COVID-19 Alert
Dog Permits must be purchased online, at an electronic pay station or by calling our office in advance. Please follow the guidelines below to help keep our dog parks safe and open:
Visit our Parks Changes and Updates Due to COVID-19 webpage for a full list of Park updates.
We welcome dogs in the Dane County Park System at our off-leash dog parks and throughout the Dane County Park System. A dog permit is required for all dogs except service dogs. Please note that campsite reservations in a campground include a complimentary daily dog permit good for the duration of the stay. A complimentary dog permit is not included in group camp reservations.
Purchase a Dog Permit Dog Park Rules
Dane County Parks is a national leader in the development of off-leash dog parks. We now have seven off-leash dog parks, totaling 229 acres, each with its own unique features and terrain. A permit is required in order to bring your dog to a dog park within the Cooperative Dog Park Program which includes: Dane County Parks, City of Madison Parks, City of Sun Prairie Parks and City of Middleton Parks. You must have a dog license from your municipality to purchase a Dane County Dog Permit. An Annual Dog Park Cleanup is held on the 1st Saturday in April each year.
A dog permit also allows you to access all Dane County Park System lands for on-leash hikes with your pup with the following requirements and exceptions:
Dogs are welcome in Dane County Wildlife Areas with the following requirements: