Top Dog Friendly Parks in Fort Worth, TX

The city of Fort Worth currently operates 291 parks that occupy 12,337 acres of land. Getting out and enjoying nature has never been easier. Whether you like a stroll through the trees or prefer to laze about on the banks of a pond, Fort Worth has a park for you. But what about your little one? And by that, we mean your canine companion. 

Fortunately, most parks are dog-friendly, which means you can take your pup with you while you explore some of Fort Worth’s most pleasing green spaces. However, you must keep your dog on a leash at most of them. That’s why we created this list of dog-friendly parks in Fort Worth. We wanted you to find those wide-open spaces where your best friend can run and play without restrictions.

ZBonz Dog Park

Image via Flickr by Laertes | CC BY 2.0

It wouldn’t be a list of dog parks if it didn’t include ZBonz Dog Park located at 6950 W. Camp Bowie Blvd. The park was built on the former Z. Boaz Golf Course, so there’s plenty of wide-open areas your dog can frolic in. The park has ten acres of fenced-in space, seven acres dedicated to dogs above 40 pounds, and three acres for those pooches under 40 pounds. This separation allows the animals to play safely with dogs their size.

Two aerated ponds add to the pastoral setting, while pet fountains give your dogs a fun way to cool off in the Texas heat. The park also has two shelters to keep the rest of us dry in case of rain and a shady spot to rest in after a rousing game of fetch. The entire park uses irrigation to maintain the lush landscape, and there’s even an assortment of puppy playground equipment the dogs can use to climb, jump on, and explore.

ZBonz Dog Park has more space than any other dog park in Fort Worth. That fact, combined with the amenities, makes it our number one pick. The park closes on Mondays for maintenance. You can visit ZBonz from 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and until midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

Fort Woof Dog Park

Fort Woof Dog Park owns the distinction of being the second-largest dog park in the city behind ZBonz. Fort Woof Dog Park also offers separate fenced-off play areas for large and small dogs. The large dog space measures 3.4 acres. The small dog area features 1.6 acres. Both spaces provide shelters with shade and seating to take a break from the heat, agility equipment the dogs can play on, and water fountains to cool off.

Located at 751 Beach St., Dog Fancy Magazine recognized Fort Woof Dog Park as the No. 1 Dog Park in the Nation in 2006 and most recently voted the best dog park in the Metroplex in 2009. It’s also a great park for those who like to get in an early walk, as it opens at 5:00 a.m. every day except Monday at 11:30 a.m. The park closes at 11:30 p.m. every day so those who enjoy an evening of playtime with their pup can still take advantage of the beautiful grounds.

Tails N’ Trails Dog Park

Located at 950 S.E. Green Oaks Blvd. in Arlington, Tails N’ Trails Dog Park offers 5.7 acres of green grass and wooded trails to explore in two fenced-in sections for large and small dogs to play amongst their peers. The park opens at 5:00 a.m. daily except Tuesday when it opens at noon. Tails N’ Trails Dog Park closes at 10:00 p.m. every day. 

Keenum-Shelton Dog Park

Located in Lake Worth, Keenum-Shelton offers a great space to let your four-legged friends run and play. The park separates large and small breeds into two fenced-in areas for stress-free play. Your pups will love the agility courses and the benches with shade give you a place to shelter from the summer sun. Because of its far west location, the park doesn’t ever get too crowded, making it a great place for you to relax and read a book while your dog burns a little energy exploring.

Trinity Park

This large public park features a duck pond, walking trails, and plenty of benches to rest and relax. While the park doesn’t offer a fenced-in area for dogs to run and play in, it does provide plenty of beautiful scenery for those who enjoy a long walk with their pooch. Situated in the Cultural District, the park runs along the Clear Fork Trinity River from W 7th St. in the north to University Drive in the south.

The Yard

Located at 3017 Morton St. in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, The Yard isn’t your traditional dog park. It’s actually a restaurant/bar that’s dog-friendly. After a rousing jaunt through Trinity Park, we recommend a visit to The Yard for a drink in the Beer Garden, which features a separate fenced-off area for dogs and has plenty of dog toys to keep them happy while you enjoy a frosty beverage.

Dog Park Rules

Common sense should always rule the day. However, some standard rules exist at your favorite dog parks. Only licensed dogs with current rabies vaccinations are allowed. Any dogs that act aggressively should be removed immediately. You should always arrive and depart with your dog on a leash. Always keep your leash with you, and never leave your dog unattended. Your canine companion must always be within your sight in case of an emergency.

The parks with separate areas are intended to give small dogs a space to play without fear of harm from larger dogs. You can allow your small dog into the large dog area, but it isn’t recommended. Large dogs are never allowed in small dog areas.

At Hiley Mazda of Fort Worth, we realize how big a part your dog plays in your family. It’s essential to treat them with kindness and love because your dog will return that kindness and love ten-fold and without hesitation. We hope you find this list of local dog parks informative, and maybe you can add another park or two to your weekly excursions. If we missed a favorite dog park you enjoy visiting, please let us know. We’ll happily add it to the list so that others can enjoy it too.