4 awesome dog parks in Birmingham, including one with a beach

Sandy beach by the creek at the Hoover Dog Park.
Sandy beach by the creek near the Dog Park at Loch Haven. Photo by Joel Bullock

Dogs love playtime as much as kids do, and dog parks are the place to go when your pup needs some friend-action. The Birmingham area is lucky to have miles of trails and plenty of dog-friendly public parks. And, we found three dedicated dog parks and one unofficial one in the area.

We bet you know of others that we missed, too. Be sure to tag us on social media with pictures from your favorite dog parks.

1. Rhodes Park in Southside

Rhodes Park in Southside is an unofficial dog park.
Rhodes Park in Southside. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

While this one’s not an on official dog park, its central location and the fact that it hosts Do Dah Day each year makes it a favorite among animal-lovers and their four-legged friends.

This is a great place to bring your dog, and, you’ll want to follow the local leash law: it’s a $200 ticket and a court visit for allowing your dog to “run at large.” If you need to pick up a leash or other things for your pup, head over to one of these local pet stores. Definitely a better value than a ticket, don’t you think?

Whether you have a dog or not, though, you can head to Rhodes Park on Saturday, May 18, for the 41st annual Do Dah Day. The parade begins at 11:01 am.

Here’s what the organizers have to say:

A music festival that in its infancy was enjoyed by 200 fun-loving Birmingham citizens now sees more than 40,000 people from all over the United States converge on Birmingham’s Historic Highland Parks for a day of fun, food and music with their pets. Raising more than $600.00 since 1992 for Jefferson County animal shelters, Do Dah Day is one of the city’s most cherished springtime events.

2. Remy’s Dog Park at Red Mountain Park

Remy's Dog Park at Red Mountain Park is a popular spot for dogs who like to hike.
Remy’s Dog Park at Red Mountain Park. Photo by Sharron Swain for Bham Now

If you want a well-organized dog park with separate spaces for small dogs, large dogs, and special needs dogs, Remy’s Dog Park at Red Mountain Park is your place.

According to one Homewood dog-dad, “Remy’s Dog Park at Red Mountain Park is a spacious, well-designed park in a beautiful setting. It’s a great place to take dogs for some play time with other dogs followed by a hike on the trails.”

3. Cahaba Dog Park in Trussville

The Cahaba Dog Park in Trussville is good for dogs on the eastern side of town.
Cahaba Dog Park in Trussville. Photo by Patience Itson for Bham Now

One of our fearless content producers here at Bham Now discovered this little gem of a new dog park over in Trussville. A great place for dogs on the eastern side of town to gather . . .

4. The Dog Park at Lock Haven aka Hoover Dog Park

The Dog Park at Loch Haven is a great spot for doggie fun.
Want to play ball? Photo by Joel Bullock
Lots for dogs to do at the Hoover Dog Park.
Hey guys—up here. Photo by Joel Bullock

The Dog Park at Loch Haven is my personal favorite. It’s got everything: a great playground for kids nearby. A nice track for walking. A big field for impromptu games of soccer. A great dog park. And the best part of all: a creek complete with an awesome sandy beach.

The Dog Park at Loch Haven in Hoover is a great place for a doggie playdate.
Dogs get FOMO (fear of missing out) too. Photo by Joel Bullock
Dogs have a lot of fun playing at the Hoover Dog Park.
Dog parks are like a big playdate for dogs. Photo by Karon Bullock

My brother-in-law Joel Bullock had this to say about the creek:

It’s what we do if the dogs get muddy at the dog park or they just need a cooling off after a walk at the creek. It’s also a nice spot for dips with the kids or skipping rocks.

The Hoover Dog Park has a beach by the creek.
The Hoover Dog Park has a doggie beach that’s also popular with their two-legged friends. Photo by Joel Bullock

As you can see, there’s no need to stick to the same old walk around the block when you and your pooch can head out for playtime with other dogs at a number of area dog parks.

Now we want to hear from you: what are your favorite dog parks in Birmingham?

Tag us on social media with pictures from the places you and your dogs love to go.

Sharron Swain
Sharron Swain

Writer, Interviewer + Adventurer | Telling stories to make a difference

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