If your dog spends the week staring at the leash by the door, Auburndale has real options close by. We rounded up six fenced, off-leash spots within a short drive, most with a separate side for the smaller dogs so nobody gets bowled over. Here's where the locals actually go.
Top-Rated Dog Parks Near Auburndale
1. Auburndale Dog Park at Lake Myrtle Park (Auburndale)
Location: 318 Denton Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823
Auburndale👶 Best for all ages💲 Free🚗 2.5 mi
Best in-town dog park for Auburndale: this 2-acre fenced yard sits inside Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, just off Polk Parkway. There's a separate small-dog side, water fountains, and a bit of agility equipment for the bored ones. Kids tag along fine since the benches sit right along the fence line.
Good to know: off-leash, fenced, separate small-dog area, water fountains, agility equipment, waste stations.
Parent tip: Weekend mornings get busy with the sports complex crowd, so if your dog is shy around groups, aim for a weekday visit instead.
For current hours and seasonal closures, see the official Auburndale Dog Park at Lake Myrtle Park page.
2. K9 Courtyard Dog Park (Winter Haven)
Out of Auburndale, plan for under 10 min in the car, which makes Winter Haven an easy weekday-afternoon trip from Auburndale.
Location: Downtown Winter Haven, Winter Haven, FL
Winter Haven's tree-covered dog spot: K9 Courtyard is right there by the Chain of Lakes Trail downtown, so you can roll from a walk straight into the park. It opened in 2023 and still feels newer because they maintain it well. Shade from real trees, picnic tables for your crew, and a fenced small-dog section that keeps the tiny dogs happy.
Good to know: off-leash, fenced, separate small-dog area, shade, benches, picnic tables.
Parent tip: Pair it with a walk on the Chain of Lakes Trail before or after; there's parking nearby that works for both.
Hours and amenities shift with the season — confirm today's on the K9 Courtyard Dog Park city page.
3. Lake Crago Dog Park (Lakeland)
Coming from Auburndale, expect about 13 min without traffic, and Lakeland has plenty nearby to make a half-day of it.
Location: 525 Lake Crago Drive, Lakeland, FL 33805
Most complete setup near Auburndale: North Lakeland's Lake Crago Dog Park has the double-gated entry that keeps runners from bolting the second you open the gate, plus restrooms, benches, and real shade. It's the one to pick if you want everything in one stop.
Good to know: off-leash, fenced, separate small-dog area, shade, restrooms, double-gated entry.
Parent tip: Maintenance closes the park at 9 AM on Wednesdays, so skip that morning if you're driving out from Auburndale.
Planning a specific day? Check the Lake Crago Dog Park status page for closures first.
4. Simmers-Young Park Dog Park (Winter Haven)
If you're based in Auburndale, it's about 14 min without traffic, worth combining with other Winter Haven stops.
Location: 339 American Spirit Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33880
Room to roam with a fishing pond next door: this dog park sits inside a bigger 10-field sports park, so there's a playground and restrooms close by if you brought the kids too. The dog side has agility equipment and a shaded, fenced small-dog area.
Good to know: off-leash, fenced, separate small-dog area, shade, agility equipment, waste stations.
Parent tip: It's a big property, so park near the dog park sign specifically rather than the main sports complex lot.
5. Bartow Dog Park at Mary Holland Park (Bartow)
Out of Auburndale, plan for about 17 min in the car, which makes Bartow an easy weekday-afternoon trip from Auburndale.
Location: 2015 Shumate Dr, Bartow, FL 33830
Wheelchair-accessible dog park with big shade: Bartow split this one into size zones (over and under 25 lbs) back in 2020, and it's stayed well maintained since. Wide shaded areas make it one of the more comfortable options once the afternoon heat kicks in.
Good to know: off-leash, fenced, separate small-dog area, shade, wheelchair accessible, benches.
Parent tip: It's free and open daily from 7 AM to 6 PM, so plan your drive around those hours.
Before you load up the car, review the Bartow Dog Park at Mary Holland Park page for maintenance or event closures.
6. Ember Dog Park (Haines City)
Coming from Auburndale, expect about 18 min without traffic, and Haines City has plenty nearby to make a half-day of it.
Location: 896 Lily Avenue, Haines City, FL 33844
A story behind every visit: Named for a fire department rescue dog, Ember is Haines City's first dog park, and the memorial on site reminds you of that mission. The fenced yard feels genuinely nice, with shade to keep things cool. There's a small-dog section too, and online reviews speak for themselves, they're consistently good.
Good to know: off-leash, fenced, separate small-dog area, shade, seating, parking.
Parent tip: There's a dedicated lot right at the park, so parking is easy even on busy evenings.
Save yourself a wasted trip — the Ember Dog Park page lists current hours and closures.
How we picked these
We only counted public, free dog parks with real fencing, not roadside pet runs or private facilities. Priority went to parks with a separate small-dog yard, water access, and enough shade to survive a Florida afternoon. Everything here is pulled from park department listings and recent visitor reviews, not paid placement.Planning your visit
Go early morning or after 6 PM in summer; the sun and the sand-based turf get brutal by midday. Keep dogs leashed in the parking lot until you're through the gate, and bring your own water bowl just in case a fountain is down. Current rabies tags are expected at every one of these parks.For more kids' events near Auburndale this week, see the Auburndale events page.
Taking Kids to Auburndale Dog Parks
- Walking feet only: running kids look like prey or playmates to excited dogs, and either way they get knocked down. Keep little ones beside you, not weaving through the pack.
- Ask the owner before petting: every time, even for dogs that look friendly. Teach kids to offer a closed fist for a sniff first and skip dogs that are eating, playing tug, or guarding a toy.
- One person works the gate: Auburndale Dog Park at Lake Myrtle Park and most Auburndale-area dog parks use double-gated entries so off-leash dogs can't bolt. Let an adult handle both gates; kids wait inside the airlock, not holding a gate open.
- Stick to the small-dog side with toddlers when both sides are open. You get smaller dogs, slower play, and far fewer body-checks at kid height.
Before You Load Up the Car
- Check the maintenance closure: K9 Courtyard Dog Park and several other Auburndale-area dog parks close one weekday morning for mowing and sanitizing, and shut down after heavy rain to protect the turf. The official page linked on each card has current status.
- Bring water for dogs and kids: fountains exist at most parks but go offline in winter and during repairs. A collapsible bowl beats sharing the communal one during peak season.
- Vaccination tags on the collar: current rabies tags are required everywhere, and some cities also require a paid park permit or registration. Check the card's "Good to know" line before your first visit.
- Mind the surface in summer: decomposed granite and artificial turf hit paw-burning (and flip-flop-melting) temperatures by midday. Morning and evening visits are kinder to everyone's feet.
Auburndale Dog Parks, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best dog parks for kids near Auburndale, FL?
Our 2026 guide picks 6 standout dog parks within about 15 miles of Auburndale. The top picks include Auburndale Dog Park at Lake Myrtle Park, K9 Courtyard Dog Park and Lake Crago Dog Park, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Are dog parks near Auburndale free?
Yes, every dog park in this guide is free to visit, with no admission fee or ticket required for Auburndale Dog Park at Lake Myrtle Park, K9 Courtyard Dog Park, Lake Crago Dog Park or any of the other picks.
What is the closest dog park to Auburndale?
Auburndale Dog Park at Lake Myrtle Park is the closest pick at about 2.5 miles from Auburndale. It's the easiest one to fit into a weekday afternoon, short drive, low commitment, easy to leave early if the kids melt down.
When are dog parks near Auburndale busiest?
Weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. (the after-work rush) and weekend mornings. For calmer visits with kids, aim for weekday mid-mornings or early afternoons. In summer, go before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m., turf and granite surfaces get hot enough to burn paws by midday. Most area dog parks also close one weekday morning for maintenance, so check the official page linked above before driving out.