Hours for Fairfax County parks: 7 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset Monday–Friday; 8 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset on weekends and holidays. Bring water — several parks have no water source.
Fairfax County
Baron Cameron Dog Park
The gold standard. Separate big-dog and small-dog areas, a water supply, and consistently good upkeep. If you only visit one county dog park, make it this one.
Off-leashMonticello Dog Park
Large and small dog areas, gravel surface (less mud than grass parks after rain), and water on site. A strong all-rounder for the southern part of the county.
Off-leashChandon Dog Park
Water plus a dedicated small-dog area for pups under 25 lbs. Well kept and popular with Herndon/Reston regulars.
Off-leashSouth Run Dog Park
One big play area — great for high-energy dogs that want room to run. Set inside the larger South Run park, so you can combine it with a leashed walk.
Off-leashDulles Station Community Dog Park
Newer park with water, a shade pavilion, and a community feel. Good option if you're near the Dulles corridor.
Off-leashBlake Lane Dog Park
The county's first dog park (est. 2000). Grassy fenced field, but no water — bring your own. Still a solid neighborhood option.
Off-leashGrist Mill Dog Park
Water on site and 75 acres of surrounding park. A bit of a drive for most of Fairfax, but the setting is lovely.
Off-leashRock Hill District Dog Park
Adjoining grassy area and a lake view. No water source — bring your own. Good for Chantilly/Centreville folks.
Off-leashMason District Dog Park
Partially shaded, which matters in August. No water — bring your own.
Off-leashFairfax City Dog Park
City-owned (not county-run). Water fountains, fenced run, open dawn to dusk. Convenient if you're in the city itself.
Off-leashMoorefield Park Dog Area
Town of Vienna's offering — roughly 10 acres, so there's room to roam. Worth knowing about on the east side.
Off-leashLenclair Park
A no-frills neighborhood workhorse of a dog park tucked into Alexandria's Lenclair section. Fenced, with a crushed-stone ground that stays mud-free after rain — which regulars appreciate more than any fancy amenity. Water on site.
Off-leashSky Bark Dog Park at The Perch
A dog park eleven stories in the air. This gated, fenced artificial-turf run sits on the rooftop sky park at Capital One Center, with skyline views and a biergarten next door — grab a beer at Starr Hill while your dog burns off energy. The turf keeps paws clean.
Off-leashDulles Gateway Dog Park
A free public dog park on the Pender Pet Retreat campus, next to Dulles Airport. Wooded and fenced, with agility obstacles, nature trails, a water spigot, picnic tables, and plenty of shade. Open 6am–8pm daily.
Off-leashArlington County
Arlington's county-run dog parks are open sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Shirlington Dog Park
🐾 Editor's ChoiceThe county's largest at 2.5 acres, with separate big-dog and small-dog areas, stream access, and water stations. Volunteer-supported since 1995. Parking is tight — go early on weekends.
Off-leashFort Ethan Allen Dog Park
Hand-painted murals, shaded benches, and secluded sections for shy pups, set inside a 15-acre historic site. One of the prettiest dog parks in the region.
Off-leashUtah Dog Park
The county's first fenced off-leash area (1997). Communal toys, a pavilion, and a loyal regular crowd.
Off-leashFort Barnard Dog Park
Fully fenced and lit for evening play, with a community garden next door. A quieter alternative to Shirlington.
Off-leashTowers Park Dog Park
Fully fenced with an agility course, lit until 10pm, and a separate small-dog area. Great for after-work visits.
Off-leashGlencarlyn Dog Park
The only unfenced dog park in Arlington — wooded, with a rocky creek. Reliable recall required; not for every dog.
Off-leashJames Hunter Dog Park
A compact urban dog park in Clarendon/Lyon Village, minutes from the Metro, with a crushed-granite surface and a wading pool with a waterfall in the corner — the main event when it's running. Almost no shade, so go on cool days and skip August. Closed Mon/Wed/Fri 10am–noon for maintenance; closes 9pm.
Off-leashBenjamin Banneker Dog Park
Newly renovated county dog park inside the 12.5-acre Benjamin Banneker Park, with separate large- and small-dog areas (30-lb limit in the small section), water, and climbing platforms. Sponsored by the Banneker Dogs volunteer group; closes at 8 p.m. Parking is limited.
Off-leashAlexandria
Westgrove Dog Park
Voted Alexandria's #1 dog park in ALXnow's 2026 readers' poll. Big, well-kept, and worth the drive from anywhere in NoVA.
Off-leashEugene Simpson Stadium Park
Recently renovated with a separate small-dog area. Clean, modern, and convenient to Del Ray.
Off-leashBen Brenman Park Dog Park
Large, fenced, and lighted, set by Backlick Creek. Plenty of room for big runners.
Off-leashDuke Street Dog Park
Small but fully fenced with a small-dog area. No water — bring your own.
Off-leashDog Run Park at Carlyle
Two fenced big/small areas in the Carlyle neighborhood. Water fountains can be unreliable — bring water. Parking is difficult.
Off-leashMontgomery Park
Fully fenced gravel run in the heart of Old Town. Pairs perfectly with a waterfront walk.
Off-leashFour Mile Run Park Off-Leash Area
A big grassy field at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac — a city-designated off-leash exercise area marked with paw-print posts. No fence, so it's for dogs with a reliable recall. Perfect for a long game of fetch without the dog-park crowd.
Off-leashChambliss Street Off-Leash Area
Grass plus woods at the edge of a nature preserve — the most interesting sniffing of any spot on this list. A designated off-leash exercise area, unfenced, so bring a dog with solid recall. Pair it with a leashed walk through Dora Kelly's trails.
Off-leashFounders Park Off-Leash Area
Off-leash time with a Potomac River view in Old Town. This designated exercise area in the waterfront park is grassy with rocky terrain and water nearby — unfenced, so know your dog's swimming habits before you unclip.
Off-leashTimberbranch Parkway Off-Leash Area
A quiet neighborhood exercise area that mostly serves locals — don't expect a scene, just a convenient patch of legal off-leash ground. Designated by the city, unfenced.
Off-leashLoudoun County
Leesburg Dog Park
Enclosed 3/4-acre park with separate small (under 25 lbs) and large areas, water, and waste bags. The county's flagship.
Off-leashFranklin Park Off-Leash Area
Off-leash area inside a 200+ acre county park — combine the dog run with trails and open fields.
Off-leashCreighton West Park Dog Park
Two areas (under 25 lbs and any size), open dawn to dusk. Note: this park is run by the Brambleton HOA for community residents.
Off-leashSomerset Dog Park
Fully fenced and double-gated, no size separation, free parking. Good neighborhood option.
Off-leashLansdowne Town Center Dog Park
Fenced and double-gated, next to the shops — easy to pair with errands.
Off-leashOne Loudoun Dog Park
Well-kept park in the One Loudoun development. Nice stop if you're in Ashburn.
Off-leashHal & Berni Hanson Regional Park Off-Leash Areas
Loudoun's big regional park out in horse country, with not one but two off-leash areas. Make a day of it — 257 acres with ponds, trails, and a nature center for the humans. Park open dawn to dusk.
Off-leashPotomac Green Neighborhood Park Off-Leash Area
A county-run off-leash area inside this 28-acre Ashburn park — open dawn to dusk. Athletic fields, a playground, and an ADA-accessible trail round out the visit; dogs must stay leashed everywhere outside the off-leash area.
Off-leashPrince William County
K-9 Gunner Memorial Dog Park
Fully fenced with separate small/large areas, agility equipment, water, and shelters. Built by a local dog group with the county in 2013.
Off-leashLucky's Dog Park
Two separate areas, water fountains, benches, and a walking path. Open 6am–9pm.
Off-leashManassas Park Dog Park
Two areas and a water spigot; hosts the Beaglefest fundraiser twice a year. Enter via Courtney St or Tremont St.
Off-leashMerrifield Garden Center Dog Park
A fully fenced, free dog park in the garden center's parking lot — mulch terrain with bushes, picnic tables, waste bags, tennis balls, and water bowls. Open 8am–7pm daily; leashed dogs are also welcome inside the store.
Off-leashFarther afield
Vint Hill Dog Park
Worth the drive into horse country: 1.25 fenced, partially wooded acres with a separate small-dog area, agility equipment, water station, and shelter. Run by the volunteer nonprofit Piedmont Dogs and free to use — toss a donation in if you visit.
Off-leashThe Warrenton Dog Park
The town's official off-leash park, open 5am–9pm daily. Separate small/large areas, water stations, and shady spots — a solid stop if you're out 66 or 29 anyway.
Off-leashKnow before you go
- Water: Blake Lane, Rock Hill, and Mason District have no water source. Bring your own, especially in summer.
- Vaccinations: County parks require current rabies vaccination — keep tags on your dog.
- Small dogs: Baron Cameron, Chandon, and Monticello have separate small-dog areas.
- Peak times: Weekday evenings and weekend mornings are busiest. Go midday on weekdays for a quieter run.
