Prairie Wolf Dog Park and Other 5 Best Dog Parks in Illinois
You’ll love many things about the best dog parks in Illinois. Not only are they equipped with the best amenities, but they’re also easy to find, securely fenced, and well-maintained.
If you’ve never been to a dog park in Illinois near you, here’s a list of some of the best ones you should visit.
1) Prairie Wolf Dog Park
1917-2075 S Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045
You’ll find Prairie Wolf Dog Park in Lake Forest. It’s one of the many designated off-leash areas in the Lake County Forest Preserves.
This 44-acre fenced area has everything you and Fido will need for a fun day out. It has large open fields, beautiful trails, and several training enclosures.
Water and a drinking fountain are also available on-site. Your dog can even swim in a pond at the park’s east end.
The dog park is open from 6:30 A.M. to 7 P.M. You need to secure either an annual or daily permit before you and Fido can enter the park.
2) Lakewood Dog Park
27473, 27511 N Fairfield Rd, Wauconda, IL 60084
Lakewood Dog Park is another designated off-leash area in the Lake County Forest Preserves. It’s much bigger than Prairie Wolf Dog Park, and it has its own unique flair.
If you’re looking to enjoy a day out with your dog while exploring large, open meadows and mowed trails, this is the off-leash dog park you should visit.
Parking, clean restrooms, water, and a shade shelter are also available on-site.
3) Beck Lake
1000 E River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016
You’ll find the entrance of Beck Lake along East River Road and Central Road in Cook County, Illinois.
Locals come here to go fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking, walking, biking, and ice fishing.
Dog parents are also regular visitors to this park. It has an off-leash dog area with 40 acres of open space and a large pond where canines can swim.
The park also offers a connection to nine miles of trails, but if you want to explore this part, you need to keep your dog on a leash.
There’s also an outdoor shelter on-site where you can rest your feet before heading home.
4) Mayslake Forest Preserve and Dog Park
3401-3499 St Paschal Dr, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Mayslake Forest Preserve is a 90-acre park home to historical buildings like Mayslake Peabody Estate and the Portiuncala Chapel.
Visitors come here to fish on Trinity and Mays’ lakes or take a relaxing stroll along the trail on-site. Picnicking is also a very popular activity at the park.
There’s also an off-leash area on-site. It has a fenced 4-acre space, mowed grass, and a double gate system.
You just need to make sure you have a valid Forest Preserve District permit so you can bring your dog. The park is open during regular preserve hours and is closed every Thursday until 10 A.M. for maintenance.
5) Whalon Lake Dog Park
1480 Royce Rd, Naperville, IL 60565
Whalon Lake Dog Park is part of the 249-acre space at Whalon Lake, which is a beautiful preserve that is part of the DuPage River preservation system.
The off-leash dog park offers 11.9-acres of space where your dog can run, play, and socialize off-leash. It also has a 1.9-acre fenced space for small dogs.
You’ll need to prepare a permit before you and your dog can come to the park.
Apart from taking your dog to the off-leash area, you can also enjoy biking, hiking, in-line skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing at the park.
6) Bremen Grove Dog Park
Tinley Creek Trail System, Tinley Park, IL 60477
Bremen Grove Dog Park is a membership-only dog park where Fido can play off-leash.
It offers three acres of open space and separate areas for big and small dogs. The dog park also offers a connection to 33 miles of trails, but if you want to explore this part, you have to keep your dog on a leash.
What to prepare before visiting Illinois dog parks
The best off-leash dog parks in Illinois are often located inside natural preserves, so you must prepare a few things before heading to the parks.
For one, make sure you pack dog park essentials like poop bags, your dog’s leash, plenty of water, and your dog’s bowl.
Make sure you also keep a close watch on your dog. Keep him away from local wildlife and ensure that he doesn’t dig holes in the preserved areas. Watch the weather, too, so you can maximize your time with your dog at the park.
Illinois also has several dog-friendly local establishments like museums, shopping centers, restaurants, and cafes where you can bring Fido. You won’t run out of things to do when you visit Prairie State. Just make sure you keep him on a leash and bring poop bags so you can clean up after your pet.
