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Animal Rescues in Apple Valley

Apple Valley is a Dakota County suburb south of the Twin Cities. Its two off-leash areas are unusual — they use park hockey rinks — and the county's trail network fills in the rest.

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Dog parks and trails in and around Apple Valley

Apple Valley does have off-leash areas, but they’re set up differently from a typical fenced dog park. The city’s facility pages list a dog park at both Delaney Park and Huntington Park — and both parks also carry an ice rink in the same amenity list. When the two areas were approved, local reporting described them as using the parks’ boarded hockey rinks in the off-season, so the season is the thing to check. Call Apple Valley Parks and Recreation, or see the facility pages above, before you drive over in February.

Leashed walking

For everyday walking, the county network is the strength here. North Creek Greenway is a 3.2-mile paved stretch connecting Lebanon Hills Regional Park to the Minnesota Zoo and south into Apple Valley; Dakota County describes the trail as in place between the West Trailhead at Lebanon Hills and Johnny Cake Ridge Park. Leashed dogs are permitted, and it’s nonmotorized — walking, cycling, in-line skating.

Lebanon Hills Regional Park, just north in Eagan, is on-leash only. Dakota County’s rule across its parks is a six-foot nonretractable leash at all times, with dogs kept off mountain bike, equestrian and cross-country ski trails, out of park buildings, and away from swimming beaches. That last one rules out the obvious summer plan.

Fenced and year-round, just outside town

If you want a proper fenced off-leash park you can rely on in January, two sit within a short drive:

Dakota Woods Dog Park in Rosemount — 16 fenced, wooded acres, open daily 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. It needs a Dakota County dog park pass, and buying one requires your dog’s rabies tag number and expiry date. Worth sorting before you turn up.

Alimagnet Dog Park in Burnsville — an enclosed seven-acre off-leash exercise area owned and run by the City of Burnsville, with benches, shelters, waste bags and a walking path around a stormwater pond.

And on adopting

Nearly every metro rescue will adopt to an Apple Valley household regardless of where the organization itself is registered, so treat the whole Twin Cities as your range. Browse the full directory or all Minnesota listings. We’re an independent directory and aren’t affiliated with any organization here. Park rules and permit prices change, so check the city and county pages linked above before you plan around them.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Apple Valley dog parks open year round?
Check before you go in winter. The city's facility pages list a dog park at both Delaney and Huntington, and both parks also carry an ice rink in the same amenity list. Apple Valley Parks and Recreation can tell you the current season dates.
Is there an off-leash area at Lebanon Hills?
No. Dakota County lists Lebanon Hills among its on-leash parks — six-foot nonretractable leash, no dogs on mountain bike, equestrian or cross-country ski trails, none inside buildings or at swimming beaches. The county's off-leash park is Dakota Woods in Rosemount, which is a separate site and needs a pass.
Where's the nearest fenced dog park that's open all year?
Two options, both just outside Apple Valley. Dakota Woods Dog Park in Rosemount is 16 fenced wooded acres, open daily 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., but you need a Dakota County dog park pass and you'll need your dog's rabies tag number and expiry date to buy one. Alimagnet Dog Park in Burnsville is an enclosed seven-acre off-leash area run by the City of Burnsville, with benches, shelters, waste bags and a path around a stormwater pond.

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