Dog Parks in Tampa, FL: Off-Leash Parks, Dog Beaches & Maps
Tampa has an unusually broad city-run dog-park network: neighborhood runs, downtown parks, larger recreation complexes and two designated dog beaches. The City’s current Barks & Recreation directory lists 18 dog parks and dog beaches.
The useful distinction is setting. Davis Islands and Picnic Island give dogs waterfront access, while places such as Al Lopez, Rowlett and Julian B. Lane put the dog park inside a much larger park. Downtown residents have several smaller options close to the Riverwalk and urban core.
Quick Answer: Tampa Dog Parks
Tampa says all of its dog parks and dog beaches have fenced boundaries: they are either fully enclosed or fenced and bounded by water. Dogs must stay leashed outside designated off-leash areas and in parking lots.
| Dog park | Address | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Al Lopez Park (James Urbanski Dog Park) | 4810 N Himes Ave. | Large regional park |
| Angus Goss Dog Park | 4601 N Central Ave. | Neighborhood dog park |
| Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | 600 N Ashley Drive | Downtown waterfront |
| Davis Islands Dog Park & Dog Beach | 1002 Severn St. | Dog park and waterfront beach |
| Deputy John Kotfila Jr. Memorial Dog Park | 626 N Raymond Ave. | Urban dog park |
| Gadsden Park | 6901 S MacDill Ave. | South Tampa regional park |
| Giddens Park | 5202 N 12th St. | Neighborhood park |
| Henry & Ola Park | 502 W Henry Ave. | Neighborhood park |
| Herman Massey Park | 1002 N Franklin St. | Downtown |
| Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park | 1001 N Boulevard | Riverfront regional park |
| Madison Street Dog Park | 1224 E Madison St. | Downtown / Channelside |
| New Tampa Rotary Dog Park | 17301 Commerce Park Blvd. | New Tampa |
| Palma Ceia Park | 2200 Marti St. | South Tampa neighborhood park |
| Picnic Island Dog Beach | 7409 Picnic Island Blvd. | Gated dog beach |
| Rowlett Park | 2401 E Yukon St. | Large park |
| Vila Brothers Park (Sandra Sanchez Dog Park) | 700 N Armenia Ave. | West Tampa |
| Washington Street Park | 118 N 12th St. | Downtown neighborhood park |
| Water Works Park (Queenie’s Dog Park) | 1710 N Highland Ave. | Riverfront / Tampa Heights |
1. Davis Islands Dog Park & Dog Beach
Address: 1002 Severn Street, Tampa, FL 33606
Open Davis Islands Dog Park in Google Maps
Davis Islands Dog Park & Dog Beach combines a land-based off-leash area with a designated waterfront dog beach. That makes it different from Tampa’s typical fenced neighborhood dog park and worth planning as its own destination.
If beach access is the reason for your visit, check current water and park advisories before going. Tampa’s beach water is monitored through the Florida Healthy Beaches program.
2. Picnic Island Dog Beach
Address: 7409 Picnic Island Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33616
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Open Picnic Island Dog Beach in Google Maps
Picnic Island has a separate gated dog beach just south of the fishing pier. The larger park adds restrooms, an outdoor shower, drinking fountains for people and pets, picnic shelters, a playground, disc golf, a boat ramp and a canoe/kayak launch.
See the official Picnic Island Park page.
3. Al Lopez Park — James Urbanski Dog Park
Address: 4810 N Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614
Open Al Lopez Park in Google Maps
James Urbanski Dog Park sits inside one of Tampa’s larger recreation parks. Al Lopez also offers walking and biking space, nature trails, picnic facilities, playgrounds, fishing and fitness stations, so it works well when you want more than a quick off-leash stop.
Current maintenance note: the City lists the Jim Urbanski Dog Park as closed every Thursday from park opening until noon for maintenance. Holiday schedules can affect that timing.
4. New Tampa Rotary Dog Park
Address: 17301 Commerce Park Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33647
Open New Tampa Rotary Dog Park in Google Maps
New Tampa Rotary Dog Park is the obvious city-run choice for many residents in the New Tampa area. It is part of Tampa’s fenced dog-park network and saves a long trip toward downtown or South Tampa.
5. Rowlett Park Dog Park
Address: 2401 E Yukon Street, Tampa, FL 33604
Open Rowlett Park in Google Maps
Rowlett is another north Tampa option within a larger park rather than a stand-alone dog run. It is useful when you want off-leash time plus a leashed walk elsewhere on the property.
6. Water Works Park — Queenie’s Dog Park
Address: 1710 N Highland Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602
Park hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Open Water Works Park in Google Maps
Queenie’s Dog Park gives Tampa Heights a fenced off-leash option inside a riverfront park with green space, shaded picnic areas, a playground and splash pad. Water Works Park has no general admission fee.
Current maintenance note: Queenie’s Dog Park is closed every Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for maintenance, subject to holiday changes.
See the official Water Works Park page.
7. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park Dog Park
Address: 1001 N Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33606
Open Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Google Maps
Julian B. Lane is a 25-acre riverfront destination with a dog park plus sports courts, a boathouse, splash and play areas and broad riverfront space. It is one of the better fits if you want a dog park that is part of a larger downtown-area outing.
8. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park Dog Park
Address: 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
Open Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Google Maps
Curtis Hixon puts an off-leash area directly on Tampa’s downtown waterfront near the Riverwalk. The surrounding park is busy and frequently used for public events, so event days can feel very different from an ordinary weekday visit.
Current maintenance note: the City lists the Curtis Hixon Dog Park as closed from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday.
Other City of Tampa Dog Parks
The City’s current list also includes Angus Goss Dog Park, Deputy John Kotfila Jr. Memorial Dog Park, Gadsden Park, Giddens Park, Henry & Ola Park, Herman Massey Park, Madison Street Dog Park, Palma Ceia Park, Vila Brothers Park/Sandra Sanchez Dog Park and Washington Street Park.
For a nearby everyday visit, one of these neighborhood parks may make more sense than driving across the city to a larger destination park.
See Tampa’s complete dog-park list and map.
Dog Park Hours and Maintenance
Many Tampa parks use sunrise-to-sunset hours unless a facility posts a different schedule. Water Works Park, for example, is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Picnic Island Park is open sunrise to sunset, while its boat ramp operates 24 hours.
Before an early, late or weekday visit, check Tampa’s current advisories. Maintenance windows for individual dog parks can change around holidays.
Check current Tampa Parks advisories and closures.
Tampa Dog Park Rules
Tampa’s citywide leash-free rules cover the basics across the network:
- Dogs must be properly licensed and wear ID tags.
- Dogs must be at least four months old.
- Owners must clean up after their dogs.
- Dogs may not be left unattended.
- Dogs must be leashed before entering and after leaving the dog park.
- No more than two off-leash dogs per person are allowed inside a dog park.
- Dogs in heat are not allowed.
- Rawhide and food are not permitted inside dog parks.
- Dogs must remain under voice command.
Read Tampa’s official dog-park rules.
Which Tampa Dog Park Fits Your Plans?
For water access, start with Davis Islands or Picnic Island. For a larger park around the dog area, Al Lopez, Rowlett and Julian B. Lane are useful comparisons. For downtown access, Curtis Hixon, Herman Massey, Madison Street, Washington Street, Deputy John Kotfila Jr. Memorial Dog Park and Queenie’s at Water Works keep off-leash space close to the urban core.
New Tampa Rotary is the clearest option for the far north side of the city. If you simply want the closest everyday fenced run, Tampa’s smaller neighborhood parks may be more practical than the better-known waterfront destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dog parks and dog beaches does Tampa have?
The City of Tampa currently lists 18 municipal dog parks and dog beaches in its Barks & Recreation directory.
Are Tampa dog parks free?
The City does not list a general admission fee for its standard municipal dog parks. Fees can apply to unrelated rentals, parking or other facilities at some larger parks.
Are Tampa dog parks fenced?
Yes. Tampa says all dog parks and dog beaches have marked fenced boundaries. They are either fully enclosed by fencing or fenced and bounded by water.
Does Tampa have dog beaches?
Yes. Davis Islands Dog Park & Dog Beach and Picnic Island Dog Beach are designated waterfront off-leash options.
Can dogs be off leash in regular Tampa parks?
No. Dogs must remain leashed outside designated dog parks and leash-free areas, including while moving through parking areas.
Before You Go
Tampa’s dog parks are not interchangeable. Pick the setting first—waterfront, downtown, regional park or neighborhood run—then check the City’s advisories for maintenance or event-related changes before driving over.
Dog Parks Florida Editorial Team
The Dog Parks Florida Editorial Team creates practical guides to dog parks and off-leash recreation areas across Florida. Articles are researched using official city, county, park, and recreation resources, then reviewed for clarity and accuracy.
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