10 of the best dog parks in metro Atlanta

Calling all dog owners! Do your pups go stir-crazy at home? There are so many benefits to taking your furry friend to your local dog park. Whether it’s improving or maintaining their physical health with proper exercise or letting them safely socialize with other dogs, a visit to the dog park will surely keep their tails waggin’.

So if you are looking to take them to a nearby dog park to let loose, then look no further. We’ve got the “ulti-mutt” list of dog parks around Atlanta.

Freedom Barkway Dog Park

This 2-acre “community dog park in the heart of Atlanta,” is located in Old Fourth Ward and has a section for both small and large dogs. The large dog park was recently renovated and even more improvements are to come for Freedom Barkway through a grant from Park Pride, which will offer more trees, plants, new drinking fountains and a shade structure.

Location: East Atlanta - 523 Highland Ave. NE; Hours: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Website: freedombarkway.com; Contact: 404-546-6813

Fetch Park

Fetch Park is a unique hotspot that is truly a social hub for both you and your pup. It’s been featured on the Travel Channel, CNN and ESPN (just to name a few), and offers fun events from trivia, karaoke, bingo, live music, stand-up comedy and an event called “could it bae,” to “mix and mingle with other dog lovers.”

Location: East Atlanta (and Multiple Locations) - 520 Daniel St. SE; Hours: Sunday - Thursday from 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Website: fetchpark.com

Piedmont Dog Park

Considered one of Atlanta’s best dog parks, this three-acre park is a perfect spot to take your furry friend to run around. Located near the Education Garden and under the Park Drive bridge, there are separate areas for large and small dogs, shaded areas and restrooms available. One of the best parts about going during the weekend? Concessions are provided by King of Pops with dog popsicles for those extra hot days.

Location: Midtown - Park Dr. NE; Hours: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Website: piedmontpark.org; Contact: 404-875-7275

Ormewood Dog Yard

Located on the property of Ormewood Church, Ormewood Dog Yard opened back in 2006 and is a volunteer-run and participant-funded dog park. This is a great neighborhood spot to meet neighbors and let your pup run loose.

Location: East Atlanta - 1055 Delaware Ave. SE; Hours: Monday - Saturday from 2 p.m. to dusk, closed Sundays; Website: ormewooddogyard.com

Glenlake Dog Park

Over in Decatur, the Glenlake Dog Park is nestled right inside of the 17-acre Glenlake Park. The half-acre enclosed dog park is filled with plenty of wood chips for your dog to kick around while doing their zoomies! Be sure to keep an eye on your pup as large and small dogs play together here.

Location: Decatur - Norris St.; Hours: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Website: decaturga.com

John R. Lewis Memorial Park and Dog Park

Named in honor of late congressman John Lewis, this park and dog park is a great neighborhood spot serving the community of Hapeville. There are two separate enclosures for both large dogs and small dogs. With the Hapeville Library nearby and a playground at the park, this is perfect for the whole family to spend an afternoon.

Location: Hapeville - 488 King Arnold St.; Hours: 6 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.; Website: atldistrict.com;

Mozley Dog Park

If you’re over on the Westside of town, you and your pup can now enjoy the brand new one-acre dog park at Mozley Park! As a Park Pride-funded project, this is Atlanta Westside’s first off-leash dog park in the area with an agility climber for large dogs and a cool tunnel for small dogs.

Location: Northwest - 1690 Martin Luther King Jr SW.; Website: friendsofmozleypark.org

Atlantic Station Dog Park

The Atlantic Station Dog Park is another great spot for you and your canine right in the center of the city. With an area for dogs of all sizes to play together, there is plenty of open space (both green turf and dirt) for your dogs to chase each other around. There are also benches for you to sit and watch as well as enough trees to offer shade for those extra sunny days.

Location: Midtown - State St. NW and 17th St.; Website: facebook.com/AtlanticStationDogPark

Skyland Dog Park

Located right off of Buford Hwy. in the heart of Brookhaven, you’ll find the spacious Skyland Dog Park. There is so much to offer here! Volleyball courts, walking trails, and an amazing playground for kids are all in the surrounding Skyland Park. Featuring two dog parks for both large and small dogs and doggy water fountains, this is the perfect park for your pooch (and the whole family).

Location: Brookhaven - 2600 Skyland Dr. NE; Hours: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Website: brookhavenga.gov; Contact: 404-637-0500

Morgan Falls Dog Park

Morgan Falls Overlook Park is a beautiful gem of a park located in Sandy Springs, and what makes this place even better is that there’s a dog park too. There are two fenced-in areas for bigger dogs and smaller dogs with tall trees and a great view of the river and dam. Before or after visiting the dog park, it is definitely worth checking out the short hiking trails and taking in all of the unbeatable scenery.

Location: Sandy Springs - 100 Morgan Falls Rd.; Hours: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Website: visitsandysprings.org; Contact: 770-730-5600