Bloomington Off-leash Dog Park is the City of Bloomington’s 25-acre off-leash recreation area at Nesbitt Avenue and West 111th Street. It combines broad grassy hills, wooded edges, a long walking loop and a separate fenced section, giving dogs far more room to move than a compact neighborhood run.
Plan your visit
- Address: Nesbitt Avenue South and West 111th Street, Bloomington, MN 55438.
- Hours: Bloomington parks open one hour before sunrise and close at 10 p.m. unless signs say otherwise.
- Maintenance closure: The off-leash area closes from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month.
- Parking: Use only the designated dog-park lot. The city asks visitors not to park at nearby businesses or cut across private property.
- Space: About 25 acres with open grass, hills, trees, paths and a separate fenced area.
- Water: Visitors report a seasonal dog-water fountain. Bring your own water in cold weather or whenever the fountain is off.
- Restrooms: Seasonal facilities are listed by the city.
- License: Dogs must hold a current license from the city where they live. A current rabies vaccination is required to obtain a Bloomington license.
Find the off-leash entrance
From Old Shakopee Road, turn south on Nesbitt Avenue. Nesbitt curves into West 111th Street, and the designated off-leash parking lot is on the right. Keep your dog leashed in the lot and along the entrance approach. Unleash only after you are safely through the off-leash gate.
Get directions to the Bloomington off-leash lot, then use the city map and posted signs to choose the main area or separate fenced section.
Trails, fencing and seasonal water
The main attraction is the amount of room: dogs can cross open hills while handlers keep moving on the looping path. Trees and wooded pockets add shade and variety. The separate fenced area can help when a dog needs a smaller setting, but the city does not label it as a size-specific small-dog run. Follow the signs posted at the gate.
The city’s current map shows newer fencing between the off-leash space and the pond. Do not plan on dog swimming or cross a fence to reach the water. Use the seasonal drinking fountain when operating, and carry backup water throughout the year.
Bloomington off-leash rules
- Use the park only with a currently licensed dog.
- Keep your dog under voice control and within view at all times.
- Carry a leash and use it while entering and leaving the off-leash boundary.
- Bring no more than two dogs per handler.
- Pick up waste, including in long grass, wooded areas and near paths.
- Closely supervise children and do not allow running, screaming or unsupervised approaches to unfamiliar dogs.
- Keep moving rather than crowding the entrance, and leave if your dog cannot play safely.
- Take responsibility for injuries or damage caused by your dog and report serious incidents.
Read the current city rules and maintenance notice before visiting.
What park goers say
Park goers consistently highlight the unusually large footprint, open fields, wooded paths and room for both dogs and handlers to exercise. Many appreciate the separate fenced area, benches, picnic tables, shade, seasonal water and the ability to keep walking instead of standing around one crowded gate.
Common cautions are peak-time crowds after work and around midday on weekends, limited parking when the park is busy and the water fountain being shut off in winter. Visitors also emphasize close child supervision and active dog monitoring. Bring water, waste bags and a towel, and choose a quieter time for a first visit or a dog that needs more space.
More options and updates
Browse dog parks in Minnesota for other fenced and off-leash choices. Check the official Bloomington off-leash page for current closures, parking guidance, rules and contact information.
Last researched September 1, 2026. Conditions can change; follow current signs at the entrance. To flag a correction to this listing, contact DogPark Near Me.