Ann Arbor is a dog town. You already know this if you’ve walked two blocks downtown and been greeted by four golden retrievers. But off-leash options are more limited than you’d expect – the city runs three fenced dog parks, all of which require an annual permit. Beyond city limits, Washtenaw County adds a few more options worth the drive. Here’s the full rundown.
Swift Run Dog Park – The Big One
Swift Run is the largest off-leash dog park in the Ann Arbor system at 10 acres. Located at the corner of Platt Road and Ellsworth Road in southeast Ann Arbor, it’s maintained jointly by the city and Washtenaw County.
The entire perimeter is fenced with two gated entrances for safe transitions in and out. There’s a separate fenced area for dogs under 20 pounds – useful if your terrier doesn’t appreciate being body-checked by a lab. Benches, waste stations, and open space to run.
The terrain is mostly flat grass with some mowed paths around the edges. It can get muddy after rain, especially near the gates where traffic concentrates. On nice evenings, you’ll find 20 to 30 dogs at peak hours. Weekend mornings are calmer.
An annual off-leash dog permit is required – purchase through the city. Dogs must be current on vaccinations.
Corner of Platt Road and Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor.
Olson Park – Northeast Side
Olson Park’s off-leash area is just under an acre, tucked into the south-central portion of the park at 1505 Dhu Varren Road, between Pontiac Trail and Birchwood Drive. It’s smaller than Swift Run but more convenient if you live on the north or northeast side.
The fenced area is right off the parking lot, which makes the daily routine fast – park, unleash, let your dog sprint, re-leash, go. Amenities include benches, picnic tables, a shelter, waste stations, and water access. The ground is grass with some shade along the fence line.
It’s a neighborhood park, so the crowd is regulars. You’ll learn every dog’s name within a week. Quieter than Swift Run, which is either a pro or a con depending on how social your dog is.
Same annual permit required.
Broadway Park – Closest to Downtown
Broadway is the newest and most central of Ann Arbor’s three city dog parks, located at 800 Broadway Street along the Huron River, just north of downtown. It’s just under an acre with separate fenced areas for small and large dogs.
The location is the selling point. If you live downtown, in Kerrytown, or in the Old Fourth Ward, this is walkable. The park sits along the river, so you get a nice view while your dog does laps. It’s compact – not a place for a high-energy dog to truly stretch out – but perfect for a quick morning off-leash session.
It can feel crowded with just five or six dogs because of the size. Come early or come on weekdays for more space.
Same annual permit required. Hours are 6 AM to 10 PM.
Paw Run Dog Park – The 18-Acre Playground
Paw Run is the off-leash park that the city parks wish they were. Eighteen fenced acres of trails, a pond, an agility yard, and a double-gated entry system, all located about 10 miles south of Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County.
The scale changes everything. Nearly a mile of mowed trails wind through the property, so your dog can actually run – not just sprint back and forth across a half-acre. The pond is open for swimming dogs. The agility yard has ramps and obstacles for dogs who need a job to do. Seating and water are available for the humans.
Paw Run is privately operated, so it requires a separate membership. Registration is $20, and monthly dues run $25 per dog. All dogs need current rabies and DHLPP vaccinations and must pass a temperament test before entry. Note: Akitas, Chow Chows, Pit Bulls, Cane Corsos, and their mixes are not permitted.
Open 7 AM to dusk daily.
Mill Pond Park Dog Area – Saline
Saline’s Mill Pond Park has a one-acre off-leash area for dogs on the park’s western edge. It’s fenced on three sides with open water access on the fourth – which means your dog can splash in the creek, and also means recall training matters.
The area has a double-gated entrance, agility ramps, picnic tables, water access, and trash cans. It’s a modest-sized park, but the water access is a bonus you won’t find at the city parks. Good option if you’re in the southern part of the county.
Chelsea Dog Park
About 20 minutes west of Ann Arbor, Chelsea has its own community dog park with a fenced area and plenty of room to run. It’s a good option for the western Washtenaw crowd – combine it with a trip to downtown Chelsea’s shops and restaurants.
The park has separate areas for large and small dogs, double-gated entries, and waste stations. Free to use.
Dog-Friendly Trails (On-Leash)
Ann Arbor’s off-leash parks are great, but sometimes your dog just wants a long walk. These trails are on-leash only but worth knowing about:
Bird Hills Nature Area – 146 acres of wooded hills with 2.5 miles of trail. The terrain is interesting enough to keep a dog engaged, and the shade keeps it cool in summer. Bird Hills Nature Area
County Farm Park – Flat crushed-stone trails through gardens and meadows. Dog-friendly and stroller-friendly. County Farm Park
Gallup Park – Paved riverside path, 1.7-mile loop. Lots of other dogs to meet. Water access at several points. Gallup Park
Border-to-Border Trail – Miles of paved path along the Huron River. As long a walk as your dog wants. Huron River Greenway Border to Border Trailhead
Nichols Arboretum – Dirt trails through 123 acres of ravines and river bluffs. Dogs on leash. Busy on weekends. University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum
The Permit Situation
All three City of Ann Arbor dog parks – Swift Run, Olson, and Broadway – require an annual off-leash dog permit. You can purchase one through the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation office. Dogs must be up to date on rabies vaccination. The permit covers all three parks.
Parks are open 6 AM to 10 PM. You must clean up after your dog. Aggressive dogs must be removed immediately. Standard stuff, but they do enforce it.
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Whether your dog needs 18 acres and a pond or just a fenced quarter-acre for a morning sprint, Washtenaw County has a spot. Find more pet-friendly parks and outdoor recreation on miannarbor.com.
