The Best Atlanta, Georgia Dog Parks

Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Atlanta? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the Big Peach.

This post includes public and private dog parks

This page is about public city dog parks and also includes Sniffspot private dog parks. Sniffspot is the largest network of private dog parks for rent in the world!

Each of the thousands of Sniffspot dog parks are hosted by locals on private land with 100% private bookings to maximize safety for guests and their dogs. Sniffspot offers various types of dog parks, including fenced fields, water parks, indoor dog parks, dog beaches, and more.

Click here to learn more about Sniffspots in Atlanta!

Know Before You Go: Public Dog Park Checklist

What to bring with you to an Atlanta dog park

Here are a few things to bring with you when visiting any dog park in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Pack some dog waste bags

Keep your parks clean! Always pack a few extra poop bags in case you need to pick up after your pup — and consider scooping any left-behind piles you come across, too. This will make the environment safer for everyone who visits.

Bring your own fresh, clean drinking water

Some public dog parks offer water bowls or water fountains for your dog, but it’s a good idea to pack some of your own just in case. Never leave your dog’s hydration up to chance — especially on hot days during Atlanta summers. (Heat stroke is a real problem in the south.)

Packing your own water and bowls will also keep your dog safe from germs and parasites that can spread between pups on shared drinking surfaces.

Put your dog in a collar or harness with ID tags

If your dog will be playing with other dogs, it’s important to pay close attention to what they’re wearing. You don’t want anyone’s teeth or paws getting caught in loose fabric or buckles!

That said, it’s always a good idea to bring a well-fitted collar or harness along with your dog’s identification tags. Atlanta requires all dogs to be licensed with the county.

Pack a leash or two

Along with a collar or harness, bring a leash, even if the dog park you’re visiting is a designated off-leash area. This way you can keep your dog under control while walking to and from the entrance. You might also consider packing an extra leash in case you need to grab hold of another dog or intervene if a conflict arises — and it’s a good idea to read up on leash laws in your local area before venturing out.

You can learn more about dog leash regulations in Atlanta here.

What to do before going into an Atlanta public dog park

Research the park ahead of time

Read reviews and be on the lookout for any common issues, like unruly dogs or left-behind waste.

It can be hard to find reliable information about some public parks. (This is one reason Sniffspot’s private listings might be a better option.) When in doubt? Don’t risk it! Your dog’s safety and comfort are too important. There are many other ways you can fulfill your canine companion besides visiting your local fenced dog park.

Watch the dog park for a few minutes before entering

Take inventory of the other dogs and owners.

• Is everyone under control?
• Are the dogs enjoying their play time?
• Is the area large enough that dogs can take breaks and get space from their playmates if they start to feel overwhelmed? (Tight spaces can prevent your pet from engaging in natural social behavior.)
• Ultimately, is there anything about the situation that makes you feel uncomfortable?

Make sure you have basic knowledge of dog body language

This will help you make sure your dog is enjoying their time and keep everyone safe! Know what signs might indicate that your pup is stressed or overwhelmed — and be ready to step in if needed.

You can read more about interpreting your dog’s body language in this article.

How do Georgia dog parks compare to other areas of the country?

Sniffspot conducted a 2022 survey of dog owners across the country to better understand the state of public dog parks. The south’s public dog parks (including those in the Atlanta area) came in second place on our survey:

• 13% of respondents say their dog has been attacked at a public dog park.
• 12% say their local public dog parks are unsafe.
• 14% say they are dirty.
• 20% say they are crowded.
• 26% feel that local dog owners are generally irresponsible.

The Best Dog Parks in Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta area boasts multiple dog parks where it’s legal for your pup to run and play off leash. Outside of a designated dog park, your best friend will need to be kept under physical control with a visible tether.

Here are some top spots for Georgia residents and visitors to bring their dogs!

Brook Run Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: 4770 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, Georgia
• Hours: Dawn to dusk
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play, walking
• Entrance fee? No

Brook Run Dog park is a fully fenced off-leash area featuring plenty of trees. You can walk around the park’s fence line (one loop is about a third mile) with your pup or head into the center wooded area for more exploration and play. There are no separate areas for small and large dogs here, so be extra mindful of keeping watch on your pet’s play style.

Sociability note: At four acres, this public dog park is larger than many in the area but still relatively small in size — which means your dog might not be able to make space from other pets if they aren’t interested in playing. You should only visit if you’re confident your pup is social and tolerant with unfamiliar dogs.

Chattapoochee Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: 4291 Rogers Bridge Rd, Duluth, Georgia
• Hours: 6 am to 9 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play, wading
• Entrance fee? No

Chattapoochee Dog park has both a small and large dog area in an attempt to keep pets safe from prey drive related incidents as they chase each other around. Both sides of the park have interactive fountains where dogs can wade, splash, and play. Chattapoochee also offers plenty of seating areas for owners along with some dog agility equipment set in the green space.

Sociability note: This public dog park is small in size, which means your dog might not be able to make space from other pets if they aren’t interested in playing. You should only visit if you’re confident your pup is social and tolerant with unfamiliar dogs.

Oakhurst Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: 414 East Lake Dr, Decatur, Georgia
• Hours: 6 am to 10 pm, closed 8 to 11 am on Fridays for maintenance
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play, walking, hiking
• Entrance fee? No

Oakhurst Dog Park has two off-leash options for you and your dog to choose from: one is a more classic, traditional dog park field and the other is a wooded trail. There are plenty of trees throughout the park to provide shade on hot summer days, along with water readily available for both you and your pet. Oakhurst also has benches and tables for you to rest.

Sociability note: This public dog park is small in size, which means your dog might not be able to make space from other pets if they aren’t interested in playing. You should only visit if you’re confident your pup is social and tolerant with unfamiliar dogs.

Newtown Dream Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, Georgia
• Hours: 8 am to 9 pm, closed from 8 am to 10 am on Wednesdays for maintenance
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play
• Entrance fee? No

Newtown Dream Dog Park has been called one of the top dog parks in the country. Located at the front entrance of Newtown Park, the off-leash dog area is one acre of fenced space with artificial turf, sprinklers, agility obstacles, and water fountains both for people and for pets. There are two separate areas for small and large dogs to reduce the risk of prey drive related incidents as pets play together.

Sociability note: This public dog park is small in size, which means your dog might not be able to make space from other pets if they aren’t interested in playing. You should only visit if you’re confident your pup is social and tolerant with unfamiliar dogs.

Canine Crossing Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: 4951 Camp Drive, South Fulton, Georgia
• Hours: 6 am to 11 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play, wading
• Entrance fee? No

Canine Crossing Dog Park has one small dog enclosure and one large dog enclosure to allow owners to gauge play styles and temperaments before letting their pets run loose. The areas offer some fun agility equipment and obstacles. There are also picnic shelters, public restrooms, and — best of all in the Georgia heat — a designated water area for dogs to enjoy. Canine Crossing Dog park is located between the South Fulton Tennis Center and the South Fulton Government Service Center, making it easy to find.

Sociability note: This public dog park is small in size, which means your dog might not be able to make space from other pets if they aren’t interested in playing. You should only visit if you’re confident your pup is social and tolerant with unfamiliar dogs.

Piedmont Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: 1320 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, Georgia
• Hours: 7 am to 11 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play
• Entrance fee? No

Piedmont Dog Park offers three acres for pets to play off leash in the Atlanta area. There are separate areas for large and small dogs in an attempt to minimize the risk of prey drive related incidents as unfamiliar animals run around. The park also features new trails, landscaping, benches, public restrooms, and water fountains.

Sociability note: This public dog park is small in size, which means your dog might not be able to make space from other pets if they aren’t interested in playing. You should only visit if you’re confident your pup is social and tolerant with unfamiliar dogs.

Adair Dog Park (public dog park)

• Address: 600 W Trinity Pl, Decatur, Georgia
• Hours: 7 am to 10 pm
• Off leash? Yes
• Activities: Off-leash play
• Entrance fee? No, but restricted to Decatur residents

Adair Dog Park is a small but functional off-leash space with a wood chip surface to help keep your dog’s paws clean as they play. It’s only open to residents of Decatur, but it’s a popular neighborhood spot.

Sociability note: This public dog park is small in size, which means your dog might not be able to make space from other pets if they aren’t interested in playing. You should only visit if you’re confident your pup is social and tolerant with unfamiliar dogs.

Chateau de Chien (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Atlanta, Georgia
• Size: 1 acre
• Fenced: Yes

Kick back and relax while your dog gets to run wild through the (fully fenced) woods. The hosts of Chateau de Chien say they are a historic stone cabin set on a National Wildlife Federation Certified Habitat — it’s a little slice of nature right in the city! The yard is heavily wooded and at a steep incline, making for great exercise for both you and your dog. Think of it like a fully fenced, off-leash nature hike!

Best Dog Backyard (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Mableton, Georgia
• Size: 0.5 acres
• Fenced: Yes

This private dog park is an open, shady space with plenty of critters for your dog to watch (like birds and squirrels) — and hose access for play time or to get a drink on a hot day. There are tables and chairs for owners to sit on along with a hammock if you’d like to relax further.

Clubber’s Canine FitClub (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Bethlehem, Georgia
• Size: 3 acres
• Fenced: Yes

Clubber’s Canine FitClub is three acres of fully fenced property for your dog to roam, sniff, and get some much-needed exercise outside of the city. In the summer, there is plenty of shade along with a kiddie pool to offer a break from the heat — and year round there is a covered area with chairs and a shaded picnic table. Toys and dog waste bags are available as needed.

My Favorite Farm (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Woodstock, Georgia
• Size: 7 acres
• Fenced: Yes

This private dog park boasts a whopping seven acres of fenced in property featuring a wide open field and some wooded trails that run alongside a creek. Your dogs can play and run freely through the woods in a true nature experience.

Rachel’s Dog Park (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia
• Size: 1 acre
• Fenced: Yes

Rachel’s Dog Park is a well-kept backyard in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The host provides drinking water, toys, and seating to make your pup’s off-leash experience enjoyable for everyone.

Chris’s Dog Park (private Sniffspot dog park)

• Location: Doraville, Georgia
• Size: 0.5 acres
• Fenced: Yes

This private dog park is a cute backyard with accessible deck seating, outdoor power, and a dog drinking fountain to make sure your pup stays hydrated. The host also provides a handful of toys and some dog waste bags to make clean up simple.

FAQ About Public Dog Parks in Atlanta, Georgia

Are Atlanta public dog parks good for dogs?

It is important for dogs to have off-leash exercise and plenty of opportunities to explore. But the free and open nature of public dog parks can have drawbacks.

Many dog behaviorists discourage visiting public dog parks and recommend Sniffspot's private dog parks. With Sniffspot, dogs can get their exercise safely — without worrying about other dogs, people, or potential disease transmission.

What are the biggest concerns with public dog parks in Georgia?

While the popularity of dog parks has been skyrocketing in the United States, so has the number of professional trainers who caution against their use. The top risks associated with public off-leash dog parks are that:

• Dog parks can create an unnatural social environment
• Busy dog parks can overwhelm shy or nervous dogs
• Dog parks can exacerbate problem behaviors like leash reactivity
• Bad experiences at a dog park can also create behavior problems in the first place
• Public dog parks can lead to physical injuries and illnesses

(Thankfully, private dog parks don’t have these concerns. Learn more about Sniffspot listings in your area here!)

How do public dog parks create an unnatural social environment for dogs?

Many owners are drawn to dog parks because they want to socialize their pets. We’re inundated with messages of the “perfect” friendly dog. Our social media feeds feature viral videos of animal best friends that echo the cutesy movies we loved as children — but they often show a false reality.

While dogs are social mammals, it’s typically not natural for them to regularly engage in play with strangers. Dog sociability can be viewed as a sliding scale:

• Some dogs are truly dog social. This means they genuinely enjoy interaction with almost every dog they meet! We tend to think these dogs are more common than they really are — they’re the ones we most see out and about because they can handle the widest range of environments.
• Most dogs are dog tolerant or dog selective. They don’t often seek out new friends, but they can comfortably interact with other dogs when needed after a proper introduction process. (You can read more about properly introducing dogs who don’t know each other in this article.)
• Some dogs are dog aggressive. They might live with or know a few specific canine friends, but they don’t generally enjoy being around their own species.

Ultimately: It’s perfectly normal for our dogs to not want to play with other pets outside of our families. Renting a private dog park just for your dog and a few trusted friends might be the best option.

How can public dog parks overwhelm shy or nervous dogs?

Owners have great intentions when they bring their nervous dogs to the dog park in hopes of building social skills. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much for that plan to backfire.

Because dog parks are often busy, chaotic environments, it can be difficult to ensure all interactions are positive. Uncertain dogs are easily overwhelmed by large packs — if the space is fenced-in without adequate space to flee, these pets can quickly feel trapped or resort to the “fight” option of fight-or-flight reactions.

After a few stressful experiences, previously shy dogs can lose trust in their owners and even become fear aggressive.

Sniffspot takes these risks seriously. That’s why all of our private dog park listings are carefully booked to make sure there’s ample time between arrivals and departures — and you can filter listings by whether or not your dog is likely to see any other animals at all, even from afar.

Do public dog parks exacerbate problem behaviors like leash reactivity?

It’s not just nervous dogs who can be harmed by dog park visits — exuberant dogs might struggle in these environments, too.

Many social dogs struggle with excitement-based leash reactivity. When they see another dog, they want to say hi! When the leash prevents them from doing so, they experience something called barrier frustration. Eventually this boils over into an aggressive-looking display that makes it difficult to go on walks or explore public spaces.

While playing with other dogs can be an important part of a social pet’s fulfillment, too much unstructured off-leash time can have unintended consequences when they routinely practice running up to other dogs.

These risks are especially high when owners take their dogs to the dog park with the intent of tiring them out. Pets often arrive in an amped-up, energetic state of mind that impairs good decision making.

Can one bad experience at a public dog park have a lasting effect on a dog?

Even a previously social dog might develop a behavior issue (like fear reactivity) due to a negative interaction with another dog at a public dog park. Perhaps they get subtly bullied, feel overwhelmed, or are even bit — and they decide to preemptively try to keep other dogs away from them. Now your social dog is selective or even aggressive toward others.

While some dogs seem to let those negative interactions roll off their back (especially if they’ve been well socialized since puppyhood) others are affected in lasting ways. Each dog and situation is different.

What are the risks of physical injuries and illnesses at public dog parks?

Public dog parks also increase the chances of pets sustaining injury or developing infection.

Dog park injuries

While many dog-dog injuries at dog parks are accidental — canines can be mismatched in size, inadvertently break skin while wrestling with untrimmed nails, or simply come on too strong without realizing — others are overtly aggressive.

Even friendly dogs can start fights by failing to recognize another pet’s signals of discomfort. Resource guarding over food and toys can turn into a dangerous scuffle. Sometimes heightened arousal from being in a large social group elevates even a typically clear-headed dog’s prey drive.

Dog park illnesses

No matter how hard Atlanta works to keep their parks clean, it’s impossible to fully eliminate all infection risk. This is especially true in dog-designated spaces that see dozens, or perhaps hundreds, of different canines each week.

There’s no way to confirm that every dog entering an off-leash space has been fully vaccinated — and bacterial diseases like leptospirosis often thrive in wet, muddy terrain that’s been torn up by paws.

Young puppies and elderly dogs have the greatest chance of getting sick.

Are all public dog parks dangerous?

While dog parks certainly come with their risks, it would be unfair to claim they’re always a bad idea. Public dog parks do serve an important community service in cities.

Some areas lend themselves to safe interactions better than others — large plots of land with acres to maneuver are less dangerous than fenced-in city runs, for example — and responsible owner involvement can make a world of difference.

What are public dog parks good for?

Well-maintained off-leash dog parks can provide dogs and owners with:

• Biological fulfillment. At their best, dog parks provide an opportunity to fulfill our dogs’ natural canine instincts (running, sniffing, digging, etc.) without impacting others in shared spaces. This can be especially valuable if owners don’t have a yard of their own or walking trails nearby.
• Playtime. While most dogs don’t want to play with strangers, some particularly outgoing canines might enjoy playing with brand-new friends. A small percentage of truly “dog social” dogs are good candidates for traditional dog parks.
• Distraction training. Dog parks can be an ideal place to practice advanced training, like recalls, around the distractions of other dogs, people, and nature scents.
• Owner connections. Many owners enjoy the human social aspect of the dog park — and public spaces enable those relationships without the costs commonly associated with formal group training classes or dog sports practices.

How can I keep my dog safe at a public dog park?

If choosing to use a public dog park, you can do a lot to manage your dog’s safety:

• Make an honest assessment of your dog’s sociability. Are they one of the small portion of dogs that gets along with all other animals?
• Make sure your dog is up to date on vaccines to protect them against any bugs that may be present in the park.
• Choose an appropriate public dog park. Make sure that it is large enough and free from obvious hazards.
• Assess the dog park and other owners before entering. Are there any maintenance issues in the park that could be a problem? Is it overly crowded? Are there owners that are not keeping a close eye on their dog? Are there dogs that could be an issue for your dog or others?
• Keep a close watch and be an active part of your dog's play.

FAQ About Private Dog Parks in Atlanta, Georgia

Are private dog parks safe?

While public dog parks have a number of safety issues, such as potentially aggressive dogs and disease transmission, Sniffspot dog parks are much safer.

Sniffspot bookings are private for just you and dogs you bring. We require every dog to be vaccinated (or have equivalent titers). All Sniffspot locations are vetted and reviewed by guests so you can find the perfect safe place for you and your dog.

How do I know if a Sniffspot private dog park works for my dog?

You can filter Sniffspot dog parks by fencing and distractions.

• If your dog is still working on their recall, you can visit one of our fully fenced dog parks in Atlanta.
• If your dog is reactive to other dogs, you can visit one of our 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 recommend reading reviews and reaching out to the host with any questions.

Does Atlanta have any fully fenced private dog parks?

Sniffspot has fully fenced dog parks in and near the Atlanta, Georgia area. You can filter through all options by their fencing status (and even height) at this link!

Can I rent a private field for my dog to run near Atlanta?

There are plenty of Sniffspot fields in or near Atlanta where dogs can be off leash. Take a look at listings and filter by size and flat field space at this link.

Are there private dog agility courses for rent in Atlanta?

Yes, Sniffspot has dog parks with agility equipment and/or dog obstacles in or near Atlanta! You can filter all Atlanta listings by the presence of agility equipment here.