First walks in Boise.
Boise asks for a leash in public - with fenced off-leash parks and foothill trails for later. The city’s own rules, the official list, and how we suggest starting a new dog’s first week.
The rules, in short
From Boise City Code and the parks bureau’s own pages.
- 1Leash required in public
- 2Off-leash only in designated, posted areas
- 3Voice control required off-leash
- 4Clean up after your dog
- 5Dogs must be licensed in Boise
- 6Fenced off-leash parks open sunrise to sunset
Hours, exceptions & the fine print
In a designated off-leash area your dog must stay under the control of a responsible person - by voice, whistle or other effective command.
The first week
The same calm start we suggest everywhere - on Boise’s streets.
- 1Leash, quiet streets, short and sniffy - calm hours, near home, ending before your dog is wound up. An off-leash area is not day-one material for a brand-new dog.
- 2Sniffing is the point - let your dog pause and sniff instead of focusing on distance. More on the sniff walk.
- 3Settle first, explore later - more on the first days: a routine for a newly adopted dog and a calm start to every walk.
The off-leash list, for later
Once your dog has settled. Six of the city’s eight fenced off-leash parks, open year-round, sunrise to sunset:
- 1Ann Morrison Dog Island - 5.7 acres, 1000 N Americana Blvd
- 2Military Reserve Dog Park - 1.9 acres, 1802 N Mountain Cove Rd
- 3Bowler Park - 1.3 acres, 4403 S Surprise Way
- 4Pine Grove Park - 1.0 acres, 8995 W Shoup Dr
- 5Morris Hill Park - 0.9 acres, 10 N Roosevelt St
- 6Mariposa Park - 0.6 acres, 9851 W Irving St
Two more fenced parks - Molenaar Park and the McDevitt Youth Sports Complex - plus 11 unfenced off-leash areas - open seasonally or during designated hours - and designated Ridge to Rivers foothill trails. The full list with hours and addresses is linked in the sources under Good to know.
Pins mark the park or its listed access point, not the exact off-leash boundary.
Good to know
Worth knowing
The 11 unfenced off-leash areas keep their own hours - some are mornings and evenings only, some winter only. Check the posted sign at the park before unclipping the leash.
Sources
Sources: City of Boise, “Dogs Off-Leash Parks and Areas”: cityofboise.org/departments/parks-and-recreation/dogs-off-leash-parks-and-areas. Boise City Code, Chapter 5-1 Animals (leash requirements): cityofboise.org/media/11472/animal-code-update-2021-002.pdf.
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