Dog-friendly Columbus, Georgia: The Yard off-leash park, the RiverWalk and Fall Line Trace, dog-welcome markets, the leash rules and who to call.

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. Rules come from the city’s own pages and ordinance; trail and event details from each organizer’s own page, linked below. A restaurant patio is listed only when the restaurant’s own site says dogs are welcome.

Columbus’ best walks with a dog are its two long paved trails: the Chattahoochee RiverWalk along the river and the Fall Line Trace rail trail, both part of the Dragonfly Trails network. Leashes are required on the RiverWalk and owners must pick up after their dogs. For off-leash play, Paws Humane Society runs The Yard at MidCity Yards. Since Feb. 1, 2025, Paws Humane Society has run the city’s animal services, including lost and found pets.

Who to call

  • Paws Animal Services Division (animal emergencies): 706-225-4512, 4910 Milgen Road
  • Paws Animal Resource Center (lost and found pets): 706-565-0035, 4900 Milgen Road
  • Paws Veterinary Clinic: 706-987-8380
  • City services: 311
  • Emergency: 911

The leash rules

Trails

  • Chattahoochee RiverWalk. The city describes a 22-mile paved linear park with restrooms, running from Lake Oliver in the north through Uptown and south toward Fort Benning. Access points include Bay Avenue and 11th Street, Front Avenue and Eighth Street, Golden Park, the Civic Center, Rotary Park, Rigdon Park, 23rd Street, Bibb Mill and Hemlock Park (city RiverWalk page).
  • Fall Line Trace. A paved, mostly flat 10.5-mile rail trail from Psalmond Road in northeast Columbus to the RiverWalk at 14th Street, passing Flat Rock Park and Columbus State University, with a rest area that has parking, restrooms and drinking water, according to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s TrailLink entry.
  • Both trails belong to the Dragonfly Trails network, which counts 34 miles of connected trails (Dragonfly Trails). More detail is in our walking and biking trails guide.

Markets and events that welcome dogs

  • Market Days on Broadway: Uptown Columbus invites shoppers to “bring your furry pals” to its Saturday markets, held every Saturday from April to August and on the first Saturday of September, October and November, 9 a.m. to noon (Market Days page; Fall Market page).
  • Historic Westville: well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome at its Tricks, Treats & Tall Tales Halloween event on Oct. 31, 2026 (calendar listing).
  • wear blue: run to remember welcomed leashed pets at its Memorial Day 2026 run and walk in Woodruff Park (2026 listing).

See our Halloween and Memorial Day pages for this year’s dates.

Patios

  • Banks Food Hall, 1002 Bay Ave. in Uptown, says its patios are “spacious, pet-friendly.” Vendors include Angry Wings, Niaz Persian Kitchen, Filberto’s Filipino, El Primo Taqueria, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice and the Maltitude bar. Open daily: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with free parking (Banks Food Hall).
  • The Yard at MidCity Yards (below) sits next to Scofflaw Brewing Co.

We list a patio only when the business’s own site says dogs are welcome. If yours does, tell us through our contact page.

Off-leash: The Yard at MidCity Yards

The Yard, 1432 Fifth Ave., is a membership-based off-leash dog park and social club run by Paws Humane Society at MidCity Yards. Members’ park access is 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Dogs must be at least 4 months old and current on rabies, DHPP and Bordetella shots. All ages are welcome during the day; it is 16 and up after 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (The Yard). Visit Columbus says day passes are sold, people without a dog can visit for free, and food trucks rotate on site (Visit Columbus listing).

The city’s own park asset map lists playgrounds, trails, pools and fields but no city-run fenced dog park as of this check.

Frequently asked questions

Can I walk my dog on the Columbus RiverWalk? Yes. The city’s RiverWalk rules say all pets must obey leash laws and owners must clean up after them. Pedestrians have the right of way.

Who handles animal control in Columbus, Georgia? Paws Humane Society took over the city’s animal services on Feb. 1, 2025. Its Animal Services Division is at 4910 Milgen Road; call 706-225-4512 for animal emergencies.

Where can I report a lost or found dog in Columbus? Paws Humane Society handles lost and found pets for the city. The Paws Animal Resource Center is at 4900 Milgen Road, 706-565-0035.

Is there an off-leash dog park in Columbus, Georgia? Yes. The Yard at MidCity Yards, 1432 Fifth Ave., is a membership off-leash park and social club run by Paws Humane Society. Dogs must be 4 months or older and current on rabies, DHPP and Bordetella shots.

Where are the Columbus leash laws? The rules are in Chapter 5, Animals and Fowl, of the Columbus Code of Ordinances, published on Municode.

What this means for you

  • Bring a leash and bags to the RiverWalk; both are required.
  • Save the Paws Animal Services number, 706-225-4512, for emergencies.

Related: walking and biking trails, free things to do in Columbus and things to do this weekend.