Yahara Heights Dog Park
Twin dock ramps where water dogs launch into the Yahara
About this park
Yahara Heights Dog Park runs along the Yahara River on Dane County land, with two purpose-built jumping docks and ramps back out of the water. A restored pollinator prairie wraps the meadow, and connecting trails lead into it for extra walking mileage on leash.
Amenities
Yahara Heights Dog Park reviews
What visitors consistently sayReviewers call this one of their favorite parks in Dane County specifically for the water access: two jumping platforms, shoreline ramps, and lake-and-sky views that make it a recurring photo spot. The surrounding pollinator prairie and wildlife (lotus flowers, water birds) add to the draw.
A morning-regulars park: several reviewers open their day at Yahara Heights. Owners describe the crowd as friendly, the grounds as consistently clean, and the mood as peaceful even on busy days.
Best for
Before you go
Requires a Dane County dog park permit. The two dock ramps are the star feature; bring a towel and, for winter swimmers, a drying coat for the drive home. The gated fence at the entry is the only hard boundary; the rest is open meadow and river, so bring solid recall.
Frequently asked
- Can dogs swim here?
- Yes, and the park is built for it. Two jumping platforms sit over the water with ramps that let a dog climb back out, which is why owners of swimmers drive to Yahara Heights specifically.
- Is the whole park fenced?
- No. A gate marks the entry, but past it the meadow, shoreline, and river edge run open, so recall matters more here than at a fenced city run.
- Are the connecting trails off-leash too?
- No. The restored prairie next door adds walking mileage but is leash-only, so the off-leash boundary ends where the dog park does.
- Is there shade and somewhere to sit?
- Picnic tables are scattered through shaded spots across the park, with a couple of benches as well. Parking is ample, which matters on a summer weekend.
- What is there to see besides the water?
- Lake and sky views, summer wildflowers, lotus and water lilies along the bank, and enough water birds that reviewers call this their favorite park for photos.
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McCormick Park Dog Park
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