In a city where the sun shines brighter than your primo‘s gold chain and the humidity is thicker than a café cubano, it’s no wonder dogs in Miami live as fabulously as their human companions. After all, if you’re strutting the streets of the 305 in style, your pup should be too. And when it’s time to let loose, chase tails, or just pant dramatically in a shaded pavilion, the Magic City delivers.
Whether your furry bestie prefers a salty ocean breeze or a sniff-worthy wooded trail, these ten dog parks — from Homestead to Doral — offer something for every breed, from beachside romps to sprawling agility fields.
Here, in alphabetical order, are the ten best dog parks in Miami, complete with fresh finds and timeless favorites.
Amelia Earhart Park
The five-acre Bark Park at Amelia Earhart isn’t exactly the Hollywood version of doggy heaven, but it’s close enough, considering the endless sprinting possibilities in its expansive play zone. The rest of the park features five lakes where guests can wakeboard, water ski, paddleboard, and more. It also has bike trails, several sports facilities, a treehouse playground, and a fishing pier that’s fun for pet owners and pet admirers alike. Weekday parking is free, but weekends and holidays will cost you a reasonable $8. Open daily from sunrise to sunset at 401 E. 65th St., Hialeah; 305-685-8389; miamidade.gov.
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Blanche Park
Blanche Park is a canine hotspot that regularly welcomes friendly furballs and their owners. Its artificial turf, rolling hills, waste and water stations, and bench seating are kept pristine, and its tree-lined, fenced perimeter makes it an escape from the city’s commotion. (Pro tip: Peak hours are from 4 to 8 p.m., so keep that in mind whether you want to mingle or avoid the crowd.) Open daily from sunrise to sunset at 3045 Shipping Ave., Coconut Grove; 305-416-1300; miami.gov.
Canopy Park
A hidden gem in the heart of South Beach’s residential scene, Canopy Park is the type of spot where pups and people alike can soak up some stylish serenity. Though it’s smaller in scale than some of the county giants, its well-manicured lawns, shaded benches, and artful landscaping give it top-tier charm. The fenced-in dog area is a favorite among West Ave. locals and is a great spot to let your dog off-leash while you admire the public art and sip an iced cafecito. The vibe here is upscale but laid-back — think toy poodles and Frenchies over retrievers on Red Bull. Open daily from sunrise to sunset at 701 West Ave., Miami Beach; 305-673-7779; fivepark.com.
Haulover Beach Bark Park & Dog Beach
Miami’s OG when it comes to letting dogs dig their paws into the sand, Haulover’s Bark Park is a tale of two adventures: a shaded, fenced-in bark park and a beach zone that lets pups run wild (off-leash!) between lifeguard towers Two and Three. With separate areas for large and small dogs, picnic tables, water fountains, and plenty of grass for zoomies, the bark park is a regional destination. Cross the road (via parking lots Three or Four) and you’ll hit the dog-friendly beach area with sun, surf, and slobbery grins guaranteed. Pups must be leashed on the way to and from the beach, and a $2 vehicle fee applies. Bark park is open 8 a.m. to sunset daily, and dog beach is open sunrise to 8 p.m. daily at 10800 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-947-3525; miamidade.gov.
James Archer Smith Park
James Archer Smith Park is a modest yet well-maintained bark park featuring animal-friendly amenities, including agility equipment and shaded areas. For two-legged visitors, a colorful playground, fitness station, jogging paths, and kid-friendly splash pad make this park an all-around favorite. Once you and your pup are all tuckered out, make a day trip out of the excursion and hit up several of the area’s famed farmers’ markets. Open daily from sunrise to sunset at 300 NW 12th St., Homestead; 305-224-4570; homesteadfl.gov.
Margaret Pace Park
Tucked away on Biscayne Bay, Margaret Pace Park boasts lush greenery and waterfront views that its namesake, a preservationist and the former vice president of the Miami Woman’s Club, fought hard to save from developers in the 1960s. An enclosed play zone within the eight-acre plot is perfect for midday zoomies and outfitted with dog-friendly drinking fountains and pup paraphernalia such as fire hydrants. The park’s well-kept basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, and its proximity to the Bay’s best food joints, make this pick a win for the family and Fido. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 1745 N. Bayshore Dr., Miami; 305-533-3552; miami.gov.
North Beach Oceanside Park
Lovingly nicknamed Bark Beach, North Beach Oceanside Park is one of the many coastal dog havens that separate Miami’s fur-friendly facilities from the rest of the country’s. Pets can roam the section of sand between 80th and 81st streets off-leash on weekend afternoons (3 to 7 p.m. from March through October, and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. from November through February) or lope the two enclosed dog runs near the park’s north end. With a children’s playground, outdoor fitness challenge course, and barbecue grills stocked in each of its three-party pavilions, this park is a no-brainer for those looking for an all-ages staycation spot. Open daily from sunrise to sunset at 8328 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-861-3616; miamibeachfl.gov.
Trails & Tails Park
Doral’s version of a doggy Disneyland, Trails & Tails sprawls across eight acres with thoughtful touches at every turn. There are separate off-leash zones for small and large dogs, agility equipment, water fountains, a rinse-off station, and even free Wi-Fi for when your dog takes forever to sniff that one weird patch of grass. It’s the city’s first official dog park, and locals treat it like a second home. Human-friendly perks include exercise stations, shaded pavilions, and clean restrooms. Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to sunset on Sunday at 11645 NW 50th St., Doral; 305-593-6600; cityofdoral.com.
Tropical Park
If you’re a bona fide Dade County local, Tropical Park undoubtedly features in your childhood memories. Famous for hosting grade-school birthday parties and Little League games, it also has two off-leash bark parks with agility courses and doggy shower stations for pups big and small. The fun isn’t just reserved for four-legged friends, though. The park boasts endless activities that make the trip worthwhile for you and your pooch. Pickleball courts, fishing, jazzercise, boxing classes, soccer clubs — need we say more? Open daily from sunrise to sunset at 7900 SW 40th St., Miami; 305-553-3161; miamidade.gov.
West Kendall District Park
If you’re looking for a picturesque promenade with your pup, West Kendall District Park is the place to go. With Kendall West still under development, the park is spacious (164 acres!), and the skyline is free of high-rise buildings, making its sunrise-to-sunset hours of operation quite a spectacle. The park’s 6.5-acre dog zone is divided into two, providing a space for large and small pups to play safely. It’s chock-full of amenities like water sprays, tire jumps, and a paws table that will keep your pet entertained for hours. Fabric canopies, benches, and picnic tables promise to keep you cool and comfortable under that beautiful but scorching Miami sun. Open daily from sunrise to sunset at 11255 SW 157th Ave., Miami; 305-275-1152; miamidade.gov.