The 6 Best Dog Parks in Nashville

Sitting pretty in the Lincoya Hills neighborhood east of downtown Nashville is Two Rivers Dog Park. Run by the city, it is seven acres of fenced-in, off-leash fun. Set inside the enormous 364-acre Two Rivers Park, this area has a lot to offer both dogs and humans. The dog park is well-appointed with benches, gazebos, and other resting places. The park has plenty of different landscapes for your pup to explore, from wooded areas to rolling hills and landscaped spots. A nice touch is the attractive wooden fencing fortified with mesh so dogs are secure. 

Two Rivers Dog Park is free and open to all visitors. It does not have a separate area for small dogs.

If you’re looking for a place for your canine companion to play west of downtown, try Centennial Dog Park. It’s near Vanderbilt University and part of Nashville’s larger Centennial Park. This city-run dog park is at the very edge of the larger park, in the southwest corner. Centennial Dog Park is double-gated and has separate areas for small and large dogs. Waste bags and water are available for dogs and people to use. The larger park is also dog-friendly. Snap on a leash and walk some of the trails or see the famous Nashville Parthenon. Extra points for Centennial Park’s public parking lot! It’s a ways from the dog park, but there is street parking available as well.

Centennial Dog Park is free and open to all.

Another of Nashville’s best dog parks is also city-run and opened in 2019. Frankie Pierce Park is right near the State Capitol and is a beautiful green addition to the area. Named after suffragette Frankie Pierce, the park is all about community. And that includes the community’s pups! Frankie Pierce Dog Park is fenced and has an artificial turf surface. This isn’t uncommon in the Nashville area and helps keep your furry traveler clean. The paved pathway gives you a place to stroll while your dog makes friends. Frankie Pierce Dog Park is a terrific place to give your dog some playtime while you explore downtown.

While Frankie Pierce Dog Park is free and open to all, it does not have separate areas for small and large dogs.

Are you in the mood for a little road trip? Take Highway 24 about ten miles south of downtown Nashville to Antioch. Here you’ll find William A. Pitts Dog Park (or just Pitts Dog Park). With two acres of fenced-in off-leash space, this is another of Nashville’s amazing city-run dog parks. You’ll find waste bags and trash cans and plenty of water. The main part of the dog park is big and wooded with a double-gated entrance. Locals love the William A. Pitts Dog Park’s adjacent fenced-in walking trail. This nature walk offers you and your dog the chance for an off-leash wilderness hike, a rarity in the dog park world. Part of a larger park, the Pitts Dog Park has a parking lot, but sometimes limited spaces. The lot tends to fill up on busy days.

William A. Pitts Dog Park is free and open to all. It does not have separate areas for small and large dogs.

Gulch Dog Park is an urban oasis for your pups. Sitting in the trendy Gulch neighborhood, this small park has some great features for both pets and people. Fenced and divided into areas for small and large dogs, the 5,000 square feet of Gulch Dog Park has a wood chip and mulch surface, a couple of large trees, and some big rocks for your playful pooch. The city-run park provides waste bags and trash cans. This park is designed to bring together both dogs and people. You’ll find murals painted by local artists and a dog-friendly neighborhood. If you get hungry, head to one of the food trucks at the nearby community hub.

Gulch Dog Park is free and open to all and its central city location means free one-hour street parking.

The only Nashville dog park on our list not run by the city is also the only one that isn’t free. If you feel like splurging, give BarkPark a try. Located in the McFerrin Park neighborhood, this small park is just a couple of miles from the State Capitol. BarkPark is owned and run by the same folks who brought us the subscription service BarkBox and the website BarkShop. Their concept is to give your furry friend a place to play and you a place to hang out. BarkPark has a coffee shop, free Wi-Fi, comfy seating, and restrooms. For your dog, there is a grassy play area with access to toys and sprinklers in the summer. They host fun events for people and dogs. You can even bring in your own wine and beer.

BarkPark does not provide waste bags, though they do sell them. The fee for a day pass is $19 for one dog and two humans. It’s less expensive to purchase a weekly, monthly, or season pass. The park is not open in the winter.

There are a lot of great dog parks in Nashville, TN! From small urban oases to large wooded parks with trails, you’ll be able to find the perfect place for your four-legged friends to play. Nashville has an excellent system of city-owned dog parks. Check their parks page for policies and locations. 

Visiting Nashville is fun. It’s even more fun when your canine companion is along for the ride. At Red Roof, we offer affordable pet-friendly accommodations for all our guests. Book your stay today!