55Great open fields with woods and lots of great places for the dogs to sniff around.
Hosts have cats that are inside/outside cats, so be mindful if you have dogs with high prey drive and walk your dogs on leash away from the main house before letting them go.
They have a great dumpster where you can place your poop bags after you collect your dogs little presents 🤪🥰
I will be back, first place I found in Iowa that was large and wide for letting my two Dobies just run and sniff around without having to worry.
Great communication via message on app by host.
I will be back .
Bocayuva C.
Bocayuva C.
February 2022
Great open fields with woods and lots of great places for the dogs to sniff around.
Hosts have cats that are inside/outside cats, so be mindful if you have dogs with high prey drive and walk your dogs on leash away from the main house before letting them go.
They have a great dumpster where you can place your poop bags after you collect your dogs little presents 🤪🥰
I will be back, first place I found in Iowa that was large and wide for letting my two Dobies just run and sniff around without having to worry.
Great communication via message on app by host.
I will be back .
The Retreat 14 Acre Unfenced Private Dog Park In Iowa City | Sniffspot
55My two dogs and I had a great time! We love going to the dog park, but this provides a different off leash experience. It's very relaxing to just let the dogs play and not have to be so vigilant about their every interaction with other dogs and people. They loved exploring the woods, the tall grass areas, the wood chips, and around the farm buildings. The only thing missing is a pond or creek.... My girls love the water. We will definitely be back often! Martha S.
Martha S.
February 2022
My two dogs and I had a great time! We love going to the dog park, but this provides a different off leash experience. It's very relaxing to just let the dogs play and not have to be so vigilant about their every interaction with other dogs and people. They loved exploring the woods, the tall grass areas, the wood chips, and around the farm buildings. The only thing missing is a pond or creek.... My girls love the water. We will definitely be back often!
55Our dogs really enjoyed running around and playing in the yard! The neighbor dog came out and they sniffed each other through the fence and ran up and down with them. We had a great time and would come again. Caitlin H.
Caitlin H.
February 2023
Our dogs really enjoyed running around and playing in the yard! The neighbor dog came out and they sniffed each other through the fence and ran up and down with them. We had a great time and would come again.
55We booked last minute since the dog park was closed and we will 100% be back. We reached out to make sure it wasn’t inconvenient for us to arrive, since we booked so last minute and the owner was quick to reply (less than 5 minutes). The yard is big, safely fenced on all sides, well maintained, and peaceful! There were poop bags available if needed, a table to sit at, and a water bowl and hose. Our dogs left haply and tired!Alexandria F.
Alexandria F.
March 2023
We booked last minute since the dog park was closed and we will 100% be back. We reached out to make sure it wasn’t inconvenient for us to arrive, since we booked so last minute and the owner was quick to reply (less than 5 minutes). The yard is big, safely fenced on all sides, well maintained, and peaceful! There were poop bags available if needed, a table to sit at, and a water bowl and hose. Our dogs left haply and tired!
55My dog had a great time at this Sniffspot! I was a little nervous because this was the first time I’ve ever had her off leash and I think she could jump the chain link portion of the fence if she wanted to, but she enjoyed all the space to run around and sniff. I did bring my own water and poop bags, but there were poop bags, bowls, and a hose provided. It did get a little noisy at times when cars would drive by but it didn’t bother me or my dog. Kaya D.
Kaya D.
March 2023
My dog had a great time at this Sniffspot! I was a little nervous because this was the first time I’ve ever had her off leash and I think she could jump the chain link portion of the fence if she wanted to, but she enjoyed all the space to run around and sniff. I did bring my own water and poop bags, but there were poop bags, bowls, and a hose provided. It did get a little noisy at times when cars would drive by but it didn’t bother me or my dog.
55Very peaceful and large space. Shady trees and sunny spots. Secure fencing and safe area. Definitely fit our needs and can’t wait to come again!!Danielle H.
Danielle H.
April 2023
Very peaceful and large space. Shady trees and sunny spots. Secure fencing and safe area. Definitely fit our needs and can’t wait to come again!!
55This was a great big back yard with not much in the yard that dogs can get into. Poop bags and water bowls are provided with a hose to fill the bowl up right next to it. My dogs had a blast!! If your dog is dog reactive though there are dogs on both sides of the yard with nice dogs and dog owners. Stephanie C.
Stephanie C.
May 2023
This was a great big back yard with not much in the yard that dogs can get into. Poop bags and water bowls are provided with a hose to fill the bowl up right next to it. My dogs had a blast!! If your dog is dog reactive though there are dogs on both sides of the yard with nice dogs and dog owners.
55Loved the place. Very clean and well-maintained. Thank you we had a great time and will visit again. I would like to note that half of the yard was shaded by trees which was very nice to play in when we got tired of being in the sun. Dorsa B.
Dorsa B.
September 2023
Loved the place. Very clean and well-maintained. Thank you we had a great time and will visit again. I would like to note that half of the yard was shaded by trees which was very nice to play in when we got tired of being in the sun.
55Great spot! Tons of space for my kiddo to sniff around, and space for fetch too! We will definitely be back.
There was a dog in the neighboring yard that my dog could see through the chain link fence, which is fine for my dog but might be an issue if your dog is dog-reactive. Alexandra S.
Alexandra S.
October 2023
Great spot! Tons of space for my kiddo to sniff around, and space for fetch too! We will definitely be back.
There was a dog in the neighboring yard that my dog could see through the chain link fence, which is fine for my dog but might be an issue if your dog is dog-reactive.
55My 8 month old pupper loved to sniff around and play with the tug of war rope on the tree. She was worn out within 15 minutes—well worth it. julia k.
julia k.
October 2023
My 8 month old pupper loved to sniff around and play with the tug of war rope on the tree. She was worn out within 15 minutes—well worth it.
55It was absolutely great, the backyard is massive and was perfect for my reactive dog. While you could hear the neighbors dogs you can’t see them so it didn’t bother her at all Liana M.
Liana M.
October 2023
It was absolutely great, the backyard is massive and was perfect for my reactive dog. While you could hear the neighbors dogs you can’t see them so it didn’t bother her at all
55Traveling to St Louis, we stopped to let our dog romp. This sniff spot was clean and large with nice low grass. There was a dog barking in a neighbor’s yard, another next door neighbor let their dog out while we were there. Luckily our dog enjoyed running back and forth along the fence with him. Our dog had a great time!Deb T.
Deb T.
November 2023
Traveling to St Louis, we stopped to let our dog romp. This sniff spot was clean and large with nice low grass. There was a dog barking in a neighbor’s yard, another next door neighbor let their dog out while we were there. Luckily our dog enjoyed running back and forth along the fence with him. Our dog had a great time!
55Had our first visit to Chase’s private dog park today. Big yard, water available, clean space, private play area, and a rope toy our pup loved! Would recommend to other apartment dwellers looking for a safe space for their dogs to play. Will visit again. Jenna R.
Jenna R.
September 2023
Had our first visit to Chase’s private dog park today. Big yard, water available, clean space, private play area, and a rope toy our pup loved! Would recommend to other apartment dwellers looking for a safe space for their dogs to play. Will visit again.
55Just what we needed! A huge fenced in yard with tons of tidy grass for our dog to run and run and run. We will definitely be back, probably often!Brooke D.
Brooke D.
February 2024
Just what we needed! A huge fenced in yard with tons of tidy grass for our dog to run and run and run. We will definitely be back, probably often!
55We just used the pool for the first time and my dog Lola loved it! Water was nice and cool and it was big enough for her to roll around in Liana M.
Liana M.
April 2024
We just used the pool for the first time and my dog Lola loved it! Water was nice and cool and it was big enough for her to roll around in
How do Iowa City's private dog parks work?
Private rentals by the hour
Our hosts are locals that are renting their yards and private land to dog owners
Trust and safety first
Spots are designed for safety and both hosts and guests are reviewed after each visit
Designed for private play
Only the people and dogs in your booking are allowed in the spot during your visit
Reactive dogs welcome
Many of the spots we list are designed with sensitive dogs in mind
Become a Sniffpass holder!
Get discounts on all bookings at all spots by buying monthly credits! Learn more!
FAQ about our Iowa City dog parks
Are dog parks good for dogs?
It is important for dogs to have off leash exercise to sniff and run. But the free and open nature of public dog parks has drawbacks. There could be aggressive dogs, disease transmission and cleanliness issues. For this reason, many dog behaviorists discourage visiting public dog parks and recommend Sniffspot's private dog parks. Sniffspot private dog parks only allow one guest to book at a time and are not open to the public, which solves many of these issues.
Are dog parks safe?
While public dog parks have a number of safety issues, such as aggressive dogs, disease transmission and general cleanliness, Sniffspot dog parks much safer than public dog parks. With Sniffspot all bookings are private for just you and dogs you bring with you and we require all dogs to be vaccinated (or have equivalent titers). All Sniffspot locations are vetted and reviewed by guests so you can find the perfect place for you and your dog. 94% of reviews on Sniffspot visits in the Iowa City area are 5 stars.
How do I know if a dog park works for my dog?
You can filter Sniffspot dog parks by fencing and distractions. If your dog doesn't have good recall, you can visit one of our 24 fully fenced dog parks in the area. If your dog is reactive to other dogs, you can visit one of our 3 off leash areas where there are no dogs audible or visible nearby. You can also filter locations to avoid other domestic animals and people. We also recommend reading reviews and reaching out to the host with any questions.
Does Iowa City have any fully fenced dog parks?
Sniffspot has 24 fully fenced dog parks in or near Iowa City. Browse all fully enclosed options.
Are there dog agility courses for rent in Iowa City?
Can I rent a field for my dog to run near Iowa City?
There are 5 Sniffspot dog parks that offer fields in or near Iowa City where dogs can be off leash. The most popular field is Dan's Dog Park In Fairfax.