Yes, every dog loves a good walk. But sometimes a dog just wants to run! Living in the city can make it a bit more challenging to find open areas to let your pups play, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Middle Tennessee has some fantastic dog-friendly parks where your pet can play with a beautiful view.
From fully fenced parks to dog-friendly green spaces, no matter what part of town you live in, there is a park for you and your pup.
We hope your dog enjoys running, playing, and socializing with other dogs in one of these spaces. Sadly, our wild pups, Stella and Barkley (above) are rescues who aren’t socialized well enough to stay out of trouble in the parks. They did take that good photo once, though. Don’t they look like little angels? Trust us when we say that they aren’t.
Middle Tennessee’s Best Dog Parks
1. Two Rivers Dog Park
This off-leash park features a large grassy area in the center for many dogs to come and play with each other. Many trees allow for shady play areas for when dogs need to cool off, and there are many benches and a covered pavilion where people can sit and chat while watching their dogs make friends. This park also features a walking loop around its perimeter for dogs and humans alike to stay active together.
Location: 3150 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37214
2. Centennial Dog Park
It is a fully-loaded dog park with a double-gated entrance, and separate large and small dog areas. It features doggie water fountains, waste stations, and trash cans, all on a pleasant hillside shaded by mature trees. The gently sloping surface gives pups a little more exercise as they romp up and down the hill. Some sections of the dog park are filled with wood chips, while others are covered in grass and dirt. Benches are available to give humans a place to rest and socialize while their pups make new friends.
Location: 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
3. Shelby Dog Park
Shelby Dog Park is a puppy paradise! This run consists of lots of wide-open grass spaces, providing your best canine pal with lots of space to stretch their legs. There are lots of shade trees to keep your main canine squeeze cool and protected from the heat of the sun’s rays. You will also find lots of dirt walking paths and even a trail or two that you and your dog can enjoy perusing together.
Location: 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
4. William A. Pitts Park
It is a very clean and well-maintained dog park! There is a great fenced-in hiking area so you can walk with your dog and go off-leash in a wooden area. Plenty of water fountains and poop bags are available. The park is not too crowded– your canine will have room to roam!
Location: 299 Tusculum Rd, Antioch, TN 37013
5. Stones River Dog Park
For dogs and people with a taste for adventure, the Stones River Dog Park is a great trail for a long walk. This ten-mile trail connects Shelby Bottoms to the nearby Priest Lake, and the road is paved for easy walking. Walk along with your furry friend through the trees and over the bridges, and see what there is to see. There are plenty of spots along this multi-use trail to stop and take a break, including a large dog park at the entrance of the pathway. A dog fountain is located just outside this park to ensure that your pup stays hydrated for the long walk ahead.
Location: Stones River Greenway, Nashville, TN 37214
6. BarkPark
BarkPark is more than just a dog park. It’s an innovative subscription-based “third place” for dogs and their people. This park has tons of fun stuff for pooches and their people to enjoy, including a fenced-off area for dogs to run without leashes, paddling pools and splash pads for cooling off, and snacks and toys for the pups. There are hangout spots for the humans to sit while watching their dogs as well! All of these fun features come with a small price tag, as only members have access to the park and its year-round events: a $15 daily pass grants access to one dog and two humans, and monthly passes are available as well. For more information, go to park.bark.co/faq
Location: 800 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207
7. K-9 Korral Dog Park
The 200-acre public park is set in a beautiful, pasture-filled location on a historic horse farm and features playgrounds, sports fields, a sports arena, and a variety of walking, biking, and hiking trails. It is a very popular dog park in the area due to its size, layout, and featured amenities. It offers four acres of grassy lawn for dogs to play on and explore. It is divided into three separate securely fenced areas. The dog park is equipped with picnic tables and benches for owners to relax on, most of which can be found by the entrance. A water fountain is available too and helps keep the four-legged patrons happy and hydrated throughout their visit.
Location: 239 Franklin Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
8. Miss Peggy’s Bark Park (formerly Barkwood Dog Park)
A place for Brentwood TN dog lovers to meet and socialize our wonderful pets! Located in the southwest corner of Tower Park is a place where dogs can roam and play. There are two parks! One for littles and one for bigs! Both areas offer shaded benches, water stations, and hydrants. There is also a nearby creek for dogs to play.
Location: Corner of Tower Park, Brentwood, TN 37027
9. Murfreesboro Bark Park
If you and Scruffy are looking for a dog park that shows off the gorgeous countryside in Tennessee, then you’ll want to check out the Murfreesboro Bark Park. Your dogs will love running in this sizeable fenced-in dog park that has both dirt and grass. You’ll be able to enjoy some shade under the trees and view the densely populated forest ahead. Although this dog park offers a large area for Scruffy to run, he will also enjoy the separate spaces for large and small breeds. Make sure you bring your bug repellent at night because the mosquitoes do get fierce here.
2 Locations: 1540 West College Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 (General Bragg Trailhead)
1100 Cason Trail, Murfreesboro, TN 37128 (Cason Trailhead)
10. Maggie’s Bark Park
The first off-leash dog park in the state of Tennessee. It was funded by a donation from Andrew and Karen Menzyk in memory of their Border Collie, Maggie. The park is a large park, with a quarter-mile, paved walking path, and agility equipment for adult dogs. It’s located next to the Williamson County Animal Control Adoption Center and hosts a lot of events to promote animal adoption. In addition to the agility equipment, Maggie’s Bark Park has a gazebo for seating as well as covered and uncovered benches. It may look a little old, but the important thing is that it’s safe and fun for the dogs.
Location: 138 Claude Yates Dr, Franklin, TN 37064
sources: williamsonsource, yelp, wagwalking, compass
