Wapato Park Off-Leash Dog Park — Attraction in Tacoma

I’ve been visiting Wapato’s dog park since earlier this year, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite spots. It has several off-leash areas, including a small dog section, a large dog section, and an upper wooded area that’s great for exploring. All entrances are double-gated, so you don’t have to worry about dogs slipping out. I live near downtown Tacoma, so the location is super convenient for me. Here are a few things to know: Parking: The designated dog park lot is small and fills up quickly on nice days. However, there’s plenty of parking in the main park area—you’ll just have a bit more of a walk. Fencing: The entire park is fully fenced and secure. I’ve never seen a dog escape or breach the fencing between areas (and my mom’s dog is a known escape artist!). Surfaces: The ground is mostly grass and dirt—not overly worn down, but not lush either. Water Access: There’s a drinking station at the entrance of the large dog area with raised bowls and shallow plastic pools (though they have holes, so they don’t stay full). I often use it to refill the water bottle when hanging out in the upper wooded area. I'm not as familiar with water access in the small dog section. Shade & Seating: The upper wooded area provides plenty of shade. There are a few shaded benches depending on the time of day, and a covered picnic table near the main entrance. Bulletin Board: There’s a community board near the entrance with posts about missing pets, dog walkers, adoptions, and more. Restrooms: No restrooms inside the off-leash area, but there’s one nearby by the roundabout entrance. Waste Stations: Poop bags are always stocked, which is a relief. There are only two garbage cans, though, so you may need to carry waste for a bit depending on where you are in the park. Social Environment: The vibe depends on the time of day and weather. It gets busy after work hours (5–7pm) and on weekend mornings. I use Google Maps’ “Popular Times” feature to plan my visits. I’ve seen lots of dogs playing hard and having fun—never any issues between dogs. That said, there is quite a bit of poop left around (likely unintentional, since it’s not always easy to see when your dog goes). Overall, I really like this park for its convenient location, variety of areas to explore, and peace of mind knowing I don’t need to stress if I run out of poop bags (my dog always chooses the park...

I like it there but I don't love it. The location is nice but sometimes people bring their extremely sick dogs or their rude attitudes there.

3/5 times its been a decent experience. The other 2 were brought on negatively due to the fact that some people are snooty as hell with their aggressive dogs.

Like, I understand aggressive dogs. And having one in the past, I also understand to not bring them to dog parks. My dog has gotten attacked by a bunch little dogs there before but he's now an 85+ lb great Pyrenees puppy so all they got was fluff.

I've also had someone else swat at my puppy as well which caused me to rage because he just wanted to say hi to them. The girl that did that was just an overall nasty person but her dog was really sweet.

You'll also get that almost every day, someone will come by just to let their dog off and then keep to themselves because they're too lazy to walk or anything with their pups. Usually it's the smaller dog owners though.

I guess this is an okay place. The dog water is a little dirty so I'm always worried about letting my dog near it.

The gate smells horrendous.

The people, 3 out of 5 times are decent.

Just be wary of your dog while coming here because we have caught a few fleas from other dogs after visiting this park. And we've also seen some REALLY sick dogs...

The Wapato Lake Trail in Tacoma, Washington is a fantastic hiking trail that offers stunning views of the lake and a peaceful, forested environment. As a dog owner, I was thrilled to discover that the trail is also a great place to take my furry friend for a walk.

One of the things that impressed me about the trail was the attention to detail when it comes to dog walking. There are numerous trash cans and dog waste stations located along the trail, making it easy to clean up after your dog. Additionally, there are designated off-leash areas where dogs are free to roam and play to their hearts' content.

My dog and I had a fantastic time exploring the trail. She loved the freedom of being off-leash and was able to run around and explore the beautiful scenery. I appreciated the benches and picnic areas located along the trail, which provided the perfect spots to take a break and enjoy the view.

Overall, I highly recommend the Wapato Lake Trail to any dog owner looking for a beautiful and dog-friendly hiking trail in the Tacoma area. The trail is well-maintained and offers a great opportunity to get some exercise, enjoy the scenery, and bond with your...