Dog Parks in Des Moines, IA
4 dog parks found
About Dog Parks in Des Moines
Des Moines has 3 off-leash dog parks to choose from, and while that’s a compact roster, there’s a decent range across the options. All three are fenced and require a membership or city permit rather than offering free drop-in access, so they’re better suited to locals than passing travelers. The parks skew toward larger, well-maintained spaces with grass, shade, and waste stations as standard features — a few step it up with extras like agility equipment and separate small-dog sections.
Riverwalk Dog Park stands out as the most-reviewed option in Des Moines, with 222 reviews and consistent praise for being “one of the best and well maintained dog parks in the Des Moines area.” It comes equipped with agility equipment, a dog fountain, benches, and parking — reviewers note it’s part of the city pass system, so you’ll need that permit sorted before showing up. Ewing Dog Park is the pick if you have a smaller dog: reviewers specifically mention a dedicated small-dog area for pups 20 lbs or under, and on a good day you might find a dozen little guys in there running around. It also has a designated large-dog area, making it the most clearly segmented park of the three. Reno Memorial Dog Park is the quieter, lower-profile option — reviewers highlight that “patrons take extremely good care” of it, and it offers paved paths in addition to the standard fenced off-leash setup.
Since all Des Moines dog parks require a membership or city pass, sort that out before your first visit — it won’t be available at the gate. Ewing and Riverwalk both have on-site parking, and shade is available at all three, which is worth knowing for summer visits. Waste stations are universal across the parks, but bringing your own bags as backup is always a safe habit.
