Raleigh's 10 off-leash dog parks, patios that say dogs are welcome, trails where leashed dogs can walk, and the city leash law. Animal Control: 919-831-6311.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Facts come from the City of Raleigh, Dix Park, N.C. State Parks and each business’s own website, linked below. Business policies change; check before you take your dog.

Raleigh has 10 city off-leash dog parks and runs, more than 100 miles of greenway where leashed dogs are welcome, and a handful of food halls and taprooms that say on their own sites that dogs can join you outside. Off the dog park, the rule is simple: keep your dog on a leash.

Who to call

  • Raleigh Animal Control: 919-831-6311
  • Raleigh Police non-emergency: 919-829-1911
  • Dix Park staff: 919-996-3255
  • Raleigh Parks office: 919-996-3285
  • Emergency: 911

The leash law

“It is against the law for domesticated animals such as dogs and cats to run unrestrained within the City Limits,” the city’s leash law page says. The rule is in Section 12-3007 of the Raleigh city code.

  • Tethering: a dog may not be tied out for more than three hours in any 24-hour period. The line must be at least 10 feet long, attached to a buckle collar or harness, and the dog must be able to reach food and water. A violation is a misdemeanor and carries a $100-a-day civil penalty. Walking a dog on a leash you are holding is not tethering.
  • Tags: the city stopped requiring dog and cat tags on July 1, 2012.
  • In city parks: leashed dogs are welcome; pick up after them (know before you go).

Off-leash dog parks

From the city’s dog park list, open dawn to dusk daily unless noted:

Dog park Address
Baileywick Park 9501 Baileywick Road
Buffaloe Road 5900 Buffaloe Road
Carolina Pines 2305 Lake Wheeler Road
Dorothea Dix Park 1800 Umstead Drive
Jaycee Dog Run 2405 Wade Ave.
Kiwanis Park Dog Run 2525 Noble Road
Millbrook Exchange 1905 Spring Forest Road (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Oakwood 910 Brookside Drive
Raleigh Municipal Building 222 W. Hargett St.
Roberts Park Dog Run 1300 E. Martin St.

City rules: dogs must be vaccinated and leashed going in and out, no more than three dogs a person, no puppies under four months and no food or toys inside.

Dix Park’s dog park is a 2.5-acre grass park with separate areas for small and large dogs and a water station with a dog fountain, according to Dix Park. It is not supervised. Mowing is 7 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, when the park may be fully closed, and the ground can be muddy after rain. During building removal on the park’s west campus, the dog park lot may close; park across the street at the Flowers Field and Magnolia Room lot. Outside the fence, dogs must be leashed, and pets are not allowed on playgrounds or in water play areas (Dix Park rules).

Patios and taprooms that welcome dogs

These places say on their own websites that dogs are welcome:

  • Transfer Co. Food Hall, 500 E. Davie St.: dogs are allowed “outside in the courtyard on a leash,” according to its FAQ. 984-232-8122.
  • Wilson’s Eatery and Lynnwood Brewing Concern, East Whitaker Mill Road: Wilson’s is named for the owners’ yellow lab, and its website says many customers bring their dogs to the patio and the beer garden it shares with Lynnwood. Wilson’s gives 5% of food sales to local animal rescues. 919-977-5442.
  • Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company, 7449 Six Forks Road, in North Raleigh: “We are family friendly & dog friendly,” its website says. It does not serve food, but you can bring your own.

Restaurant rules on dogs vary by location and season; call ahead.

Trails and parks for a walk

  • City greenways: more than 100 miles, dawn to dusk, leashed dogs welcome. The lake loops at Lake Johnson (2.8 and 2.1 miles), Shelley Lake (2.1) and Lake Lynn (1.2) make good shorter walks. See our walking and biking trails guide.
  • William B. Umstead State Park, 8801 Glenwood Ave.: pets are allowed on trails and at campsites on an attended leash of no more than 6 feet, but not inside buildings or cabins (N.C. State Parks). Day use is free.

What this means for you

  • Leash your dog everywhere except inside a fenced dog park.
  • Heading to Dix Park on a Tuesday morning? Expect the dog park to be closed for mowing until 10 a.m.
  • Report a loose or dangerous dog to Animal Control at 919-831-6311.

More: parks and trails, kids’ activities and free things to do in Raleigh.

Frequently asked questions

Do dogs have to be on a leash in Raleigh?

Yes. The city says it is against the law for dogs and cats to run unrestrained within the city limits. Dogs may be off leash only inside a fenced city dog park.

Where can my dog run off leash in Raleigh?

The city runs off-leash dog parks and runs at Baileywick, Buffaloe Road, Carolina Pines, Dorothea Dix, Jaycee, Kiwanis, Millbrook Exchange, Oakwood, Roberts Park and the Raleigh Municipal Building.

Is the Dix Park dog park free?

Yes. The 2.5-acre grass dog park at 1800 Umstead Drive is free, with separate areas for small and large dogs and a water station. It may close for mowing 7 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays.

Can I take my dog to Umstead State Park?

Yes. Pets are allowed on an attended leash no longer than 6 feet at all times, but not inside buildings or cabins.

Who do I call about a loose or aggressive dog in Raleigh?

Raleigh Animal Control, part of the Police Department: 919-831-6311. Call 911 in an emergency.