As the sun comes out, people might wonder where they can let their dogs roam free in the Bend Park & Recreation District park system, as well as other wilderness areas in Central Oregon.

Though the district’s 84 parks and 75 miles of trail allow dogs if they are leashed, there are nine parks in the park district that have off-leash areas where dogs can let loose.

Where are dogs allowed off-leash in the park district?

Of the nine parks allowing off-leash activities, Bob Wenger Off-Leash Area at Pine Nursery Park and Big Sky Park boast the largest off-leash areas in the park district, with 18.8 acres and 12 acres, respectively. The other seven off-leash areas are smaller, with only a few acres.

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Seven of the parks are mainly fenced, including Overturf Butte Reservoir and Discovery Park. Awbrey Reservoir is partially fenced, and Hollinshead Park is unfenced.

Are there areas especially for small dogs?

Four of the nine parks with off-leash areas have areas for small dogs: Alpenglow Community Park, Ponderosa Park, Bob Wenger Off-Leash Area at Pine Nursery Park and Riverbend Park. (Alpenglow also has an area for large dogs.)

The small-dog areas allow dogs less than 25 pounds and less than 15 inches tall at the shoulder to play in an area that’s in proportion to their size.

Are there any other special dog park features?

Alpenglow, in southeast Bend, also has an agility course for dogs, the only one in the park district. Alpenglow is the most recent off-leash area in the district, opening in summer 2022.

There’s river access at Riverbend Park. 

Pine Nursery Park’s off-leash area features a seasonal spray feature.

What are the basic rules for off-leash areas?

The off-leash areas in the park district require that dogs are supervised, not aggressive and owners clean up after them.

Bring no more than three dogs to the off-leash area at any time. Make sure each of the allowed three dogs have tags showing licenses and rabies vaccinations.

“The off-leash areas are great social opportunities for people and dogs. For example, a group of small-dog owners meets up every day at Ponderosa dog park and have become good friends,” said Kim O’Hagan, a park steward with the district.

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Are there parks where dogs aren’t allowed at all?

The Riley Ranch Nature Reserve, in northwest Bend, is the only park that does not allow dogs, even if they are leashed.

What happens if my dog is off-leash in a leashed area?

The park district receives complaints on a near-daily basis about dogs that are let loose when they aren’t supposed to be, resulting in dog bites and other injuries. Unleashed dogs in leashed areas are also liable to get in another person’s way, run off or eat something they aren’t supposed to.

O’Hagan, the park steward, is familiar with all kinds of incidents that have happened due to a dog being unleashed at the wrong time.

“Types of incidents range from runners tripping over off leash dogs to senior patrons reporting that they have been jumped on and knocked over by an unleashed dog,” she wrote in an email.

Families with small children, seniors, runners, and dog owners who do keep their dogs leashed are often the patrons who approach park officials with a complaint, O’Hagan said. Sports fields, open areas and trails are usual places for incidents.

The park district educates patrons with signs and focuses their patrols in areas where incidents have occurred, said O’Hagan.

Consequences can include 30-day ban from park district property or a $250 fine. Leaving dogs unleashed also might lead to a more serious problem that could lead to criminal charges and possible loss of the dog.

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Which Central Oregon trails allow dogs?

DogPAC, a nonprofit, keeps track of summer and winter trails where dogs are allowed off-leash. Summer trails include three trails in the Deschutes National Forest, including Rim Rock’s Good Dog, as well as two trail areas in the Three Sisters and Badlands wilderness areas.

The 50 miles of trail in the Badlands are recommended for the spring, fall, and winter, but not the summer, as the sand can burn dog paws.

Winter trails aren’t always groomed, and the ski trails shouldn’t be walked on. Trails include Wanoga Sno-park, Edison Sno-park, Skyliner, and the Badlands.

Another off-leash area in Central Oregon that DogPAC recommends Dry Canyon Trail Dog Park, a small park area on West Antler Avenue in Redmond right next to the community skatepark.

Dogs are allowed on most mountain bike trails in the Deschutes National Forest, as well as while playing fetch along the river in the national forest.

Read more: Winter hiking options in Central Oregon