Bow Wow Beach is a 7.5-acre fenced dog park inside Stow’s Silver Springs Park. Its centerpiece is a three-acre lake with a sandy beach where dogs can swim, surrounded by grassy knolls, trees and open off-leash space.
Plan your visit
- Address: 5027 Stow Road, Stow, OH 44224.
- Season: Mid-March through December 1, weather permitting. The facility closes when the lake is freezing or frozen.
- Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset daily during the season, except Thursday mornings when the park is closed for maintenance until 11 a.m.
- Dog areas: The main park includes the swimming lake; a separate fenced area is available for small dogs weighing 35 pounds or less.
- Water: Dogs may swim in the lake. Bring separate drinking water and towels, and never enter the lake yourself.
- Parking: Parking is available at Silver Springs Park near the dog-park approach.
Find the dog park entrance
Bow Wow Beach is inside Silver Springs Park on Stow Road. Use directions to Bow Wow Beach, then follow park signs toward the dog park and its pen-style entrance. Keep your dog leashed while approaching and leaving, and close each gate behind you.
Swimming, beach and open space
The lake and sandy shoreline make this park especially appealing for confident swimmers. Grassy areas and a path around the water give dogs room to run or stay on land. Trees provide patches of shade, and benches and picnic tables offer places to watch the water. Dogs that do not enjoy crowds or swimming may be more comfortable during quieter periods.
Small dogs and cleanup
The small-dog enclosure is reserved for dogs 35 pounds and under, while the lake is in the main area. Expect sand, mud and wet fur after a swim. Bring a towel, fresh drinking water and anything needed to clean your dog before the ride home. Check the official page for the current status of washing facilities rather than assuming a hose is operating.
Rules before you enter
Dogs must be licensed, wear identification and have current rabies, distemper and parvovirus vaccinations. Puppies under four months, dogs in heat and dogs with dangerous behavior are prohibited. Each person may bring up to three dogs, must carry a leash and must supervise continuously. Remove choke or pinch collars, clean up waste and keep people out of the lake. Visitors must be at least 48 inches tall.
What park visitors say
Park goers overwhelmingly highlight the fenced swimming lake, sandy beach and amount of room to run. Visitors also appreciate shade, seating, the small-dog area and the chance for active dogs to tire themselves out. Less favorable comments mention mud, the need for a bath afterward and occasional lapses in dog supervision or waste cleanup. These experiences vary with weather, water conditions and the crowd.
Official information
Check the City of Stow Bow Wow Beach page for current seasonal status, maintenance closures and amenities. Review the city’s Bow Wow Beach rules flyer before visiting.