As a full time RV traveler, finding places to walk the dogs is a top priority each day. Some days are easier than others.
Romeo on an Oregon beach. It’s legal to have dogs off leash on the State Beaches as long as the dogs are not harassing animals or people.
I have an eagle eye and ear for finding quiet places to walk my dogs, so I thought I’d share my favorite tips for scouting them out.
Join our Facebook group to learn about great places to take your dog all over the country.
City & County Parks
These places applies to parks that allow dogs and 99% of those will have a leash law, so abide by those rules and you shouldn’t get into trouble.
Use this app or website on your smart phone, Oh Ranger Park Finder to find parks near you.
This website and app & website Dog Goes lists dog parks and restaurants. Many times the dogs parks are inside a bigger city/county park and you can walk your leashed dog in larger area of the park.
Ask a Local!
This is the best advice I can give you. Dog parks are a great place to ask people where to take your dog. Coffee Shops and eateries are good spots to ask someone secret places to take your dog. Locally owned pet supply stores can be good places to ask. Always stop in the Visitor Center, sometimes there are trail maps available. If you see someone walking a dog, ask them. I have found the best places to take my dogs from “insider information”. If the first person doesn’t know, keep asking, because there are always hidden places that dog people go.
A trail/path in the Golden, CO area. I did a lot of fun biking on this path, found this path from a friend, then kept asking others and found it connected to other bike trails.
During the Week – Options are abundant
During the week you are in luck. Look for group areas; these are areas that are closed usually when not in use. Park your car in the regular parking area and then walk your dog on leash through the group area. I’ve never had anyone tell me this was not ok. Of course you will pick up any doggie deposits!
Day use areas during the week can be empty. As long as there is NOT a “no dog’ rule, I walk my dogs all the time in quiet day use areas of parks during the week. I’m always surprised at how quiet these parks are during the week.
Bear Creek Dog Park in Colorado Springs, has walking paths and a creek.
If it’s off season, park your car at the closed entrances to closed public campgrounds. These are fun to walk with your dogs when closed. Dogs love sniffing all the smelly things that the season’s campers left. I’ve been walking closed campgrounds for years.
Churches would be private property, but sometimes they have some open space that is good for a short walk.
Marinas are fun and different places to walk the dogs. Off season in these areas are nice and quiet. Some have grassy areas near the docks that are nice for a walk.
Weekends
On the weekend, business/industrial parks are great areas to leash walk. They usually have good grassy areas and trees also and there are very few people around. I’ve walked around a lot of business areas on the weekends especially when in cities.
This was a large park in Carlsbad, NM. There was a dog park there and walking paths on this lake. Very nice!
Schools can be great places to walk around on the weekends if there are not activities going on. Summer days and nights are great for school walks.
If you get out early on the weekends, you usually will have a better chance at having some quiet in the public park. After 10 am, it’s usually getting busy at the park.
Those are my secrets for getting the dogs out on a walk, even in urban areas.
Just a reminder, join our Facebook group to learn about great places to take your dog all over the country.
We love to hear from you, leave us a note!