In my world, the best way to explore the outdoors is with your best friend. But when your best friend is furry and has four legs, you need to find dog-friendly places.
That’s an easy task in College Station.
We have 54 dog-friendly parks with 1,791 beautiful acres to experience. That means you can explore a new park every week for an entire year!
Just remember that city ordinance requires dogs to be leashed in most of our parks – and don’t forget to clean up after them. If you want a little more running room, check out our off-leash dog parks that offer benches, shaded areas, and open spaces for your dog to run and socialize.
Dog Parks
Barracks Park has a fenced-in recreational area with benches and a covered shelter for owners to relax while their pups play. In addition, you can keep them hydrated with the convenient fountains at the side of the park.
Steeplechase Park is a 1.5-acre fenced-in area where your pup can release all that pent-up energy. A wash and hydration station is available when your dog needs a quick rinse, so don’t forget your towel. With a nearby play unit and a basketball court, your kids can have a little fun, too.
University Park has opportunities for small and large dogs with separate fenced-in play areas. It also has a walkway through the woods that leads to a large pond where your pup can cool off, swim, and frolic with the other dogs. The park also boasts an agility obstacle course in the large dog area and a wash and hydration station.
Designated Off-Leash Trail
Lick Creek Park offers five miles of marked trails and opportunities to explore nature with your leashed dog, except for the Raccoon Run Trail. Racoon Run is a 1.7-mile off-leash trail that gives your pup a little more room to explore. Dogs must be under voice control, and all dog park rules apply. The Lick Creek Nature Center’s hydration stations and restrooms are about a half-mile from Raccoon Run.
Before you and your dog explore these spaces, let’s review our dog park rules and animal control ordinances:
Dog Park Rules
- Park hours are sunrise to sunset.
- Female dogs in heat aren’t permitted.
- Dogs younger than four months are not allowed in off-leash parks.
- Dogs more than four months old must be rabies vaccinated and registered with Brazos County. Registration tags can be purchased through your veterinarian or the Aggieland Humane Society (979-775-5755).
- Your dog must wear its current county and rabies vaccination tags. Registration must cover one year from the issue date in conjunction with the rabies vaccination date.
- Pets are not allowed to be free of a physical restraint (at large) beyond the boundaries of the owner’s premises or a designated dog park.
- It’s unlawful for you not to clean up after your pet on public property.
- . Dogs must be removed if uncontrollable.
- Handlers must not allow dogs to dig holes in the park and should cover up holes their dogs create.
Animal Control Ordinances
- Pet owners must observe city ordinances, which are enforceable through the courts. Violations are subject to fines up to $500.
- Pets are not allowed to be free of a physical restraint (at large) beyond the boundaries of the owner’s premises.
- Pets are not allowed to be off-leash in city parks unless it’s designated as a dog park or a leash-free park.
- Excessive noise caused by barking, howling, crowing, or screeching may result in a warning or citation.
- Failing to clean up after a pet off your property violates city ordinance.
- It’s unlawful to leave an animal in a vehicle or trailer during extreme temperatures.
- Nuisance behavior such as chasing, biting, or scratching may result in warning or citation.
- Under state law, rabies vaccinations are required for dogs, cats, and ferrets more than four months old.
For a complete list of animal control ordinances, visit cstx.gov/animalcontrol.
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