Hefflinger Dog Park is a seven-acre fenced off-leash area in west Omaha near North 112th Street and West Maple Road. The City lists five acres for all-dog play and a separate two-acre small-dog area. The park offers long runs and rolling grass, but visitors should plan for seasonal water, limited shade and muddy footing after rain.
Plan your visit
- Arrival point: Hefflinger Park, 11111 West Maple Road, Omaha, NE 68164. The dog park is south of the 111th Street and West Maple Road intersection.
- Hours: Dawn to dusk, according to the current City of Omaha dog-parks page. Follow posted notices for maintenance or temporary closures.
- All-dog area: Five acres, according to the City.
- Small-dog area: Two acres. Omaha Dog Park Advocates identifies the protected space for dogs under 30 pounds.
- Water: Advocates report fountains operating approximately from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Bring drinking water and a bowl because service is not guaranteed.
- Bring: A leash, waste bags, water, a towel after wet weather, current license and vaccination records.
Find the dog park entrance
Approach Hefflinger Park from West Maple Road and turn onto the park road near North 112th Street. Follow the internal drive toward the off-leash area and park outside the fence. Keep your dog leashed through the parking area and entry corridor, then close the inner gate before removing the leash.
Get directions to Hefflinger Dog Park.
Choose the right play area
Use the small-dog enclosure for a dog under 30 pounds and follow the current gate labels. The rest of the park is designated for all-dog play rather than only large dogs. Omaha Dog Park Advocates reports that one all-dog side may be closed on a rotating basis to help grass recover and reduce mud, so the accessible layout can change.
Pause at the gate when dogs gather around the entrance, keep control of the leash until the inner gate closes and leave promptly if play becomes unsafe. The open acreage gives fast dogs room to run, but distance makes close supervision especially important.
Water, shade and ground conditions
The water system is seasonal, and the City does not guarantee a working fountain for every visit. Bring backup water even during summer. This is not a swimming park; the old listing’s claim of natural dog-swimming access was not supported by the current official information.
Park goers regularly mention mud, worn grass and standing water after rain. Bring towels and check the ground before releasing a dog that has paw, mobility or skin concerns. Omaha Dog Park Advocates also warns that Hefflinger has limited shade, so choose a cooler time of day during hot weather.
Rules before you enter
Stay with your dog, keep control at all times, close the gates and clean up waste immediately. Dogs must be leashed while entering and leaving, remain under voice control and carry a current City license and rabies vaccination. Children under 14 require an adult.
Aggressive dogs, dogs in heat and puppies younger than four months are not permitted. Food, treats, toys, glass and alcohol are prohibited. If a dog repeatedly shows aggressive or mounting behavior, leash the dog and leave. Owners are responsible for injuries and damage caused by dogs in their care.
What park goers say
Visitors most often value the park’s size, rolling terrain, separate small-dog space and active social scene. Many describe enough room for running, fetch and longer-distance play even when several dogs are present.
The recurring tradeoffs are mud after rain, sparse shade, seasonal water, worn grass and busy gate areas. Some visitors also report fence or gate maintenance concerns, so inspect the enclosure before letting a small or escape-prone dog off leash. Read current park-goer reports before choosing a visit time.
Check official updates
Before leaving, check the City of Omaha dog-parks page for the current park listing and hours. Omaha Dog Park Advocates maintains the current rules and regulations, seasonal fountain and area information, and park contact details.