Dog parks are magical places for pups to run, express themselves, socialize and conjure up The Secret Life of Pets-style adventures. Searching for spots for your furry friends to live their best lives? Look no further because this list of dog parks in Des Moines is two paws up.
Paws & Pints
Dogs. Drinks. Des Moines. Need we say more? Paws & Pints is a place for dogs and their humans that brings every amenity a doggie (and their owner) could dream of to life. Enjoy over 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor dog park space outfitted with synthetic grass, 3.5 acres of natural grass backyard area, live music, multiple bars and freshwater stations. Paws & Pints restaurant offers mouthwatering dishes (for humans), including candied pork belly burnt ends, street tacos and burgers, and a dog menu, featuring made-to-order, human-grade fully balanced meals. Purchase a day pass for $10 or a three-day pass for $25. For more information, visit pawsandpintsdsm.com.
Kinship Brewing Company & Dog Park
A dog park and brewery all in one?! Kinship Brewing Company & Dog Park, located in the suburbs of Des Moines, is a haven for dogs and humans alike. Pups can play off-leash in the half-acre fenced park or stay on leash on the patio while their owners can enjoy savory bites prepared to perfection, including fried wings, cheese curds, hot pastrami and steak sub paired with cold beer by the flight, pint or pitcher. Check the events calendar for the live music schedule for a howling good time. For more information, visit kinshipbeer.com.
Ewing Dog Park
Open from 6 a.m. to sunset, Ewing Dog Park in Des Moines has 8.5 acres of fenced area for all dogs and a one-acre site for smaller pups. Annual dog passes are $20 each and are sold at the City Clerk’s office in Des Moines. Fido-friendly perks include sloped terrain with mature trees, a mix of tall and short grass to run through, and shaded open-air areas and picnic tables. Dog bowls are on-site, but no drinking fountains so be sure to BYOW (bring your own water). For more information, visit www.dmgov.org.
Raccoon River Dog Park
Return to nature with your four-legged friend at Raccoon River Dog Park in West Des Moines, a 12-acre dog park. Open daily, year-round from 6:30 a.m. until dusk, the facility feels like being on a hike with several options for trail walking. Whether it’s a crisp fall day when the leaves begin to change or a winter morning running across a snow-covered field, this dog park in Des Moines feels truly immersed in nature, but the entire area is actually fenced in. There are areas for small and large dogs. For more information, visit www.wdm.iowa.gov.
Reno Memorial Dog Park
Open daily, year-round from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., Reno Memorial Dog Park is a welcoming 4.2-acre fenced oasis in Des Moines. Your four-legged best friend will enjoy running through the flat terrain with a mix of tall and short grass or take a long, quiet stroll down the half-mile hard surface walking path. Feeling like a relaxing picnic or reading a book? Toss a blanket under one of Reno Memorial Dog Park’s mature trees for a refreshing afternoon. Dog waste stations and picnic tables are also on site. For more information, visit www.dsm.city.