Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by their dogs.
Owners must remain with and watch their dogs at all times.
Dogs must be leashed prior to and upon leaving the DFA. Gates to the DFAs must remain closed except upon entering and exiting the DFA.
Owners must immediately clean up after their dogs. Owners who fail to clean up after their dogs are subject to a fine of up to $500.00 (City of Chicago Ordinance 7-12-420).
Dogs with a known history of, or who exhibit, dangerous behaviors are prohibited.
Dogs must be healthy, fully immunized, dewormed, licensed and comply with the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control Regulation for Chicago Park District DFAs.
No dog will be allowed in a DFA unless it has a current rabies vaccination.
Dog owners are responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of the DFA.
No Food (human or dog food) is allowed inside the DFA
Owners or other responsible persons must have a DFA permit with them for each dog visiting the DFA.
DFA permits are valid from January 1 through December 31 each year.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult; younger children must be closely supervised.
Only three dogs per person allowed.
Puppies under four months old and female dogs in heat are prohibited.
Failure to comply with the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control Regulation for Chicago Park District DFAs can result in a fine of up to $500.00.
55It was nice and clean. For awareness, the majority of the fence is covered but if you have a reactive dog there are spots on the fence that you can see the side walk and potentially other dogs. So keep that in mind, otherwise we loved it!Lindsie O.
Lindsie O.
September 2024
It was nice and clean. For awareness, the majority of the fence is covered but if you have a reactive dog there are spots on the fence that you can see the side walk and potentially other dogs. So keep that in mind, otherwise we loved it!
55This place is great. Clean. Awesome parking right out front. My dog is very noise sensitive so that is the only concern for my specific situation. The train goes by every 10 or so minutes and my little buddy couldn’t handle that unfortunately. The struggle is real with him :). But I highly recommend this place for others! Lisa J.
Lisa J.
September 2024
This place is great. Clean. Awesome parking right out front. My dog is very noise sensitive so that is the only concern for my specific situation. The train goes by every 10 or so minutes and my little buddy couldn’t handle that unfortunately. The struggle is real with him :). But I highly recommend this place for others!
55A very clean, spacious, and well-maintained space. They had a water bowl, a hose and a pool for the pups to splash around in on a hot day. The fence was completely covered on all sides making it very private. We will definitely be back! Ashley K.
Ashley K.
September 2024
A very clean, spacious, and well-maintained space. They had a water bowl, a hose and a pool for the pups to splash around in on a hot day. The fence was completely covered on all sides making it very private. We will definitely be back!
55I have a large and small dog (german shepherd and pug mix) and they loved the spot. Living in downtown, my dogs and I definitely miss being about to just roam or run around the yard. This was the perfect spot to do so. It is close enough from the city for me to access but in a pretty quiet neighborhood. Justina L.
Justina L.
October 2022
I have a large and small dog (german shepherd and pug mix) and they loved the spot. Living in downtown, my dogs and I definitely miss being about to just roam or run around the yard. This was the perfect spot to do so. It is close enough from the city for me to access but in a pretty quiet neighborhood.
Paris's Palatial Playground in Chicago's West Loop | Sniffspot
55This spot is wonderful! Billy enjoyed running around with his human brother. Pamela is very welcoming and she is there for you needs. This location is very clean and quiet. We rarely saw people or dogs walk by. There's plenty of street parking and she also offers complimentary parking by the gate entrance to her yard. Cannot wait to visit again!Marissa D.
Marissa D.
April 2023
This spot is wonderful! Billy enjoyed running around with his human brother. Pamela is very welcoming and she is there for you needs. This location is very clean and quiet. We rarely saw people or dogs walk by. There's plenty of street parking and she also offers complimentary parking by the gate entrance to her yard. Cannot wait to visit again!
Paris's Palatial Playground in Chicago's West Loop | Sniffspot
55Highly recommend and will be going back! Very nice, clean and spacious outdoor area — my dog loved it! Pamela, the host, is incredibly sweet and accommodating. Great communication too! Kristen T.
Kristen T.
April 2023
Highly recommend and will be going back! Very nice, clean and spacious outdoor area — my dog loved it! Pamela, the host, is incredibly sweet and accommodating. Great communication too!
Paris's Palatial Playground in Chicago's West Loop | Sniffspot
55We had the best time at Pamela’s Sniffspot with our puppy Nova! Pamela was so sweet. She met us when we got there and chatted with us for a bit. The yard was clean and secure and was the perfect size for our 30 pound dog. We also appreciated the toys and water bowl that was left for us. We can’t wait to come back!Lori F.
Lori F.
May 2023
We had the best time at Pamela’s Sniffspot with our puppy Nova! Pamela was so sweet. She met us when we got there and chatted with us for a bit. The yard was clean and secure and was the perfect size for our 30 pound dog. We also appreciated the toys and water bowl that was left for us. We can’t wait to come back!
Paris's Palatial Playground in Chicago's West Loop | Sniffspot
55Perfect summer location with plenty of shade in a pretty quiet neighborhood. Pamala was very accommodating and they always love they’re time there! Justin H.
Justin H.
June 2023
Perfect summer location with plenty of shade in a pretty quiet neighborhood. Pamala was very accommodating and they always love they’re time there!
Paris's Palatial Playground in Chicago's West Loop | Sniffspot
55This spot is amazing!! Full of grass to sniff and the host is very sweet. She greeted me before coming in to have a conversation and make sure everything was perfect for our visit!RK9 T.
RK9 T.
July 2023
This spot is amazing!! Full of grass to sniff and the host is very sweet. She greeted me before coming in to have a conversation and make sure everything was perfect for our visit!
Paris's Palatial Playground in Chicago's West Loop | Sniffspot
55Just what we were looking for to let our girls off leash! They had a blast and got to release so much energy. They are now out cold on the couch. So thoughtful to leave toys, water/bowl, treats, towel and wipes. Pamela also set up the kiddie pool which our youngest loved. Super safe and secure (my two are escape artists) and we will definitely be back!Lauren F.
Lauren F.
July 2023
Just what we were looking for to let our girls off leash! They had a blast and got to release so much energy. They are now out cold on the couch. So thoughtful to leave toys, water/bowl, treats, towel and wipes. Pamela also set up the kiddie pool which our youngest loved. Super safe and secure (my two are escape artists) and we will definitely be back!
Paris's Palatial Playground in Chicago's West Loop | Sniffspot
55A great spot with just enough space for my dog to have fun playing fetch! The welcome box is great and has many things including toys, wipes, poop bags. There’s also a kiddie pool and while my dog is not a fan of water it’s a great addition for those that do. I would recommend bringing insect repellent though as I did walk out with some bites Cynthia V.
Cynthia V.
August 2023
A great spot with just enough space for my dog to have fun playing fetch! The welcome box is great and has many things including toys, wipes, poop bags. There’s also a kiddie pool and while my dog is not a fan of water it’s a great addition for those that do. I would recommend bringing insect repellent though as I did walk out with some bites
Paris's Palatial Playground in Chicago's West Loop | Sniffspot
55Me and my dog Mac had a great time hanging out here. Instructions for getting in were easy and the yard is clean and as described here. We’d love to come back sometime Matt O.
Matt O.
September 2023
Me and my dog Mac had a great time hanging out here. Instructions for getting in were easy and the yard is clean and as described here. We’d love to come back sometime
Paris's Palatial Playground in Chicago's West Loop | Sniffspot
55Easy to park and find. Great grassy area for running around - plenty of space for good zoomies! The host was so helpful and she left water and toys out for us (in secure bins). This yard is adjacent to the sidewalk, so we could see neighbors and dogs walking by. Our dog and his buddy didn’t mind but just fyi!Rebecca K.
Rebecca K.
September 2023
Easy to park and find. Great grassy area for running around - plenty of space for good zoomies! The host was so helpful and she left water and toys out for us (in secure bins). This yard is adjacent to the sidewalk, so we could see neighbors and dogs walking by. Our dog and his buddy didn’t mind but just fyi!
Paris's Palatial Playground in Chicago's West Loop | Sniffspot
55Paris's Palatial Playground was perfect for us! Easy to find and park. It was just the right size for our smaller dog. Great communication from host. Katie H.
Katie H.
October 2023
Paris's Palatial Playground was perfect for us! Easy to find and park. It was just the right size for our smaller dog. Great communication from host.
55Pretty impressive urban garden! There’s an abundance of smells for pups to discover.
Fully secured fencing, dead end street, minimal distractions/triggers Julie G.
Julie G.
November 2022
Pretty impressive urban garden! There’s an abundance of smells for pups to discover.
Fully secured fencing, dead end street, minimal distractions/triggers
55Fully fenced front/side yard. Host was friendly and left water and otherwise left us to play. The space is sort of in two connected sections. There is an open space in the front, and the side yard is narrow and has a fire pit and plants and other normal yard things you’d have in a yard you use. If you have one smaller dog, this would be perfect; plenty of room to run off leash. It’s on the smaller side for bigger dogs or multiple dogs; it’s not a wide open space with distance to really pick up speed. But, the sniffing seemed to be first rate 😀 and frankly ANY space to be off leash for a reactive dog is awesome and so needed around Wicker Park. And our 2 50-ish lb dogs still ran a bit, and they were definitely playing and happy and stimulated. Location is terrific. We saw a couple of people but generally quiet and no major triggers for our reactive dog. We will be back for sure! Thanks!Myriam K.
Myriam K.
December 2022
Fully fenced front/side yard. Host was friendly and left water and otherwise left us to play. The space is sort of in two connected sections. There is an open space in the front, and the side yard is narrow and has a fire pit and plants and other normal yard things you’d have in a yard you use. If you have one smaller dog, this would be perfect; plenty of room to run off leash. It’s on the smaller side for bigger dogs or multiple dogs; it’s not a wide open space with distance to really pick up speed. But, the sniffing seemed to be first rate 😀 and frankly ANY space to be off leash for a reactive dog is awesome and so needed around Wicker Park. And our 2 50-ish lb dogs still ran a bit, and they were definitely playing and happy and stimulated. Location is terrific. We saw a couple of people but generally quiet and no major triggers for our reactive dog. We will be back for sure! Thanks!
55Great secluded space with lots of smells! Loved the water and treats left for the dogs. Will absolutely be going back Vivianna L.
Vivianna L.
January 2023
Great secluded space with lots of smells! Loved the water and treats left for the dogs. Will absolutely be going back
How do Chicago's private dog parks work?
Private rentals by the hour
Our hosts are locals that are renting their yards and private land to dog owners
Trust and safety first
Spots are designed for safety and both hosts and guests are reviewed after each visit
Designed for private play
Only the people and dogs in your booking are allowed in the spot during your visit
Reactive dogs welcome
Many of the spots we list are designed with sensitive dogs in mind
Become a Sniffpass holder!
Get discounts on all bookings at all spots by buying monthly credits! Learn more!
FAQ about our Chicago dog parks
Are dog parks good for dogs?
It is important for dogs to have off leash exercise to sniff and run. But the free and open nature of public dog parks has drawbacks. There could be aggressive dogs, disease transmission and cleanliness issues. For this reason, many dog behaviorists discourage visiting public dog parks and recommend Sniffspot's private dog parks. Sniffspot private dog parks only allow one guest to book at a time and are not open to the public, which solves many of these issues.
Are dog parks safe?
While public dog parks have a number of safety issues, such as aggressive dogs, disease transmission and general cleanliness, Sniffspot dog parks much safer than public dog parks. With Sniffspot all bookings are private for just you and dogs you bring with you and we require all dogs to be vaccinated (or have equivalent titers). All Sniffspot locations are vetted and reviewed by guests so you can find the perfect place for you and your dog. 96% of reviews on Sniffspot visits in the Chicago area are 5 stars.
How do I know if a dog park works for my dog?
You can filter Sniffspot dog parks by fencing and distractions. If your dog doesn't have good recall, you can visit one of our 372 fully fenced dog parks in the area. If your dog is reactive to other dogs, you can visit one of our 50 off leash areas where there are no dogs audible or visible nearby. You can also filter locations to avoid other domestic animals and people. We also recommend reading reviews and reaching out to the host with any questions.
Are there dog agility courses for rent in Chicago?
Sniffspot has dog parks with agility equipment and/or dog obstacles in or near Chicago. The most popular agility option is Payton's Playground.
Where in Chicago can I find a pool for dog swimming?
Sniffspot has swimming options in the Chicago area. The highest rated option is Planet Paws Playground.
Can I rent a field for my dog to run near Chicago?
There are 41 Sniffspot dog parks that offer fields in or near Chicago where dogs can be off leash. The most popular field is Kellie's Private Dog Park In La Porte.