Dog Park

The dog park is in Mills River Park (124 Town Center Dr., Mills River, NC 28759), near the main entrance and the front of the park.

The dog park is open from sunrise to sunset daily, except Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., when it is closed for maintenance. 

We encourage dog park users to use common sense in wet conditions. Consider staying home in wet conditions. The park may be closed for inclement weather, muddy conditions, or other maintenance needs. Follow us on Facebook and check website alerts for the most current updates.

To understand why this is done, one must understand freeze/thaw cycles and their effect on grass. Grass does not grow year-round in our area, so the window of opportunity to keep the grass in place is limited. During the late fall and winter seasons, when there is the potential for snowfall and rain, temperatures fluctuate, and the ground is vulnerable to damage. If we let people utilize the grass area in the winter, it will quickly lose its turf, and the park will be a mud pit and stay that way for the rest of the year. We hope that users understand that this preventative measure is necessary to keep grassy areas in the best shape possible for years to come. As a reminder, Mills River Park has 1.5 miles of multi-use trail that will remain open throughout the winter months. Off-leash dogs are not permitted anywhere else on park property.

The dog park is open to anyone. Children under 13 may be inside the off-leash area with an adult. You do not need to be a Mills River resident to visit the park. Dogs must be at least four months old, not in heat, properly licensed, inoculated, and healthy. There are no breed restrictions. Dogs may not be aggressive toward people or other dogs. If a dog shows signs of aggression, park staff has the right to ban users from the dog park.

There is a limit of two dogs at a time per handler.

Please save treats for the ride home. No treats or food of any kind should enter the off-leash areas to help prevent fights or aggression.

Dog-on-dog bites are a civil matter. We recommend you exchange contact information with the other owner and get both dogs checked out by a veterinarian. Depending on the time of day, there might be a ranger on duty you can call at 828-337-8566 for assistance. 

Dog-on-human bites must be reported. If emergency medical attention is required, call 911. Otherwise, contact Henderson County Animal Control at 828-697-4911. Offending dogs should be separated and controlled (i.e., leashed or in a running vehicle away from other animals and people). Neither owner should leave the park until cleared by officers.

All dogs are good dogs! But sometimes they make bad choices. Humans are responsible for the behavior of any dog they bring to the park. This includes picking up poop, stopping digging or other damage, and removing them at any sign of aggression. Park staff reserves the right to ban dogs and their owners when rules are not followed.