Dog-Friendly Fun for Lake County Pets: Agility Courses, Offleash Adventure Parks, and Dog Friendly Trails

Sep 30, 2025

Today is National Pet Tricks Day! We’re celebrating with a list of great places you and your pups can go to unleash the fun. From offleash dog areas with swimming holes to agility courses and nature trails, there’s a plethora of activities you can enjoy together for a paw-fect day out on the town! Each park and preserve area offers its own unique features and qualities, and some are accessible with a membership fee to ensure safety of all dogs. So, what are you waiting for? Hop in your new car from Classic and let’s hit the road to fun with our furry friends!

Lake County Forest Preserves offers five unique environments for off-leash excitement for your dog! Permits are required for entry, either daily or annual passes (proof of vaccination required).

The Duck Farm Off-Leash Dog Area offers 48 acres of fenced in, ADA compliant play space for your canine companions. For dogs under 25 pounds, there’s a separate smaller enclosure in the area for safer play. You’ll find shade shelters, drinking fountains, and seating for humans. It’s open from 6:30AM until 7PM or Sunset (whichever is later.)

The Independence Grove Off-Leash Dog Area is a 30-acre fenced area featuring open fields, wooded trails, and a large swimming hole for dogs! The area also connects to The Casey Trail and Greenway, and dogs are allowed on the Des Plaines River Trail as well; dogs must be leashed on the two trails. Dogs are not allowed into the forest preserve, and must remain on the Des Plaines River Trail when passing through the area. It’s open from 6:30AM until 7PM or Sunset (whichever is later.)

Lakewood Off-Leash Dog Area in Wauconda features 66-acres of fenced in playspace featuring large open meadows, maintained trails, a water hand pump, shade shelter, and some potty space (for humans and dogs!) It’s open from 6:30AM until 7PM or Sunset (whichever is later.)

Prairie Wolf Off-Leash Dog Area encompasses 44 acres of property with training enclosures, large fields, hiking trails, toilets, water, and a drinking fountain. At the east end of the park there are gates which allow access to the dog-friendly swimming area. It’s open from 6:30AM until 7PM or Sunset (whichever is later.)

The Waukegan Savanna Off-Leash Dog Area is an 11-acre fenced area with a large open field and separate smaller-dog area (25lb and under). There are shade shelters, seating, drinking water for both dogs and people, toilets, and ample parking.

Larsen Nature Preserve and Dog Park features an exciting dog playground, The Callahan-Frankling Dog Exercise Area. This playground features 14 dog agility stations for your enjoyment and bonding experience! You’ll find an agility walk, 16” wait table, hurdles, 18” jump bar, dog walk, hoops, weave poles, a-frame, teeter-totter, adjustable tire jump, wall jumps, and an S-Tunnel. The facility does have woodchips to reduce weeds/grass overgrowth, so mind your dogs who like to snack on foreign bodies! It is open from sunrise to sunset. Pet parents are requested to please monitor your pets closely and keep them under control. The area is fenced in with separate areas for both large and small dogs, parking, seating for humans, picnic tables, shade areas, a dog drinking fountain, and waste containers with poopy bags.

Happy Tails Dog Park in Buffalo Grove is a residents-only dog park with a fenced in field and smaller field for dogs under 35lbs. Owners are reminded that they should be managing their pets during play, and to clean up after any potty incidents.

Community Bark West in Glenview is a 6-acre off-leash park with electronic key entry access with yearly membership purchase. There are shaded areas and a separate small dog area for safe play. Dogs are welcome to access the rest of Community Park West provided they’re well-mannered, leashed, and monitored by their handler.

Bo’s Run in Hoffman Estates is a fully fenced off-leash dog park with water, agility equipment and course, benches, and a private keypad entry with memberships. Purchase a membership online to gain access to this well-maintained park. The property is 2-acres of field access with 5-foot tall fences for safety.

Carlisle Family Dog Park is an admission fee based dog park located in Kenosha, Wi. Handlers can select from a day pass or annual pass which enables you and your dog to access any off-leash park in the Kenosha County Parks system. This park includes a large grassy area within the Petrifying Springs Park limits, a separate space for small dogs, agility obstacle course, seating for resting, and large shade trees for a break.

Karen A. Nelson Memorial Dog Park in Racine is a 4-acre off-leash dog park with two separate spaces, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. You’ll find picnic tables and pet waste stations, but water and bowls are BYO. The area offers a large field area with some trees and lots of running space

Caledonia Dog Park is located in Racine and offers 28-acres of spacious play area for off-leash fun! Your dog is welcome into the wooded areas for enrichment activities like sniffing and digging, encouraged to splash in the pond for a little swimming, run across the large open fields, or even have a dip in the Root River.