Dog Parks Near Tempe, Closest First

From a fully-fenced off-leash park you can almost walk to, to five miles of paved lake-loop trail, here are the closest spots to run your dog near North Tempe, plus a 25 dollar self-wash to rinse off after. In summer, read the paw-safety note below before you go.

Tempe pavement gets dangerous fast

When the air hits 86 degrees, the asphalt under your dog's paws can reach about 135 degrees, hot enough to burn pads in roughly a minute. Once it is over 95 degrees every walk is a risk, and local trails close to dogs at 100 degrees. Use the hand test before you head out: if you cannot hold the back of your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds, it is too hot for your dog. Walk early or late, watch for heavy panting and bright red gums, and when you get back, rinse the heat and grit off at our self-wash a few minutes away.

  • Normal dog temperature is 99 to 102.5 degrees; over 104 is heat stress and over 106 needs an emergency vet.
  • Pavement at 125 degrees can burn paw pads in about 60 seconds.
  • Best summer walk windows: before about 8 a.m. and after about 8 p.m., once surfaces cool.

Sources: AKC, FOUR PAWS USA, Arizona Humane Society, 1st Pet Vet.

The closest dog parks

Distances are approximate from our shop on Scottsdale Road. Most nearby city parks also allow leashed dogs on the grass.

Bark Park at Papago Park

About 0.7 mi · 4 min · off-leash

Fully fenced and off-leash, with picnic tables, benches and water access. The closest dog park to us, and walkable.

Rinse off after →

Tempe Town Lake & Rio Salado Path

About 1 mi · leashed

Roughly five miles of paved loop trail along both shores of the lake. Great for a long leashed walk; expect lake dust and mud.

Rinse off after →

Mitchell Park Dog Park

About 1.5 mi · 6 min · off-leash

Fenced, grassy and shaded with mature trees and benches, a comfortable neighborhood off-leash park.

Rinse off after →

Vista del Camino Dog Park

About 1.5 mi · 6 min · off-leash

A half-acre fenced off-leash park in Scottsdale with water stations, shade and benches. Open 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Rinse off after →

Jaycee Park Dog Park

About 2 mi · 7 min · off-leash

Off-leash with benches, water and a waste station. Open early to midnight.

Rinse off after →

Chaparral Dog Park

About 4.9 mi · 13 min · off-leash

Three zones (active, passive and rotation), a big shade structure and water. Worth the short drive into Scottsdale.

Rinse off after →

Park details from City of Tempe and City of Scottsdale. Confirm posted rules before you go.

Cool off after at Johnny's

We are minutes from every park above, on the west side of Scottsdale Road behind the Burger King. After the park, rinse the dust, mud and heat off in our 25 dollar self-wash, or book a full groom. Raised tubs, warm water and all the supplies; the mess stays here.

See the self-wash →

Park day done? Rinse off for $25.

Call (480) 892-PAWS