Dog-Friendly Parks in Northwest Austin
Since becoming a massive fan of Sniffaris, I’ve found some great parks to explore with your dog!
NOTE: all these parks require dogs to be on-leash, and some have additional city ordinances dictating maximum leash length. Please observe these laws so that others can relax and enjoy the parks too.
Katherine Fleischer
Leelah looks out over the path at Katherine Fleischer park
Why I love it: plenty of space so you don’t get stuck closer to another dog or person than your dog can handle. It’s a little hilly, too, so you can duck up or down to get out of eyesight. They have some fun historic buildings (Wells Branch Homestead) to explore too!
With tennis courts, basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, a pool, historic buildings, a windmill, and a playscape, there are plenty of novel things for your dog to experience.
Parking: on the street and in a small lot by the community center
Watch out for: it can get very crowded during peak hours. Visit during a weekday if your dog struggles around new people or other dogs.
Maximum Leash Length: not specified
Corgi Thor practices relaxing at Springwoods Park
Why I love it: this is one of the closest locations for me and the amount of shade is fantastic—there are very few sections that aren’t shaded. Despite the amount of shade, it’s still very easy to see what’s coming and get off the path if your dog needs extra distance from other dogs or people.
Parking: two smallish lots
Watch out for: off-leash dogs. Leash laws do apply at this park, but not all participants observe the laws. Read my tips for [staying safe on walks] before you head out.
The primary parking lot is VERY close to the playscape. If your dog is uncomfortable around children, park in the secondary lot near the office building.
Maximum Leash length: 6 feet
Olson Meadows
Why I love it: two huge fields for plenty of sniffs.
Parking: a couple smallish lots right between Brushy Creek Rd and the park. There’s another small lot up the road a ways too.
Watch Out for: the highly trafficked Brushy Creek trail system runs RIGHT next to the parking lot so I don’t recommend this park for dogs who struggle with strangers. As popular as the trail is, it would be impossible to keep your dog calm while you park, unload, and move away from the trail.
I have also seen some off-leash activity here although leash laws do apply.
Maximum Leash Length: not specified
Bordoodle Leelah waits in grass for me to throw her toy at Rosemary Denny Park
Why I love it: this park is probably my favorite! It’s tucked into a neighborhood and has a lovely stream running alongside it. It’s wonderfully peaceful in the mornings. A paved path runs from one end of the park to the other.
Parking: there’s a VERY small lot across the street and a few street spaces
Watch Out for: snakes. I haven’t seen any, but I’m always cautious near any body of water—don’t let your doggy get too close!
During the school year, the community center across from the parking lot is a bus stop, so take care if your dog struggles with children or loud vehicles.
Maximum Leash Length: not specified
Labrador Sadie gets in a good sniff at Veteran’s Memorial Park
Why I love it: you can’t beat the fenced dog park for controlled exposure to other dogs. I often take reactive dogs to the parking lot to watch the dogs playing. I do NOT take dogs into the dog park.
Veteran’s Memorial is also huge so there’s loads of space to move away and take breaks from watching the dogs.
Parking: a large lot with plenty of spaces. I usually park down by the community garden so I’m not too close to the dog park entrance.
Watch Out for: off-leash dogs. Even though leashes are required outside the dog park, it’s not uncommon for owners to let their dogs run loose in the parking lot.
Also watch out for the memorial statues. A number of dogs have been scared of these so be prepared with extra yummy treats or an alternate route if your dog is uncomfortable. They are fairly easy to avoid.
Maximum Leash Length: not specified
Cat Hollow
Why I love it: variety—sometimes you just like going someplace different! This is a nice training location for dogs who are more advanced in their reactivity work. When I visited, there were multiple walkers (some with dogs) using the space.
Parking: a moderately sized lot near the pool house.
Watch Out for: other dogs and people; this is by no means a pocket park, but it is smaller than some of the other options and the paths make it difficult to move away from one distraction without bumping into another one.
Maximum Leash Length: not specified
This section of the Scofield Farms park does have good visibility and space to move well off the path if needed.
Why I love it: a quiet location with a fun bridge for dogs to experience.
Parking: street parking only
Watch Out for: the sun and poor visibility. There’s a field near the street with minimal shade, and once you get on the crushed granite path, it’s difficult to see what’s coming or move away. This is probably the smallest park on the list.
Maximum Leash Length: 6 feet