Dog-Friendly Activities in Mount Ayr, IA

Featuring artwork by over two dozen of the world's most celebrated artists, Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a pet-friendly attraction in Des Moines, IA. Leashed dogs are welcome to explore the 4.4-acre park located downtown, and an audio tour is available on the Des Moines Art Center website. Picnicking is allowed in the park, but humans should be sure to keep food and drink away from the works of art and dispose of waste in the trash cans.

Living History Farms in Urbandale, IA is a dog-friendly, interactive outdoor museum which educates, entertains and connects people to Midwestern rural life experiences. Leashed dogs are welcome but must remain outside of the buildings. This 500-acre outdoor museum features walking trails and tractor-drawn carts connecting the 1876 Town of Walnut Hill to each of the historical farms.

Paws & Pints is a unique, dog-friendly retreat in Des Moines, IA. Pet parents can enjoy a pint while watching Fido explore over 20,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor space with dog park amenities such as a jungle gym, walking trails and clean up stations. Be sure to visit the snack kitchen, bar and coffeehouse. Other features include an on-site vet clinic, dog daycare, lodging, grooming and training. Check their website for information on park passes and memberships.

Weston Bend State Park in Weston, MO, is pet friendly. Dogs are not allowed in the park or historic buildings or public swimming areas and beaches. Not far from the hustle and bustle of Kansas City, Weston Bend State Park offers secluded picnic sites, a campground and sweeping views of the Missouri River from trails and a scenic overlook accessible to persons with disabilities. A three-mile paved loop trail takes hikers and bikers through the park's woody terrain. Dog owners are reminded to clean up after pups.

Located in the heart of the Des Moines Metro area, Gray's Lake Park is a dog-friendly spot that's perfect for a walk with your leashed pup. The 167-acre park features a 1.9-mile lit trail, which encircles the lake. Dogs are not allowed on the designated swimming beach, and pets must be cleaned up after during their visit. Pet waste stations are located every half mile along the trail for your convenience. Please note that the park hours vary seasonally.

Walnut Woods State Park is a pet-friendly destination in West Des Moines, IA. You and Fido can enjoy 260 acres of woodlands along the banks of Raccoon River. The 2.5 miles of trails that weave through the black walnut trees, the largest surviving natural stand of these trees in the country, are a great attraction for dogs and their owners. Dogs are allowed on the trails, as long as they're cleaned up after and remain on a maximum 6' leash.

Shoal Creek Living History Museum is a pet-friendly attraction nestled on 80 acres in Hodge Park, located in Kansas City, MO. The museum has twenty-one structures with thirteen authentic 19th-century buildings dating from 1807-1885. The historic log cabins and homes were relocated from surrounding counties to create a village setting. Enjoy the nature trails and a self-guided tour on the grounds with your leashed pup in tow. Waste bags are located at the entrance.

Brightside Aleworks is a family-owned microbrewery in Altoona, IA. Owners and their leashed pups are welcome outside on the pet-friendly shaded patio overlooking the park, where you can sip on craft beers. Pair sours, IPAs and stouts with bites from visiting food trucks.

The Brenton Arboretum is a 143-acre landscape in the heart of Iowa agricultural land. Located in Dallas Center, IA, this pet-friendly attraction welcomes you and FIdo to explore thousands of trees, beautiful prairies and wildflower meadows, streams and ponds, and miles of grassy trails. Dogs must remain on a leash during their visit, and an annual membership or a day pass per dog is required.

Zona Rosa in Kansas City, MO is a popular open‑air Town Center featuring more than 80 shops, restaurants, entertainment options, and community events. This dog-friendly attraction welcomes leashed dogs to enjoy outdoor spaces with fountains and seasonal programming. While specific dog policies vary by individual retailer and dining spot, the open‑air layout generally makes it easy to enjoy the center with leashed, well‑behaved dogs in common areas; check with specific shops or restaurants for their pet rules.

River Bluff Brewing in St. Joseph, MO, crafts unique beers inspired by both historic and modern methods. Housed in the historic 1224 Frederick building, the brewery features indoor and outdoor seating and welcomes dogs with treats, making it a perfect stop for beer lovers and their pups.

Leashed dogs are welcome to join their humans for a stroll along the St. Joseph Riverwalk in St. Joseph, MO. This pet-friendly paved pathway meanders along the Missouri River and offers scenic views, overlooks and bridge crossings. You can access the Riverwalk's North Entrance from the parking lot of the Remington Nature Center.

Dogs are allowed to join their owners at Ledges State Park in Madrid, IA. Pea's Creek, a tributary of the Des Moines River, carves through a craggy sandstone gorge which can be viewed from the arch stone bridge at this pet-friendly park. There are a number of picnic spots which offer great views and tranquil surroundings. Adventurous dogs can tackle the four miles of hiking trails that lead to scenic overlooks of the canyon below, as long as they are on a leash under six feet in length.

Leashed dogs are welcome to shop with you at Bass Pro Shops in Altoona, IA. Well-mannered, supervised dogs are welcome to browse the aisles with you as you shop for outdoor gear, camping equipment, fishing tackle and more. Please note that dogs are not allowed in Uncle Buck's restaurant attached to the store.

Rambunctious Retrievers and playful Pomeranians can let loose in separate areas for large and small dogs at Sunset Dog Park, part of Sunset Park in downtown Newton, IA. Dog water and waste stations, shade trees, and park benches for humans are available.

Madison County Winery is a dog-friendly vineyard in Saint Charles, IA, where Fido is invited to relax with you at a table on their outdoor patio while you sip on a glass of your favorite red or white wine. They also have a rotating selection of beers on tap. Dogs are allowed to roam the vineyard and pasture off leash with you, but they must be leashed on the patio. You're also welcome to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy their grassy hillside stadium seating.

Iowa Arboretum in Madrid, IA features beautiful, dog-friendly woodland and prairie walking trails. It's a great place to connect with nature and Fido. There are 160 acres of gardens, forests and prairies populated with century-old oak trees and native grasses. Please keep your dog on a leash and note that pets are not allowed in the visitor center.

Leashed dogs are welcome to join you for a stroll through the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens in Des Moines, IA. This pet-friendly attraction, situated on 1.7 acres south of the Botanical Garden, features an Asian pavilion atop a bridge, which spans a pond cascading into the Des Moines River. Stone pagodas, bonsai-like evergreens, lanterns and sculptural rock formations are also present in the Gardens. Dogs must be leashed and cleaned up after during their visit.

Check out the pet-friendly Terra Park in Johnston, IA. Your leashed pup is welcome to join in exploring this 200-acre recreation space, which features paved trails, picnic areas, an eight-acre lake, a spacious lawn and picnic pavilions.

Bring Fido to play and socialize at Liberty Dog Park in Liberty, MO. This doggie haven includes 3 acres of fully fenced area for dogs to enjoy. Park amenities include agility obstacles like tunnels and ramps, a fire hydrant and a double-gated entrance for safety. Remember to leash Fido when exiting the dog park.