Dog Parks / Leash-Free Areas

Dogs and their owners at Garth Nature Area

Columbia has three fenced dog parks and two other leash-free areas approved by the City Council. Dogs off leash must be under the control of the owner. Dog owners are required by city ordinance to remove droppings from any area visited.

Areas described below are approved as leash-free areas except on established trails. Dogs on an established trail shall be on a leash and reined in to within four feet of the responsible person whenever approaching or being approached by another trail user.

Except for the areas described below, dogs must be on a leash in all city parks and trails.

Dog parks

Garth Nature area has 1.6 miles of gravel trails around the wetlands, a 3 acre, fenced leash-free dog park with a pond and picnic tables, restroom, and is a trailhead for the Bear Creek Trail. An abundance of birds and other wetlands wildlife make the wetland trails an interesting walk. Trail users can travel west on the Bear Creek Trail from Garth Nature Area to Cosmo Park (2.5 miles) or travel east on the Bear Creek Trail from Garth Nature Area to Albert-Oakland Park (2.3 miles).
Garth Nature Area trail
This community park in northeast Columbia has an 18-hole disc golf course, dog park, reservable shelter, baseball/softball field, three playgrounds, basketball court, grass volleyball court, restrooms (in season), and a 0.8 mile loop trail. Indian Hills Park has a 1.5-acre fenced dog park on the west side of the park off the parking lot. You can access the park from the west off of Aztec Blvd. and from the east off of Sandrock Drive.
Indian Hills Park Eastside Playground
Twin Lakes Recreation Area is a 73 acre community park in south Columbia. Amenities include a fishing lake, a dog park, picnic areas, and access to the County House and MKT Trails.
Twin Lakes Recreation Area Lake and Playground

Leash free areas

Cosmo Park is Columbia's largest municipal park, one of two regional parks in the park system. The north end of Cosmo Park includes about 70 acres where dogs can run leash free. It is host to the annual Show-Me State Games, as well as many soccer, football, lacrosse, softball, baseball, golf, tennis, mountain bike, and skateboard tournaments and events. It has the largest playground in Columbia's park system - Steinberg Playground, is home to Columbia Skate Park and L. A. Nickell Golf Course, and is a trailhead for the Bear Creek Trail.
Cosmo park entrance sign
This large nature area is a leash-free area for dogs (except on the Hinkson Creek Trail), has over five miles of nature trails, a picnic shelter, restrooms, and is a trailhead for the Hinkson Creek Trail and the Grindstone Creek Trail. Wildflowers grow in the prairie areas.
Deer at Grindstone Nature Area

Dog park etiquette

  1. Dogs and owners enter off-leash area at their own risk.
  2. Handlers must clean up after their dogs and dispose of all trash. (Ord. 5-67)
  3. Dogs will not be left unattended and must be under voice control at all times. Dogs that can not be controlled must be on a leash at all times. (Ord. 5-58)
  4. There is a maximum of four (4) dogs per family. (Ord. 5-60)
  5. Dogs must be leashed when outside of the fenced area. Handler should have the leash in hand when inside of the area. (Ord. 5-58)
  6. No human food is permitted in the fenced/off-leash area. Handlers using dog treats must assume the risk of safe handling.
  7. Prong, choke and spike collars must be removed for safety reasons.
  8. To keep the Dog Park clean, the grooming of dogs at the park is prohibited.
  9. No animals other than dogs shall be permitted in the area.
  10. Failure to abide by the park rules may result in loss of privileges or owners may be ticketed.

(Dog Park Etiquette signs are posted at City of Columbia dog parks)