The 7 Best Dog Parks in Memphis

If you’re in the mood for a little road trip, head about 14 miles east of downtown Memphis and visit the amazing Shelby Farms Dog Park. This enormous park boasts 100 acres for your dog to enjoy.

Part of the 4,500 acre Shelby Farms Park, the dog park is adjacent to walking trails and other areas that are dog friendly, but require a leash.

The off-leash portion of the park, called The Outback, has open fields, wooded trails, and several ponds. Because of its size, it isn’t usually very crowded. If your dog wants to play you might not find a lot of company. But for exploring, this space can’t be beat.

There is drinking water for your dog as well as a washing station, but bring your own waste bags. There are no separate areas for large and small dogs.

Just east of the Memphis city center you’ll find Overton Park. This 342 acre public space contains the Old Forest State Natural Area, Veterans Plaza, Memphis Zoo, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and more. Tucked into this gem of an urban park is the Overton Bark Dog Park.

This fully fenced, off leash park has 1.3 acres of space divided into separate areas for large and small dogs. This is a nice, natural park with lots of shade and rustic benches. With a mulch and dirt surface, you may need to use the on-site wash station.

Overton Bark is a great place to bring your social pooches. There will be lots of friends at this popular destination. Overton Park hosts a lot of events, so check their calendar and see what’s happening while you’re in Memphis.

This little 0.15 acre dog park sits in the heart of Memphis, in one of its quiet neighborhoods. What used to be a vacant lot is now a nice place to bring your canine companions for some exercise and socialization.

With a wood chip surface and separate areas for large and small dogs, Central Bark has places for humans to sit while their dogs play. There is some shade from a canopy and umbrellas, but this is not a tree-filled space.

It’s not fancy, but Central Bark is a great place to let your pup off their leash for a bit as you walk the city. Don’t forget to bring waste bags.

This was the very first dog park in Memphis, dating back to 2010. The City of Memphis Dog Park sits right next to Frank Tobey Park, so you might hear it called the Tobey Dog Park.

Located just east of the city center, not far from Overton Park, the City of Memphis Dog Park is 1.5 acres of grassy pooch playground. The park has two separate areas. Instead of designating them by the size of the dog only, the smaller area is for small, senior, and shy dogs to play apart from their boisterous buddies.

The City of Memphis Dog Park has benches for humans, waste bags, and drinking water. The fully-fenced park has a little shade, but the trees are not large. One of the best things about this dog park is that it is open 24 hours a day. For travelers who may arrive late at night or leave early in the morning, this is a big perk.

About half an hour northeast of downtown Memphis you’ll find Bartlett Dog Park. This wooded park has separate areas for small and large dogs and a double gated entry.

Maintained by a nearby shelter, Bartlett Dog Park is clean and has waste bags. There are plenty of benches so you can relax while your pooch plays, and kiddie pools for splashing in the summer.

There is no drinking water supplied at Bartlett Park, so be sure to bring some for your pup. The city of Bartlett requests that you make sure your dog’s vaccinations and license are up to date.

Don’t write off Mudd Island Dog Park for fear of its grubby namesake! Mudd Island Dog Park is located right on the Mississippi River, in Mississippi Greenbelt Park. The off-leash park is separated into spaces for small and large dogs. It has a nice, grassy surface that is well-maintained.

The flat, two acre park offers plenty of room for your pup to run and play. It has shaded seating for humans, but is not wooded. The shade is provided by benches with canopies.

Of all the dog parks in Memphis, Mudd Island may have the best views. Look in one direction for a magnificent view of the Mississippi River, and the other to watch the hustle and bustle of the Memphis cityscape.

Be sure to bring water for you and your furry friends. There is water there, but it doesn’t always work, so better safe than sorry. This is a nice big space right on the river for some down time with your dog during a busy day.

Not far from Shelby Farms you’ll find a smaller park, Sea Isle Dog Park. Though not the 100 acres of Shelby Farms, there is plenty of room for your pooch to run and play at this former ball field turned dog park.

The fully fenced, off-leash park has water and bowls and plenty of shaded benches for humans. Sitting in the middle of the larger Sea Isle Park, this is a great place for your dog to shed their leash and get in some playtime.

Sea Isle Dog Park is near a nice walking trail for a stroll when your pup is ready to be back on their leash. The dog park, and the rest of the park, is free and open to all. Be sure to bring your own waste bags, they are not supplied.

Traveling to Memphis? Book a room at one of our affordable, pet-friendly hotels.