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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.
How this list was built: park details come from county park authorities and official park pages, verified as of October 2026. Hours, rules, and amenities can change, so check the official park page before you go.
Fairfax County
Off-leash parks across the county, from Reston to Chantilly, most run by the Fairfax County Park Authority. County park hours are 7 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset on weekdays, 8 a.m. on weekends and holidays.
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-leash Small-dog area Water on siteMonticello 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-leash Small-dog area Water on site Gravel surfaceChandon Dog Park
Water plus a dedicated small-dog area for pups under 25 lbs. Well kept and popular with Herndon/Reston regulars.
Off-leash Small-dog area Water on siteSouth 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-leash Water on site Shaded areasBlake 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-leash FencedGrist 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-leash Water on siteRock 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-leash Shaded areasFairfax 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-leash Water on site FencedMoorefield Park Dog Area
Town of Vienna's offering, set within roughly 10 acres of parkland, 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-leash Water on site FencedSky 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-leash FencedDulles 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-leash Water on site Fenced Agility equipmentCanis Major Dog Park
Fenced public dog park at Halley Rise with separate big and small dog areas, a newer Reston option.
Small/large areas FencedWestgrove 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-leashArlington County
Off-leash areas in Arlington's compact, urban park system. Space is tighter here than in Fairfax, so expect smaller fenced runs close to Metro corridors.
Arlington's dog parks keep different hours: most close at sunset, while the lit parks (James Hunter, Fort Barnard) stay open until 9pm and Towers Park and Gateway until 10pm. Hours are noted per park below.
Shirlington Dog Park
The 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-leash Small-dog area Water on siteFort 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-leash Shaded areasUtah Dog Park
The county's first fenced off-leash area (1997). Communal toys, a pavilion, and a loyal regular crowd.
Off-leash FencedFort Barnard Dog Park
Fully fenced and lit until 9pm, with a community garden next door. A quieter alternative to Shirlington.
Off-leash FencedTowers Park Dog Park
Fully fenced with an agility course, lit until 10pm, and a separate small-dog area. Great for after-work visits.
Off-leash Small-dog area Fenced Agility equipmentGlencarlyn Dog Park
The only unfenced dog park in Arlington, wooded, with a rocky creek. Reliable recall required; not for every dog.
Off-leash Shaded areas Swimming spotJames 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-leash Water on siteBenjamin Banneker Dog Park
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-leash Small-dog area Water on siteGateway Interim Dog Park
Community-built with Arlington County, lighted until 10pm, skyline views, separate small and large dog areas. Note: interim status, but fully fenced and open.
Lighted until 10pm Small/large areasVirginia Highlands Interim Dog Park
5,700 sq ft plus a 2,300 sq ft small-dog area, with water source. Amazon-sponsored park in Pentagon City. Note: interim status.
Small-dog area Water sourceAlexandria
Off-leash areas across the city, from Old Town to the West End. Several are small neighborhood parks, so check the size before bringing a dog that needs room to run.
Eugene Simpson Stadium Park
Renovated with a separate small-dog area. Clean, modern, and convenient to Del Ray.
Off-leash Small-dog areaBen Brenman Park Dog Park
Large, fenced, and lighted, set by Backlick Creek. Plenty of room for big runners.
Off-leash FencedDuke Street Dog Park
Small but fully fenced with a small-dog area. No water, bring your own.
Off-leash Small-dog area FencedDog Run Park at Carlyle
Two fenced big/small areas in the Carlyle neighborhood. Water fountains can be unreliable, bring water. Parking is difficult.
Off-leash FencedMontgomery Park
Fully fenced gravel run in the heart of Old Town. Pairs perfectly with a waterfront walk.
Off-leash Water on site Fenced Gravel surfaceFour 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 Kelley's trails.
Off-leash Walking trailsFounders 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-leash River accessTimberbranch 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-leashTarleton Park Dog Exercise Area
City-listed fenced dog exercise area in Tarleton Park, a solid neighborhood option on the West End.
FencedWindmill Hill Park Off-Leash Area
Unfenced off-leash dog exercise area within Windmill Hill Park on the Old Town waterfront, at Gibbon and Union Streets.
Off-leashLoudoun County
Parks from Leesburg to South Riding. Loudoun's parks tend to be newer and roomier, reflecting how much open land the county still has.
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-leash Water on siteFranklin Park Off-Leash Area
Off-leash area inside a 200+ acre county park, combine the dog run with trails and open fields.
Off-leash Walking trailsCreighton 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-leash FencedLansdowne Town Center Dog Park
Fenced and double-gated, next to the shops, easy to pair with errands.
Off-leash FencedOne 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-leash Walking trailsPotomac 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-leash Walking trailsLovettsville Community Park Off-Leash Area
Off-leash area inside a 90-acre county park with trails and open fields, room to roam beyond the fence.
90-acre park TrailsPrince William County
Off-leash parks across the Prince William and Manassas area, run by a mix of county, city, and private operators (noted under each park).
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-leash Water on site Fenced Agility equipmentLucky's Dog Park
Two separate areas, water fountains, benches, and a walking path. Open 6am–9pm.
Off-leash Water on siteMerrifield 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-leash Water on site FencedCostello Park Dog Park
City of Manassas Park off-leash dog park behind the Community Center in Costello Park, with two play areas and a water spigot for drinking and filling pools. The dog park has two off-leash areas where dogs must stay under voice control; dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting, and current on vaccinations.
Off-leash Water on siteFarther afield
Parks just outside the NoVA core, worth knowing if your travels take you that way.
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-leash Small-dog area Water on site FencedThe 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-leash Water on siteDuff's Dog Park
Off-leash dog park inside Stafford's riverside Duff McDuff Green Memorial Park, with a roughly 4-acre dog run and access to the Rappahannock River. Duff's Dog Park is open to the public and their dogs during regular park hours, with separate off-leash runs for small dogs (30 lbs and under) and large dogs (31 lbs and up).
Off-leash Small-dog area FencedFriends of Havoc Dog Park
New county off-leash dog park in the Rock Hill District south of Margaret Brent Elementary School, named through a public contest honoring Stafford's working dogs. A newer Stafford County off-leash dog park opened August 2025; all well-behaved dogs and their owners are welcome.
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.