Though taking your dog on a walk in the intense summer heat might be a dreaded task, Birmingham dog parks offer a great (and often shady) alternative! From dog-friendly waterfalls to a bar-and-dog park combo, there are plenty of spots around town to bring your furry friend for some exercise. Grab a leash and explore one of these eight dog-friendly parks in Birmingham!
Good Dog Bar & Dog Park
2307 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233 • (205) 936-0497
Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
Looking for a park both you and your canine friend can enjoy? Look no further. Good Dog Bar and Dog Park is the perfect spot for you and your canine BFF. Good Dog is an off-leash, fenced, 14,000-square-foot dog park with turfed indoor and outdoor play areas as well as a bar for the humans to enjoy. It features a fully staffed park with trained dog handlers and a bar with beer, hard seltzers, and wines. Even better, this rain-or-shine dog park donates 1% of all bar sales and revenue to local animal charities.
Opening its doors this past spring, Good Dog is a membership club located in the mural-covered building on the Rotary Trail. Membership allows for unlimited access to the park, a members-only line, Yappy Hours, and access to a community of other humans and dogs. You can also purchase a non-member day pass.
Owners must bring a record of their dog’s vaccinations, sign up for an account, and complete the dog park agreement. All dogs must be spayed or neutered and 4 months or older.
Hoover Dog Park at Loch Haven Park
3469 Loch Haven Dr, Hoover, AL 35216 • (205) 444-7703
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hoover Dog Park is nestled in the suburbs and features everything from a fenced-in off-leash area for small and large dogs to a canine obstacle course and a nearby sandy creek for splashing around. If you opt for an on-leash experience, take your dogs on the 0.4-mile walking track at Loch Haven. Children will love the large playground and covered picnic pavilion with a large recreation field, and adults can grab a drink at Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant to enjoy at the picnic tables. If you’re in the mood for something substantial, you can also snag a meal at Twisted Root Burger Co.
Remy’s Dog Park at Red Mountain Park
2011 Frankfurt Dr, Birmingham, AL 35211 • (205) 202-6043
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Southern Living named Remy’s Dog Park at Red Mountain Park one of the “10 Greatest Southern Dog Parks,” and it certainly lives up to its reputation. Remy’s Dog Park has six acres with shaded areas, benches, and open spaces for running and fetching. Located 0.11 miles from the Red Mountain Park’s entrance, Remy’s has three separate dog parks — one for small dogs, one for large dogs, and one for special needs dogs.
Grab a slice of pizza at Pizzeria G.M., or a hot dog and fries at Sneaky Pete’s just minutes from the park’s entrance, and enjoy a nice summer day with your furry friends. Your dog is guaranteed to be worn out after visiting Remy’s.
Cahaba Beach Dog Park
3555 Cahaba Beach Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242 • (205) 397-3647
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon; Sunday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
A private dog park may sound excessive to some folks, but Cahaba Beach Dog Park is not just any old dog park. It offers a safe and clean environment for you and your pets to enjoy thanks to a completely fenced-in, three-acre, leash-free zone that includes tunnels, ramps, trails, and water for your pup to play in. All the trails are environmentally friendly and paved with recycled red rock. The main feature of this fancy dog park is the beach, with a waterfall and a shallow pool for your pets to enjoy. There are separate areas for small dogs, in case your pet gets nervous around bigger dogs.
All dogs must be screened and evaluated on temperament before entering the park and must be up to date on vaccinations, spayed or neutered, and at least 7 months old. The dog park motto is “safety first,” and the regulations ensure that all pets and owners are kept safe and healthy.
Cahaba River Walk Park
3529 Overton Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 • (205) 802-3877
Hours: Daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cahaba River Walk Park opened in 2015. The five-acre park has a 0.2-mile paved walking trail, a gathering pavilion, exercise equipment, and … you guessed it, a dog park. On the Cahaba River, it is the perfect location for a swim with your pets, fishing, and even rafting. The quaint dog park was the first of its kind in Mountain Brook and was opened in 2019 by students in Mountain Brook High School’s leadership program. It is open to dogs of all sizes, and they can be off-leash inside the 0.5-acre fenced area.
Cahaba Dog Park: Trussville
531 Cherokee Dr, Trussville, AL 35173 • (205) 655-9486
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
After a year of Trussville community member outreach, the area’s first dog park (funded solely by donations) opened in 2018. Cahaba Dog Park has almost an acre of fenced-in area as well as separate areas for smaller and bigger dogs. The park’s prime location makes it easy to grab a bite to eat nearby, whether before or after your outdoor adventures. Grab a beer at Ferus Artisan Ales or a sandwich at Edgars Bakery. Both are just minutes away from the park.
Jemison Trail Dog Park
2973 Cahaba Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 • (205) 802-3877
Hours: 24 hours, daily
One of Birmingham’s newest dog parks opened in January of this year, thanks to a Mountain Brook High School Eagle Scout. Only the second dog park in Mountain Brook, it is a much-needed addition to the community. This mini dog park on Jemison Trail has a double-gated entrance, a dog water fountain, and benches for owners to sit and take a break. You can also bring your dog (leashed) on Jemison Trail for one-on-one time.
Green Springs Dog Park at George Ward Park
1901 Green Springs Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35209
Hours: Daily, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Green Springs Dog Park at George Ward Park is ideal for playing with your furry friends. The 2.6 acres of fenced green area is perfect for pups to play leash-free and socialize with other dogs. George Ward Park also has a lot to offer humans, including a tennis court, disc golf, and shaded areas for walking or picnicking. Bring your dog leashed to George Ward Park or un-leashed to Green Springs Dog Park. Either way, your pups will be worn out from a day of fun.
BONUS: City Walk BHAM
Birmingham locals know City Walk BHAM is about to be the newest and most innovative destination in the Magic City. Birmingham’s I-59/20 Central Business District Interstate bridges were recently renovated — and wait until you hear what’s going underneath them! The plans for City Walk BHAM include everything from a skate park and outdoor classrooms to a beer and wine garden and a dog park. “The Barkery” at City Walk will include areas for little dogs and big dogs, doggie gym equipment, a self-irrigated turf system, and hydration stations for the pups. The entirety of City Walk BHAM will span almost a mile in length and 31 acres. Keep up to date on the openings of each of City Walk’s exciting areas on their website and Facebook.
Enjoy exploring these parks with your pup!
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