55A lovely, peaceful forest walk, as always. This Sniffspot has become an absolute treasure for us to visit and explore… And, the host is always adding new features for the sniffers and the humans to enjoy. Rebekah J.
Rebekah J.
November 2023
A lovely, peaceful forest walk, as always. This Sniffspot has become an absolute treasure for us to visit and explore… And, the host is always adding new features for the sniffers and the humans to enjoy.
55This is a great setup for those fur babies who prefer solitude without other 🐕 My Max was so happy to have great walking trails where he could roam and run. Jannnine C.
Jannnine C.
November 2023
This is a great setup for those fur babies who prefer solitude without other 🐕 My Max was so happy to have great walking trails where he could roam and run.
55We took our two pups here for the first time today and it was incredible! They loved all the trails and it was a great place for recall training. We’ll definitely be back!Christine N.
Christine N.
December 2023
We took our two pups here for the first time today and it was incredible! They loved all the trails and it was a great place for recall training. We’ll definitely be back!
55GPS and directions from Paul made it easy to find! My dog had an absolute blast in the woods. I could see where there was more brush than fence in just a few spots, but one area had a very steep creek bed separating the path from it, so I wasn't concerned. I also saw a horse in a nearby pasture, but it never made a noise while we were there. Brigid loved it and I loved sitting and letting her run around for a little bit too. She had fun exploring and sniffing every thing at this place!Rowan D.
Rowan D.
December 2023
GPS and directions from Paul made it easy to find! My dog had an absolute blast in the woods. I could see where there was more brush than fence in just a few spots, but one area had a very steep creek bed separating the path from it, so I wasn't concerned. I also saw a horse in a nearby pasture, but it never made a noise while we were there. Brigid loved it and I loved sitting and letting her run around for a little bit too. She had fun exploring and sniffing every thing at this place!
55A real treat for all of us. The added covered area is also such a nice addition. My husband cant do a lot of walking so he spends time in the chairs, I didn’t think this spot could get nicer and then.. boom.. it does:). Happy Holidays everyone Susan C.
Susan C.
December 2023
A real treat for all of us. The added covered area is also such a nice addition. My husband cant do a lot of walking so he spends time in the chairs, I didn’t think this spot could get nicer and then.. boom.. it does:). Happy Holidays everyone
55Really nice spot. It's like a hiking trail. Well marked parking instructions and they even put out printed maps of the trail. I thought it was really special. Jessica K.
Jessica K.
January 2024
Really nice spot. It's like a hiking trail. Well marked parking instructions and they even put out printed maps of the trail. I thought it was really special.
55So much fun! Tons of trails, very private and reading about the fencing kind of worried me but when we got there and saw the fencing I was relieved and knew it would keep our large dogs in. We had a blast and will definitely be back!Maggie H.
Maggie H.
January 2024
So much fun! Tons of trails, very private and reading about the fencing kind of worried me but when we got there and saw the fencing I was relieved and knew it would keep our large dogs in. We had a blast and will definitely be back!
55Just when you think this piece of heaven can’t get any better- it does!! One giant tree down so the path was blocked- well for humans anyway. New beautiful signs and I couldn’t get the song penny lane out of my head.. Beatles are my favorite!!! My dog Cedar lived the sign cedar sanctuary and of course I got a Picture of Him by that sign.. loved the yellow ribbons tied to let me know I was on the path and not hopelessly lost.. i get lost easily.. of course my dogs know where they are - heaven! Susan C.
Susan C.
January 2024
Just when you think this piece of heaven can’t get any better- it does!! One giant tree down so the path was blocked- well for humans anyway. New beautiful signs and I couldn’t get the song penny lane out of my head.. Beatles are my favorite!!! My dog Cedar lived the sign cedar sanctuary and of course I got a Picture of Him by that sign.. loved the yellow ribbons tied to let me know I was on the path and not hopelessly lost.. i get lost easily.. of course my dogs know where they are - heaven!
55Such a beautiful space! It was ~20 degrees when we went, and the host was thoughtful enough to message in advance to let us know the water would be frozen so we should bring our pups :)
We really loved exploring the trails, and there was a nice straightaway to play some fetch as well.
There are a lot of places where you may lose sight of your dogs if they like to run around away from you. It’s fine for us, but something to keep in mind if that doesn’t work for you and your pups! Jenn S.
Jenn S.
January 2024
Such a beautiful space! It was ~20 degrees when we went, and the host was thoughtful enough to message in advance to let us know the water would be frozen so we should bring our pups :)
We really loved exploring the trails, and there was a nice straightaway to play some fetch as well.
There are a lot of places where you may lose sight of your dogs if they like to run around away from you. It’s fine for us, but something to keep in mind if that doesn’t work for you and your pups!
55Always a wonderful time. The new covered area was very fun to sniff, as were some frozen sticks from the recent windstorm and freezing temps! We love it here. Rebekah J.
Rebekah J.
January 2024
Always a wonderful time. The new covered area was very fun to sniff, as were some frozen sticks from the recent windstorm and freezing temps! We love it here.
55This was a great spot to take my dog to! Trails looked maintained and it was easy to loop back to the main trail/parking spot. There was also a port-a-potty for humans that was clean. The day I went we could hear dogs and kids, but they were not visible. We definitely will go back next time we're in the area.Mafil C.
Mafil C.
September 2023
This was a great spot to take my dog to! Trails looked maintained and it was easy to loop back to the main trail/parking spot. There was also a port-a-potty for humans that was clean. The day I went we could hear dogs and kids, but they were not visible. We definitely will go back next time we're in the area.
How do Des Moines's private dog hiking trails work?
Private rentals by the hour
Our hosts are locals that are renting their yards and private land to dog owners
Trust and safety first
Spots are designed for safety and both hosts and guests are reviewed after each visit
Designed for private play
Only the people and dogs in your booking are allowed in the spot during your visit
Reactive dogs welcome
Many of the spots we list are designed with sensitive dogs in mind
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Get discounts on all bookings at all spots by buying monthly credits! Learn more!
FAQ about our Des Moines dog hiking trails
Are dog hiking trails safe?
While public dog parks have a number of safety issues, such as aggressive dogs, inattentive owners, disease transmission and general cleanliness, Sniffspot dog parks are much safer than a city or county park. With a Sniffspot off-leash area all bookings are private for just you and dogs you bring with you and we require all dogs to be vaccinated (or have equivalent titers). All Sniffspot locations are vetted and reviewed by guests so you can find the perfect place for you and your dog. 93% of reviews on Sniffspot visits are 5 stars. Our hiking trails tend to be outside the city, which lends to more privacy, but it is also important to follow typical hiking safety precautions, such as potentially having trail maps.
How do I know if a dog hiking trail works for my dog?
Sniffspot provides the tools to find the ideal spot. Start by applying basic filters, such as fencing 6 feet tall and distractions, to find a dog park with trails that works for your dog. You can also filter by size if you are looking for a certain acre park, an expansive off-leash dog park. If your dog doesn't have good recall, you can visit one of our fully fenced dog hiking trails. If your dog is reactive to other dogs, you can visit one of our dog hiking trails where there are no dogs audible or visible nearby. Since you are looking for trails, make sure to check photos to see if it the spot has flat trails or gnarly trails. You can also browse by specific amenities, if you are looking for a view or a beach, for instance, or other activities or fun features. You can check whether the spot has off or on street parking, the regular park hours, whether it has paved trails or a modern restroom.
What are the requirements to bring my dog to a Sniffspot dog hiking trail?
In order to hike the trails, we require that all dogs have basic vaccinations or equivalent titers. We do not permit dogs with a bite history. We require that guests sign our waiver and agree to follow our safety rules.
Will there be other dogs at the Sniffspot hiking trail at the same time as me?
Sniffspot only allows one booking at a time and any host dogs are required to be kept away from the spot during visits. We also enforce 30 min time buffers between bookings.
How much do Sniffspot hiking trails cost?
Dog hiking trails in the Des Moines area range from $6.0 and $6.0. The least expensive dog hiking trail is Lab Livin. The most expensive dog hiking trail is Lab Livin. Each host sets their own price, so you can check the price on the specific Sniffspot dog park listing.
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