Here are leash and scoop laws dog owners should know before packing up the favorite pooch and heading out.

Leash laws

Dogs may walk on a leash at many public parks or trails. Exceptions:

• Dogs are never allowed in the Klineline Pond area of Salmon Creek Regional Park.
• Dogs cannot be at the beach and surrounding turf area of Vancouver Lake Park between April 1 and October 31.

Dogs are not allowed to be off the leash at any park or trail except in the four off-leash dog parks listed below.

Off-leash Dog Parks 

Please review these rules before visiting a dog park. These off-leash dog parks are managed by DOGPAW.

Ike Memorial Dog Park in Hazel Dell
Northeast Ross Street at 15th Avenue near Bonneville Power’s Ross Substation in Vancouver’s Minnehaha neighborhood

Dakota Memorial Dog Park at Pacific Community Park
16303 N.E. 15th St., Vancouver

Lucky Memorial Dog Park in Brush Prairie
Northeast 149th Street at 101st Place, west of the Center for Agriculture, Science & Environmental Education

Kane Memorial Dog Park in Hockinson Meadows Community Park
10910 NE 172nd Ave., north of NE 99th Street, Vancouver

Clark County recognizes the importance of providing additional off-leash dog parks to serve residents. We are working with Clark County DOGPAW, a local non-profit, to open more dog parks.

Pet waste scoop laws

• Owners must pick up and dispose of dog feces at any public park, natural area, or trail, including the off-leash dog parks.
• People who do not honor the leash and scoop laws may be fined up to $250.

The county provides dog waste bags at several locations, but encourages dog owners to bring plastic bags when visiting parks and trails. All bagged waste must be disposed of in a designated trash receptacle.

Pet waste left on the ground at parks and trails ultimately gets washed into streams, creeks, rivers and wetlands. This waste is raw sewage, and carries harmful bacteria that affects the health of wildlife and humans.

Canines for Clean Water

Clark County has more than 103,000 dogs, which together generate more than 6,000 tons of waste per year. Join thousands of other Clark County dog owners and get a free bandanna for your dog by taking the Canines for Clean Water Pledge to help protect our streams. It's as easy as:

• Picking up after your dog
• Staying on-leash in wetlands and other sensitive areas and in all parks and trails
• Avoiding contact with streams and wildlife
• Sharing this important message with other dog owners