Woof! Hit these KC spots for the best summer adventures with your pup.
Woof! Hit these KC spots for the best summer adventures with your pup.

Dog Gone Summer

Sometimes our four-legged friends need more than a scamper in the backyard or a walk around the block. Dogs may relish an outdoor adventure to inhale the fresh air, smell all the smells and explore fresh terrain beyond the territory they know.  🐕 🐾

Where can you head with your dog to enjoy the great outdoors? Kansas City and the surrounding suburbs have several destinations for a day trip with your pupper. 

Platte Landing Dog Park
Parkville, Missouri, is home to Platte Landing Dog Park, the first dog park in Platte County, adjacent to English Landing Park along the Missouri River. The off-leash park contains two areas: a three-acre large dog park and a two-acre small dog park. 🐶 Both parks give dogs ample room to roam and have a double-gated entry for added security.

The parks do not have supervisors on-site so guests may use the parks at their own risk. Children under the age of 8 are discouraged from entry into the dog parks, and children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dog owners are expected to pick up after their pooches. 💩 Find additional guidelines here.

Note that the large dog park “is closed until further notice while the grass is re-established and the park dries out.” Please check online for updates before taking large dogs.

Bar K
Since its debut in 2018, Bar K’s spacious venue along Berkley Riverfront Park has attracted hundreds of Kansas City denizens and dogs. 🐶 Bar K combines a fully-staffed off-leash dog park with a bar, restaurant and event space. Its location near major highways and the urban core make it a convenient spot to arrange a doggie playdate or to simply take your dog out to frolic and make friends. 

Dogtenders are available if owners need to take a break to eat and refresh indoors. 💁‍♂️ In addition to wide-open grounds secured by fences for large dogs, Bar K has a small dog park (25 lbs. and under) equipped with play equipment and a dedicated bar for humans. 🍺

Memberships are available or you can purchase a guest pass. Check out Bar K’s FAQ section for more details. The events page includes listings for DJ nights, dog yoga, trivia night, puppies night out, happy hour and more. 🦴

More Local Dog Parks 
Leawoof Dog Park located in Leawood, Kansas, is yet another spot to bark about. Whether your dog is long and lean or has a squatty body, good boys and girls have room to romp, tail wag, bark, howl, race, chase tails, play tag and roll in the grass. 🐾 The park is open from sunrise to sunset, and common-sense rules and guidelines apply.

There are several other off-leash dog parks scattered throughout the metro, including Penn Valley Off-Leash Dog Park. It's separated into a 2.7-acre fenced-off leash area for larger dogs and a 1.8-acre section for small, elderly and handicapped dogs. The park is operated by Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department and is open 5 a.m.-midnight daily. 🕔

Swope Park Off-Leash Dog Park is located within Kansas City’s magnificent Swope Park. 🏞️ The dog park's five-acre grounds are split into sections for large and small dogs with water fountains available. It's open 5 a.m.-midnight daily.

Based in the Northland, Waggin' Trail Off-Leash Dog Park includes a walking trail, agility course, benches, two accessible water fountains ⛲ and three tunnel runs so that dogs can get out their zoomies. It's open 6 a.m.-9 p.m. or sunset (whichever comes first).


West Terrace Dog Park, open to members only, is located within West Terrace Park in downtown Kansas City. 🐩 Benches, views of the West Bottoms and Missouri River, shade pavilions and fountains are some of the amenities available. New memberships are currently on hold, but applications, rules and regulations are available online, so keep an eye out if you'd like to join in the future.

Liberty Dog Park in Liberty, Missouri, features three fenced acres dedicated to large dogs with space set aside for small dogs. 🐶 Amenities include agility obstacles for your pup, as well as benches, a fire hydrant, a water spigot and more. 

And for those who live south of the metro, Dogwood Park in Lee's Summit includes dog agility equipment, restrooms (for humans, of course), an asphalt trail and a water fountain. ⛲

Today's Creative Adventure email was written by Pete Dulin.

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 More Adventures in Kansas City

Water Lantern Festival

Watch dozens of glowing lanterns float peacefully over the water at Frank A. Theis Park Saturday, July 10, at 5:30-10 p.m. ✨ Tickets for this family-friendly event include a floating lantern kit so you can design your own to release.  (Price of the ticket also covers clean up after the event.) Learn more and get tickets here.
Kansas City BBQ Festival

There's a new festival celebrating the best BBQ in Kansas City — and the country — happening this weekend, July 9-11, at Arrowhead Stadium. The family-friendly fest is free for all ages, or you can spring for an elevated "all-you-can-eat" experience. 😋 Learn more here.

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Photo Credits:
1. Platte Landing Dog Park | Facebook
2. Basil the Corgi on Instagram
3. Kansas City Parks and Recreation
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