Written By Malcolm Lawson
So you’ve finished dining at one of Annapolis’s fine restaurants and visited shops around City Dock and Maryland Ave, and your pupster was well-behaved as you strolled downtown Annapolis, but now you want to indulge your furry friend with a spot for themselves and let them run free! Fear not, the Annapolis area has some great dog parks where your dog can run, play, and make furry friends in their new home. Here is our list of the five best dog parks in Annapolis & the surrounding area.
Annapolis’ premier park, Quiet Waters is an exquisite park for both dogs and their humans. It not only offers two off-leash dog parks, but is also one of the few dog beaches in Annapolis where dogs can run, swim, and splash freely. If your pup is a water lover, this is certainly the spot to go.
If you’re looking to train your Lassie-protege, Quiet Waters dog park also offers agility and exercise equipment for you to stimulate your dog’s mind and body.
And as long as your dogs are leashed, they can accompany you on the many miles of trails throughout this beautiful 340-acre wooded park along the South River.
Open 7 am until dusk, and the daily vehicle parking fee is $6.00 per vehicle, however, members of the military, veterans, and their families with identification cards can park for free, and there are also annual passes available for purchase.
Broadneck Park, located on the borders of Annapolis in Arnold, is open all year from sunrise to sunset and it’s one of the best places to take your dogs for some fun outside!
Located in the park’s southern corner, you will find two off-leash dog parks here, one each for large and small dogs. Amenities offered at this Annapolis dog park include tennis balls, buckets, and freshwater.
During the winter months, you’ll have to bring water when the pump is turned off, and though the park is incredibly maintained, make sure to also bring doggy waste bags as they sometimes run out.
Beyond the dog parks, you are also able to walk your pooch along the 1.5 trail around the park as long as they are leashed. Also of note, there are no fees for this park at all!
Located approximately 12 miles from Downtown Annapolis, Bell Branch dog park is located next to an extensive athletic field and facilities, so there will be plenty for both you and your canine to do here! While the shade is limited here, this is a large park so your dog can get some exercise in zooming around.
Like the previous two parks, this park also features an area for both large and small (and senior) dogs to keep your pooches separate and safe. During the hot Maryland summer, kiddie pools are even provided for your little pups so they can cool down and have fun while doing it.
While drinking water is available, make sure to always bring some backup water just in case! Bell Branch Park is open from 6 AM until 8 PM.
Open for 24 hours, doggos in search of a new adventure can find one at Loch Haven Park in Edgewater.
Here you will find three enclosed spaces: two for large dogs, and one for smaller and elderly canines. There is plenty of room here for your pets to run around to their hearts’ delight. You’ll find plenty of trees here to protect your dogs from the sun.
Located in a residential area, this Edgewater, Maryland dog park can be quieter than others which could be great if your pup needs some alone play!
Located in Laurel, Maryland City Dog Park is open from sunrise to sunset and is a frequently visited park. Another park with two enclosures, one for large dogs and one for smaller ones, your pups can mingle but can avoid being picked on by larger (or smaller!) dogs.
This park has grass and dirt, but it lacks trees in the enclosure and is unshaded, so make sure you prepare, especially in the summer months for both you and your pet.
Around the park, you will also find walking trails and playgrounds, and your pets can accompany you as long as they are leashed. Overall, this park is pretty high trafficked, so this is a great place to take your pups to socialize!
As a friendly reminder, Anne Arundel County provides some common sense rules to keep everyone and their four-legged friends safe.
If you have an aggressive dog, the county requests you do not bring your dog to these parks. All dogs must be healthy, vaccinated, and collared – with identification. Smoking at all of these parks is not allowed, and children under 6 are not allowed in the fenced area. You can find all of the rules here.
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