In GrimesNo public off-leash park yet; floated as a future amenity
NearbyUrbandale, Johnston and Waukee, all pass-only
CostNon-resident annual passes run $40 to $47 per dog
Try it once$5 day pass at Waukee and West Des Moines
In town
Does Grimes have a dog park?
Not yet. None of the parks on the city's list, from Lions and Heritage to Waterworks and the sports complexes, has a fenced off-leash area. The city's pet licensing page says license counts help it judge whether Grimes needs more pet amenities, "such as dog parks," so licensing your dog ($5 a year at City Hall) is the one vote you can cast.
Note: Cutty's in Grimes has a fenced dog area, but it is a private members-only campground, not a public park. For vets and pet licensing in town, see our pets guide.
Nearby
Which dog parks can Grimes dogs use?
All five parks below are fenced and pass-only, and Grimes residents pay the non-resident rate at each. Buy online ahead of time; most send a gate code or app key after approval, which can take up to three business days.
Urbandale Dog Park
Where: 4905 68th St., Urbandale. Six fenced acres, opened August 2023, with separate large- and small-dog areas (small side: 13 inches at the shoulder and 25 pounds max), a drinking fountain, benches and 24 parking stalls.
Hours: daily, 6:30 a.m. to sunset. Closed Monday mornings, 6:30 to 10 a.m., for maintenance.
Pass: $45 a year for non-residents ($20 Urbandale residents). Dogs must be at least 6 months old.
Prairie Point Dog Park, Johnston
Where: 5401 NW Johnston Dr., south of Johnston Drive near Ray Schleihs Park. Six acres, built ADA-friendly, sharing a parking lot with the trailhead.
Status: the city set a spring 2026 opening, but its dog park page still reads as upcoming. Call Johnston Parks at (515) 727-8091 before you make the drive.
Pass: $40 a year for non-residents ($25 residents, who also need a $10 Johnston dog license).
Trailside Dog Park, Waukee
Where: 590 SE Brick Dr., just east of Alice's Road and south of the Heart of the Warrior Trail. Four acres with restrooms, 21 parking stalls, separate small- and large-dog areas, a shade structure and concrete paths.
Hours: daily, 7 a.m. to sunset (7 p.m. in winter). Closed Thursdays, 7 to 10 a.m., for maintenance.
Pass: $45 a year for non-residents ($25 residents), or a $5 single-day pass. Non-residents do not need a Waukee license. Puppies must be at least 16 weeks old.
Raccoon River Park Dog Park, West Des Moines
Where: inside Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Ave., just east of the softball complex. Ten fenced acres with large- and small-dog areas.
Hours: daily, year-round, 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Pass: $45 a year for non-residents ($20 West Des Moines residents), or $5 for a day pass, through BarkPass. Approval can take up to three business days.
Ankeny Dog Park
Where: 1155 SW Ankeny Rd., Ankeny. 7.5 fenced acres with a half-acre pond and separate small- and large-dog areas.
Hours: daily, sunrise to sunset. Gates open with a digital key in an app.
Pass: $47 for a 2026 non-resident pass ($30 residents). The city warns the pond water is untreated.
If you want a fenced yard to yourself, the Animal Rescue League runs Bailey's Bark Park at ARL Main, 5452 NE 22nd St. in Des Moines, by scheduled rental only, starting at $15.
Before you go
What do I need to use a dog park?
A pass for each dog, plus proof of a current rabies vaccination, which Urbandale, Ankeny and West Des Moines ask for when you buy. Ankeny and Waukee post nearly the same rules, which give a good idea of what to expect:
Leash on while entering and leaving, and carry one leash per dog inside.
Pick up after your dog, and fill any hole it digs.
No children under 10 inside at Ankeny or Waukee, and a two-dog limit per handler at both.
No prong, pinch or spike collars; no females in heat; no food beyond small training treats.
Keep your Grimes license current too. It is required for Grimes dogs regardless of where you play, and it is $5 a year.
On leash
Where can I walk my dog on a leash around Grimes?
Polk County Conservation parks welcome leashed dogs, with the county's rules spelled out: pets on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, never left unattended, and cleaned up after. For the city's own parks and trail system, see our Grimes parks guide.
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Quick answers
Dog parks near Grimes: FAQ
Does Grimes, Iowa have a dog park?
Not a public one yet. Grimes does not currently have a public off-leash dog park, though the city has mentioned dog parks as a possible future amenity. Grimes dog owners use the pass-only parks in nearby towns: Urbandale, Johnston, Waukee, West Des Moines and Ankeny.
Where is the nearest dog park to Grimes?
The practical options are the fenced dog parks in nearby cities: the Urbandale Dog Park at 4905 68th St., Johnston's Prairie Point Dog Park at 5401 NW Johnston Dr. (confirm it has opened), and Waukee's Trailside Dog Park at 590 SE Brick Dr. All three need a pass bought in advance.
How much is a dog park pass for a Grimes resident?
Grimes residents pay the non-resident rate: $45 a year per dog in Urbandale, Waukee and West Des Moines, $40 in Johnston, and $47 in Ankeny for 2026. Waukee and West Des Moines also sell a $5 day pass. Have your rabies certificate handy when you buy.
Can I try a dog park without buying an annual pass?
Yes, in two places. Waukee's Trailside Dog Park and West Des Moines' Raccoon River Park Dog Park both sell a $5 single-day pass per dog through BarkPass. Urbandale, Johnston and Ankeny sell annual passes only.