Dakota Woods Dog Park — Attraction in Empire

This used to be the dog park I'd take my dogs to. I loved it, mix of woods and a big field. No water provided, but that was OK. 100% fenced in. Sometimes it would smell due to the mulch store nearby, but I would just avoid that corner of the park on those days.

Why did I stop going? The gun range nearby. I don't know if they only opened after 2018 or 2019, or if they expanded their hours, or what... but for years this park was fine. Anyhow, my dog doesn't like fireworks, and gunfire sounds like fireworks to him. If your dog doesn't mind fireworks/gunfire, or if you go when the gun range is closed, it's not a problem at all.

The silver lining is it led me to find a new dog park, which also charges a fee, but provides a water pump & kiddie pools in the summer, and is almost four times the size, and a similar drive time for me.

If you live within ten minutes of Dakota Woods, then I'd recommend it (with an asterisk for gunshy dogs). If it's more than a ten minute drive, I'd really suggest looking at all...

EDIT February 2024. Our dog was recently cut on the fence at Dakota Woods, resulting in a emergency surgery costing nearly $2,000! I called 3 times to report it to the county park services and only after I sent a general email to the county intake did the park services person call me back. She gave a half answer of "Oh, I thought someone else called you back", even though messages were left on her direct voice-mail. She said they were investigating the fence but I would need to file a police report if I wanted to be reimbursed for our dogs injuries due to their improper maintenance of the fencing. The sherif I spoke with told me the county knew the fence was busted and didn't do anything about it until I filed the report.

This is incredibly disappointing and frightening. This once awesome park for our dogs has become a hazard to all.

STAY AWAY!!!!

Great park! Nice wooded area with mulch covered trails. They just laid new gravel down along the road too, so it's a...

Great trails through the woods also has an open field area where dogs can run. They have dog poop bags so you can clean up after your pet. They have a great drinking fountain with a fresh flowing water drinking bowl for dogs, a fountain for people and place to was off mud conveniently located by the main entrance. Dogs and owners are friendly and haven't had any issues in going there for over 5 years. Open year round, rain, snow or hot as hell. Annual memberships are fairly cheap, I think $25-30. Memberships are required and they offer daily memberships via a QR codes display at the entrance. It is checked by Park rangers very frequently and the ticket for nonpayment is about the price of an annual membership. Leashes are optional and all non-aggressive dogs (and owners. Lol) are welcome. Wheelchair accessible Portapotty for the...