Washington Dog Park is a large, grassy off-leash area on the east side of Washington Park in Phoenix. Longtime visitors may still know it as PetSmart Dog Park, but the City of Phoenix now uses the Washington Dog Park name. The fenced facility has separate play areas, drinking water and shade for dogs and their handlers.
Plan your visit
- Address: 6655 N. 23rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85015.
- Hours: Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., local Arizona time.
- Location: East section of Washington Park, with the dog-park parking area reached from 21st Avenue.
- Off-leash boundary: Dogs may be off leash only inside the fenced dog park after the entrance gate is closed.
- Water: Drinking fountains are listed by the city. Bring backup water during hot weather or maintenance.
Find the dog park entrance
The street address covers the larger Washington Park. For the dog area, approach from 21st Avenue and use directions to the dog-park coordinates. The enclosure is on the east side of the park, near the tennis courts. Follow current signs because events or maintenance may affect parking access.
Official park map: The City of Phoenix provides an interactive Washington Dog Park map. Open it while planning your route and use onsite signs to confirm the gate.
What to expect
The dog park has separate fenced spaces for smaller and larger dogs, with grass and room for off-leash running. The city lists drinking fountains and shade structures at Washington Park. The surrounding park also has restrooms, a playground, picnic facilities, sports fields and courts, but dogs must remain leashed outside the dog enclosure.
Phoenix periodically closes dog parks for turf recovery and maintenance. Check the official Washington Dog Park page and posted notices before visiting because closure dates can change.
Rules and safety
Keep your dog leashed until you are inside the dog park and the entrance gates are fully closed. Handlers must stay with their dogs, maintain voice control and keep them in sight. Immediately leash and remove a dog that behaves aggressively.
Clean up all waste. Dogs must be licensed, vaccinated and older than four months; female dogs in heat are not allowed. Phoenix prohibits food, alcohol and smoking inside fenced dog areas and advises against bringing children under 12. Review the complete Phoenix dog park rules and closure notices.
What parkgoers say
Recent parkgoers often praise the generous running space, grass, separate play areas and friendly regulars. Visitors also mention water stations, trees and places to sit. Some report that waste cleanup varies and remind handlers to watch interactions closely, especially when dogs use the wrong size area.
These are individual experiences rather than guarantees of current conditions. Compare recent Washington Dog Park visitor comments with current Phoenix information before deciding when to visit.
Official updates and nearby options
Check Phoenix’s official facility page for turf work, temporary gate closures or access changes. Posted notices at the entrance take priority. During hot weather, visit during cooler hours and check the ground before allowing your dog to run.
For another option, browse our Phoenix dog park directory and compare access, hours and amenities.
