Dog Parks
Catawba County offers dog parks at 3 of our park locations, which create a social experience for dog owners and provide necessary exercise for their dogs. These are fenced areas where dogs can run and play with other dogs without wearing a leash (see below for permit requirements). Leashed dogs are allowed on trails throughout the park outside of the designated dog park areas.
Our locations offer considerable changes in topography that help enhance your dogs’ exercise possibilities. Riverbend’s 1-acre Dog Park is a wooded and grassy area, while St. Stephen’s Dog Park is a 1-acre grassy area with some trees. The Mountain Creek Dog Park is mostly wooded, with a 1-acre large dog area and a 0.6-acre small dog area.
Dog parks include waste stations, benches, tables, and shelters to protect users from the sun or rain. Entrances are double gated for safe leashing and unleashing. For health reasons, we request that you bring your own water and small water bowl.
Dog park locations:
Mountain Creek Park
6554 Little Mountain Rd.
Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
828-465-9645
Riverbend Park
6700 N NC Hwy 16
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 256-9157
St. Stephens Park
2247 36TH Ave NE
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 441-7277
Dog Park Permit Requirements
Please read the Dog Park Rules and complete an Application. You must have an official vet record indicating that Rabies, DHLLP and Bordatella shots on the application sheet are up to date. The fee is $20.00 a year per dog, which can be paid with cash or check only (made payable to Catawba County). Permit is valid for one year from purchase date.