We have gathered here a list of our favorite free dog parks in the twin cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. All of the dog parks listed here are free. No seasonal passes or daily fees are required or collected.
All of these are off-leash parks! If you don’t get to walk your dogs off-leash often, make sure to check these out! You will have fun walking with your dog, or allowing them to run and socialize with other dogs. Make sure to check out each dog park’s website or Facebook page for more detailed information. (Information below is current as of October 2020.)
400 Arlington Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55130
This popular St. Paul 5 acre off-leash park is fully fenced. With a wooded walking area and some hills, this is a great place for dogs to run. An open area has benches and picnic tables.
5750 Otter Lake Road
White Bear Township, MN 55110
This dog park is located adjacent to the Meeker Island Historic Lock and Dam site. The park is located along the river at the bottom of the bluff and can be accessed from the entrance along the Mississippi River Blvd trail. It features a dog run and a dog beach. There is no fence surrounding the park, which is bordered by the Mississippi River and the steep river bluffs.
2350 Upper Afton Road and 2357 Lower Afton Road (Two entrances)
Maplewood, MN 55119
With 35 acres, this is considered one of the best dog parks in the metro area. The entire area is fenced and there are miles of wooded trails with play areas. Lots of opportunities for swimming with two small ponds and one larger swimming pond that is fenced off.
6202 West 111th Street
Bloomington, MN 55438
This 25-acre site has a very large grassy area with plenty of green space. There are hilly walking areas and a separate fenced area with shade and a pond for dogs to cool off and swim.
59 Randolph Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55102
A seven acre park next to the river and under the High Bridge. This a great place for dogs to run as the area is completely enclosed. There is no water feature or wooded areas. It has a separated small dog and large dog area. Chairs and tables are available. Note, cannot be accessed from the High Bridge; it is accessed by taking Shepard Rd. to Randolph Ave.
486 N Mississippi River Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55104
This dog park is located adjacent to the Meeker Island Historic Lock and Dam site. The park is located along the river at the bottom of the bluff and can be accessed from the entrance along the Mississippi River Blvd trail. It features a dog run and a dog beach. There is no fence surrounding the park, which is bordered by the Mississippi River and the steep river bluffs.
6096 South 28th Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55450
This is a large open space near the airport with both wooded and grassy park areas. Large open fields for running. Few amenities but a favorite park for many. Watch the planes take off and land while you run with your dog.
5959 Lexington Ave N
Shoreview, MN 55126
With fencing surrounding its nearly 13 acres, there’s lots of room for dogs to run and play in an open field. A large circular walking path is a popular amenity for this neighborhood favorite.
13800 Pioneer
Trail
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Available mid-March–December
Located next to the Staring Lake Archery Range, the 5.7 acres of fenced area offers spacious woods, an open area, and natural walking paths. This park closes after the first sufficient snow fall for Nordic skiing and reopens in the spring after snow thaw.
9475 Glendenning Road
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
WAG Farms Dog Park is a 14 acre, fully fenced park where dogs of all sizes can exercise and socialize while being off-leash. Area includes a variety of woodlands, grasslands and a pond. There is a fenced-in small dog area. A wonderful asset for area dog owners.
If you live in the Twin Cities, almost everywhere you go, dogs are required to be on leash. These parks allow your pup to run off leash and play with their pals. Take your pup to one of these dog parks, you won’t regret it!
Minnesotans are a proud people. We love the outdoors and love our communities. Here is a, ever evolving, list of Minnesota Based climbing companies. From climbing advocacy organizations to skin care companies our goal is to build a complete list of all things Minnesota Climbing. Know of a climbing related company not on this list? Send it our way and we’ll get them added!
Duluth Climbing Coalition: Dedicated to preserving access to Duluth’s diverse climbing resources and promoting quality climbing opportunities for enthusiasts of all disciplines.
Minnesota Climbers Association: Advocate access for climbers by encouraging responsible practices, promoting conservation and stewardship of private and publicly held lands, as well as fostering communication and awareness of the sport to the public.
Climb Duluth: Psyched Local climber, promoting climbing awareness in Duluth/Northern Minnesota.
NorthShore VertiGals: an inclusive group of women (cis and trans), trans people of all genders, and gender non-conforming climbers of all ages and levels located in Northern Minnesota and the Twin Ports.
Escape Climbing: Climbing holds made in Minnesota
Nicros: The OG of MN climbing.
Everlast Climbing: Committed partners in the quest to improve youth fitness with climbing walls and educational climbing programs
Kumiki Climbing: A differnt approach to climbing holds: Kumiki creates all their climbing walls, volumes, hand holds and flooring with artistry and precision.
Hold-On Skin Care: Organic Salve for Hands and Body
Granite Creek Climbing Collective: Apparel inspired by a love for local climbing
Vertical Endeavors: Bouldering, Top-Rope, Sport
Locations: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Duluth
Minnesota Climbing Cooperative: Bouldering
Location: Minneapolis
Minneapolis Bouldering Project: Bouldering
Location: Minneapolis
The A: Bouldering
Location: Minneapolis
Roca: Bouldering, Top-Rope, Sport
Location: Rochester
CragDog: We recycle climbing gear to make quality collars, leashes and toys for the dog community while giving back to the climbing community.
It’s a fact, dogs love Covid-19 quarantine. Here are five strategies for working from home with your dogs.
During the corona-virus pandemic, dogs get to spend all day, everyday, with their best friends. In our house, my wife and I have makeshift offices on different floors. Each has a dog bed (or guest bed), toys, and plenty of room to play with the pups. We’re making the best of quarantine, and our dogs love it. We hope you are enjoying your time with your CragDogs as much as we are! Toys get boring, it’s time to get your pup a new toy!
CragDog is for everyone, not just climbers.
I’ve heard a lot of comments like, “oh, well I’m not a climber” and “how does this help me?”. Whether you are a climber or not, the answer is simple, the environment is important and worth doing everything possible to save.
How do we support the environment?
On a national scale, in 2019, The Access Fund (A national climbing advocacy organization) spent 687 hours lobbying in Washington DC to protect 2.3 million acres of public land. 2.3 million acres of land for EVERYONE to use, not just climbers. Yes, the Access Fund focuses on climbing, but they also advocate and fight to protect public lands in general. Without the Access Fund, millions of acres of public land would still be threatened, or no longer public.
On a local level, in our home town of Duluth, MN, the Duluth Climbers Coalition (DCC) spent years working with the City, developing Quarry Park into a mixed-use city park. For years, Quarry Park had access issues, holding it back from its full potential. With the hard work of the DCC, Quarry Park is thriving. Now, the park boasts a 1000-foot long, 100-foot high cliff within the city limits. Mountain Project shows 14+ ice and mixed routes. Additionally, the park offers a nine-hole disc golf course, mountain bike and hiking trails throughout. Quarry Park is also one of the most dog-friendly parks in Duluth.
On an environmental level, we used recycled gear to make a “new” product. Last week, I sat on a chairlift (a very high and scary chairlift), chatting with a Utah local, we spoke about the effects of consumerism on the environment. Questions such as do we need the newest thing? How much of our future are we willing to risk on the “coolest,” gear? Somethings involve safety, like climbing rope, it has a safety life span that no climber will question. After ~5 years of use, visible damage, or excessive abuse climbers retire their ropes and gear, often ending up in landfills. Yes, a new climbing rope is needed every few years. But, do you need a brand new product to take your dog on a stroll through the neighborhood? No. Now here is the question, where do the old ropes go? Landfills, basements, closets, your neighbors’ garage? Why not turn them into upcycled gear for your adventurous pup?
Climbing advocacy is outdoor advocacy and outdoor advocacy is environmental advocacy. Supporting climbing coalitions also supports general-use outdoor recreation. Whether you are a climber or not, buying through CragDog is good for the outdoors.
Shop Now and protect your outdoors!
We are excited to say we have officially launched to the world!
On the 4th of July Weekend 2019, I (Co-Founder Kelly) took off on an obnoxiously long (123 mile) bike ride to my In-Laws cabin in central Minnesota. Like usual, I decided last minute, with little prep, biking 123 miles would be a good idea (it wasn’t).
After a night by the fire, with friends, I woke up early in the morning to pack my stuff, and take off on the longest bike ride I’ve ever attempted. That morning, In my poorly planned, groggy, rushed exit, I forgot my headphones. If you didn’t know, 123 miles is a very long way to be stuck with yourself…
Fortunately (or unfortunately) at mile 40 I had the idea of cutting up retired climbing ropes and turning them into dog leashes and other k9 accessories people want. For the next 83 miles, I slowly pieced together the idea of CragDog. How do we get the material? How do we make the gear? How can we give back to the climbing community? Give back…How do we give back? The answer is simple. 30% of all sales are given back to local and national climbing advocacy organizations.
Immediately upon returning home from the holiday weekend, I went downstairs to cut up my old climbing rope and made my first dog leash. A few trials later, CragDog was born! I very quickly realized that if I wanted CragDog to succeed, I needed help. From there, I reached out to my long time friend and climbing partner Christian; he was on board instantly. Christian hacked up his ropes and we’ve been hand-sewing ever since.
If you have any suggestions or comments we are all ears. We are here to advocate for the climbing community. If we’re not living up to that expectation, we want to know!
We’re excited, I hope you are too.
