Top public and private dog hiking trails in Mayer, Minnesota

The "Maplewood Farm" Dog Park (5-acres!)

Welcome to the “Maplewood Farm” Dog Park -- a peaceful 5-acre nature escape in south Maplewood near Battle Creek, just minutes from I-94 and McKnight. This is still undeveloped farmland tucked into the suburbs, with a different feel from a typical backyard spot. Set among rolling hills, mature trees, wooded trails, open field space, and natural wildlife, it gives dogs a private place to run, sniff, explore, and decompress away from crowded dog parks. (For history buffs, we have the only standing barn in Maplewood, built in 1896, that is still in its original form and in use.) The main fenced play area is approx. 60 ft x 100 ft and is great for off-leash play, fetch, tug with the spring pole, and burning off energy. It also has a water-play area with a splash pool and above-head sprinkler/mister. You can even rinse or bathe your pup on the grass with the sprayer! For a good visit, I recommend spending the first part of your time in the fenced area, then leashing your pup for a slower sniff walk around the rest of the property. From the fenced area, follow the metal back gate into the wooded trail system, head toward the back cul-de-sac area, loop back toward the campfire area and barn, then continue through the mature forest trail, where I’ve installed several runner trolley systems for semi-free roaming. They give dogs a safe, guided way to sniff and explore along a peaceful trail surrounded by dense forest and mature trees. From there, circle back toward the open field, one of my favorite spots. Signs are posted to help guide you. This is a natural, dog-friendly space, so dogs are welcome to explore, climb on log/wood chip piles, pull on or chew on sticks, sniff around, and enjoy the property in whatever way feels safe and appropriate to you, including off-leashing. If your dog loves tugging on low branches, limbs, or natural wood around the property, that’s okay with me too. I’m not precious about the landscape here. Anything on the property can be cleaned up, moved, repaired, or rebuilt (including the tug pole!). My priority is your pup. Best times to visit: Mornings and early evenings are usually great for active dogs, especially during warmer weather. Afternoons can still be enjoyable too, with shade available for humans, water play for dogs, and wooded trails for slower sniff walks. Early evenings are one of my favorite times here -- you can often enjoy a quiet sunset with a hammock, giving both dogs and humans a peaceful way to wind down. Some guests also come after sundown for highly reactive dogs who need extra stillness, and LED collars make them fun to watch across the yard. If I’m home, I may briefly welcome first-time visitors once your dog is safely in the fenced area. If you prefer a no-contact visit, just message me ahead of time and I won’t greet you. As a dog lover and builder, I’m always improving the space and adding more dog-friendly features. It’s a great time to visit while the rate is still at an early-stage level. I just opened this spot in May 2026 and welcome your feedback. If you have ideas for making the space better for groups, trainers, or special dog gatherings, please let me know! 🐾 🐾 Valeng and paw friends 🐾 🐾

Fairhill meadow

Spend some time on over 30 acres of rolling hills, woods, ravine, mowed paths. This area is used for a paintball playing area and is open when we dont have reservations.

Thomas's 75 Acre Unfenced Private Dog Park In Farmington

90 minute time slot. We have an open 70 acres surrounding a private pond with a trail thru the fields and woods around nature. The time allotment is 90 minutes only. We ask that our guests park by the barn and go straight to the lake then to the left around the lake. Trails are marked. It is about a 1 mile trail or more. trails are not plowed open in the winter but are perfect for snow shoeing, hiking an fat tire bikes in the snow on the trails or perfect spring to fall on the maintained trails.

Poppy's Play Prairie: 15 acres of fun!

🌸🌿🌱🌦️ Welcome to Spring at Poppy’s! The prairie and woods are coming alive! But spring also brings unpredictable weather, leading to changing conditions on the trails. Please come prepared for mud and uneven trails. But we can always promise excellent sniffs and adventure for your 4-legged friends no matter what! **Fostering a dog? Message for special discounts** This is our private residence. Our dogs love walking the trails, sprinting through the woods, and diving through the prairie grasses. We love offering other pups the chance to enjoy it too! The trails are mostly wooded, and there is a ravine with a small creek (often dry in the summer). There are areas of trails, woods, prairie, and mowed grass. There is a barbed-wire fence marking the property line around the property, however it is not fully-fenced. Your dog will need to know to stay close enough to you or respond to your calls. *Poop bags provided* 10% of all profit is donated to dog rescue organizations

Linda's 5 Acre Fully Fenced Private Dog Park In Mayer

Fully fenced area in Mayer, MN. Used to be horse and goat pasture so has lots of great smells! Woods, trails and open grass areas. Fire pit available for use as well.

Dreamdogos Private Dog Park In Isanti

Lions Park with Dog Park

Lions Park in New Hope, MN features an unfenced dog park area where small dogs can play and socialize. The park offers amenities such as dog drinking water, a field, and trails for both dogs and their owners to enjoy. Open from 6 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week, this park provides a spacious and inviting environment for dogs to exercise and have fun.

Park hours: 6 AM–10 PM 7 days per Week

Airport Dog Park 1

Airport Dog Park 1 is a small dog friendly park located at 2501 W 61st St in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The park features amenities such as tables and trails for both owners and their furry companions to enjoy. Airport Dog Park 1 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing a convenient option for dog owners to visit at any time.

Park hours: Open 24 hours 7 days per Week

Jail Trail (North Loop) Mountain Bike and Cross Country Ski Trailhead

The Jail Trail (North Loop) in St. Cloud, Minnesota is a popular mountain bike and cross country ski trailhead located at 15 Th Ave. The park offers picturesque views of a river, stream or creek, and a spacious field for visitors to enjoy. The trail is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, visitors can visit the website mtbproject.com or contact the park at 320-257-5959 or via email at [email protected].

Park hours: Open 24 hours 7 days per Week

Benson Park

Benson Park in North Mankato, Minnesota is a dog-friendly park located on an unnamed road. The park offers a trail for dogs and their owners to enjoy. Benson Park is open from 6:30 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week, providing plenty of opportunities for play and exercise for furry friends.

Park hours: 6:30 AM–10 PM 7 days per Week

Kay's 10 Acre Partially Fenced Private Dog Park In Corcoran

Resident area of property has a securely fenced 10,000 ft area for your use, as well as adjacent grassy unfenced area. For this particular spot, as you enter, when you turn left onto the driveway running down between the two dog play yards west of the home, please park behind the house, where there is nearby access to a second less securely fenced area. This parking area behind the house exits to a pond area and another bigger grassy area that are unfenced. Dependent upon the season and weather, these ponds, small woods, and field area will be available for further exploration. At the point that the path crosses over the creek into a small wooded area, a sign posted will request dogs to be leashed beyond that point, both for safety and for the purpose of avoiding intrusion of the neighbor’s back yard. Various walking paths are cleared through the small woods, after which walkers may double back and complete their trek in the area around Kay and Rick’s barn and residence. Guests and their dogs are welcome to use seating areas in and around the dog play area. Feel free to approach family members if a bathroom is needed, or if a drink of water is needed. Dog watering station will be available. Outdoor internet access is available upon request. Dog FI tracking collar may be available upon request.