Where can i take my dog to swim near me

Warmer weather fun isn’t just for humans, you know. Your best friend, aka your perfect pup, wants to get out and enjoy the weather too!

It’s not always easy to find dog-friendly swimming holes, which is a real bummer for those pups who are basically half-fish (looking at you, retrievers!) Luckily, Columbus and the surrounding area is a pretty great place for water-loving dogs to get their paws wet.

Full disclosure, some of these dog-friendly swimming holes are a bit of a drive. But when you see your dog’s tail wagging happily as she runs headfirst for the beach, it will all be worth it.

Dog Park at Pizzurro Park

Distance from Downtown Columbus: 10 miles
There is a creek next to the Dog Park at Pizzurro Park where canine companions can get their paws wet. To dry off, take your dog into the 4-acre fenced-in area and have it jump over, under, and through the obstacles of the agility course.

Walnut Woods Metro Park

Distance from Downtown Columbus: 15 miles
Walnut Woods is a fantastic park to visit for pups and humans alike. In addition to the adorable little dog park, you can also take your dogs on trails that lead right up to the water. Walnut Woods is the most Instagrammable park around, so make sure your pup is camera-ready before your big watery adventure.

Darby Bend Lakes at Prarie Oaks Metro Park

Distance from Downtown Columbus: 17 miles
Darby Bend Lakes at the Parie Oaks Metro Park has allowed a beach for dogs to go swimming. Fluffers and borkers of all shapes can come out and have a great time. The incline into the water is gradual which makes it a good place to take first-time swimmers and little dogs.

Battelle Darby Creek

Distance from Downtown Columbus: 18 miles
Hoomans and their pooches are invited to explore Battelle Darby Creek’s 800-acre designated hunting area during the off-season months. There are plenty of places to take your dog swimming along Big Darby Creek. If you’re looking for a place to make a splash all year round, there are designated doggy beaches at Osprey Lake and Pleasant Valley.

Alum Creek Dog Park

Distance from Downtown Columbus: 22 miles
Alum Creek Dog Park opened in 2006 and has become one of the most popular dog parks in the area. The 4-acre park has fenced in areas for dogs big and little, but those pups looking to take a dip in Alum Creek can feel free to jump in at this park of the lake.

Dog Park at Salt Fork State Park

Distance from Downtown Columbus: 95 miles
Let your dog free from his leash and set up a lawn chair at the Salt Fork Dog Park. It’s a little smaller and only around an acre in size. But that doesn’t mean your dog won’t have an amazing time. There’s even a picnic area so you can enjoy a meal while your pupper tires itself out.

Dog Park at Portage Lakes State Park

Distance from Downtown Columbus: 126 miles
The Dog Park at Portage Lakes State Park is ideal for frolicking on land and in the water. Your dog will make so many new friends! Test out your dog’s retrieving abilities and play fetch in the water for hours and I promise, you’ll leave with one sleepy, soggy, happy dog.

Dogs love to swim, you love your dogs.

Take them to some swell places in the Atlanta area where canines are welcome to get in the water.

Here are 7 places where you dog can swim, splash, wade or paddle:

Murphey Candler Park
1551 W Nancy Creek Drive, Brookhaven
Highly recommended in a Reddit thread about where pups could swim near Atlanta, Murphey Candler Park is in Brookhaven. The 2-mile trail circles the wooded wildlife area of the Murphy Candler Park perimeter. It's a great place for a brisk walk over mostly level ground capped with splashing on the lake shore or a quick swim (for Fido) in the northeast corner of the lake.

"Dog beach" at Morningside Nature Preserve Trail
1941 Wellbourne Drive NE, Atlanta
Part of the 2-mile trail runs along the wide, sandy banks of the South Fork of Peachtree Creek in Atlanta's upscale Morningside neighborhood. Locals call it "dog beach" and it's close enough to Midtown to indulge in several times a week.

Cochran Mill Park
$5 daily parking, 6875 Cochran Mill Road, Chattahoochee Hills

About 20 minutes from the Atlanta airport, the park is a great place for a half-day trip. It features several miles of trails that run through creeks and water crossings, shaded by natural forests. Some of the walk is steep hillside, so you and your pup both get a bit of a workout.

East Palisades Trail at the Chatthoochee River
Closest street address: 1425 Indian Trail NW, Sandy Springs
Part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area right in Atlanta, the 2.5 mile loop trail departs from the Indian Trail trailhead and descends to the river. Your pup can splash in the creek along the way or swim in the river, but make sure she's on a leash on the trails.

More things to do with your dog this weekend:

Buckhead: 3225 Cains Hill Place NW. 404-266-8668
Midtown: 441 Armour Drive NE. 678-974-8147
Westside: 1736 Defoor Place NW. 678-515-7873

For intown pet pampering, Dog Days Atlanta has swimming pools designed for dogs and equipped with a copper/silver ionizer to sanitize without chlorine. The club is only for current daycare or boarding customers, temperament tests required for all new campers. Dog Days day care starts at $30 for one day with multi-day discounts.

Atlanta Dog Paddle

610 Gresham Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA

2-7 p.m. Tuesday - Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturday

In the case that you have a pup with aches and pains, the Atlanta Dog Paddle fitness center may be your go-to spot. The facility features an 8’ x 16’ fiberglass swim spa and is 4 ½ ‘ deep, providing plenty of room for non-weight bearing exercise and healing massage. The benefits of the pool time are increasing joint mobility and body promoting weight loss and weight control and easing stiffness, according to Dog Paddle’s website.

Red Top Mountain State Park
50 Lodge Road SE, Acworth. 770-975-4226

This is the water-loving dog's dream spot. Red Top Mountain State Park is 1,700-plus acres surrounded by thousands of acres of Lake Allatoona. Try it for a hike and if you like it, consider camping there for a water-dog weekend. You can bring a tent or rent a cabin or even a yurt.