Best Dog Parks in Lansing, MI
Lansing, MI is a thriving community that’s full of great places for you and your dog to hang out. Aside from the many great restaurants, walks, and shopping centers, there are dog parks that will give you and your canine companion the chance to bond over fresh air and sunshine. Spending time with your dog is a great way to nurture that relationship between you both, which helps contribute to clear communication and unshakable trust. These things are the basis for training that works. If you want your dog to listen to you, fostering a deep relationship is a great place to start.
Dog owners from the area might know their favorite places to be, but maybe you’re looking for something different. Maybe you’re new to the area, and you need an off-leash park to keep your pup entertained. Maybe you’ve been content with your tiny front yard until now.
Regardless of what changed, we’re here with answers for you. In this post, we’ll cover the best local dog parks, some of which are fenced, some aren’t. We’re confident that you’ll find something that’s aligned with your tastes, because Lansing has a lot to offer.
Soldan Dog Park
Address: E Cavanaugh Rd, Lansing, MI 48910
The Solden Dog Park is adjacent to Hawk Island and beloved by the community. It’s an off-leash dog park that’s maintained by the Ingham County Parks Department as well as the city of Lansing. It does require an electronic pass card (a key fob) to get into the park, but according to reviews, it’s well worth the trouble.
It’s a large fenced area with lots of space for your dog to wander, run, and explore off-leash. It has more than 15 acres of trails, fields, and even a large pond. There are drinking fountains for both humans and pets, and a free dog washing station for recovering after your dog has had the time of their life.
You can purchase a day pass if you’re only in town for a little bit, or you can look into more consistent options. Either way, the Soldan Dog Park is a beautiful, clean, and respectable place for you and your pup to spend some time outdoors.
Hawk Island Park
Address: 1601 E Cavanaugh Rd, Lansing, MI 48910
Near Solden Dog Park, there is Hawk Island Park, which has overwhelmingly positive reviews for its trails. This park is 100 acres of land on Cavanaugh Road, which is in South Lansing. There is a vehicle entrance fee year-round, but the park more than makes up for it. It has a swimming beach, picnic and shelter areas, a splash pad, fishing docks, and accessible walkways. The playground, as well, is built by and for the community.
Hawk Island is entirely dog-friendly, with the exception of the space between the playground and the concession stand. This area includes the beach and the splash pad. This is not an off-leash park. All dogs need to be on a maximum of a 6-foot leash.
Northern Tail Dog Park
Address: 6400 Abbot Rd #1422, East Lansing, MI 48823
The Northern Trail Dog Park is in East Lansing, just north of the softball complex. It’s not as big as Hawk Island Park, coming in at only 2.5 acres. However, what makes this park special is that it’s designated entirely for off-leash dog play. Additionally, there is a 5,625-square-foot area that’s for small dogs only. That means any pup under 22 pounds.
It was made in 2007 as a means of providing a free, accessible area for the dogs in the community to run wild. There is a lot of signage, multiple entrances, and dog waste stations. The good thing about this park is that, since it is small and the hours are fantastic, it isn’t usually crowded. Locals and visitors alike find that there is plenty of room to share.
How to Prep For a Dog Park
Most dog parks require a few things. Some of them require leashes, some of them don’t. Make sure you have a leash ready if you need it. Most dog parks will want your pup to have an up-to-date rabies vaccination, as well. You don’t usually have to show documentation, but you should know where it is just in case. Take the usual walk stuff, such as poop bags, comfy clothes, and a heart ready to have fun.
Even though there is some prep involved, dog parks can be a lot of fun and a fantastic way to bond with your dog. It’s not uncommon for dogs and pet parents to make lifelong friends in these communities! If you’ve never been to one of these amazing local parks, you can change that today by picking any park on this list and heading out. It’s time to have a blast!