Hawk Hollow Dog Park — Attraction in Bartlett

Boy howdy, this was the SPOT. It combines the best of many other DuPage County Forest Preserve dog parks. The spaciousness and path system of East Branch, the fenced in perimeter of Mayslake, all while having its own unique personality. There are several enclosed dog runs that are just grass spaces, but the real GEM of Hawk Hollow is the enclosed walking path area with tall grasses. Cowboy had a blast romping through the tall grass, chasing crickets, catching the scent of mice, all while we enjoyed a pleasant stroll on a wonderful Sunday afternoon. The only downside is that some kids were running around screaming and climbing on the fences. It's a dog park, not a people park. Teach your spawn how to be chill. Guess when you move to the suburbs and have four kids it's easy to pretty much give up though...

Unlike the MIRANDA's and MICHAEL's of this bloc of reviews, I understand that maintaining an off-leash dog park isn't something that comes for free. The amenities and services provided in the area aren't paid for out of the general taxpayer or forest preserve budget, and purchasing a permit for between $10 and $160 dollars, depending on where you live and whether you get a daily or annual permit, is an easy and fair way to finance a LUXURY amenity. It's not an "exclusive" membership. It's literally just a permit. Get over yourself...

The DuPage County Forest Preserve Police showed up as we were driving out of the parking lot to check permits. Again, I was happy to pay my way for my dog to have an absolute BLAST so I had a permit, but it seems like they're pretty serious about enforcement, so get a permit if you don't want to talk to a cop for longer than...

Huge playpens! There's even a separate pen for small dogs. There's a mile worth of graveled pathway and great fellow owners to hang out with. I've been bringing my dog here, twice a day, for the past month (July). I've been to two other off-leash dog parks (Beck Lake in Des Plaines and East Side Sports Complex in Saint Charles). Hawk Hollow is, by far, the best one. No water to play in, but there are a few muddy areas that can be avoided if you stay alert to their locations, but not a big deal. My dog is very well-behaved after his visit!

Beautiful park and well-maintained!

Here are some things to love:

There is a gravel path that is about a one-mile circuit around the park.

Two active pens: one for small dogs and BIG one for all dogs.

The entire park is fenced in with separate gated entrances for each pen and the path. The main pen is also accessable from the path.

Opens at 7am. Closed one hour after sunset.

The people here are ok and 50% love for their dogs to play with yours!

There's usually plenty of dogs for yours too play with during peak hours.

During off-peak hours you might find that you and your companion have the entire park to yourselves!

The SUNSETS are amazing here!

Porta potty on site! And clean!

Poop-bags (for the dogs) are provided!

The annual permit fee is $50 (resident of DuPage). You may add your other dogs for an additional $10 per dog. There is a reduced rate later in the year. The fine for entry without a permit is $75 and the authorities do random checks often. There is also a $75 fine for not picking up your...

Terrible experience here. First if you search for "free public dog park" this park will come up. Well, it's not free. Upon arriving there was some woman in the parking lot with a huge German Shepard not on a leash. This is an off leash dog park but that applies to the FENCED AREA. The dog was totally out of control and ran full speed towards my Yorkie. I quickly picked her up and after jumping at me the owner finally got her dog to obey her as she ran in the other direction calling her dogs name. We should have left then. We took a quick walk around and on our way out I told a lady with two dogs on her way in to be cautious as there was a large dog running around without a leash in the commons area. We started having small talk and the woman quickly became very rude and snarky asking me if we had a permit and membership yet etc etc. And was "kind" enough to let me know "oh yeah well if you don't have a permit they actually do check for that kind of thing" So I said "Well I hope someone comes and says something to that lady with the HUGE DOG that isn't on a leash!" So if you enjoy being an elitist and want to flaunt that you can afford for your pet to have a gym membership then this is the place for you! The park itself was beautiful with a lot of wildflowers but the off leash dog areas reminded me of a maximum security prison. One bench, one tree, and that was about it. If I do choose to pay for my dog to enjoy being outdoors somewhere this won't...