Dog walking and dog parks in Boston, MA.

Dog walking in Boston

You can sign up with Dote today as a dog owner or a walker in Boston, Massachusetts. How many walkers are available near you depends on your area. Every walker completes identity and criminal background screening, and every walk has live GPS tracking.

Get started in Boston

Places your dog can play in Boston

OpenStreetMap, a volunteer-edited map, lists 27 dog parks in or near Boston. Rules, hours, and fencing can change, so check the posted signs or the city website before you go.

Plus 15 more dog parks not named on the map.

Boston at a glance

• Population: about 653,833 (2023 Census estimate)
• Change since 2020: down 3.7%
• Land area: about 48 square miles
• Density: about 13,525 people per square mile
• Rank in Massachusetts: number 1 of 54 places by population

By these numbers, Boston is a high-density place. In high-density places, walks tend to be short loops on sidewalks with busy crossings, so a quick walk around the block is often the practical routine. Green space can be a bit further away.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 population estimates and 2024 Gazetteer files.

Before you go

• Bring water and waste bags, and keep your dog's vaccinations up to date.
• Read the posted rules at the entrance. Many parks require current vaccinations, licenses, or leashes at the gate.
• Watch how your dog is getting along with the others, and leave if play gets too rough.

Dog rules in Boston, Massachusetts

Dog rules in the U.S. come from three levels: state law, the county, and the city. Nearly every state requires rabies vaccination for dogs, while leash, license, and waste rules are usually set by the city or county, so they can be different in Boston than in the next town over.

• License and rabies tag: most cities require a dog license and current rabies vaccination. Keep the tags on your dog's collar.
• Leash rules: many cities require dogs to be leashed in public, with off-leash allowed only in posted dog areas. Check the leash length limit too.
• Waste: picking up after your dog is required almost everywhere, and fines apply.
• Limits: ordinances often cover barking, the number of dogs per home, and dogs left in hot cars or tied up outdoors.

For the exact rules in Boston, read the city's animal ordinance or ask local animal control: municipal code library · search the Boston dog ordinance · Boston on the map. Dote does not give legal advice, and rules change, so confirm with the city.

Frequently asked questions

Nearby places in Massachusetts

Winthrop Town · Chelsea · Everett · Quincy · Somerville · Cambridge

Dog park data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). See all of Massachusetts.