13 of the Best Milwaukee Dog Parks
It’s finally starting to feel like spring here in Wisconsin. After months of being cooped up inside, you can finally get back to enjoying the outdoors with your dog! Lucky for us, Milwaukee County and its surrounding areas are full of fun and safe spaces to spend time with your dog. In this post, I’m sharing 13 of the best Milwaukee dog parks for dogs and their owners to explore!
- Granville Dog Exercise Area
- Runway Dog Exercise Area
- Bay View Dog Exercise Area
- Estabrook Park Dog Exercise Area
- Currie Park Dog Exercise Area
- Warnimont Dog Exercise Area
- Roverwest Dog Exercise Area
- Minooka Park Dog Exercise Area
- Nashotah Park Dog Exercise Area
- Katherine Kearney Carpenter Dog Park
- Cedar Lake Wayside Off-Leash Dog Area
- Muttland Meadows Dog Park
- Mitchell Park Off-Leash Dog Area
Before You Go
A trip to a dog park can be the highlight of your and your dog’s day if you plan it right. I’ve listed helpful tips to consider in this blog. But, please always check a park’s website before you go so you’re aware of its specific requirements.
Be sure you’re clear on the permits, fees, and etiquette for any park you plan to visit. Always pack water, portable bowls, leashes, and poop bags, so you have all your bases covered. Some of the parks I’ve included here provide many of those things, but it’s always a good idea to come prepared!
It’s extra important to check park details in the spring months. Some parks will close to allow the ground to dry up, so you can avoid mud pits and messes!
Milwaukee County Dog Parks
Here are facts that apply to all of the parks listed within Milwaukee County:
- They are open from 5 a.m. – 10 p.m., seven days a week and year-round (unless stated otherwise on the County’s website).
- You must have your dog licensed in your municipality and carry proof of their rabies vaccination.
- You have to either have an annual dog park permit tag on your dog or purchase a single visit pass. Single-visit passes are $5 per dog, while annual passes are $15-35.
1. Granville Dog Exercise Area
11718 W. Good Hope Place, Milwaukee
Granville is a dog’s dream! It has everything an adventurous pup could hope for, from wooded trails and grassy hills to the shores of the Menomonee River. Your dog can run free and enjoy all the exercise area’s 10 acres of sights and smells. You might just enjoy this space as much as they do!
Keep in mind that Granville is not fully enclosed. It’s fenced on three sides, and the river serves as the fourth border. Because of this, it’s extra important to keep close tabs on your dog at all times while you’re there.
2. Runway Dog Exercise Area
1214 E. Rawson Avenue, Oak Creek
Runway is the biggest dog park in Milwaukee County, giving local dogs 26 acres to live their best lives and have fun! The park even has agility equipment for dogs to practice and show off their moves.
Runway’s massive size is appealing for dog owners who would like to distance themselves from other visitors and give their dogs room to play. It also has a separate fenced-in area for smaller dogs who can’t comfortably hang out with larger dogs.
3. Bay View Dog Exercise Area
900 E. Lincoln Avenue, Milwaukee
Though it’s one of the smaller parks on this list of Milwaukee dog parks, with just an acre of fenced-in space, Bay View Dog Exercise Area is adored by downtown residents and their dogs. Pups get to have a blast, and owners enjoy amenities like complimentary poop bags and even loaner Chuck-Its.
Plus, the park is located within walking distance of several dog-friendly Bay View bars and restaurants!
4. Estabrook Park Dog Exercise Area
4400 N. Estabrook Drive, Milwaukee
These three acres of fully fenced-in property are the perfect place for dogs to let loose. It’s a great spot for you and your dog, with a pavilion, benches for humans, and water and poop stations. It’s even next door to the Estabrook Beer Garden, so you can wind down after your visit!
Estabrook Park also has a separate area for smaller dogs, so if your fur baby is on the small side, they can have plenty of safe fun.
Insider Tip: Some visitors say their long-haired dogs often pick up burrs on their coats at the park in the spring and summer. So, be prepared for a bit of grooming afterward if needed.
5. Currie Park Dog Exercise Area
3535 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa
Currie Park gives big and little dogs alike tons of room to run! With a 10-acre space for large dogs and a 1.5-acre space for smaller pups, every dog can have its day there. The park is fully fenced in and has wooded trails that are ideal for sniffs and adventure!
Humans will appreciate the benches overlooking the neighboring golf course and the trash cans located throughout the park for poop bags. The best part? The Oak Leaf Trail and Parkway easily access both the large and small dog areas!
6. Warnimont Dog Exercise Area
6100 S. Lake Drive, Cudahy
Warnimont’s five acres of fenced-in space will be a hit with any dog who loves adventuring on wooded trails! It has separate areas for small and large dogs, so all dogs can enjoy themselves while they’re visiting.
The park offers a lot of tree cover, too, giving dogs and humans alike plenty of spots to take a break in the shade. Just remember to bring water, although there are water bowls on site!
7. Roverwest Dog Exercise Area
3243 N. Weil Street, Milwaukee
Roverwest is a newer Milwaukee dog park that offers residents of Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood (See what they did there?) a large and grassy space for dogs. There are plenty of benches available for you to take it easy while you watch your dog play. Dogs will appreciate the complimentary water bowls, and people will like that there are poop bags available!
There is free street parking along the park’s perimeter, making it easy to visit the park whether you live near or far.
Insider Tip: There isn’t much shade available at the park, so keep that in mind if you’re planning on taking your dog during hotter months.
Outside of Milwaukee County
8. Minooka Park Dog Exercise Area
1927 E. Sunset Drive, Waukesha
Minooka Park is a popular dog park in Waukesha, and for a good reason! The park’s 19 acres of fenced, wide-open spaces are a dog’s paradise. Its paved walking paths and benches are nice for people, too!
Minooka Park has four acres dedicated to smaller dogs and 12 for larger ones. The larger dog area is broken into two connected play spaces, so there is plenty of room for the big guys to play! The park has a nice hill perfect for adventuring pups and a small wooded area for them to explore.
The park is open year-round, and you need a Daily Permit ($6) or Annual Park Sticker ($35) from Waukesha County to enter. Dogs must be licensed with current vaccination records and should wear identification tags.
Insider Tip: Some visitors say it can get a bit muddy, so make sure you have a plan to get your dog home without ruining your car!
9. Nashotah Park Dog Exercise Area
W330 N5113 County Trunk Highway C, Nashotah
Nashotah is another Waukesha County park (see park permit and rules above) and rivals Minooka Park as a hotspot for local dogs and their humans! The park has 14.5 acres of wide-open and flat land, perfect for roaming with your pup.
The park is split into two areas, one for large dogs and the other for small dogs. Each fenced area has a convenient running water station. The large dog area has hills and trees for the big dogs to explore, while the small dog area features a hill and a trailed area. There are also poop bags available for you to use.
Insider Tip: A recent expansion gave dogs access to an area with tall grass where ticks could be a concern. Be sure to check your dog over if they enjoy playing in that spot!
10. Katherine Kearney Carpenter Dog Park
801 W. Zedler Lane, Mequon
Katherine Kearney Carpenter Dog Park is pretty much heaven for any dog, especially if they like water! The park’s unfenced (bring a leash!) 35 acres has wooded areas and is home to a clean stream your dog can splash and play in. There is also agility equipment if your dog likes practicing their fancy footwork!
There is no fee required for entering the park, and visitors say it’s always very clean and well-maintained.
11. Cedar Lake Wayside Off-Leash Dog Area
Hwy. NN and County Hwy. Z, West Bend
West Bend’s Cedar Lake is a nice place to take the whole family for a day out with your dog. Among the three acres of grassy fields, there are shelters, bathrooms, picnic seating, and BBQ grills.
The park isn’t fenced, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them if they’re off-leash. There is water available for dogs though you need to bring bowls. You can leave the poop bags at home, though, since bags and disposal bins are conveniently set up in the park.
Cedar Lake offers lots of activities for you and your dog, with hiking trails, a fishing pond where your dog can splash around the shores, and lots of shady spots to relax.
It’s free to visit the park, which is open from April 1 to November 15.
12. Muttland Meadows Dog Park
2020 S. Green Bay Road, Grafton
Muttland Meadows, Inc. is a non-profit organization that runs its seven-acre dog park solely with its supporters’ donations and contributions. With lots of open space as well as small wooded areas, it’s a beautiful and well-maintained space for dogs of all sizes.
The park makes it easy for dog owners to pick up after their dogs, with plenty of poop bags and waste stations available throughout. Muttland Meadows has nice trails for walking with your dog, too, and picnic areas for people to enjoy. The park is open year-round and doesn’t require licensing or vaccination records.
Insider Tip: Park regulars recommend bringing more water than what your dog will need and filling the communal water bowls up before you leave. Everyone who visits the park is encouraged to help make it nice for others.
13. Mitchell Park Off-Leash Dog Area
19900 River Road, Brookfield
Mitchell Park is a treasure for dogs who call Brookfield home! Not only is the park full of lush grassy areas, but it has a creek for, you guessed it, all the splashing!
Mitchell Park has 14 fenced acres, which are split into gated areas for small and large dogs. There are bathrooms available, too. However, you’ll need to bring water and poop bags for your pup.
Admission to the park is free, but you need to have your dog’s rabies and license information handy, as well as identification tags for your dog.
Did your favorite Milwaukee dog park make the list? I’d love to hear where you and your dog like to go! Tag me on Instagram the next time you’re there, @DogsOfMke. Or, consider making it the setting for one of my Standard or Deluxe Sessions!
