Los Angeles Dog Parks: Five Places, Hours and Off-Leash Rules
For a hike with a designated off-leash zone, consider Runyon Canyon. For a dog play area with a separate small-dog section, compare Sepulveda Basin, Silver Lake, Griffith Park Dog Park and Laurel Canyon. The useful choice depends on the setting, today’s crowd and whether your dog can stay under control.
The comparison below includes park-specific hours and maintenance windows. Check official notices and entrance signs before driving: sunrise and sunset change with the season, and an off-leash dog area does not make the surrounding park off leash.
Compare Five Los Angeles Dog Parks
| Place | Listed location | Setting and size sections | Hours and regular maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runyon Canyon | 2000 N. Fuller Ave. | Hiking park; designated off-leash zone | Sunrise–sunset; check trail closures |
| Sepulveda Basin | 17550 Victory Blvd., Encino | Off-leash dog park; separate small-dog area | Sunrise–sunset; closed Friday 6–11 a.m. |
| Silver Lake | 1863 Silver Lake Blvd. | Dog play area; separate small-dog section | 6 a.m.–10 p.m.; closed Wednesday 6–8:30 a.m. |
| Griffith Park Dog Park | 5105 W. Zoo Dr. (city location listing) | Dedicated dog area; small/large sections | Sunrise–sunset; closed Tuesday 6–10 a.m. |
| Laurel Canyon | 8260 Mulholland Dr. | Off-leash dog park; separate small-dog area | Sunrise–sunset; closed Friday 6–11 a.m. |
Schedules come from the operator listings for Runyon, Sepulveda and Silver Lake, and LA Sanitation’s dog-park guide for Griffith and Laurel Canyon. Temporary closures and posted restrictions can override these schedules.
Runyon Canyon: Plan a Hike and Check the Boundary
The operator lists sunrise-to-sunset hours, designated trails, off-leash access only in designated areas, and no restrooms. The indexed operator listing includes a West Trail closure notice; verify current trail status before choosing a route. Carry your own water and plan for the terrain rather than treating it as a flat dog run. LA Recreation and Parks: Runyon Canyon.
The city code describes an approximately 90-acre off-leash zone with marked boundaries, plus a separate enclosed area where dogs are prohibited. Follow signs for the section you enter and keep your dog leashed outside the permitted zone. Los Angeles Municipal Code, section 63.44.
Sepulveda Basin: Daylight Hours with Friday Maintenance
The city lists 17550 Victory Boulevard and sunrise-to-sunset hours, with a weekly Friday closure from 6 to 11 a.m. Its tourism listing describes a 6.5-acre dog park, agility obstacles and a separate small-dog area. Check the section signs and equipment condition on arrival; an obstacle course is optional, not a required part of the outing. LA Recreation and Parks: Sepulveda Basin; City of Los Angeles park listings.
Silver Lake: Evening Access with a Wednesday Closure
Silver Lake is listed at 1863 Silver Lake Boulevard, open 6 a.m.–10 p.m. except for Wednesday maintenance from 6 to 8:30 a.m. The city describes 1.25 acres with a separate small-dog area. Use the designated dog area and check boundaries rather than assuming the reservoir grounds share its off-leash rules. LA Recreation and Parks: Silver Lake; City of Los Angeles park listings.
Griffith Park Dog Park: Navigate to the Dog Area
Use the specific dog-park location, not the main Griffith Park address: the city’s needs-assessment listing places it at 5105 W. Zoo Drive. LA’s Griffith dog-park location listing. LA Sanitation’s August 2026 guide describes small- and large-dog sections, sunrise-to-sunset hours and Tuesday maintenance from 6 to 10 a.m. Confirm the entrance signs before releasing your dog.
The city code locates the designated dog area at the north end of John Ferraro Soccer Field on North Zoo Drive. This permission applies to that area; it does not open Griffith’s general hiking trails to off-leash dogs. Los Angeles Municipal Code, section 63.44.
Laurel Canyon: Mulholland Drive Location
Laurel Canyon Dog Park is at 8260 Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. The city describes three acres, a separate small-dog area, a shade structure and a washing station added in its renovation. City of Los Angeles park listings. LA Sanitation’s August 2026 guide lists sunrise-to-sunset hours and a Friday 6–11 a.m. maintenance closure. Check for temporary access restrictions before setting out.
Choose from Your Dog’s Current Comfort
- Want a walk? Runyon offers hiking, provided you can handle the terrain, weather and current open route. Keep your dog leashed wherever required and if recall is uncertain.
- Need a separate size section? The other four options list small-dog areas. Follow each section’s posted rules and inspect the entry gates before unclipping.
- Need more space from other dogs? Observe from outside first. A small-dog or quieter section is not a guarantee of comfortable interactions. Choose another outing if your dog cannot keep a comfortable distance.
- Planning an evening visit? Silver Lake lists a fixed 10 p.m. closing time. The daylight-only options require checking that day’s sunset rather than relying on a year-round clock time.
Our guide to observing dog behavior on walks can help you notice preferences and reactions. A quiz result cannot establish that an off-leash park is appropriate.
Before You Leave: Rules, Water and Parking
The operator’s dog-park rules require supervision, immediate waste removal, leashes in parking areas, licensing and vaccination, and exclude dogs under four months, dogs with communicable disease and females in heat. The posted rules also prohibit food and treats and list a spay/neuter requirement. Read the full rules for your destination and confirm any applicable exceptions with the operator. LA Recreation and Parks: Silver Lake.
- Bring drinking water, a bowl, waste bags and a leash. Choose a cooler part of the day within opening hours and shorten or skip the outing if conditions are unsuitable.
- Check parking restrictions at the entrance you plan to use. Do not assume that every lot or surrounding street has free, unrestricted or available parking.
- Check gates, boundaries, current dogs and posted notices before entry. Stay close enough to supervise and leave if you cannot prevent unwanted interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all of Runyon Canyon off leash?
No. Only the designated zone allows it, and a separate enclosed section prohibits dogs. Follow current signs and trail-closure notices.
Can dogs run loose on Griffith Park hiking trails?
The designated dog park is a specific exercise area. Do not apply that permission to the rest of Griffith Park.
Are all five parks open early on weekdays?
No. Sepulveda and Laurel Canyon have Friday morning maintenance, Griffith has Tuesday maintenance, and Silver Lake has Wednesday maintenance. Confirm any additional closure before you travel.
For another California trip, see the Bay Area dog-park comparison. For a day when group play or travel is unsuitable, our indoor enrichment games offer other activities.
Editorial note: Updated with AI assistance using official city sources. This is not a report of firsthand park visits. Some operator pages were available through indexed official records but could not be fetched directly during research; confirm current notices and signs before visiting.