Twin Lakes Dog Park is a group of seasonal off-leash areas inside Columbia’s 73-acre Twin Lakes Recreation Area. The site includes the 3.9-acre Lakeside Dog Park for all sizes, the 2.9-acre Paws Pond area for small dogs, and a 3.3-acre winter park without lake access.
Plan your visit
- Address: 2500 Chapel Hill Road, Columbia, MO 65203.
- Park hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Central Time.
- Spring through fall: Lakeside Dog Park welcomes all sizes, while Paws Pond is reserved for dogs no taller than 18 inches at the shoulder.
- Winter: The city generally closes Lakeside and Paws Pond from December through February and directs all dogs to the Off-Season Dog Park.
- Water: Lakeside uses the large lake as one boundary, and Paws Pond has its own smaller pond. The winter area keeps dogs away from lake ice.
- Parking and restrooms: Use the shelter parking lot. The nearby restroom is generally open April 15 through October 15; a portable restroom serves winter dog-park users.
Find the dog park entrance
Enter Twin Lakes Recreation Area from Chapel Hill Road and use the shelter parking lot. From the lot, follow the path toward the shared main entrance shown on the city diagram. Choose the signed area that matches the season and your dog’s size; do not enter a closed lake area during winter or turf recovery.
Get directions to Twin Lakes Recreation Area. The park can also be reached from the County House Trail, but dogs must remain leashed outside the designated dog areas.
Choose the seasonal dog area
Lakeside Dog Park is the largest warm-season option and allows all dog sizes. It is fenced on three sides, with the large lake forming the west boundary, so dogs that enter the water need reliable recall and close supervision. Paws Pond gives dogs 18 inches tall or shorter a separate fenced area and small pond.
The Off-Season Dog Park serves all sizes during winter. It has no lake access because dogs have previously fallen through lake ice. Seasonal dates and turf closures can change, so follow the gate signs even when the calendar suggests another area should be open.
Water, trails and what to bring
Bring drinking water, a bowl, waste bags and a towel. Lake and pond access can mean wet coats, muddy paws and changing water conditions. Do not assume the lake is safe for every dog; watch for algae notices, ice, debris and steep or slippery edges.
The wider recreation area connects to the County House and MKT trails and has picnic space, a shelter and seasonal restrooms. Off-leash use belongs inside the designated dog areas. Leash your dog before returning to parking, trails, fishing areas or other shared park facilities.
What other park goers say
Visitors often praise the expansive running space, lake swimming, hills, wooded edges, walking routes and separate small-dog pond. Many say the large footprint keeps the park from feeling crowded and gives energetic dogs room to fetch and explore.
Other park goers mention mud after rain, full trash bins, pond or lake water that sometimes looks poor, and seasonal confusion about which section is open. Bring cleanup supplies, keep dogs away from questionable water and check the signs at the shared entrance. Read current visitor reviews before making a special trip.
More options and updates
Browse other Columbia dog parks or the wider Missouri dog park directory. Last researched September 1, 2026. Check the official Twin Lakes Recreation Area page for current seasonal access, turf recovery, restrooms and park notices.