My dog LOVES it here. So glad we signed up. Between the lake and trails she always finds something fun to do and it tires her out so well. read more

Beck Lake Dog Friendly Area - Dog Parks Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

My dog loves this place. Like loves it just a bit too much. Why? Because there's one portion of the area where it's all swampy/muddy and there's no hose to hose him off. So he enters my car crusted with dirt and mud. It's extremely spacious and you could take over one corner without encountering anyone. But man I wish there was a hose of some sort. read more

Big park by the highway. A lot of space for dogs and people to explore. They have a large open field as well as large prairies on the back where dogs can roam through the fields and bushes. There was some confusion about passes but the gentleman at the facilities that maintain the place explain the situation. One negative is how surprisingly loud the highway is. You dont realize from car but standing in park I had to occasionally yell to be heard. read more

This dog park is great and spacious but it can be amazing if dog owners with aggressive dogs can realize that you can't try to socialize your dog to make them "friendly". It takes one person to ruin it for everyone else bringing your aggressive dogs! My dog was attacked yesterday and I had to take him to the emergency room. The owner is an older man with a black lab, the dog was aggressive with its owner just for the ball. The dog was jumping and nipping at its owner's hands. So as I was leaving this dog was already showing aggression and attacked my dog. The man just apologized and said, "dogs will be dogs". My fiancé and I noticed blood marks on his cheek and his back when we arrived home. This review is generated to let others be aware of the possibility of encountering this older man with his black lab. read more

Early in the morning every day, I love taking my little dog Maya to the Beck Lake Off Leash Dog Park. We always take the mile walk around the perimeter, enjoying the meadows, several paths with tree canopy. If other dogs are there, Maya plays and runs with them, large or small. It is a great dog socialization area and nice to meet other dog-loving folks. This park is a real gem offered by Cook County Forest Preserve. Thanks! read more

Beck Lake Dog Friendly Area - Maya loves "walking point." - Dog Parks Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

See all

Great place for dogs. They like the varying terrain and the "lake" is perfecr for hot days. Never had any issues with bad dogs or bad owners other than with people who don't train their dogs to behave, like not jump all over the tables etc. We don't usually come here in the winter, since we don't want to risk any lake incidents. It is a 30 minute drive for us, and worth it. You will need to get a permit from Cook County to get in the gate. read more

Beck Lake Dog Friendly Area - Are you gonna help me out or just take a picture? - Dog Parks Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

See all

When I received my permits and key for this pet friendly area, you would have thought I won the lottery. I love this place for the lake, the huge open mowed areas, the long walk around and through the tall grassy area... and if my dogs could type, I am certain they would agree. It is great for the active-energy-filled dog or the older just-need-a-leisure-walk dog. After 2 hours of running my dogs are tuckered out. Always rules and regs and fees, but a suburban backyard doesn't match the exercise and frolicking your four-legged friends get to experience here. The CC Forest Preserve does a great job on the upkeep including poop bag stations, disposal, grounds-keeping, enforcement, and new bridges over the creeks and mud spots. Seriously, a great enclosed year-round playground and swimming hole amidst the bustle of the city for a healthier dog. read more

I recently visited Beck Lake Dog Park for a training session. I was very happy that the security to get into the fenced area consisted of 2 gates, and the area was large enough that there was plenty of room for dogs to run about. Parking was easy, and the walk to the actual park not horrific. The park is fully fenced but only 4 feet high. If you have a dog that bolts and can clear a fence, this is not the place for you. We did not encounter any issues with other dogs or their owners, which may have been due in part to the weather. The annual fee for Cook County residents is $50 a year, $100 for non residents. You must have a permit/ pass in order to go there or risk a hefty fine. Dogs are required to be uptd on vaccinations including lepto and display their rabies tags. read more

Best dog park in the area hands down. Friendly dogs and great people. Would recommend to anyone. read more

Beck Lake Dog Friendly Area - Dog Parks Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

I absolutely love this place. We have a little 12 lb. dog, and we have had a couple of situations with aggressive bigger dogs, but I expect that, bringing a little dog into a place like this. Every time except maybe once, people were quick to pull their pets back and apologize profusely. My dog makes a quick recovery, so we don't dwell on those rare situations. Otherwise, we have met so many nice people with very well-trained, sweet dogs. She has learned to swim here and there is also more of a "wild" type feel area further back in the enclosure for walking, which she loves. This place is definitely worth the hassle and price of getting a permit. If we didn't come here once a week, I feel like I couldn't ever get all of her energy out. The exposure to big dogs is definitely helping her get used to them and become more brave too, not to mention the practice of walking without a leash. read more

Lovely place. 44 acres of wooded space for your dog to run and play and do doglike things. There is a large retention pond ("lake") for your dog to swim in, in addition to a 1-mile loop of trail for you to walk through. The space is maintained very well. They recently put in a new fence, entrance gate, and gazebo for the human patrons. They will also periodically place gravel in low-lying areas in the park to prevent flooding. The volunteers are very kind, as well. There are many baggie stations, and on the whole, the other patrons are friendly and clean up after their dogs. There was one incident in which a couple would frequent this place with their pair of aggressive German shepherds, but after a few complaints their membership was revoked. The FPDCC and the volunteers are very protective of this place, which makes me feel very comfortable coming here with my dog. This is largely populated by larger dogs, but there is so much space that smaller dogs have plenty of room and are not overrun. Come here in autumn to walk the trails, or brave the snow in winter for a peek at the gorgeous natural landscape. Bring bug spray in the summer - the mosquitos are huge. The price of $55/year may seem somewhat high, but I gladly pay it for access to such a nice facility. Thanks FPDCC! read more

Amazing dog park with a pond, hiking trails, and plenty of room for dogs to run and play! Well worth the money! read more

See all

Nice place to visit and close by. Can't believe nobody reviewed this yet. Good place to sit walk bike or fish.

Very much worth the money. Dogs have a ton of space and literally every single time my puppy is worn out. I've had dogs for most of my life and this is by far the best experience I've had with dog parks (and low key owners lol) so far. Hope every pup can enjoy a good run / swim like the one they get here. read more

Im very concerned about a situation that happened today at Beck lake unleashed dog area. It was my dogs first time there. One of the dog owners had brought a number of small plastic pink balls which she had proceeded to throw all over the place and not pick up. My dog got a hold of one of these balls which was way too small for him and swallowed it. Fast forward to four hours later and 1200 dollar emergency vet bill which is now to be followed by surgery and another 2000 dollar vet bill because the ball was no able to be scoped out. I take responsibility for the fact that I need to watch my dog at all times and I do. I was right in front of him but unfortunately I couldn't get to him before he swallowed it. I just wish that this owner had been a little more careful about leaving multiple balls everywhere...especially since her dogs weren't playing with them. Also, she said that my dog couldn't stay on his leash because otherwise that would make her dog attack him....hmmmm....so I took my dog off the leash and guess what her dog was still super aggressive. I'm responsible for my belongings and my dog and how he behaves, I just wish other owners showed the same courtesy and took responsibility for their belongings, their dog's aggressiveness and lack of training. read more

This place is awesome. It's big, it's clean and easy to get to. I have no problem paying the yearly fee to bring my dog here. A few extra garbage cans might be a welcome addition but that's not a deal breaker. As far as a friendly environment? Everybody I've met so far seems plenty friendly. Besides.... you're at the dog park. I haven't been to one yet that offers a concierge service, so relax and enjoy the day. Lots of happy tails waggin' here. That's good enough for me. read more

We have been coming to Beck Lake Dog Park for a couple of months now and always enjoy the experience! My dog is able to swim, run, play and socialize with other dogs-she feels free and comfortable here. The grounds are well taken care of and it is nice to spend time here. You need a badge from Cook county and a key to get in, you can apply on their website and trust me, it is worth it! This is the perfect place to socialize your dog. read more

I love this place but my dog realized he didn't have to listen to me and run away so I had to stop coming.

Have 2 small dogs. I bought passes because of other good reviews. It's not a good dog park to me. Passes aren't refundable. Park is situated right next to 294 expressway, and is not a natural, relaxing environment. The gated opening allows all the dogs to see what dog is entering and make their charge...which 2 dogs from different owners immediately did from 50 or 100 yds out. The old, large trees around the trails may allow for some nice shaded areas in the summer, but the 'lake' is a small retention pond right on the expressway. They told me to go to Bremen woods dog park about an hour away. Parking and portapottie nice. Trees great...just too noisy...worse than a pet rest stop on the freeways. read more

Great dog park! The place is huge! There are trails and a lake for dogs to swim. Everyone is friendly. There are plenty of poop bag stations. I only saw garbage cans by the entrance. It was a little bit of a pain getting ahold of the people that work for the forest preserve to ask some questions about the passes. Apparently they don't prorate passes. You can only get passes that run from October to the end of September. I wanted to join in the summer, but I'd have to pay twice if I did; therefore, I had to wait till the end of September to apply. My pass didn't arrive after two weeks, so I had to call to figure out the problem. They were nice and sent me one right away. I'm excited I joined and think the park is worth the $55 annual fee! read more