More than half of San Antonio residents are dog owners but not all are homeowners with big backyards for their canine companions to romp in. Thankfully, the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department offers 17 off-leash dog parks around the city with plenty of space for dogs to explore and enjoy some playtime.
We visited parks around San Antonio to look at space, play structures, shade and seating. These are some of our picks for your next puppy playdate.
Phil Hardberger Dog Park
Phil Hardberger Park has two dog parks, one at the Northwest Military Highway entrance and one at the Blanco Road entrance. At the Blanco Road entrance, the park is to the left of the children’s playground, and the other one is on the right of the Northwest Military Highway entrance. Both parks are well-fenced and have separate sections for large and small dogs that are spacious with some shaded tables and benches for guests to rest while their dogs play on the ramps in the play space. The play space is mostly mulch and dirt and has plenty of trees keeping it well-shaded. Water fountains are available, along with bags and trash cans for guests to clean up after their pets.
13203 Blanco Rd.
8400 NW Military Hwy
Nani Falcone Dog Park
The dog park at Nani Falcone Park dog park can be found in the same parking lot as the skate park across from Fire Station 49. There are water fountains available both inside and outside of the fencing, and all of the seating is shaded, making the park more comfortable on hot days. The play space is mainly dirt with small patches of grass and is divided into sections for large and small dogs with a couple of play structures in the large dog section. The space as a whole is well kept with bags and trash cans for guests to clean up after their dogs.
7625 Mystic Park
Lady Bird Johnson Dog Park
The dog park at the Lady Bird Johnson Park is located at the park’s Lady Bird Johnson trailhead. There is a general dog area separate from the small dog area, and both have cute decorated play structures for dogs. The landscape is mostly dirt with some trees for shade, a couple of benches and water fountains. Bags and trash cans are available for guests to clean up after their dogs. A pavilion with tables is located right outside of the play space.
10700 Nacogdoches Rd.
Pearsall Dog Park
The Pearsall Park dog park is spacious and well-fenced with a grassy landscape for dogs to enjoy, though it doesn’t offer much shade. It is divided into a large dog and small dog space with play structures in the large dog section. Bags and trash cans are available.
5414 FM-2536
Tom Slick Dog Park
The Tom Slick dog park is large, grassy and well-fenced. Most of the guest seating is shaded, though it doesn’t have much shade throughout the play space. There are separate large and small dog sections with a couple of play structures. Fountains, bags and trash cans are available for guests’ convenience.
7400 SH-151 W
Kingsborough Dog Park
Located behind the park’s swimming pool, the Kingsborough Park dog park is easy to miss. The grassy play space has separate sections for large and small dogs with play structures on the large dog side. There’s minimal seating with only a couple of benches, but the tables are shaded. It offers water fountains both inside and outside of the fencing along with bags and trash cans.
350 Felps Blvd.
Olmos Basin Dog Park
The Olmos Basin dog park is a bit of a walk from the park’s parking lot, however, it has handicapped parking right outside of its gate. The large play space is mainly dirt and has a smaller closed-off section for small dogs. There are folding chairs and benches for seating, fountains, and bags and trash cans for clean-up.
103 Alamo Heights Blvd.
Maverick Dog Park
Located near several apartment complexes in San Antonio’s River North neighborhood, the dog park at Maverick Park offers apartment-dwelling dogs a chance to stretch their legs. It has a grass landscape that is divided into a general dog area and a small dog area. There are also benches for guest seating, a drinking fountain, and bags and trash cans to clean up after your pet.
310 E. Jones Ave.
Bonus: Hops and Hounds
Hops and Hounds is a local restaurant with an outdoor dining space, live music, games and a gated dog park. The play space is separated by size and activity level, and there are obstacles for your dogs in each section.
13838 Jones Maltsberger Rd.
