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    Shirlington Dog Park

    4.3 (284 reviews)
    Open 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Shirlington Dog Park Photos

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    Long narrow park
    Sheryl Z.

    Three dogs had a blast. Beautiful park and plenty of room to run and roam. People were so nice and lots of dogs all shapes and sizes playing super!

    Whitney L.

    This is probably my favorite dog park in the Virginia area. It's completely fenced with a ton of room for dogs to roam and play. You can confidently have your dog off leash. There's a few benches available too for seating.

    My pup enjoying the mud!
    Samantha F.

    My dog loves this dog park! There are dogs of all ages, sizes, activity levels and interests. My dog has been coming here since he was 6 months old, 30lbs (now he's 8months, 40lbs) He loves to run, be chased and keep away with sticks & toys. This park is so big so if there aren't any dogs interested in playing where you are, you can move on to another spot. The weekends/week nights it can be really crowded and crazy so make sure your dog is comfortable in that type of environment. I like going around 11am-1pm during the week. If you're new to the dog park scene, definitely take it slow at first. There is a section for small dogs/puppies as well. If it has rained recently there will be mud, so be prepared for that! My dog likes the mud so I make sure to bring wipes for his feet haha The location is great too, right near a local brewery and a dog grooming spot.

    Front gate
    Daniel C.

    This is one of the best dog parks in Arlington. There's an enormous amount of space for dogs to run and play. There are separate areas for small and large dogs. The entire park is maintained well with water stations at the center. There's a stream available for dogs to play in the water. However, use at your own risk. Since the water contains runoff from the streets, I've heard from a few dog owners about their dogs getting sick from playing in this stream. All of the fellow dog owners I've met here are nice and you can tell dogs enjoy their time at this park. Positive vibes all around. This park is also conveniently located next to a dog washing business and dog friendly brewery.

    Austin G.

    Shirlington Dog Park is a large dog park along Four Mile Run (a creek) in south Arlington. There are multiple entrances to the dog park. The north entrance has a mailbox with clean bags for your dog's poop. In the middle of the park is a large mural painted with animals and sites in D.C. Nearby is a brewery and a few restaurants!

    Dog park
    Lisa B.

    Best dog park in Shirlington. Always lots of dogs for my step dog to play with, he loves it !!

    Jennifer C.

    It is a GREAT dog park but irresponsible owners exist sometimes. They do nothing about their dog's bad behavior like..attacking other dogs. Which happened to my poor dog today. Didn't hear an apology. Nothing. Please keep that in your mind that it can happen to you too at some random time. I hope no one has to go through that again though. Again, it is a nice dog park but it's not 100% safe for your pups. I think I've seen an aggressive dog with an irresponsible dog owner combination 30% of time that I've visited. It doesn't happen all the time BUT it happens sometimes. I decided to not take my dogs there anymore for that reason even though the park is beautiful. I don't wanna risk my dog's life anymore.

    Fun times in the water
    Charlie B.

    Fun for the dogs with water to swim in and plenty of area for them to run around and play. The only thing that I think is needed are stairs or a clear walkway to the water.

    The river is calming.
    Rut N.

    This is a very nice dog park and I was happy to finally take my dog there. The park is divided in two -- a section for big dogs (about 0.8 mile long) and a section for small dogs (about 0.3 mile long -- or even less). Of course the big dog park is much better because you can walk front front to end and it feels like a work out. But my 16 lbs dachshund is so scared of big dogs and we had to stop every single step of the way! The dogs are generally very well behaved too. Our favorite part is the river! Believe me when I said my dog does not like to be near water, but since the water was so calm and shallow, he calmly sat by the river. Now that I know how things work around here, will definitely take Mickey back!

    Katie playing in the river that runs through the dog park!
    Candice H.

    Best. Park. Ever!!! I can see spending every Saturday morning here for the next ten years. #Goals

    Dog park day
    Miranda L.

    Parking was a little difficult due to construction but this park is worth it. Huge enclosed park with walking path. Not good if your dog has poor recall because it's a lot of ground to cover Oliver had a great time though. Would recommend for a good walk and dog run

    Charles M.

    A good little dog park in Shirlington which is part of Alexandria. I thought it could be a lot cleaner and more maintained. I saw animal control patrolling nearby to take dogs if needed.

    Enjoying the cold temperatures in January.
    Elke Anne M.

    Best dog park in the area. I've been taking my dog here for several years, and he loves swimming in the water. Most pet parents are warm and respectful. I've witnessed some occasional rowdy behavior, but nothing out of the ordinary.

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    3 years ago

    Everything was good but easier water access for our pets is needed. Balls were available for pets which was very good!

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Shirlington Dog Park

    I only ever take my beagle off leash when it's a small area that I know she can't get away. Is this a safe place to let leashed dogs off? Is it allowed to have her on leash until I am comfortable?

    Yes it's fenced all the way. It's pretty long though so you might have to run after her. There is a smaller fenced area by the main entrance if you are not comfortable letting her off leash by the main dog park yet. You can her on leash but your… Read more

    Is the stream within the gated area?

    It's not - it's actually technically not apart of the park itself, so if you go outside of the gate and to the stream, the dog will no longer be fenced in.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Shirlington Dog Park

    The main gates are doubled to make sure dogs inside do not get out, however, the gates to the stream are not.

    Mentioned in 59 reviews

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    Dog Run Park

    Dog Run Park

    3.2(18 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    Spacious dog park with a lot of playful dogs. Water is turned off in the winter, so be sure to…read morebring water for your dog during the winter season. Owners are usually friendly and so are the dogs. The space is kept clean as well!

    A trip to the dog park guarantees that your pups leave tired and happy. I like that this is in the…read moreCarlyle area because it's completely fenced, so many people bring their dogs here from around the neighborhood, and are really nice for the most part. You don't have to live in the Carlyle area to use this park! Also a tip, Mill Rd. turns into Andrews Ln.--once you see the Residence Inn Marriott on your left and the Carlyle Towers on your right, keep going down that road! I wouldn't recommend using the water fountains (though they rarely work) because there's always something funky in the bowl there. So bring your own water! I agree with other reviews, the pebble gravel in the small dog area is pretty bad and I'm sure it can be difficult to maneuver for some. There are a few parking spaces but they are shared with the tennis courts that are right next to the dog park. My dog has had a few good experiences here, mostly in the small dog park area. We tried out the bigger dog area the first few times and it did not work out for him because a lot of the larger dogs liked to gang up on him. That isn't the park's fault. Just like every other dog park, we should always be aware of our dogs' safety and happiness.

    Photos
    Dog Run Park
    Dog Run Park
    Dog Run Park

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    Snouts & Stouts - Margarita!

    Snouts & Stouts

    4.2(30 reviews)
    0.2 miShirlington

    Came here for a doggy birthday party and adoption event for Daisy's Legacy. The founder's dog…read moreturned 2 and I am currently fostering a dog through there so I can show her off. This was my first time. We had a closed off section in the back of the bar area but they also have a doggy gym and play area. There were a number of doggy alumni there with their owners. The bar has a food and drink menu and the staff were very friendly. Be mindful that the menu prices don't match the prices items ring in at so check your total before you pay. Overall a nice place to bring your pup and enjoy some food and drink. There is also a dog park right outside.

    I've been coming here since it first opened a few years ago. I've used their boarding and daycare…read moreservices a few times and have also come by often with my dog for the indoor park play with other dogs. They've recently started adding more to their menu, which is nice. I like that it's indoor, and the staff is friendly. This is where New District Brewing Company used to be, and it's right next to Shirlington Dog Park. The founder, Daniel, is a super nice guy, and I can tell he cares about his customers' experiences. It originally just started out as an indoor dog park/daycare with alcohol, but it has since evolved into an enrichment facility ("canine cardio"). They also sometimes have events like puppy yoga, which is really cute. You can also rent the upper level for a private party, and depending on the tier/package you get, they include goodies for the pups. The two times I've used their boarding services, there were some inconveniences. The boarding does not happen on-site, but rather at the owners' home. The first time, I was expecting to pick up my dog by 10:30am, but it turned out they were running late getting to Snouts & Stouts, and they didn't get there until 11:15; I wasted 45 minutes of my workday morning and had to reschedule a meeting. They had also broken my dog's food bowl and didn't tell me until I got home and realized it was missing. It was expensive because it was ceramic and a slow-feeder. Brittany then said she would order me a new one, but it took her a couple days to actually order it, and then she accidentally sent it to her home instead of mine even though I gave her the address, so I had to go pick it up; in the mean time we just hand fed our dog. The second time I boarded her, we included some medication that HAD to be refrigerated. I wrote instructions both in the medical section of the booking and on the bottle itself--2 pills in the AM, 1 in the PM--and i included exactly enough pills to last the entire trip (it was 5 nights - 15 pills). When I picked her up, there were still 10 pills in the bottle, and the bottle was clearly warm and not refrigerated. AND they forgot my dog's food bowl--again. At least this time they came out to me instead of me having to go out to them. I know my dog has a lot of fun with them, but I feel like I can't rely on them from a logistical point of view. I also like that they don't have toys out because some dogs can get possessive or reactive over them. My dog LOVES tennis balls, and while she doesn't get aggressive, she also stops engaging with other dogs and only focuses on chewing and hoarding the ball. However, the last two times I went (which was admittedly several months ago), they started throwing balls around and my dog didn't get the socialization/activity that I brought her there for. I brought here there to play with other dogs, not play with toys; she can do that at home. There have also been several times when I've gone and they've decided to close early. The more they do that, the more I feel like customers won't come; why say you'll keep it open until 9 if you're not actually open until 9? I'll get there at 7:45-8 and they'll say they're gonna close early. They already open late (5pm) on weekdays, so to cut even 30 minutes off is already cutting 12.5% of operating hours. Overall, though, my dog loves playing with the other dogs here and does seem to get a ton of play time when she's enrolled in daycare/boarding, so maybe I just have to suck it up when it comes to these inconveniences. I know there are other indoor-dog-park-and-bar establishments, but this is the only one I know of that also offers daycare and boarding. I think it's a bit on the pricier side for the entrance/membership fees, but they've gotta make money somehow, and I know that commercial real estate can't be cheap in that area! If your dog doesn't have any special medical needs and doesn't need special food bowls then I also 100% recommend this place for daycare and boarding.

    Photos
    Snouts & Stouts
    Snouts & Stouts - Pups waiting for their pup cups

    Pups waiting for their pup cups

    Snouts & Stouts

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    Holmes Run Scenic Easement

    Holmes Run Scenic Easement

    3.5(2 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Holmes Run Park (never knew it was a "scenic easement" until I tried to add the Yelp listing) is a…read morelittle over 8 acres of natural wooded area and walking paths in the West End of Alexandria. There are picnic tables and grills, playgrounds, and exercise stations within the park as well. Much of it borders Holmes Run itself, which is pleasant to stroll along, especially after heavy rains when the water is high and tumbling over the small rock ledges. It's a great place to spy a wide variety of birds, white-tail deer, and even fox. In nice weather, Alexandrians take advantage of its trails and open spaces, jogging with their dogs, playing Frisbee, organizing pick-up games of soccer. We feel fortunate to live within spitting distance of the park and use it frequently. Husband is into cycling and uses Holmes Run's paths as a launching point for longer rides. I like to take long walks on the trails, which also connect to Dora Kelly Nature Preserve and Cameron Run Park. On nice days, throngs of our fellow Alexandrians do the same, enjoying this little slice of nature in the city.

    This is also known as Brook Valley Park. The trail is very long and I have not been able to walk or…read morerun the whole way but it is nicely shaded. It runs along a creek so the view is cool. There is a pretty cool exercising course along the trail near Beatles Bridge. Also, across from the bridge is a good place to park your car unless you park at the main location called Brenman Park (which I will also review) which is a 5 minute drive. I do feel like the location itself is not safe to run/bike alone so do bring a buddy.

    Photos
    Holmes Run Scenic Easement
    Holmes Run Scenic Easement - "Wildlife"

    "Wildlife"

    Holmes Run Scenic Easement - Holmes Run bridge.

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    Holmes Run bridge.

    Shirlington Dog Park - dog_parks - Updated May 2026

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