I have a big heart for animals, and I have no doubt you do, too. As pet-parents we have the responsibility of giving our dogs plenty of opportunities to be active. Dogs need regular exercise; they are active energetic animals that need regular stimulation. Luckily, Charlotte is a great place for that.
At home you can take your dog for walks around the neighborhood or stroll downtown, but they require a leash. Dog parks give our four-legged friends total freedom to run and socialize with other dogs. Here you can free your dog from the confinements of your home and the leash. It’ll improve their mood, and health. Who knows, maybe you’ll make a few new friends, too.
Charlotte, North Carolina is a dog-friendly town. Whether you’re just visiting or plan to make Charlotte your home, here you’ll find quite a few dog parks for you and your pup to enjoy and explore. It can be tiresome trying to find the right one, but no worries I’ve done the work for you. I’ve put together a complete list of the top pet-friendly parks.
Top Dog Parks in Charlotte, North Carolina
Frazier Place Dog Park
Address: 1201 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28208
Located along I-77 near West Trade and Sycamore Streets, this hidden gem has plenty of space for your dog to run around. Your dog will make many friends here. Frazier dog park has 2 separate fenced spaces for small and large dogs, plenty of seating areas, communal water bowls, and a plastic pool. I do wish there were a little more grass in some areas as it can get muddy, you’ll want to bring a towel. It’s not the biggest or the smallest of the dog parks but it’s definitely one of the more popular ones; it’s a nice park.
William R. Davie Dog Park
Address: 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226
Located in the William R. Davie District Park in Charlotte you’ll find a big 5-acres of fenced-in, off-leash space perfect for dogs of all sizes. With separate areas for large and small dogs (less than 20 lbs or over 20 lbs) you’ll find plenty of space for your canine-friend to be active and socialize. You can find the public dog park area by heading down the path towards the direction of the woods or by taking the path left of the basketball courts, you’ll know when you’ve reached all the action. Davie Dog Park is well-equipped. You’ll find water fountain for you and a water spigot and bucket for your dog, free doggie waste bag dispensers, and plenty of benches for seating and shade.
Barkingham Park
Address: 2900 Rocky River Rd, Charlotte, NC 28213
Located in the northern section of Reedy Creek Park, Barkingham Dog Park is a generous 4 acres of fenced-in space for dogs to run and play off-leash. This is a beautiful spot to enjoy the dog park, or you can keep the leash on and explore the trails. I like that it has plenty of running space, trees, shade, and 2 sets of double gates. The area for smaller dogs leaves a little to be desired so I recommend this park specifically for medium to large dogs.
Shuffletown Park
Address: 9530 Bellhaven Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28216
This family-friendly park in Charlotte is home to a large 4-acre dog park where dogs can run off-leash in a safe space. The dog areas are all-fenced. The landscape here is what makes this park stand out. There is a gravel section and a shaded section with pine trees that are surrounded by benches. There is a nice walking path around the outside for pet-owners to enjoy. Waste bags and trash cans are provided here. On most days there is water, but you might want to bring your own bowl just in case.
Ray’s Fetching Meadow Dog Run
Address: 8711 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212
Located at the McAlpine Creek Community Park, this dog run provides about an acre of space for your dog to stretch, run, and play. It’s the perfect spot, not too big or small. Plenty of benches have been placed throughout so pet-owners can be comfortable while still having their canine friend within eyesight. This is an off-leash dog run, and it is fenced in. The park itself has a lot to offer making this a convenient and popular stop. I do recommend that you only take your dog there if they are comfortable around other dogs as it is a smaller space than other dog parks.
Mallard Creek & Clarks Creek Greenway
Address: 9729 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28267
Not actually a dog park, Mallard and Clarks Greenway is 7+ miles of paved and gravel trails that run next to a creek bed. It’s a wonderful place for you and your pet to explore together, and it is shaded. Pets are welcome throughout the park but there isn’t a specific area for the dogs, so you’ll have to keep them on the leash. The park itself is family friendly making this a great spot for the entire family to enjoy together.
Skiptown Dog Bar & Indoor Dog Park
Address: 222 Rampart St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Skiptown is a full-service dog bar and indoor park, and they offer a full range of services; daycare, boarding, and indoor/outdoor play for your dog. It’s a fun place to go have a beer and let your dog run and play, and a great place for you both to socialize. If you live in the city this is the spot for dog-parents. Skiptown has plenty of space indoors and out for your dog to play off-leash, a splash pad agility course, and much more. It’s 21 or older; it’s where the adults hangout. Skiptown isn’t free, there is a cost, but they do offer free admission days right now for you to visit before making a commitment. You’ll have to download their app and set-up a profile either way because Skiptown makes sure all pets are up to date on their shots. The staff takes care of all the cleanup and sanitization, which is a huge bonus, and the facilities are kept really clean.
Popular Dog Parks Near Charlotte, North Carolina
These Dog parks aren’t technically in Charlotte, but they’re close enough to count and worth making a stop if you’re looking to try a new spot.
Swaney Pointe K-9 Park
Address: 18441 Nantz Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Swaney Pointe rests in Ramsey Creek Park, 30 minutes outside of Charlotte in Cornelius, North Carolina. The dog park is a fenced-in and secure 4-acres of off-leash space for dogs, with two separate spaces for big and small dogs. The dog park itself is pretty basic but there is plenty of space for dogs to run and play and a lot of shade here. This park has a beautiful playground and offers lake access for boats; it’s a beautiful place for a visit.
Tuckaseege Dog Park
Address: 165 Broome St, Mt. Holly, NC 28120
This highly popular dog park is located in Mt Holly, North Carolina; a little over 20 minutes from Charlotte. Tuckaseege is a great park for dogs to run. There are two off-leash spaces for dogs over and under 30 pounds, each surrounded with a secure 5-foot-high chain link fence. There are so many trees inside the dog park that it resembles a forest-setting, your dog will love running in the woods. Water is available, there are a couple of agility apparatuses in each section, and the dog park is well-taken care of. The park offers walking trails that run along the river and a nice playground.
Weddington Road Bark Park
Address: 8955 Weddington Rd, Concord, NC 28027
Weddington’s Bark Park is located in Concord, North Carolina about 20 minutes or so outside of Charlotte. The dog park has plenty of open space for both large and small dogs and secure gates. The park has mounds of dirt, hills, slopes, and some obstacle equipment for dogs to play and get exercise. Dogs love it here! The park is generally clean and has water stations and trash bins with doggy bags which is nice. Canopies over some of the benches make it a nice place for pet-parents especially. There is plenty of parking and its convenient to the park entrance offering easy access.
After all that playing and exercise at a local park, I’m usually ready to grab a bite at a dog-friendly restaurant nearby. Here are The Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants in and Around Charlotte, North Carolina.
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