The City of San José runs 12 dog parks, most of them small, fenced neighborhood sites with double-gated entries. The biggest off-leash space in town isn't a city park at all: Hellyer County Park has a two-acre fenced dog area — free to use, but the county charges a vehicle entrance fee and the dog park is closed on Wednesdays. City rules allow no more than two dogs per person, and your dog must wear proof of license.
In this guide
This guide covers every city dog park, which ones have water and separate small-dog areas, the rules under San José City Code, and nearby options in Milpitas, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale.
All 12 City of San José dog parks
From the City of San José's dog park directory (as published May 2026).
| Dog park | Location | What the city lists |
|---|---|---|
| Butcher Dog Park | Camden Ave. & Lancaster Dr., 95124 | One of the most popular in the Bay Area; active volunteer patrons |
| Discovery Dog Park (Delmas) | 200 Delmas Ave., 95110 | Just over 17,000 sq ft; fenced, double gate, fountains with dog bowls, lighting |
| Fontana Dog Park | 1241 Golden Oak Way, 95120 | Opened in 2005, Almaden area |
| Miyuki Dog Park | Autotech Way & Miyuki Dr., 95119 | San José's first dog park; small dirt area, double gate; no water |
| Raleigh Linear Dog Park | Raleigh Rd., 95123 | Fenced; decomposed granite and artificial turf |
| Ryland Dog Park | 190 Ryland St., 95110 | Under the bridge — shaded on hot days; no water |
| Saratoga Creek Dog Park | Doyle Rd. & Lassen Ave., 95129 | Drinking fountain, benches, artificial turf |
| Selma Olinder Dog Park | 848 William St., 95116 | Three-quarter acre; separate large and small dog areas; shade trees; 11 dedicated parking spaces |
| St. James Dog Park | N. 2nd St. & E. St. James St., 95112 | Eastern half of St. James Park, downtown |
| Tully Dog Park | 800 Tully Rd., 95111 | Half acre; small and large dog areas; next to the Coyote Creek Trail |
| Watson Dog Park | Jackson Ave. & 22nd St., 95116 | Inside Watson Park |
| Welch Dog Park | Clarice Dr. & Huran Dr., 95122 | Double gate; separate large and small areas; pet drinking fountain |
Hellyer County Park: the biggest option
Hellyer County Park in south San José has set aside two acres as a fenced off-leash area, enclosed by a six-foot fence, at the northeast end of the park near the Shadowbluff group area. It has benches, shade trees, a lawn and a drinking fountain.
- Free to use, but there's a vehicle entrance fee to get into the county park.
- Closed on Wednesdays.
- It's run by Santa Clara County, not the city, so county park rules apply.
For a dog that needs to really run, Hellyer is the obvious choice in San José — most city dog parks are well under an acre.
Picking a city dog park
Separate small-dog areas
Selma Olinder, Tully and Welch are the city parks listed with separate large and small dog areas. Selma Olinder is designed for 20 to 30 dogs at once, with mature shade trees and its own parking.
Bring your own water
The city specifically warns that Miyuki and Ryland have no water fountains. Pack a bottle and bowl — in a Santa Clara Valley summer, that's not optional.
Downtown
Discovery Dog Park (Delmas), at Park and Delmas Avenues, was a joint project with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. It has a decomposed granite path, a bark-mulch dog area, dog-bowl fountains, security lighting and tables — a good pick for evening visits. St. James Dog Park is in the eastern half of St. James Park, next to a children's play area, and Ryland sits in the shade under the bridge at North San Pedro and North Market Streets.
Combining with a trail
Tully is right next to the Coyote Creek Trail, which makes it easy to pair a long on-leash walk with off-leash play.
The popular one
Butcher Dog Park in the Cambrian area is described by the city as one of the most popular dog parks in the Bay Area, kept up by a dedicated group of regulars who work with park staff.
San José dog park rules
These rules, under San José City Code 13.44.020, apply at every city dog park:
- Dogs must be accompanied at all times.
- No more than two dogs per person at one time.
- Children only with a guardian.
- Dogs must wear proof of license and have proper vaccinations.
- No dogs in heat.
- Pick up after your dog.
- Dogs showing bad or aggressive behavior must leave.
Nearby dog parks in neighboring cities
San José's own list points visitors to a few dog parks just outside the city:
- Ed Levin Dog Park — 3100 Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas
- Reed Street Dog Park — 888 Reed St., Santa Clara
- Las Palmas Park and Dog Park — 850 Russet Dr., Sunnyvale (an enclosed area inside Las Palmas Park)
Each city sets its own rules and hours, so check before you go.
South Bay heat and your dog
San José summers are hot and dry, and several dog parks use artificial turf or decomposed granite, which heat up fast in the sun. Go in the morning, bring water to every park, and favor shaded sites — Ryland under the bridge, Selma Olinder with its mature trees, and Hellyer's shade trees — on hot afternoons. In late summer, check paws for foxtails from dry grass after visits.
How San Jose's rules compare
We compiled the posted dog park rules of 20 large US cities. Here's how San Jose 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | Only with a guardian | 2 | No rule posted | Free |
| Los Angeles | Small children closely supervised | No limit posted | No food or treats | Free; spay/neuter required |
| Denver | 10 and under not allowed | 2 | Treats OK, no human food | Free; spay/neuter or intact permit |
| Portland | No age rule in the policy | 3 | No rule in the policy | Free |
| Phoenix | Under 12 asked not to come | No limit posted | No food | 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.
San José's rules are simple but firm on one point shared with Denver, Houston and Nashville: two dogs per person. Unlike Los Angeles, it doesn't require dogs to be spayed or neutered to use its parks, and unlike Denver or Houston, it doesn't set an age limit for children — it just requires a guardian.
Beyond the dog parks: on-leash walks
- Coyote Creek Trail — right next to Tully Dog Park, a long creekside trail through the east side.
- Guadalupe River Trail — runs through downtown, a short walk from Discovery (Delmas) Dog Park.
- Los Gatos Creek Trail — on the west side, shaded in stretches and popular on weekends.
All are shared-use trails: keep the leash short, and bring water in summer, since the South Bay's dry heat builds quickly in the afternoon.
Your first visit checklist
- Proof of license on your dog's collar, and vaccinations up to date.
- Two dogs maximum per person.
- Bring water to Miyuki and Ryland, which have no fountains.
- Going to Hellyer? Budget for the vehicle fee, and don't go on a Wednesday.
Frequently asked questions
How many dog parks does San José have?
The City of San José lists 12 dog parks. Hellyer County Park, run by Santa Clara County, has an additional two-acre fenced off-leash area.
What is the biggest dog park in San José?
Hellyer County Park's two-acre off-leash area. Among city parks, Selma Olinder (three-quarters of an acre) and Tully (half an acre) are larger than most.
How many dogs can I bring to a San José dog park?
No more than two dogs per person.
Is Hellyer dog park open every day?
No. It's closed on Wednesdays, and the county charges a vehicle entrance fee to enter the park.
Which San José dog parks have water?
Discovery (Delmas), Saratoga Creek and Welch list drinking fountains, and Hellyer has one too. Miyuki and Ryland have none — bring your own.
Sources: City of San José, Dog Parks directory and dog park rules (as published May 2026); Santa Clara County Parks (Hellyer County Park). Rules and hours change — check the sign at the park.
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