Red Oaks Dog Park

Red Oaks Dog Park is big — gloriously, run-till-they-flop big. It’s an Oakland County park in Madison Heights with three separate fenced areas so dogs can sort themselves by size and energy, plus a dedicated small-dog run. Our pug Bruce is a little guy, and honestly the main enclosure right as you pull in has worked great for him every time; you don’t always have to hunt for the small-dog area.

We’ve been a few times now, but our favorite visit was on Bruce’s birthday, when two other pugs happened to be there. The three of them tumbled around together like they somehow knew they were cousins — the kind of low-stakes, tail-wagging joy that makes a dog park worth the trip. It’s well-maintained, has picnic tables and poop-bag stations, and connects to the wider Red Oaks trail and waterpark complex, so you can make a bigger afternoon of it.

One honest drawback: the main run has only a single pavilion-style shelter, so on a blazing-hot day or a sudden rain, there’s not much cover to duck under. Plan around the weather, bring water (and shade if you’ve got a heat-sensitive pup), and you’re golden. Bruce gives it four enthusiastic paws.

Quick-hit details

• Don’t miss: The small-dog run (though the main one suits little guys fine too); the connecting Red Oaks trail if you want to extend the outing
• Good to know: Three separate fenced runs + a small-dog area; picnic tables, trash cans, and poop-bag dispensers on site; part of the larger Red Oaks county complex; open to non-residents (no town residency required)
• Watch out for: Only one pavilion/shelter in the main run — limited cover in extreme heat or rain; the grass gets patchy (dusty when dry, muddy when wet) by season’s end; paid parking or an Oakland County / Metroparks pass required; bring your own water on hot days to be safe