Dog-Friendly Napa Valley, Part 3: Dog Parks and Off-Leash Fun |
From fenced play areas to wide-open spaces, here's where your dog can run, play and make a few new friends around Napa Valley. |
Sometimes a walk around the neighborhood just doesn't cut it. Your dog wants to run, chase a ball, wrestle with another dog or simply enjoy some freedom from the leash.
Fortunately, Napa Valley has several places where dogs can do just that. Whether you have an energetic retriever who needs room to run or a smaller dog who prefers a fenced play area, there are options worth exploring.
For Part 3 of our Dog-Friendly Napa Valley series, we're visiting the valley's dedicated dog parks and designated off-leash areas, from American Canyon to St. Helena, along with an option for Calistoga residents.
Napa:
The City of Napa welcomes leashed dogs in all its parks and on public trails, with one important exception: dogs are not permitted in children's playgrounds or tot lots. (source)
But if you're looking for somewhere your dog can run free, the city has just three designated off-leash locations: Alston Park, Shurtleff Park and Kennedy Park. Each offers a different experience, and off-leash access is limited to specific areas in two of them.
Alston Park, at 2037 Dry Creek Road, offers 157 acres of open space, including approximately 39 acres designated for off-leash dogs. The park features both fenced play areas and open terrain, making it a useful destination for dogs who need more than a quick romp around a small enclosure.
There are also trails where leashes are required, so pay attention to posted signs. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.
At 1238 Shetler Avenue, Shurtleff Park offers another off-leash option.
Unlike Alston, where off-leash access is restricted to designated sections, Shurtleff's entire park is designated for off-leash use.
The park also has picnic tables and is open from sunrise to sunset.
Kennedy Park, at 3291 Streblow Drive, is another option, although the rules are more restrictive. Dogs may run off-leash only in the park's undeveloped areas, not throughout its recreational facilities.
Keep your dog leashed in other sections of the park and away from playgrounds.
American Canyon: Veterans Memorial Dog Park
American Canyon's dedicated dog park sits in the lower portion of Veterans Memorial Park. It's a relatively small, fenced space with grass, benches and waste bags, making it convenient for a neighborhood outing or some off-leash play.
According to municipal code, dogs must remain leashed in the city's other parks unless an area is specifically designated for off-leash use. That includes the popular Napa River and Bay Trail, where leashes help protect the wetlands and their wildlife.
Yountville: Canine Commons
One of the valley's newer dog parks, Yountville Canine Commons, opened in August 2024 on the former Yountville Elementary School property.
The approximately 20,000-square-foot enclosed park offers plenty of room for running and playing, along with double-entry gates, shaded seating, benches and water for dogs.
One important detail for owners of smaller or more timid dogs: the current layout is one shared play area rather than separate large- and small-dog enclosures.
St. Helena: Wappo Park Dog Park
Just south of the Pope Street Bridge, Wappo Park has a fenced dog park covering approximately 5,900 square feet.
The bark-covered enclosure includes benches, shaded seating, picnic tables, a drinking fountain for dogs and their owners, and a waste-bag station.
The surrounding park is maintained in a more natural state, so watch for foxtails and keep your dog leashed outside the enclosure. The city also warns that coyotes have been spotted in the area.
Calistoga: Leashed Adventures
Calistoga has several places to enjoy an outing with your dog, although we couldn't verify a dedicated municipal off-leash dog park.
Logvy Community Park, at 1745 Washington Street, offers recreational fields and other park amenities. For a more adventurous outing, the Oat Hill Mine Trail is another possibility. Dogs are permitted on the trail under voice control, although leashes are recommended for everyone's safety.
Neither should be mistaken for a fenced dog park. Residents seeking a dedicated off-leash enclosure may want to consider the facilities in St. Helena or Yountville.
Before You Unclip the Leash
Even in designated off-leash areas, owners are responsible for controlling their dogs and cleaning up after them. Make sure your dog is comfortable around unfamiliar animals, and always supervise play.
Bring water, especially during warmer weather, and watch for foxtails in grassy or undeveloped areas. If your dog doesn't reliably respond when called, a fenced enclosure may be a better choice than an open off-leash area.
Napa guidelines allow for a maximum of five dogs per owner or guardian in its off-leash areas. Dogs must also be licensed and have the required vaccinations.
With several different parks to explore, finding somewhere for your dog to burn off a little energy doesn't have to mean leaving Napa Valley. |
19 Comments
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We’ve had good luck at Shurtleff with our older dog. Picnic tables make it easy to take a break while she sniffs around.
Chris W.Those picnic tables are handy. Our senior dog likes a good sniff more than a long run these days.
The five dogs per owner rule in Napa is a useful detail. I’ve seen people show up with a whole pack.
Nora B.Same here. That limit is easy to miss, but it matters when the park is busy.
Would be nice if Calistoga had a fenced dog park too. Oat Hill is beautiful, but it’s not the same thing.
Paul D.I hope they consider one. A fenced spot would be a great option for dogs who need room to play safely.
I thought Kennedy Park was all off leash, so glad to know it’s only in the undeveloped areas.
I take my dog to Alston early before it gets hot. Bring water, there isn’t shade everywhere.
Wappo is a nice spot, but the foxtails are no joke. Check your dog over after a visit.
Good reminder about the wetlands along the Napa River and Bay Trail. People let their dogs run loose there way too often.
Robert M.Agreed, and it’s important for the wildlife too. The trail is much nicer when everyone keeps dogs leashed.
That little park in American Canyon is handy, especially if you don’t have time to drive up to Napa.
Jo P.Convenient little spot for a quick visit. The fenced area makes it easy to fit in some play without a longer drive.
Wish Canine Commons had a separate area for small dogs. Mine is friendly but gets overwhelmed by the big ones.
KimberlyI can see how that would be stressful. A separate small-dog area would make the park more comfortable for a lot of owners.
Alston is great for a longer walk, but definitely pay attention to the signs. It’s easy to end up on a leashed trail.
Dave R.I’ve done that too. The signs really help when the paths start to branch off.
Thanks for putting all these in one place. I didn’t know Shurtleff was off leash throughout the whole park.
Maria G.It’s a useful distinction. Shurtleff sounds like the simplest choice if you want the whole park to be off leash.