Thornberry Dog Park - Iowa City, IA
Thornberry Dog Park in Iowa City, Iowa
Thornberry Dog Park offers dog owners in Iowa City one of the largest and best-equipped off-leash dog experiences in the region. Spanning several spacious, fully enclosed areas, this park includes separate zones for small dogs, large dogs, and a dedicated training/agility section. Located near the peaceful Peninsula neighborhood and close to the Iowa River, it features scenic walking trails, a shallow pond (Lily’s Pond) with a dock for swimming and diving, and beautiful natural surroundings—making it the perfect spot for both daily exercise and socializing for dogs and owners alike.
Amenities at Thornberry Dog Park include plenty of shaded picnic tables, benches, and covered shelters, as well as dog wash facilities at the main entrance shelter. Multiple waste stations with poop bags and three water pumps ensure cleanliness and hydration. The park is open year-round (with water turned off seasonally), is wheelchair accessible, and features agility equipment for added enrichment. While there is a membership or day pass fee for entry, dog lovers find it well worth the price due to the safe, clean, and welcoming community environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed off-leash within the fenced park areas.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, all three main areas of the park are fully fenced.
- Is there a separate area for small and large dogs? Yes, there are separate designated zones for small dogs, large dogs, and an additional agility/training area.
- Is there agility equipment for dogs to play on? Yes, there is agility equipment available in one of the fenced areas.
- Are there water fountains or water sources for dogs? Yes, there are three water pumps with hoses provided (operational seasonally), and a shallow pond for swimming.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, the park offers covered shelters and shaded spots with seating.
- Are poop bags or waste stations provided? Yes, multiple waste stations with poop bags are located throughout the park.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, ample benches and picnic tables are available in the park.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, there are wheelchair accessible entrances and parking lots.
- Is there a swimming area or pond for dogs? Yes, Lily’s Pond is a designated area for dogs to swim and play.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Yes, a membership or day pass is required for entry, which can be purchased on-site or via phone.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, the park is reported to be clean, well-maintained, and well supplied with amenities.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are pet-friendly trails surrounding the park, near the Iowa River.
- Is the park open year-round? Yes, the park is open year-round, with certain amenities (like water) seasonally available.
- Are puppies allowed at the park? Yes, there are designated areas for puppies and younger dogs.
Reviews
Our boy loves this park. They are open in late spring and summer and there are many frequent park goers who are very familiar with each other’s dogs which makes going to the park feel very family oriented. We’ve made lots of puppy friends for our pup by coming here. The drive to the park is quite peaceful and the entrance runs through one of the newer neighborhoods in the City, the Peninsula neighborhood, which is one of the most unique places in town. This dog park is also surrounded by a lovely trail near the Iowa River. Some of the amenities include a shallow pond and dock for dogs to jump and swim (Lily’s Pond), separate fenced in areas for individual/dog training, and smaller dog area. There are also ton’s of poop bag stations and 3 water pumps with hoses. When it gets really hot, people will bring plastic pools for the pups to hang out in. There hasn’t been any problems from city personnel. I will say that the yearly fee for the tag which allows dogs to go inside is a bit pricey. We paid around NULL for ours. Otherwise, there is always the option to buy the 2 day pass for NULL.00. 10/10, totally worth the experience for you and your pup!
Side Note: The city also requires that all dogs be registered with the City, and this can be done at the animal shelter. Our boy isn’t neutered yet and for him it cost around NULL, but is only NULL for neutered dogs.
Love this place, especially weekdays and Sunday mornings (less crowded). So much room to run! So many happy dogs to meet! Plenty of benches for people, also small shelters. Zuri loves wading around the edge of the pond; she leaves the swimming and dock diving to other dogs. She is SO much nicer meeting other dogs off leash. Lots of places to get a poop bag. Three separate areas, one especially for small dogs. And yard with pond now also has some agility equipment (pics taken soon after installation in winter)
Note: water turned off in late October, turned on again sometime in April. Occasionally the pond is closed due to bad test results
This is the largest dog park I have ever seen. From the west side of Iowa City, you have to cross a pedestrian bridge over a river to get to it. You can drive to it from the east side of Iowa City. It has three HUGE dog parks inside it: one for small dog, one for large dogs (and the biggest of the three), and an agility course park. Plus all the way to the back, a dog pond with a dog jump-off pier. People commonly come and do their daily walks within the parks with their dogs. At the main entrance, there is a shelter area with a dog wash in it. It is very quiet as it is on its own little peninsula within the city. To the southwest of it is a disc golf course and a regular golf course.
Really nice dog park overall. 3 enclosed sections for puppies, general, and training. All the sections are very spacious and the main fenced area has lots of sandy areas and small pools.
Membership is NULL a year and they provide poop bags inside the park. Open 24/7.
Never had an issue myself and everyone seems to be nice and respectful.
This place is great! If you have small dogs, the small dog park is safe and usually poppin’ with other pups! NULL for a day pass. MUCH cheaper to get the NULL pass for the whole year but either way, you can get in. Worth the price, they keep it clean, there are great spaces for big dogs too, they always have water, and a place to watch your pups. You can pay with your phone like a parking app as well if that is how you roll.
The pic is of our puppies passed out after a lot of fun at the dogpark!