Southwest Dog Park - Eau Claire, WI
Southwest Dog Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Southwest Dog Park is a popular off-leash destination for pet owners in Eau Claire and Chippewa County. Conveniently located at 1000 Ferry St, this spacious park features a scenic setting along the Chippewa River, complete with pet-friendly trails and a sandy dog beach. With over a quarter mile of river access, your furry friend can easily swim, explore sand dunes, and enjoy natural grassy and wooded areas.
The park includes a 0.7-mile trail loop and is known for its mix of terrain, from woodchips and rock to sand and grass, creating a varied environment for both energetic play and peaceful walks. Although not fully fenced, the park boasts a double-gated entrance for added safety, as well as convenient amenities including paved parking, a pay box, waste bins, and bag dispensers. A daily or yearly fee is required, and pet owners should note the ongoing improvements to trails and terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed off-leash in the designated area.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? The park is not fully fenced, though there is a double-gated entrance.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are multiple trails and a 0.7-mile loop along the river.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Yes, there is a daily fee or an option for a yearly membership.
- Are poop bags or waste stations provided? Yes, there are waste bins and multiple bag dispensers on site.
- Is there a swimming area or pond for dogs? Yes, dogs have access to swim in the Chippewa River at various sandy points along the park.
- Is parking available? Yes, there is a paved parking lot adjacent to the park.
- Is there shade or shelter available? There are mature trees providing natural shade throughout the park.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? There are no benches or tables currently noted at the park.
- Are there trash bins available? Yes, there are trash bins near the entrance.
- Are there water fountains or bowls for dogs? There is a water spout inside the entry, but it may not always be operational.
Reviews
Great road trip dog park. Large area with multiple trails along the river with a great dog beach. This is definitely on our list when traveling through WI.
I grew up in Eau Claire and only been at one other dog park by Kohl’s location. I found this location to be a nice change. The only problem was my poor old blind dog fell into the water basin in the middle of the park and I almost thought I was gonna have to jump in and pull him out. I wish they would sense this area off so dogs would not go into that area. Otherwise very scenic and beautiful area by river.
Good sized dog park with access to river.
NOTES!
-NOT fenced fully.
-Access to river
-FEE (by envelope daily or application yearly) see photos for prices & contact.
-limited lot/area lights
– no seating? – I didn’t notice any benches or tables.
-water spout inside entry but was not on/working on 4/23/22
Paved parking lot. One double gated entrance with single garbage bin, pay box, and multiple bag dispensers. Trails appear to be being rechipped. Terrain is uneven with varying sizes of woodchips. Some rock and dirt area. Grass, sand beach, and grassy areas. Mature trees, fallen trees, natural brush. A lil’ bit of everything!
River access along over 1/4 mile and fence stops 5 feet from the river. River can be quick moving but there is a gentler area near the sand dunes.
Trail loop is approximately 0.7 miles.
Update 5/22: You can now get to the parking lot, but the fences to keep dogs in the park got knocked over from the flooding. Check out my photos for reference.
Super nice dog park, just impossible to drive to the parking lot currently 😄
Best off-leash dog park in Eau Claire/ Chippewa County with access to Chippewa River, great for dogs that love to swim, cant wait for summer when they have the land graded and mulched. Looks like a trail is being made running along river. There are also multiple sand dunes/beaches for easy access to water. I hope more dog owners learn about this park as the weather gets warmer. I would say it is comparable to the twin cities Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park that runs along the Mississippi River. There is a fee so make sure you bring NULL or file the dog license and dog park application paperwork online. I did the latter.