Gainesville, Florida, is known as the hometown of the late Tom Petty and The University of Florida. Gainesville is also one of the best places to live in Florida, offering a mix of an urban and suburban feel. For dog owners, Gainesville is also home to several off-leash dog parks where you can take your pooch for some off-leash romping fun.
Whether you live in Gainesville or just visiting, we’ve got the scoop on where to take your dog off-leash. Read on to learn where to go!
The 6 Off-Leash Dog Parks in Gainesville, FL
1. Possum Creek Dog Park
| ️ Address: | 4009 NW 53rd Ave., Gainesville, FL 32653 |
| Hours: | 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Provides many acres of fenced-in, off-leash romping
- Separate areas for small and large dogs
- Shaded benches, hose station, water fountains, waste bags, and waste containers are available
- Located behind skate park
- Bathroom nearby in the general park
2. Squirrel Ridge Dog Park
| ️ Address: | 1603 SW Williston Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608 |
| Hours: | Sunrise to sundown |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Separate fenced areas for small and large dogs
- Sandpits for digging
- Mature trees offer shade for benches
- Doggie waste bags and containers available
- Don’t forget to pick up after your pooch—park is a memorial to crime victims
3. Celebration Pointe Dog Park
| ️ Address: | 2650 Bass Pro Shops Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32608 |
| Hours: | Sunrise to sundown |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Bass Pro Shops’ very own dog park
- Grassy park with agility course and gazebo for shade
- 8,000 square feet of enclosed space
- Water stations available
4. Haisley Lynch Dog Park
| ️ Address: | 424 S. Main St., STE 414, Gainesville, FL 32601 |
| Hours: | Sunrise to sundown |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Single enclosure for all dogs
- Small park but secured for off-leash play
- Water fountains and waste containers on-site
- Heads up: no good parking
5. Forest Park Dog Park
| ️ Address: | 4501 SW 20th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32607 |
| Hours: | Sunrise to sundown |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Shade, drinking fountains, picnic tables, and restrooms available
- One acre to play in
- Leash required outside of dog park
- Lush grass and sand pits for digging
6. Smokey Bear Park
| ️ Address: | 2300 NE 15th St., Gainesville, FL 32609 |
| Hours: | Sunrise to sundown |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Park contains edible groves to pick mulberries, peaches, and loquats
- On-leash and off-leash areas of the park
- Restrooms, picnic tables, pavilions, playground shade water fountains, and walking trails are available
Summary
There you have it! If you’re looking for off-leash dog parks, now you know where to go. Be mindful of the rules at any park you go to, and be sure to bring your dog’s leash, as some parks require a leash before entering the off-leash area. Bring poop bags and water in case the park doesn’t provide them, and, of course, have fun!
See also:
- 10 Great Off-Leash Dog Parks in Orlando, FL You Can Visit Today
- 10 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Florida (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Valeria Boltneva, Pexels
