September 21, 2026 · Redmond

People moving to Redmond with dogs ask about this more than you'd think. Not just "are there dog parks" but "are they actually good" and "which one is worth driving to." The honest answer is Redmond does pretty well on this front, partly because of how much green space the city has managed to hold onto even as it's grown. Here's what I know about the main options.

Marymoor Park Off, Leash Area

This is the big one. Marymoor's off, leash area in Redmond is one of the largest in the region, and it's genuinely impressive. You're looking at roughly 40 acres where dogs can run free, including a stretch along the Sammamish River where most dogs end up wading in at some point. If your dog loves water, they'll love Marymoor.

The space is mostly open field with some wooded edges. It gets crowded on weekends, especially on sunny afternoons, so if you have a dog that gets overwhelmed by large groups of other dogs, a Tuesday morning is a very different experience than a Saturday at 2pm. There's a double, gate entry so dogs can't bolt straight out into the parking lot, which matters more than people realize until they need it.

Parking at Marymoor requires a King County Parks parking pass or a daily fee. It's not free. That's worth knowing if you're planning to go regularly, since the annual pass pays for itself quickly.

Idylwood Park

Idylwood sits on the western edge of Redmond along the shores of Lake Sammamish. It's not a dedicated off, leash area the way Marymoor is, but dogs are welcome on leash throughout the park, and the lake access makes it a nice spot for dogs that like to swim. The park itself is well maintained and less hectic than Marymoor on a typical weekend.

If you're hoping for true off, leash freedom here, you won't find it. But for a leashed walk with great scenery and water nearby, it's worth knowing about.

Farrel, McWhirter Park

This one surprises people who haven't been. Farrel, McWhirter is a city, owned farm park in the Redmond Ridge area, with trails through second, growth forest and open fields. Dogs are allowed on leash on the trails, and the network gives you enough variety that a regular walk here doesn't get stale the way a small neighborhood loop does.

There are farm animals on the property, which is worth mentioning if your dog has strong opinions about goats. The park also has an off, leash area, though it's smaller and less developed than Marymoor. Still, it's a good option if you're on the east side of Redmond and don't want to drive all the way to Marymoor every time.

Grass Lawn Park

Grass Lawn is a well, used community park near downtown Redmond. Dogs are welcome on leash. There's no dedicated off, leash zone here, but it's a large, well, maintained park with plenty of open space. Families use it heavily, so it's a place where a dog that's calm around kids fits in easily. One with a tendency to jump on strangers might find it a bit stimulating.

The park is close to the Redmond Town Center area, so it's easy to combine a dog walk with errands or coffee if that's part of your routine.

What Redmond Is Missing

Compared to some cities, Redmond doesn't have a dense network of small neighborhood off, leash areas scattered throughout residential zones. Marymoor covers a lot of ground for the whole region, but if you live in East Redmond or up near Education Hill, getting to Marymoor requires a real drive, not a quick walk out your front door. Farrel, McWhirter partially fills that gap on the east side, but someone who wants a fenced off, leash area within a five, minute walk of their house may find Redmond's options thinner than they'd like depending on exactly where they live.

This is something worth thinking about when choosing a specific neighborhood, not just the city overall.

A Few Practical Notes

• King County requires dogs to be licensed and up to date on rabies vaccination to use off, leash areas. They do check occasionally at Marymoor.
• Bring your own bags. Most parks have dispensers but they run out.
• The Sammamish River Trail runs near Marymoor and connects to a long stretch of paved trail. It's leashed only, but great for longer runs with a dog that can handle the pace and the other trail users.
• Summer afternoons at Marymoor can get genuinely hot on the open field sections. Early mornings are better for dogs that overheat.

Redmond's dog friendliness is one of the things that makes it a good fit for people who take their dogs seriously. Marymoor alone would make most dog owners happy. The rest of the parks fill in the leashed, walk side of things reasonably well, even if the off, leash network outside of Marymoor is sparser than it looks on a map.

Is Marymoor Park off, leash area free to use?

The off, leash area itself doesn't have an entry fee, but parking at Marymoor requires either a King County Parks annual pass or a daily parking fee. If you plan to go regularly, the annual pass is worth it.

Are there any fully fenced off, leash areas in Redmond outside of Marymoor?

Farrel, McWhirter Park has a smaller off, leash area on the east side of Redmond. Beyond that, most of the other parks in the city are leashed only. Marymoor is really the main dedicated off, leash space in the area.

Can dogs swim at Marymoor?

Yes. There's river access along the Sammamish River within the off, leash area and most dogs take advantage of it. It's one of the main reasons people drive to Marymoor specifically.

Which part of Redmond is closest to Marymoor Park?

Marymoor sits at the south end of Redmond near the Redmond Town Center area, so neighborhoods in that part of the city have the easiest access. If you're looking at homes in East Redmond or Redmond Ridge, you're looking at more of a drive to get there.

Do I need proof of vaccination to use the off, leash area at Marymoor?

King County requires dogs using off, leash areas to be licensed and vaccinated for rabies. You're not asked for paperwork every visit, but the rules are enforced and it's worth making sure you're current before you go.