A Dog-Friendly 'Ville

From Louisville’s first dog park bar to expansive walking trails, East End Louisville boasts many great dog-friendly places.  While visiting these places, please visit each location’s website to gain information about leash rules and restrictions.  And please message us a pic of you and your dog out and about in the East End on Instagram @BeLocalEastEndLouisville.
 
 
DOG-FRIENDLY BARS
 
Akasha Brewing Company
909 E Market St #700
(502) 742-7770
akashabrewing.com
Their taproom is the perfect place to relax and have a few pints from our 24-tap draft wall. The taproom features lots of board games, arcade games, outdoor seating for when the weather's nice, a 100-inch video projector, and even a couple of TVs. They love well-behaved dogs, so bring your furry friend!
 
Blind Squirrel
592 N English Station Road
(502) 384-6761
blindsquirrellouisville.com
This huge venue with sprawling indoor and outdoor entertainment and dining set-up with full bar, live music, a patio, TV sports, and lawn games is consistently reviewed as being one of Louisville’s dog-friendliest restaurant/bar.
 
Garage Bar
700 E. Market Street
(502) 749-7100
garageonmarket.com
Garage Bar is housed in a former auto service garage in downtown Louisville’s vibrant East Market or NuLu neighborhood.  Furry friends are welcome with lots of outdoor seating options.
 
PG&J Dog Park Bar
800 Baxter Avenue
(502) 385-8147
pgjdogbar.com
This first-ever dog park bar in Louisville features an 8,000 sq. ft innovative indoor/outdoor off-leash space for your pup to roam and play while you enjoy a drink or two.
 
 
OUTDOORS ON-LEASH 
 
Anchorage Trail, A Park Managed by Evergreen Real Estate
anchorageky.info/anchorage-trail
The Anchorage Trail is a 2-mile paved path that forms a loop for walking, running, family biking and the observation of nature’s best. It starts in downtown Anchorage and winds through trees, over creeks, and by farm fields. Many local residents walk their dogs and get their exercise on the conveniently located 10-foot-wide trail.
 
Garvin Brown Nature Preserve
riverfields.org/properties/garvin-brown
Leashed dogs are welcome at the Preserve, a 46-acre pet-friendly preserve in Prospect, KY. Explore this scenic area that lies next to the Ohio River.
 
Paw Paw Trail in The Parklands at Floyds Fork
theparklands.org/location/paw-paw-trail
The Parklands is a nearly 4000-acre visitor-supported public park, open every day from dawn until dusk. Access Paw Paw via two points in Turkey Run Park: The northern point is off the parking lot near Boulder Pond. The southern point is off the Louisville Loop near the Brown-Forman Silo Center. Along the route, you can cut over onto the Chinkapin Trail to venture deep into Turkey Run Forest.
 

OUTDOORS OFF-LEASH 
The following dog parks are “off leash” but require membership in the Louisville Dog Run Association:
 
Champions Park
louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/park-list/louisville-champions-park
A park along the River Road Recreation Corridor that includes the former Louisville Soccer Park, the Frankfort Avenue Landfill and the former River Road Country Club site. The Dog Run spreads out over 3.6 acres of the former golf course. There are separate All Dog and Small Dog sides, drinking water available, and plenty of space to run around and exercise.
 
The Cochran Hill Dog Run in Cherokee Park 
louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/park-list/cherokee-park 
The Dog Run is located on a portion of Cherokee Park between I-64 and Lexington Road at the northern end of the park. The area is approximately three acres and is divided to allow one side for all dog use and one side for small dog use.
 
Sawyer Dog Park
parks.ky.gov/louisville/parks/recreation/ep-tom-sawyer-state-park
Found in the E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park State Park, the Sawyer Dog Park was the first official off-leash dog park in the Louisville area.  The park spans across six acres and is divided into three two-acre areas: one for small dogs under 30 pounds, and then two for all dogs.  Membership to the Louisville Dog Run Association is required to enter the dog park.
 
The Barklands of Floyds Fork
theparklands.org/location/the-barklands/
An off-leash dog park next to the Egg Lawn, the Barklands is open to members of the Louisville Dog Run Association and divided into three one-acre zones — one zone for large dogs, one for smaller dogs, and one designated as “resting” (or closed for use). The runs rotate to maintain the turf, and the signage identifies which areas are open. Please note that water fountains turn off during the winter.
 
 
Louisville Dog Run Association
Louisvilledogs.com
The Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that oversees the collection of donations to go towards multiple Louisville-area dog parks’ operating and maintenance costs.
 
 

NEW MOVE . . . NEW PET?
 
Animal Care Society
12207 Westport Road
(502) 426-6303
animalcaresociety.org
Offering second chances to Louisville’s dogs and cats, ACS speaks for the voiceless and provides better lives to the neglected, abused, senior pets, and pets with medical needs. The Society is a pillar in the community and remains steadfast in their mission to provide new, safe and loving homes for animals in need.