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Dog-Friendly Activities in Iowa

Don’t leave Fido in the hotel room when you’re on vacation. Get out and play! No matter where you’re headed in Iowa, we can point you towards the nearest off-leash dog park, the most popular dog beach, a really great hiking trail, and lots of other places to play with Fido.

Pet Friendly Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Featuring artwork by over two dozen of the world's most celebrated artists, Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a pet-friendly attraction in Des Moines, IA. Leashed dogs are welcome to explore the 4.4-acre park located downtown, and an audio tour is available on the Des Moines Art Center website. Picnicking is allowed in the park, but humans should be sure to keep food and drink away from the works of art and dispose of waste in the trash cans.

Pet Friendly Maquoketa Caves State Park

Maquoketa Caves State Park

Maquoketa Caves State Park

Leashed dogs are welcome at Maquoketa Caves State Park in Maquoketa, IA. This pet-friendly destination is famed for the caves and named for the Native Americans who once lived there. You and Fido can search the park for artifacts such as pottery, tools and projectile points made of stone. There are six miles of trails that explore the wooded surroundings and prairie, leading to the main attractions of the area, the Natural Bridge, Balanced Rock and Dancehall Cave.

Fenelon Place Elevator Company

Fenelon Place Elevator Company

Hailed as the world's shortest, steepest railroad ride, the Fenelon Place Elevator Company cars elevate passengers 189 feet from Fourth Street to Fenelon Place. This pet-friendly Dubuque, IA attraction brings you and Fido to the top for a panoramic view of the historic Dubuque business district, the Mississippi River and three states. The cars are very small, so only small lap dogs are welcome to join their humans. Check their website for current one-way and round-trip fees.

Paws & Pints

Paws & Pints is a unique, dog-friendly retreat in Des Moines, IA. Pet parents can enjoy a pint while watching Fido explore over 20,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor space with dog park amenities such as a jungle gym, walking trails and clean up stations. Be sure to visit the snack kitchen, bar and coffeehouse. Other features include an on-site vet clinic, dog daycare, lodging, grooming and training. Check their website for information on park passes and memberships.

The Little Willow Dog Park

Missouri Valley, IA

The Little Willow Dog Park

The Little Willow Dog Park is a peaceful, pet-friendly park in Missouri Valley, IA. Located near I-29 and Highway 30, this fenced, recreational area is wheelchair accessible and has lots of parking. This one-acre park features a double-gated entrance with separate areas for small and large dogs, shade shelters, water stations, waste bags, and agility equipment.

Field of Dreams Movie Site

Field of Dreams Movie Site

Leashed, well behaved dogs (with responsible owners who will clean up after them) are permitted to enjoy The Field of Dreams Movie Site. This pet-friendly attraction in Dyersville, IA is home of the filming location for this popular 1989 movie. Enjoy a bit of history and Hollywood with Fido, but note that pets are not permitted in the farm house or the event center.

Gray's Lake Park

Gray's Lake Park

Located in the heart of the Des Moines Metro area, Gray's Lake Park is a dog-friendly spot that's perfect for a walk with your leashed pup. The 167-acre park features a 1.9-mile lit trail, which encircles the lake. Dogs are not allowed on the designated swimming beach, and pets must be cleaned up after during their visit. Pet waste stations are located every half mile along the trail for your convenience. Please note that the park hours vary seasonally.

Living History Farms

Living History Farms

Living History Farms in Urbandale, IA is a dog-friendly, interactive outdoor museum which educates, entertains and connects people to Midwestern rural life experiences. Leashed dogs are welcome but must remain outside of the buildings. This 500-acre outdoor museum features walking trails and tractor-drawn carts connecting the 1876 Town of Walnut Hill to each of the historical farms.

Prairie Pastures Dog Park

Prairie Pastures Dog Park

Located in Eagle Point Park, the Prairie Pastures Dog Park is a fenced, off-leash area where Fido is invited to play in Clinton, IA. This 8-acre park is packed with features, from swimming pools to a special old dog area, an agility course, and nature trails. Day passes are available via an honor box and membership forms are also available on site.

Eagles Landing Winery

Eagles Landing Winery

Swirl, sniff and sip a glass of wine alongside Fido at Eagles Landing Winery in Marquette, IA. This pet-friendly winery welcomes well-behaved, leashed dogs at a table in their wine garden, as long as they do not use the garden area for pet relief. Their award-winning wines include reds such as Frog Hollow, Marquette Rosé and Sweet Ruby, and whites such as Summer Crush, Grandpas Reserve and Oktoberfest. They also serve dessert wines and fruit and berry wines.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

West Branch, IA

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is a pet-friendly attraction in West Branch, IA. Bring your leashed pooch along to this 187-acre historic site that features President Hoover's birthplace, gravesite and more. Don't forget to clean up after your pup!

Crow Creek Dog Park

Crow Creek Dog Park

Crow Creek Dog Park is a pet-friendly area on almost seven acres in Betterndorf, IA. This fenced park has two separate enclosed spaces, one of which is an area called The SPOTT for dogs that are old, timid or tiny. Other amenities include water fountains, benches, waste bags and public restrooms.

The Brenton Arboretum

Dallas Center, IA

The Brenton Arboretum

The Brenton Arboretum is a 143-acre landscape in the heart of Iowa agricultural land. Located in Dallas Center, IA, this pet-friendly attraction welcomes you and FIdo to explore thousands of trees, beautiful prairies and wildflower meadows, streams and ponds, and miles of grassy trails. Dogs must remain on a leash during their visit, and an annual membership or a day pass per dog is required.

Backbone State Park

Backbone State Park

Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners at Backbone State Park in Dundee, IA. This pet-friendly park is popular due to the 21 miles of trails that can be found around the area. Many of these will lead you through cedar trees and up rocky staircases, and a few lead to one of the highest points in northeast Iowa, the Devil's Backbone. The park also features picnic shelters with views out over the trees. Please remember to clean up after your pets during your visit.

Maiden Voyage Tours, LLC

Maiden Voyage Tours, LLC

Maiden Voyage Tours, LLC is a pet-friendly attraction in Marquette, IA. Bring your pooch along to enjoy a boat tour of the Mississippi River while learning about the history of the area. Check their website for online booking, ticket pricing and availability.

Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park

Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park

Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park is a pet-friendly recreation area in Iowa City, IA. This fenced dog park has a separate area for small dogs, an agility equipment and training area, and a doggie swimming pond. A permit is required for the park, but if you are just visiting for the day they ask for a $5 donation that can be paid through an honor system. Dogs are welcome to play freely in the park, as long as all mess is cleaned up after them.

Sunset Dog Park

Sunset Dog Park

Rambunctious Retrievers and playful Pomeranians can let loose in separate areas for large and small dogs at Sunset Dog Park, part of Sunset Park in downtown Newton, IA. Dog water and waste stations, shade trees, and park benches for humans are available.

Wide River Winery Clinton

Wide River Winery Clinton

Well-behaved, leashed pets can join their owners at Wide River Winery in Clinton, IA. This local attraction features seasonal outdoor seating on the dog-friendly deck where two- and four-legged friends can unwind at umbrella-shaded tables. Visitors can order a glass of wine to pair with light snacks, such as a cheese and sausage plate, creamy jalapeno dip, and black bean salsa.

Bass Pro Shops

Leashed dogs are welcome to shop with you at Bass Pro Shops in Altoona, IA. Well-mannered, supervised dogs are welcome to browse the aisles with you as you shop for outdoor gear, camping equipment, fishing tackle and more. Please note that dogs are not allowed in Uncle Buck's restaurant attached to the store.

Mississippi Riverwalk

Mississippi Riverwalk

Leashed dogs are welcome to join their humans for a walk along the Mississippi Riverwalk in Dubuque, IA. Enjoy a scenic stroll with Fido, or relax with a picnic on the lawn while taking in river views with your best friend by your side. A parking lot is located at 3rd and Bell Street near the Mississippi Riverwalk Gazebo.

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