park | 8000 Mockingbird Ln., 75218 | about 3.1 acres | 5 a.m.–11 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday |
| Barry Annino Bark Park (formerly Bark Park Central) | 2445 Canton St., 75201 | about 2.2 acres | 6 a.m.–11 p.m.; closed Tuesdays |
| Parkhill Dog Park | — | about 0.9 acres | Posted hours |
| Lakeland Hills Dog Park | Lakeland Hills Park, 2600 St. Francis Ave., 75228 | about 0.7 acres | Posted hours |
| Crockett Dog Park | 501 N. Carroll Ave., 75246 | — | Posted hours |
| Klyde Warren Dog Park | Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, 75201 | — | Posted hours |
| Main Street Garden Dog Park | Main Street Garden Park, 1920 Main St., 75201 | small, hard surface | Posted hours |
| Carpenter Dog Park | Carpenter Park, 2201 Pacific Ave., 75201 | — | Posted hours |
| Harwood Dog Park | Harwood Park, 408 S. Harwood, 75201 | — | Posted hours |
The weekly closure days exist so crews can mow, repair turf and clean without dogs underfoot. If you're a Monday or Tuesday regular, pick your park accordingly: NorthBark and Barry Annino close Tuesdays, while Wagging Tail and White Rock close Mondays.
The big three
NorthBark: the space champion
Tucked off Gramercy Oaks in far North Dallas, NorthBark is by far the city's largest dog park at around 12.7 acres, with separate large and small dog areas. It's the park Dallas owners drive to when their dog needs to really run. Because of its size, it's also the park most affected by rain — open fields take longer to dry out.
Wagging Tail
At about 5 acres on Keller Springs Road, Wagging Tail is the second-largest and serves North Dallas and the Addison border area. Note that its weekly maintenance day is Monday, not Tuesday.
White Rock Lake Dog Park
Off Mockingbird Lane on the shore of White Rock Lake, this roughly 3-acre park is the East Dallas favorite. It pairs naturally with a walk on the White Rock Lake trail — on leash — before or after the dog park. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
Downtown and Uptown
Downtown Dallas has a cluster of small dog areas inside its newer urban parks:
- Klyde Warren Park, the deck park over Woodall Rodgers Freeway, has a dog park in the middle of the city's busiest green space.
- Main Street Garden, Carpenter Park and Harwood Park each have dog areas serving downtown apartment dwellers. These are compact, and at Main Street Garden the dog area is a hard surface rather than grass.
- Barry Annino Bark Park, formerly Bark Park Central, sits on Canton Street in the Deep Ellum area. It's the one Dallas dog park without separate small and large dog areas, so owners of small or shy dogs may prefer another option.
The Dallas rules
These apply at every Dallas dog park, and several are backed by city ordinance.
Not allowed in
- Known dangerous or aggressive dogs.
- Females in heat.
- More than three dogs per person at one time.
- Food or treats — dog or human.
- Glass bottles.
- Pinch, prong or spiked collars. You must take them off before entering the fenced area — a rule aimed at preventing injuries to other dogs during play.
Your dog's paperwork
- Your dog must wear a tag showing current rabies vaccination, as required by Texas law.
- If you're a Dallas resident, your dog must also be registered with the city.
Inside the park
- Leash on when entering and exiting; unclip once inside the off-leash area.
- Keep your dog under visual and voice control at all times.
- Remove your dog at the first sign of aggression.
- Fill any hole your dog digs.
- Pick up and use the receptacles provided.
Children
Parents are strongly discouraged from bringing children under 12. If you do, the rules require strict supervision.
The fine print
Under Dallas City Ordinance 24482, bringing a dog into an off-leash site counts as agreeing to all posted rules and as a waiver of liability to the City: the owner agrees to hold the city harmless for any injury or damage the dog causes.
Rain Out Line and Texas weather
Check before you drive after rain
Dallas closes dog parks when grounds are too wet, to protect the turf. Call the Dog Park Hotline / Rain Out Line at 214-614-6711, or check the Rain Out Line app, before heading out after a storm. This matters most at NorthBark and Wagging Tail, where large grass areas take longer to drain.
Summer heat
North Texas summers regularly bring triple-digit days. With most parks opening at 5 or 6 a.m., early mornings are the best window. Test the ground with the back of your hand, bring your own water, and cut visits short on hot days.
Storm season
Spring brings strong thunderstorms and occasional hail. A dog park is open, exposed ground — leave when you hear thunder.
How Dallas's rules compare
We compiled the posted dog park rules of 20 large US cities. Here's how Dallas stacks up against some of them — useful if you've just moved, or if you travel with your dog.
| City | Children | Max dogs per person | Food and treats | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | Under 12 strongly discouraged | 3 | No food or treats | Free |
| Fort Worth | Under 12 with an adult | No limit posted | No rule posted | Free |
| Houston | 12 and under not allowed | 2 | No food or treats | Free |
| Austin | No city age limit posted | No limit posted | No rule posted | Free |
| Atlanta | Under 12 with close supervision | 3 | Bite-size dog treats only | Free |
From each city's official dog park rules as published in 2026. "No limit posted" means we didn't find one in the city's rules — the sign at each park can still add limits.
Compared with its Texas neighbors, Dallas lands in the middle: three dogs per person (Houston allows two), children discouraged rather than banned (Houston bans 12 and under), and a full ban on food and treats like Houston's. Its standout rule is the ban on pinch, prong and spiked collars inside the fence — Atlanta has a similar prong-collar rule.
Beyond the dog parks: on-leash walks
- The Katy Trail — the city's signature trail through Uptown and Oak Lawn, busy with runners and dogs. Keep the leash short.
- White Rock Lake trail — the loop around White Rock Lake, a natural pairing with the White Rock Lake Dog Park.
- Klyde Warren Park — leashed strolls in the deck park downtown, with its own dog area.
Your first visit checklist
- Rabies tag on the collar; Dallas residents need city registration too.
- Check the day: NorthBark and Barry Annino close Tuesdays; Wagging Tail and White Rock close Mondays.
- Call the Rain Out Line (214-614-6711) after storms.
- Take off prong or spiked collars before entering.
- Leave treats at home — none allowed.
Frequently asked questions
How many dog parks are in Dallas?
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department operates 11 off-leash dog parks.
What is the biggest dog park in Dallas?
NorthBark Dog Park in far North Dallas, at roughly 12.7 acres.
Are Dallas dog parks closed on certain days?
Yes, for maintenance. NorthBark and Barry Annino Bark Park close on Tuesdays; Wagging Tail and White Rock Lake close on Mondays. Parks can also close after rain — call 214-614-6711.
Can I bring treats to a Dallas dog park?
No. Food and treats, for dogs or people, aren't allowed.
Can my dog wear a prong collar at the dog park?
No. Pinch, prong and spiked collars must be removed before entering.
How many dogs can I bring?
Up to three dogs per person.
Sources: Dallas Park and Recreation Department — Dog Parks, individual dog park pages and Off-Leash Site Rules & Regulations. Sizes: map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Hours and closures change — call the Rain Out Line before you go.
