Portland, Oregon, has more dog parks within stick-throwing distance than most cities could ever hope for. But which Portland-area parks are most worthy of your Frisbee-throwing, fetch-playing time? And, perhaps most importantly, which are the best parks for letting your pup frolic free of that leash and harness?
Here at Rover’s Seattle HQ, we’re just a hop, skip and a jump away from Portland. We visit the Rose City often. To develop this list, we checked out these parks ourselves and quizzed our Portland dog-loving friends. Check out these parks and let us know what you think in the comments!
Check out these 5 beautiful and fun off-leash dog parks in Portland, OR
1. Chimney Park
9360 N. Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR
5.52 acres
Chimney Park in North Portland is completely fenced dog park, with plenty of room for running and games of fetch. Though there’s no running water, the park is wonderfully maintained, with poop bags and garbage cans. Lots of shade trees make this a favorite dog park for the summer months.
For more information, visit the City of Portland Parks and Recreation site.
2. Ross Park
NE 18th Ave and NE Ross St., Vancouver, WA
7.72 acres
One of the largest off-leash dog parks in greater Portland, Ross Park offers nearly 8 acres, separated into two sections. The southern section is the largest, and is connected by a short trail to the northern, smaller area near 15th Ave. (Both offer a small parking area and entrances to the park.) It’s the flagship dog park of DOGPAW, the awesome Portland-area nonprofit, and is run in conjunction with the Vancouver Parks and Recreation. For more information, visit the City of Vancouver parks site.
3. Hondo Dog Park
4499 NW 229th Ave, Hillsboro, OR
3.75 acres
This double-gated park has a water station for hot days, and usually has poop bags in case you forgot yours at home. Lots of benches and an area dedicated to small and timid dogs earn points from us.
The park is named after a K9 from the Hillsboro Police who lost his life in the line of duty; Hondo is memorialized by a fire hydrant painted with an American flag. The park is on the smaller size, but it’s completely fenced. For more information, visit the City of Hillsboro site.
4. Brush Prairie Dog Park
NE 149th St. and NE 101st Pl., Vancouver, WA
(adjacent to the Lauretta Noreen Forest Preserve)
10 acres
Brush Prairie Dog Park is double-gated and entirely fenced, with a nice and flat off-leash area. Let your dog roam free! A bonus for you owners of introverted dogs: There’s a section of this 10-acre park specifically designated for small or shy pups. The park is maintained by the non-profit DOGPAWS of Clark County. For more info, visit DOGPAW or the City of Vancouver site.
5. Sandy River Delta (a.k.a. Thousand Acres)
Off exit 18 from I-84
1,400 acres (!)
Ok, ok, so it’s in Troutdale, but don’t discount this super-sized, super-fun park just because it requires a bit of a drive. Described as “Disneyland for Dogs,” Sandy River Delta, nestled in-between the Columbia and Sandy Rivers, promises hours of fun for even the most active border collies. While it’s not 100% off-leash, many of the trails are designated as off-leash areas. Keep an eye out for mountain bikers and horses, however, if your dog spooks at either. And definitely pack your own water. Many of the trails end at the rivers—possible spots for swimming—but your pup will no doubt get thirsty first. For more information, visit the Forest Service website.
Photo courtesy of the Portland Department of Parks & Recreation.
