The Johnston Brief
For years Johnston had no official off-leash park, and dog owners drove to Urbandale or West Des Moines to let a dog run. That changed with Prairie Point Dog Park, the city's first, a 6-acre space at 5401 NW Johnston Drive with fenced areas for big and little dogs. Here's the address, what it costs, and where else to take a dog around town.
Prairie Point Dog Park is at 5401 NW Johnston Drive - Johnston's first off-leash dog park, a 6-acre city facility with separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, opened by the city in 2026. You need a Dog Park Pass ($25 residents / $40 non-residents), and Johnston residents also need a $10 pet license per dog. Buy the pass online before you go.
Johnston's dog park is Prairie Point Dog Park, at 5401 NW Johnston Drive on the north side of town, sharing a combined parking lot with a trailhead. It is run by the Johnston Parks Department.
Prairie Point splits its off-leash space into two fenced areas so timid or little dogs aren't mixed with the big ones - the city built roughly 0.64 acre for large dogs and 0.38 acre for small dogs inside the wider 6-acre, ADA-friendly site. The rest of the property ties into a trailhead and the surrounding prairie, so a walk pairs naturally with a romp in the pen.
Prairie Point is a permitted park, not a walk-up freebie. You buy a Dog Park Pass - $25 for Johnston residents, $40 for non-residents - and residents also need a current Johnston pet license ($10 per dog). The city sells passes online ahead of time, so set it up before your first trip rather than at the gate. Questions go to the Johnston Parks Department (515-727-8091).
Prairie Point is Johnston's first dog park, and the city timed its opening to spring 2026 once the new grass matured, with a grand opening to be announced. Because it's brand new, confirm the park is open and your pass is active on the city's dog park page before you drive over.
If Prairie Point is closed for weather or you want a change of scenery, the two closest established off-leash parks are the Urbandale dog park at Walker Johnston Park and the Raccoon River Dog Park in West Des Moines. Both are fenced, both split large and small dogs, and both require an annual permit - check each city's current pricing. Closer to home, dogs are welcome on leash on Johnston's trails and in its parks: the loop around Terra Park and the Beaver Creek trail are easy, shaded walks.
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Yes. Prairie Point Dog Park, at 5401 NW Johnston Drive, is Johnston's first off-leash dog park. It is a 6-acre city facility with fenced areas for large and small dogs, and the city set its opening for spring 2026. Before Prairie Point, Johnston had no official off-leash park and owners drove to Urbandale or West Des Moines.
Prairie Point Dog Park is at 5401 NW Johnston Drive in Johnston, Iowa. It shares a combined parking lot with a trailhead, and it is run by the Johnston Parks Department (515-727-8091).
Prairie Point requires a Dog Park Pass: $25 for Johnston residents and $40 for non-residents. Residents also need a current Johnston pet license, which is $10 per dog. Passes are sold online in advance through the city's provider.
Yes. The city built separate fenced areas, with roughly 0.64 acre for large dogs and roughly 0.38 acre for small dogs, inside the wider 6-acre, ADA-friendly site.
The nearest established off-leash parks are the Urbandale dog park at Walker Johnston Park and the Raccoon River Dog Park in West Des Moines. Both are fenced with separate large- and small-dog areas and require an annual permit; confirm current pricing with each city.
Yes. Dogs are welcome on leash on Johnston's public trails and in its parks, including the paths around Terra Park and the Beaver Creek trail. Off-leash running is only allowed inside a designated dog park such as Prairie Point.
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