If you’re searching for the best dog parks in Riverside, California, you’ve come to the right place. Riverside is a busy, mid-sized city in Southern California. Sometimes, the city might feel like there are no great places to spend quality time with your dog. Nevertheless, there are tons of attractions your dog will love.
The city also boasts several dog parks with stellar reviews from other dog owners. However, with the numerous options, finding the best dog parks in Riverside can be challenging, especially when you don’t know the vital metrics to consider. To help make your search easier and more productive, we have curated a list of the best dog parks you can visit and spend quality time with your dog.
Taking your dog to the park is one of the best ways to increase the bond between you and your dog. It also provides a great opportunity for your dog to exercise, explore different areas, and meet many new friends. Whether small or large, dogs are highly energetic and need regular exercise and activity to live long, healthy lives.
Dog parks in Riverside have rules and requirements you must meet before bringing your dog, one of which is that your dog must be vaccinated, licensed, and wear a current, visible license. Here are some of the best dog parks in Riverside to visit with your dog.
Before you scroll further down this list of dog parks in Riverside, California, you can check out these other dog-related recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best Dog Parks in Los Angeles, California and Best Dog Parks in Santa Monica, California.
Find Dog Parks Near Me in Riverside, California
Our team at We Love Doodles created and compiled this list of the best dog parks in Riverside, California, for your companion.
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1. Rubidoux Dog Park
Rubidoux Dog Park is at the heart of Riverside. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. This dog park is the favorite of many dog owners in the city because they can visit any time. In addition to being always open, the park has the basic amenities you need to have a great time with your dog.
Despite being always open, Rubidoux Dog Park is always clean and well-maintained, thanks to the volunteers at the park. Rubidoux Dog Park is a great place to spend quality time with your dog without spending a dime. There is enough room for your dog to play, run, roam, and exercise for hours.
The only challenge you might have is finding the perfect parking space. The park is in Mt. Rubidoux Park, one of the city’s largest parks and landmarks. Mount Rubidoux welcomes hundreds of visitors daily, so parking can sometimes be hard to find. Besides that, the play is lovely, serene, quiet, and peaceful.
If you want to get away from the noise in the city, this is the perfect spot. This off-leash dog playground is large and has everything you and your dog may need. The park also caters to the needs of different dogs, as it has separate areas for different types of dogs.
It has one narrow shady space and one large open space. Your dog can run, play, and socialize in the large open space while you use the picnic tables and benches along the inside fence. Rubidoux Dog Park is designed to make you and your dog comfortable while having the moment of your lives.
In addition to being completely free, the park offers pet owners free doggie poop bags. You can get a free poop bag at the entrance of the park. It also has trash cans strategically positioned to encourage proper disposal of dirt. Another unique thing about this park is that it cares for all its visitors, not only the dogs. There is a water fountain near the entrance for adults, kids, and dogs.
The fountains are there to prevent dehydration, especially during the hot summer days. Since the park is open all day and night, it has light posts to provide lighting after dark. With such features, you can visit and use the park conveniently anytime. It is also fenced-in to ensure your dog remains safe and within sight when playing or exploring off-leash.
Rubidoux Dog Park Details
- Address: 4727 Scout Ln, Riverside, CA 92501
- Website: Rubidoux Dog Park
2. Riverwalk Dog Park
Riverwalk Dog Park is a mid-size dog park with many amenities and open play areas for dogs and their owners. This dog park is located in southwest Riverside, across from the Riverwalk Duck Pond. Riverwalk Dog Park is the favorite of many pet owners in the city because it has almost everything a park should have.
The park has three separate areas:
- One for small dogs
- One for large dogs
- A separate area for agility
The small dog area is also suitable for medium-sized, shy, and timid dogs. All three sections are grassy and have shrubs or trees. All sections are fitted with seats to ensure you are comfortable while your dog is playing and jumping around. Some benches are found under shady trees to protect you from direct sunlight during the hot days.
To ensure your dog remains hydrated while playing and socializing in the park, the park placed a doggie water fountain in the large and small dog areas. Your dog can easily access and drink from the fountain and return to its activity. Riverwalk Dog Park is open every day of the week from 7 AM to 9 PM.
You can use it for early morning walks/jogs or take your dog outdoors after office hours. Interestingly, you do not have to spend a dime to have a wonderful moment with your dog in this park. They also offer free poop bags to visitors, and you can easily dispose of them in the waste stations across the park.
The park supplies poop bags to make it easy for dog owners to pick up after their dogs. Despite being free and open most of the time, this park is always clean. It is known to be one of the cleanest dog parks in the city. The park is cleaned several times a week, and the trash cans also contribute to the cleanliness of the environment.
This dog park is usually scanty during the week, but the reverse is the case on weekends. Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days for the park. There is ample parking space for those driving to the park. The play areas are also fenced-in to prevent your dog from wandering off the park.
Riverwalk Dog Park Details
- Address: 4198 Pierce St, Riverside, CA 92505
- Website: Riverwalk Dog Park
3. Pat Merritt Dog Park
Located on Limonite Avenue, Riverside, Pat Merritt Dog Park is another beautiful place you can spend time with your dog. Many pet owners love this park because of its size. The park is large and has separate play areas for small and large dogs. This is the perfect park if your dog does not get along with mixed sizes.
Small dogs with similar temperaments and play styles have their owner section where they can play, run, and exercise. The park was designed for the comfort of dogs and their owners. All park sections are grassy and large enough for your dog to play without limitation.
They also have concrete paths where you and your dog can walk comfortably without soiling your feet. Both sections have double-gated entrances to easily enter and exit, ensuring your dog remains in its section. The gates are also there to keep your dogs safe while you might be engaged in other activities in the park.
This dog park is equipped with all you need for a fun outing with your dog. There are seats and shades to keep you comfortable while socializing with other pet owners or watching your dog play. Both areas of the park also have a water fountain, a built-in doggie bowl, and a spout. Your dog must not leave the off-leash play areas to drink water.
This design helps make dogs remain hydrated while playing. Pat Merritt Dog Park also has something special for dogs during the warmer months. There are small plastic kiddie pools and a hose inside the park for your dog to cool off. This park is very popular and usually busy, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.
Pat Merritt Dog Park Details
- Address: 6181 Limonite Ave, Riverside, CA 92509
- Website: Pat Meritt Dog Park
4. Carlson Dog Park
If you reside in or around Mission Inn Avenue in Riverside, Carlson Dog Park is one of the best parks to visit with your dog. It is an off-leash dog park with plenty of space for your dog to explore, play, and exercise. Carlson Dog Park is a well-maintained dog playground, which includes separate areas for small and large dogs.
The park is fenced-in, so there’s no need to worry about your dog running loose. Large and small dogs of all breeds are welcome in this park, as they have separate play areas. There is also an agility area for large dogs.
If you have a large breed that wants to burn some energy, this is the perfect park to bring them to. The water fountains at the park are not always functional, so we recommend going with water for yourself and your dog.
Many pet owners love it here because it is new owner/dog friendly. The park is closed every Tuesday until about noon for cleaning and maintenance. They always empty the trash cans and clean the place to ensure you and your dog have a clean and healthy place to play, bond, and socialize.
Carlson Dog Park Details
- Address: Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, California 92501
- Website: Carlson Dog Park
Conclusion For The “Best Dog Parks in Riverside, California”
Safety is one of the most important things to consider when visiting a dog park. Taking your dog to an off-leash park does not mean you have to leave him unsupervised. Keep an eye on your dog for your dog’s safety and the safety of other dogs in the park. Always go with all the basics you need, including water, poop bags, and more, as a backup, even if the park provides them.
For more guides similar to this list of dog parks in Riverside, California, you can check out these other dog-related recommendations from our team:
- Best Dog Parks in Los Angeles, California
- Best Dog Parks in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Best Dog Parks in New York City
Before you head to a dog park in Riverside, California, you can see what the settings are like by watching “Happy Dogs Play At Dog Park Compilation” down below:
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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