Ready for some outdoor fun with your furry best friend? Check out the best dog parks and off-leash areas in town!
Hey Steel City! Do you know how much this town loves dogs? Pittsburgh is such a puppy-loving city that it provides tons of dog parks, off-leash areas, and dog-friendly parks to choose from. Whether you want to exercise with your furry companion, or you want to sit back and relax on a bench while they run around… There are plenty of options for you!
If you’re interested in other fun dog-friendly activities—how about lunch? You can take your cute little canine to one of the many dog-friendly restaurants, bars, and breweries in Pittsburgh for a doggy lunch date. More and more restaurants have pet-friendly patios. So check out the top options in the city.
And don’t forget about finding the best local pet care businesses in and around Pittsburgh. Click here for the best cat sitters, dogs walkers, pet groomers, and more! All of which are fully licensed and very reputable businesses.
But if you’re ready for a little fresh air and sunshine… let’s check out this list of the top places in town to bring your pup.
The 16 Best Dog Parks, Off-Leash Areas, and Dog-Friendly Parks in Pittsburgh, PA:
- Allegheny Commons Park West
- Bellevue Dog Woods
- Bernard Dog Run
- Frick Park
- Hartwood Acres County Dog Park
- Highland Park
- Mellon Park
- Misty Pines Dog Park
- North Side Dog Park
- Olympia Park
- Point State Park
- Riding Meadow Park
- Riverview Dog Park
- South Park Dog Park
- Southside Riverfront Park & Trail
- White Oak Park
Allegheny Commons Park West — North Ave & Cedar Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Allegheny Commons Park West is a historic gem in Pittsburgh, offering a serene escape for dog owners and their furry friends. This park features wide-open spaces perfect for playing fetch or enjoying a leisurely walk under the shade of mature trees. The off-leash area is well-maintained, ensuring a safe environment for dogs to run free and socialize. With its picturesque lake and charming Victorian gazebo, it's a spot where both pets and owners can appreciate the beauty of nature. Regular visitors love the community feel and often find themselves making new friends, both human and canine. The park is also close to local eateries, so after some playtime, you can grab a bite with your pup by your side.
Bellevue Dog Woods — West View, PA 15229
Bellevue Dog Woods is an off-leash, fully fenced-in dog park with high perimeter fencing, and two separate sections for small and large dogs. This park has both wooded and grassy areas, water stations, waste stations, and canine agility equipment. They even offer “Small Dog Socials” on Sundays.
Bernard Dog Run — 40th St. Lawrenceville Triangle, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Bernard Dog Run is located in the Lawrenceville area. This dog park is a fully fenced-in off-leash space for dogs to run and play. The park is a half-acre and has separate sections for small and large dogs. Just remember to bring your own waste bags, water bowl, and water.
Frick Park — Nicholson St. & Beechwood Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Frick Park is a dog-friendly park with 644 acres of green space. This beautiful park is Pittsburgh’s largest historical regional park. This park offers two off-leash dog areas that are fully fenced-in with water stations and waste stations. They are both located right by a children’s playground.
And if you’re looking for other dog-friendly spots around the park, there are many different on-leash trails where you can walk your pup. Or you can even take them down to the swimming hole near the Lower Tranquil Trail. It’s a swimming spot specifically for dogs.
Hartwood Acres County Dog Park — 200 Hartwood Acres, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Hartwood Acres County Dog Park is located within the 629 acres of Hartwood Acres Park. This park’s amenities include: “mansion tours, teas, an off-leash dog area, and cross-country skiing, walking, hiking and bridle trails.” So you can bring your pup over for some fun, off-leash run-around time, or you can take them for a relaxing walk on the trails while you enjoy the beauty of the park.
Highland Park — Lake Dr, Pittsburgh PA 15206
Highland Park, located in the city's East End, has a popular off-leash dog park that is fully fenced and includes separate areas for small and large dogs. The park also has a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a reservoir. A great way to spend the afternoon!
Mellon Park — 1047 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Mellon Park is a beautiful, historic park that welcomes dogs and their owners to enjoy its well-kept gardens and walking paths. The Walled Garden is particularly enchanting, and while dogs must remain on a leash, it's a lovely place for a stroll. The park is smaller than others in Pittsburgh, making it a cozy spot for neighborhood residents. It's also known for its art installations and the Mellon Park Tennis Center, adding to the park's unique charm. Dogs are often seen happily trotting along the paths, taking in the sights and sounds of this urban retreat.
Misty Pines Dog Park — 2523 Wexford Bayne Rd., Sewickley, PA 15243
Misty Pines Dog Park is a must-see… this place is deluxe! It does cost $7 per dog for a 2-hour visit, but it’s well worth it. They offer a fully fenced-in 25 acres of green space for your pup to run around and play. And this includes three separate fenced-in sections for dogs of varying ages and sizes. Plus canine agility equipment and a giant dog swimming pond.
On top of all that, they have more than 2 miles of walking trails for you and your pooch to get some exercise together. Can you believe this place? Just make sure to check out their website ahead of time to submit your dog’s vaccination records. And although they have water stations and waste stations, you’ll need to bring your own water bowl.
North Side Dog Park — 810 Arch St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
North Side Dog Park is located within Allegheny Commons Park. This is an off-leash area for dogs, but keep in mind that it is not fenced-in. Although most dogs understand where the play area is, make sure your dog is able to come when called. There are no extra amenities here, so you’ll need to bring your own water, dog bowl, and waste bags. But this beautiful green park has plenty of grass and is a great off-leash space for dogs to run and play together.
Olympia Park — Olympia St. & Virginia Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15211
Olympia Park is a dog-friendly park in Mt. Washington. It has multiple on-leash trails as well as a fenced-in, off-leash dog park where your pups can run and play freely. There are both flat and hilly spaces, and plenty of green grass. While you’re there, your whole family can enjoy this park with its sports fields and basketball courts. There’s a little bit of something for everyone.
Point State Park — 101 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Point State Park is conveniently located in downtown Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle” where the three rivers meet. This dog-friendly historic state park welcomes pups with open arms, but they must remain on-leash. You can walk them around on the paved area by the water, or you can take your pup for a walk on one of the three main hiking trails. And this park is open from sunrise to sunset.
Riding Meadow Park — Squaw Run Rd E, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Riding Meadow Park is the perfect dog-friendly park for canines who are adventurous outdoor lovers. This park has many natural, wooded trails with creeks for your dog to romp and splash through. If your pup loves being out in nature, sniffing around for critters, and hiking through the woods… this is the place to go!
Riverview Dog Park — 1 Riverview Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15214
Riverview Dog Park is located in Perry North. This 259-acre park is “known for its dense woodlands and steep topography.” Because of its numerous trails, people love to come here for hiking, jogging, and even sometimes for horseback riding.
This park provides a fully fenced-in dog park with two acres of off-leash space. Or you can take your pup for an on-leash walk on the trails. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the Allegheny Observatory, swimming pool, playgrounds, and walk on the popular 2-mile Riverview Loop.
South Park Dog Park — 1613 Maple Springs Dr, South Park Township, PA 15129
South Park Dog Park is a fully fenced-in, off-leash dog park located within the larger South Park. The park as a whole contains 2,013 acres with amenities like a wave pool, golf course, sports fields, hockey rink, ice skating rink, nature center, picnic pavilions, and walking trails. This park has plenty for the whole family to enjoy! And you can either let your pup run around off-leash within the fenced-in dog park, or you can take them for an on-leash stroll on the walking paths or anywhere around the park.
Southside Riverfront Park & Trail — Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Southside Riverfront Park & Trail is a gorgeous dog-friendly park for walkers, runners, bikers, and dog-lovers. You can take your pup for a stroll on-leash on the paved walking trails, or you can take them over to the fenced-in dog park. There are separate sections for small and large dogs to run and play freely.
White Oak Park — 3 Muse Ln, Pittsburgh, PA 15131
White Oak Park is an 810-acre park with amenities like sports fields, picnic shelters, playgrounds, a wedding garden, volleyball courts, bocce courts, horseshoe pits, walking trails, and an off-leash area for dogs. This is yet another great Pittsburgh park where you can bring the whole family, including your furbaby. Take them for some off-leash playtime in the fenced-in dog area, or an on-leash walk on the beautiful trails.
Plenty of Dog Parks in Pittsburgh!
These parks are just the beginning of the many fantastic dog parks, off-leash areas, and dog-friendly parks where you and your pup can spend an afternoon of fun together. Pittsburgh values its green spaces and provides fun, clean outdoor places for its citizens to enjoy… including the four-legged ones. So which park will you try out first?
For more articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice, check out the Blog at LocalPetCare.com.
