Kuirau Park
On leashNorthern part only (Kuirau Park Access Road to Lake Road); on lead only. No dogs at the south end.
Directions Read the guideDog Parks and Dog Walks in Rotorua
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around Rotorua, with the council's rules for each.
In Rotorua, dogs must be on a lead of two metres or less in public places, and can only run off lead in the council's Dog Exercise Areas. Dogs aren't allowed in the CBD, Government Gardens or reserves that aren't Dog Exercise Areas, and some lake beaches have summer rules. Every place below shows its rule and how to get there.
Map of dog parks, walks and beaches
Every place on this page as a pin. Tap a pin for its dog rule, directions and our guide.
Dog parksWalksBeachesNo dogsHas our guideGroup, tap to zoom in
Walks and reserves (26)
Aquarius Drive Reserve
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from Aquarius Drive and Capricorn Place.
DirectionsBlomfield Street Reserve
Off leashWestern perimeter, Goldie Street/Pukehangi Road. Listed in the 2016 policy and 2017 brochure but not on the current council web page.
DirectionsBoielle Park
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area (flat area). Entrance off Kawaha Point Road.
DirectionsBoyes Park
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from Carlton, Wylie, Duncan and Ranolf Streets.
DirectionsCorlett Street
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from Corlett or Konene Streets.
DirectionsCoulter Road Reserve
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from Wingrove and Coulter Roads.
DirectionsDevon Street West/Utuhina Stream Reserve
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area on part of the reserve, between Devon Street West (opposite the International Stadium) and the Utuhina Stream banks. Not on the playground or sports fields.
DirectionsFairview Road Reserve
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from Bell, Fairview and Park Roads.
DirectionsHannahs Bay Reserve
Some rulesCouncil Dog Exercise Area on part of the reserve: on lead from the Willow Avenue entrance to the north-eastern drain (including the lake foreshore and wetland), off lead east of the drain. No dogs on the playground, barbecue areas, or the Pony Club area during events.
DirectionsJackson Park
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from Springfield Road, McDowell Street and Otonga Road.
DirectionsKarenga Park
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area from the Dog Obedience clubrooms south to Lake Road, between Bennetts Road and the old railway line. Access from 10 Bennetts Road.
DirectionsLarcy Road Reserve
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from Larcy and Lynbert Roads.
DirectionsLinton Park East
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from Edmund Road, Kamahi Place and Homedale Street.
DirectionsMcIntyre Avenue
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from McIntyre Avenue and Marguerita Street.
DirectionsMorey Street
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from Morey Street.
DirectionsPererika Street (Town Belt)
Off leashFrom the Model Railway clubrooms to the Trade Central entrance. Listed in the 2016 policy and 2017 brochure but not on the current council web page.
DirectionsPuarenga Reserve (Sala Street Reserve)
Off leashSala Street. Listed in the 2016 policy and 2017 brochure but not on the current council web page.
DirectionsPullar Park
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area between Sunset Primary and Intermediate schools, next to the Otomatea Stream.
DirectionsReeme Street Reserve
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area from Reeme Street to a fence about 50m south of Taui Street. Lakefront reserve.
DirectionsRotorua Racecourse
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area off Fenton Street. Only after 9am and when not in use for race meetings or functions.
DirectionsScion tree research park
Off leashPrivate Scion land opposite The Redwoods, made available for off lead dog walking. No formed tracks; work may be under way, so follow signs.
DirectionsThe Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest
On leashDogs must be on a lead in the forest and on its tracks.
DirectionsTihi Reserve (formerly Simmonds Crescent Reserve)
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from Simmonds Crescent, Day Place and Tihi Road.
DirectionsWestern Road Reserve (Elliott Park)
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area. Access from Western Road.
DirectionsWright Park
Off leashCouncil Dog Exercise Area (listed as Day Place and Wright Park). Access from Icarus Place, Pegasus Drive, Castor Place, Helena Place and Orion Street.
DirectionsBeaches (10)
Blue Lake (Lake Tikitapu)
Off leashOnly the area bounded by the wooden fence to the right of the boat ramp.
DirectionsBoyes Beach, Lake Ōkāreka
Some rules Seasonal rulesOutside summer hours dogs may be on or off lead under control. The policy also lists the Acacia Road lakeside reserve at Ōkāreka as a dog exercise area.
No dogs 9am to 7pm, 15 December to 1 March
DirectionsHamurana lakefront
Some rules Seasonal rulesOff lead from opposite Fryer Road to the post and rail fence 47m east of the Kaska Road and Hamurana Road intersection (keep at least 2m from the road edge). From that fence to the Hamurana Stream mouth dogs may be off lead under strict control outside summer hours. No dogs within 10m of the playground and barbecue area.
On lead 9am to 7pm, 15 December to 1 March, from the fence to the stream mouth
DirectionsHannahs Bay lake foreshore
On leashThe lake foreshore is in the on lead part of Hannahs Bay Reserve.
DirectionsLake Rerewhakaaitu, Brett Road
Off leashListed as a lakeside dog exercise area in the 2016 policy.
DirectionsLake Rotoiti lake reserve, Okere Road
Off leashListed as a lakeside dog exercise area in the 2016 policy.
DirectionsLake Rotomā, Merge Lodge
Off leashListed as a lakeside dog exercise area in the 2016 policy.
DirectionsLake Ōkaro lake reserve
Off leashListed as a lakeside dog exercise area in the 2016 policy.
DirectionsPunaromia (Tarawera Landing)
On leashDogs only in the car park, on a lead.
DirectionsStoney Point and Rangiuru Bay, Lake Tarawera
Some rules Seasonal rulesOutside summer hours dogs may be off lead under strict control. The policy also lists Spencer Road and Cliff Road at Tarawera under the same rule.
No dogs 9am to 7pm, 15 December to 1 March
DirectionsNo dogs (16)
Government Gardens
No dogsThe area bounded by Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Lakefront and the Golf Course, including the Motutara walking track.
Directions Read the guideLake Ōkāreka walkway
No dogsDogs and bicycles are not permitted.
Directions Read the guideSouth end of Kuirau Park
No dogs Directions Read the guideEastern Ōkataina Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsIsthmus Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsKing Hill Reserve Walking Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMt Ngongotaha Jubilee Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideNorthern Tarawera Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsTarawera Trail
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideTe Kopia Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsTikitapu Nature Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideTuhoto Ariki Trail
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsWestern Ōkataina Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsŌkere Falls Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideSmallbone Park
No dogs DirectionsTihiotonga (Sloane Avenue Reserve)
No dogs DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashThe council's Dog Exercise Areas, such as Karenga Park, Boyes Park, Jackson Park, the eastern part of Hannahs Bay Reserve, Pullar Park and Rotorua Racecourse (after 9am, when no event is on). Also the Scion tree research park opposite The Redwoods, and some lakeside reserves, such as the fenced area at the Blue Lake boat ramp.
On a leashAll public places outside the Dog Exercise Areas, on a lead of two metres or less. This includes the northern part of Kuirau Park, The Redwoods forest and tracks, the western part of Hannahs Bay Reserve and its lake foreshore, the car park at Punaromia (Tarawera Landing), and cemeteries.
No dogsThe Rotorua CBD, Government Gardens (including the Motutara walking track), Smallbone Park, Tihiotonga (Sloane Avenue Reserve), the south end of Kuirau Park, the Lake Ōkāreka walkway, and any reserve that isn't a Dog Exercise Area. Also playgrounds, barbecue areas, sports fields, schools, kindergartens, public pools and council buildings.
Summer and seasonal rules15 December to 1 March: no dogs at Stoney Point and Rangiuru Bay on Lake Tarawera from 9am to 7pm, and no dogs on Boyes Beach Reserve at Lake Ōkāreka during the day (the council's current page says 9am to 7pm). Hamurana lakefront, from the fence opposite Kaska Road to the stream mouth: on a lead from 9am to 7pm in the same period.
Rotorua Lakes Council dog exercise areas Lake Tarawera reserves Lake Ōkāreka and Boyes Beach
Dog services in Rotorua
VetsSmall Animal and Farm Vet Care
Dog trainersPositive Training Experts
Pet shopsAquarium, Raw Food and Grooming Specialists
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in Rotorua?
No, the council doesn't have a fenced dog park. Its Dog Exercise Areas are shared off-lead spaces in ordinary reserves, and the larger ones are Karenga Park, Boyes Park, Jackson Park and Hannahs Bay.
Can I take my dog to The Redwoods?
Yes, on a lead in the forest and on its tracks. Across Tītokorangi Drive, the Scion tree research park is open for off-lead dog walking, but it has no formed tracks, so follow the signs.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Rotorua?
Yes, in all public places, on a lead of two metres or less. They can only be off lead, under control, in a council Dog Exercise Area.
Sources: Rotorua Lakes Council; Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.