These two off-leash dog parks serve their communities well, but would also be a good resource for dog owners traveling between Columbus and Cleveland. The first is in Mount Vernon, Ohio — about 45 minutes north of Columbus — and the second is in the nearby college town of Gambier, Ohio.

We visited both dog parks on snowy, bitterly cold days, and we had them to ourselves. That was a good thing, from my point of view, because neither park has a small dog area (though both are large enough to accommodate one). Unless the faucets were hidden by snow, neither park offers a source of water. However, both provided poop bags, and both were properly fenced, with double gates. They were also both very large — Chloe really appreciated having endless room to romp — and the Mount Vernon park has a variety of agility equipment to try out.

The Mount Vernon dog park is located at the Wolf Run Regional Park, about a mile east of the city on Yauger Road. Pull in to the Wolf Run parking lot, and you’ll see the fenced area to one side. The park itself is lovely, so when your dog has worked off some energy in the off-leash area, consider clipping the leash back on and taking a walk on one of the Wolf Run trails (click on the link and download a park brochure with a map of your options).

The Gambier dog park is located in the tiny town of Gambier, Ohio, home of Kenyon College. Take Gambier Road out of Mount Vernon, and turn left at the Kenyon sign. You’ll find yourself on Wiggin Street. Continue straight through the center of town and turn right on Meadow Lane. Turn into the community center entrance but continue past it to a parking area next to playing fields. You’ll see the fenced dog park area off to your right. Please note that this park doesn’t have a scrap of shade, which is fine in the winter — but in the summer, be sure to bring a hat as well as water for you and your dog, and keep an eye on your dog so she doesn’t get overheated.

As you’ll have seen, Kenyon College is very pretty. You and your dog might enjoy a coffee or a quick meal at the tables outside the Middle Ground café, and a walk around the campus.

Wolf Run Regional Park
Yauger Road
Mount Vernon, OH 43050

Gambier Dog Park
Meadow Lane
Gambier, OH 43022

Middle Ground
101 E. Wiggin Street
Gambier, OH 43022
T: 740-427-5105