Review: Off-leash dog parks in Seattle

My favorite time of the day is when I walk my dog, and the benefits of dog walking are numerous. It helps me maintain a regular, healthy routine and explore new places with my dog, but that’s not everything. The biggest advantage is that I can feel how much my dog enjoys being outside. When I walk in the park, I want to see my dog running as fast as she can and as much as she wants. So, I began my search for the best off-leash dog parks in the Seattle area.

There are many off-leash parks in Seattle, and each park has advantages and disadvantages. Let’s begin.

Marymoor off-leash dog park

The Marymoor off-leash dog park is located in Redmond. Most people drive here, as the park has a large and affordable parking lot. Parking is only $1 a day, and it is easily purchased at the kiosk. Long-term parking permits are also available on the park’s website at a low price.

The park is vast, which is why it’s often referred to as “Doggy Disneyland.” People can play ball with their dogs while they walk around the park, the reed field, and the lawn. In addition, there are places connected to the Sammamish River where dogs can swim, and shower booths for dogs are conveniently located near the parking lot. If you go in front of the river, you can see retrievers jumping into the water during the summertime. The best features of this park are the wide variety of places available for exploration.

However, there are some drawbacks. The entrance is not fenced and opens directly to the parking lot, which could be dangerous. If you have puppies or dogs that don’t come when you call, I strongly recommend that you leash your dogs before you arrive in front of the doorway.

Warren G. Magnuson Park off-leash area

Though smaller than Marymoor, the off-leash area at Warren G. Magnuson Park is considered one of the bigger off-leash dog parks in Seattle. There is a free parking lot in front of the off-leash area’s entrance, though it tends to fill up between noon and 2:00 p.m. on the weekends. Don’t worry; there is an additional parking lot nearby, and it is large enough to park at crowded times. From there, it’s just a quick three-minute walk to the entrance of the off-leash area.

The entire off-leash area is fully fenced, with double gates at the entrances to ensure safety. Your dog can run, chase, and catch a ball in a wide place. The park also offers a small dog area, water supply, access to the shore of Lake Washington, and a small hut where people can rest and stay out of the rain. On your way to the shore, there are several plastic bags for dog waste and trash bins. Every place in the area is managed very well. For example, the water supply was remodeled just a few months ago. 

My favorite spot in the park is the shore of Lake Washington, where dogs can swim and cool down in the summer. The water is typically clear; however, I recommend that you check the water quality, as sometimes bacteria levels in the lake are too high to swim in. The high bacteria levels can cause skin rashes, stomachaches, and eye pain. After you and your dog swim at the beach, you can rinse off at the water supply in front of the exit.

The Magnuson Park off-leash area is definitely a great playground for dogs and a place where dog owners can have a joyful time. However, beware of foxtails that can cause serious infections for dogs. Until now, my dog hasn’t gotten infected by foxtails, but there are a lot of them under the fences. 

Also, avoid going to the park when the temperature is high in the hot summer. Most of the ground of the off-leash area is sand, not grass. Therefore, on hot summer days, the temperature of the ground becomes too high for dogs to handle, and dog paws could be burned. Last but not least, be careful when walking next to trees located on the way to the shore on strong, windy days. I have heard the cracking sounds of wood on windy days and seen broken trees after particularly strong winds.

Off-leash area Edmonds

If your dog loves going to the beach, consider the off-leash area in Edmonds. You can see shells and seaweed and sniff the salty smell of the water. There is a broad, fine, sandy beach and a place where you can dip your feet in the water and play with your dogs. Your dog will feel the ocean and probably enjoy it just as much as you do. After a joyful time at the beach, you can rinse off your feet at the water supply area. When my dog was young, she lived near a beach; this dog park was definitely one of her favorites. She tried to catch seaweed with her mouth and had a good time running with other dogs. 

Before you visit the place, you should first check the ebb and flow. The difference between ebb and flow is significant. At low tide, your dog can walk in mud, and at high tide, you can see the sea waves. In my case, low tide time is better for my dog. Also, I recommend that you wear sandals when entering the area. Even if you don’t put your feet into the water, you will get sand in your shoes. Last but not least, at low tide, the place that isn’t surrounded by fences is exposed, and dogs could wander toward the railways next to the off-leash area. I don’t think that the possibility of dogs going to railways is high, but do not let your dogs go too far away from you in case of unexpected situations.

Off-leash parks are great places where dogs can feel free to realize how fast they are and where they can make friends and socialize. However, there are rules of the off-leash areas that should be abided by. Do not let others’ dogs pass the door that you open because dogs can lose their owner. Additionally, do not try to touch others’ dogs unless the dogs come to you first, as some dogs can be uncomfortable about the situation. 

How about going to an off-leash park with your dog this weekend? You can make good memories in the off-leash area and take cool pictures of your pup.