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Lake Mohegan Open Space

Lake Mohegan Open Space is a beautiful dog-friendly recreation area in Fairfield, CT. The scenic hiking trails take you around the lake, over a foot bridge, and through woodlands at this 170-acre property. Fido can enjoy some off-leash time on your hike after you reach the "100-foot" sign posted on the trail. Please make sure your pets are under voice control at all times and be sure to clean up after them. Visit Website

Or call +1 2032563191 or email recsupport@fairfieldct.org for more information.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating

Lake Mohegan Open Space has received a rating of 4.7 out of 5 bones by 31 canine critics on BringFido.

  • Maggie
    May 12, 2023
    Easy hike even for senior dogs

    I love coming here with my 12 year old Maltipoo, he doesn’t swim but loves to hang out with others. it’s fun to watch and meet all different breeds!

  • Peachy
    Sep 5, 2022
    Great place!

    have been going here with my babies and always had a great walk/hike. beautiful place indeed

  • Lisa
    Aug 31, 2021
    Great location but beware of Giardia

    This is a great location for hiking with your pup off leash. There is also a small area that dogs congregate at to swim in the lake. Because off leash dogs are allowed it is very popular with dogs. As others have mentioned there are always those that don't pick up after their dogs. Unfortunately as a result this location has a reputation for spreading Giardia and my dog got it. Luckily it was caught early, but it has soured my attitude toward returning here which is unfortunate because my pup loved swimming in the lake.

  • Susan
    Aug 16, 2021
    Ob-sessed!

    I love this place, but more importantly my pup loves it even more. So happy to find a place where having off leash hikes for your pup is pretty much encouraged! We parked in the main beach parking lot and hiked in about less than half a mile to find a little area for the dogs to be in the water. My dog swam for the first time here and it made me so proud of her. Don't forget to go along the trails and see The Cascades: cascading mini falls where i saw people swimming (though signs say "no swimming"), BBQ'ing and hanging out with dogs. It was a paradise. The ONLY bad thing about this place is that humans aren't picking up their dogs poop!!! Poop piles everwhere, on & off the trails. My PSA: If we (dog owners) continue to NOT pick up the poop, not only will it spread disease, but parks like this will not allow dogs anymore. Do everyone a favor and pick up the poop. Ok rant over :) I love Lake Mohegan!!!!

  • Cheryl
    Jul 24, 2021
    So Fun!

    Just to clarify a previous post - Dogs aren't allowed on the beach at Lake Mohegan, but they ARE allowed on the trails around the lake. (And you don't need to be a resident to walk on the trails.) There is a nice clearing about 1/4 mile in where the dogs congregate to go swimming. My dog had a blast. If you don't frequent dog parks, here are some things to keep in mind: there were about a dozen dogs in the swimming area off leash (your dog needs to be friendly), a bulldog peed on our beach bag (so watch out), another dog jumped on me and put a dirty paw print on my shorts (so be careful what you wear), and you might consider bringing extra tennis balls if your dog likes to play fetch because the dogs don't really understand which ball is theirs and may run off with at least one of your balls. Such is the nature of dogs. We were thrilled to find a place our dog could swim off leash in the summer. We'll be back!

  • Rachel
    Jul 4, 2020
    Awesome location, must be a resident.

    Great place . Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to enter ...as we are not residents. The employee did not specify if one must be a resident of the town or state. We came from NYC

  • April
    Nov 18, 2019
    Wow!!!

    Great place to hike with your dog. Dogs are allowed off leash on all trails. There’s a 1 mile path around the lake And a 2 1/2 mile loop. And it is just beautiful!

  • Peter
    May 16, 2019
    Not a "park": an "open space area"

    Please, be aware that Lake Mohegan/Cascades is a public "open space area," not a park, and not a dog park. Dogs are allowed pursuant to certain and specific rules only.

  • Kelly
    Mar 24, 2019
    Great Place

    Very dog friendly. Lots of friendly dogs and owners! Great trail around lake

  • Alexa
    Sep 4, 2018
    Five Bones!

    This place was full of happy dogs running along the trails and in and out of the lake and Creek. It was so nice to be able to be off leash since our pup does better being able to choose where he walks and when. It was clean and used thoughtfully. Trash and recycling bins along the way and benches for the humans.

  • Lane
    Feb 12, 2018
    GREAT park. Occasional uptight owners.

    GREAT dog park. Chester loves running up and down the trails and socializing. Had a few experiences with uptight owners who come to a dog park but don’t want their dog to interact (poor dog), but there’s always a few folks who should’ve gone with a cat.

  • CHAI LATTE
    More than a year ago
    One of the greatest place for dog

    I believe it's the best place having fun with your dog(s). Since it take more than an hour from where I live, I only visit Lake Mohegan 2 or 3 times a year, but I miss this place all year round. Clean water that dogs can swim, nice trail with shade and picnic areas.

  • Katie
    More than a year ago
    Perfect

    We go to Lake mohegan everyday (lucky dog!) And have never ran into a problem. Everyone is friendly. Weekends are very busy. Early morning is your best bet if you want a relaxing hike with your pooch. Lots of trails to explore!

  • Ryan
    More than a year ago
    absolutely awesome

    Great off-leash park. Plenty of trail for everyone with great swimming spots along the way. I make the trip a few times a month from Long Island just to give the pup an energy outlet!! Highly recommended

  • Mike
    More than a year ago
    Great spot for a walk

    Just went over here for the first time today. The overview is incorrect as off leash is allowed in the park by rule as long as you are 100 feet from any parking area. They even mark the 100 foot point on the trails. This is a great spot for the dogs to swim as well. There are many points to get in and out of the water. There are a lot of dogs so if your dog is not well trained off leash you might wish to keep them on a long one to keep them from running off to greet. The trails aren't super challenging though you can find some steeper climbs in the park back from the lake. All in all a beatiful place to Taje your buddy for a walk through the woods

  • Jennifer
    More than a year ago
    Love Hiking

    It's a lovely place to be with your best friend. My dog loves it!!!

  • Kobi
    More than a year ago
    Great Place to Swim

    My pup had a great time swimming, water is clean and easy access around the lake. The hike around the lake/river/cascades took about 1,5 hours. Very scenic. Legally off leash, so there are lots of dogs off leash and there is no luck of play mates. All dogs we met were friendly.

  • Stacy
    More than a year ago
    Great Swimming

    It was such an amazing spot for dog walkers. We brought our shiba inu for her first mini hiking and swim. Recommend for everyone to explore.

  • Gitte
    More than a year ago
    Perfect Dog Park

    Came by on a road trip. Went for a walk around the lake 11/2 h...Our dog did a lot of swimming, cooling down on this hot day. Meet nice dogs and owners. Beautiful surroundings.

  • Karen
    More than a year ago
    Far from traffic

    My dog listens and returns to me 99% of the time, but those birds...This park has everything the previous reviewers said it does. The people were friendly and easy-going and every dog we ran into (and there were A LOT) was the same. The trails I was on were also well into the woods, so if little Fido takes off after a bird you can at least know he won't dash into traffic.

  • Jill
    More than a year ago
    great hike!

    Took my 6 year old basset hound here for the first time and it was worth the 90 min drive! We let him off leash and he had a blast, other dogs were very friendly along with their owners and the river and lakes were great for cooking off! Definitely returning!

  • Kristin
    More than a year ago
    Best place to bring dog off-leash in CT

    This is the nicest place we have found in CT to being our dog for off-leash hiking. Beautiful running water for dogs to swim, long trails. We drive an hour to come here.

  • Jeannette
    More than a year ago
    Calvin and mom at Cascades at Lake Mohegan

    Paradise for dogs! Brought my 11yr old lab there this afternoon... He just loved it was able to swim and walk thru several streams of water! What a gem of a place!

  • Andy
    More than a year ago
    Awesome!

    Lots of water and logs of Dogs!
    The walk around the lake is relatively short (~2miles), but there is much to explore and many dogs to play with.

    I am definitely going back.

  • Jim
    More than a year ago
    great place

    This was a great place for your dog to walk and swim!!! It is a leash off place so if your dog doesn't like other dogs or is aggressive, stay away. Dogs come running up to you at all times.

  • Emily
    More than a year ago
    Water quality

    Do not let your dog drink the water! My mastiff got very sick a few days after swimming down by the lake and when I told my vet we had been to Lake Mohegan she immediately said the water was the cause. I got very lucky and got medical attention immediately but she has seen some cases where the dog can be sick for several months!

  • Julia
    More than a year ago
    Awesome hike and lakes!

    Great place for hiking and for dogs to run around and swim

  • Charlene
    More than a year ago
    great place

    this is a great place to bring your dogs. and humans too, bring good walking shoes and be ready to walk, the water is clean and the streams are running. the best 4 seasons to go. our dogs love it.....

  • Donna
    More than a year ago
    Awesome

    Best place I have taken my dogs in CT yet! Hiking, swimming, waterfalls, beaches and best part...off leash in the woods for doggie run sessions. They swam in the water with 8 of their new best friends...going back within the week:)!!!

  • NCD
    More than a year ago
    water and hike

    It's a wonderful little hike with your pup and I love to go the entire way around the lake. Nice little area for the pups to go swimming too!

  • Ann
    More than a year ago
    off leash

    Lake Mohegan is a great place to take your dog...and unlike the overview, dogs can be off leash as long as you are 100 ft away from the parking and picnic areas.

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Lake Mohegan Open Space