Dog-Friendly Parks and Forests in Essen
197 named parks, forests, and green spaces in Essen and the surrounding area for a walk with your dog.
Listed places are within 13 km of the centre of Essen, including the surrounding area. This radius does not follow municipal boundaries.
Leash requirements in parks and forests in Essen
In public parks, a leash requirement usually applies under the local park bylaws (Grünanlagensatzung). Forests are covered by a general right of access under Section 14 of the Federal Forest Act (Bundeswaldgesetz), but state forest laws and hunting laws mostly require dogs to be kept on a leash there.
During the breeding and nesting season, roughly from March 1 to July 15, several German states tighten this requirement further. To be safe, follow the signage at the entrance to the park or forest: it takes precedence over any general rule.
This list is deliberately filtered: cemeteries, public swimming areas, hospital grounds, and daycare outdoor areas are excluded, even where the map data lists them as park land. Dogs are generally not allowed there.
Places on the map
15 selected places. Choose a place for the map or open directions directly.
Map view: Waldthausenpark
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1 · Public park
Waldthausenpark
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Public place source ↗No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
2 · Public park
Universitätsviertel
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Souldog map entry; no further public source link available.
No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
3 · Public park
Elisenplatz
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Public place source ↗No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
4 · Public park
Stadtgarten Essen
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Public place source ↗No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
5 · Public park
Stadtgarten
No confirmed address available.
Listed as a dog-related place. This does not confirm public access, off-leash permission or opening hours.
Sources & review date
Souldog map entry; no further public source link available.
No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
6 · Public park
Eltingplatz
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Public place source ↗No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
7 · Public park
Kunst am Moltkeplatz
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Public place source ↗No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
8 · Public park
Bernewäldchen
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Public place source ↗No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
9 · Public park
Park Friedrichshof
Kaupenstraße 45128 Esssen
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Public place source ↗No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
10 · Public park
Diether-Krebs-Platz
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Public place source ↗No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
11 · Public park
Glückauf-Park
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Public place source ↗No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
12 · Public park
Segerothpark
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Public place source ↗No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
13 · Public park
Nordpark
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Public place source ↗No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
14 · Public park
Krupp-Park
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Souldog map entry; no further public source link available.
No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
15 · Public park
Camillo-Sitte-Platz
No confirmed address available.
Dog access and leash rules are unconfirmed. Please check signs and ask the operator if needed.
Sources & review date
Souldog map entry; no further public source link available.
No individual review date available.
A map link does not confirm dog access. Please check opening hours and current restrictions with the operator.
Parks in Essen165
- Waldthausenpark
- Universitätsviertel
- Elisenplatz
- Stadtgarten Essen
- Stadtgarten
- Eltingplatz
- Kunst am Moltkeplatz
- Bernewäldchen
- Park Friedrichshof
- Diether-Krebs-Platz
- Glückauf-Park
- Segerothpark
- Nordpark
- Krupp-Park
- Camillo-Sitte-Platz
- Uta-Ranke-Heinemann-Platz
- Twingenbergplatz
- Wiebeanlage
- Adolpi-Stiftung
- Altendorfplatz
- Bärendelle
- Alfredspark
- Elsa-Brändström-Platz
- Riehlpark
- Ellernplatz
- Pfarrer-Wolfgang-Lüthgen-Platz
- Spindelmannpark
- Gemeinschaftsgarten Ellerngrün
- Westpark
- Körnerplatz
- Christinenpark
- Ludwig-Park
- Haumannplatz
- Jahnplatz
- Helenenpark
- Gervinusstraße
- Stattrops Aue
- Gervinuspark
- Siepental
- Dahlienarena
- Bonsaigarten
- Alpinum
- Memoriam-Garten-Essen
- Kräutergarten
- Katharinenpark
- Kletter- und Schlinggehölze
- Grugapark
- Brüsseler Platz
- Volkspark Bergeborbeck
- Am Hallo Park
- Kaiser-Wilhelm-Park
- Hauxplatz
- Japanischer Garten
- Waldpark
- Zeche Zollverein
- Südpark
- Fürstin-Franziska-Christine-Stiftung
- Zeche Carl
- Bürgergarten
- Bürger- u. Handwerkerpark Zeche Zollverein 3/7/10
- Rathauspark
- Hügelpark
- Schlosspark
- Isingpark
- Bürgerpark Haarzopf
- Ludwig-Kessing-Park
- Bürgerpark Kuhlhoff
- Volksgarten
- Nienhausenbusch
- Revierpark Nienhausen
- Walter-Schmidt-Platz
- Molenpark
- Emscherpark
- Anne-Frank-Platz
- Brehminsel
- Alte Emscher
- Nordsternpark
- Heinrichspark
- Villa Vogelsang
- Schillerplatz
- Rheinelbe-Park
- Abenteuerpark
- Gleispark Frintrop
- Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen
- Wittkamp
- ehemaliges Klärwerk
- Park am Läppkesmühlenbach
- Wohnpark St. Josef
- Park am Läppkes Mühlenbach
- Von-Wedelstaedt-Park
- Neustadtpark
- Musiktheater Wiese
- Goetheplatz
- Kleeberg
- Park Overwegstraße
- Schützenplatz Bogenstraße
- Georgswiese
- Benderpark
- Spielpark untere Aktienstraße
- Witthausbusch
- Ehrenpark
- Friedenspark Ehrenmal
- Von-Behring-Platz
- Volkspark Batenbrock
- Möntingplatz
- Ruhr-Kampf Denkmal Park
- Rolandhalde
- Gehölzgarten Ripshorst
- Gesundheitspark Quellenbusch
- Kampfbahn Glückauf - Freizeitsportanlage
- Orangeplatz
- Catho-Wenzel-Park
- Uhlandpark
- Stadtgarten Wattenscheid
- Rathausgarten
- Puerto-Morazan-Park
- Bulmker Park
- Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz
- Wilhelmplatz
- Innenstadtpark "Ruhranlage"
- Burgerspark
- Park Nürnberger Straße
- Prosper-Park
- Sportpark Styrum
- Thyssenpark
- Brücktorpark
- Begegnungsstätte Feldmann-Stiftung
- Klosterkirche Unserer lieben Frau
- Blücherplatz
- Consol-Park
- Marktplatz
- Heinrich-Mühlsiepen-Park
- Grillopark
- OLGA Park
- John-Lennon-Platz
- Wilhelm-Meinicke-Park
- Königshütter Park
- Schlosspark Styrum
- Berliner Park
- Saporoshje-Platz
- Südmarkt
- Kaisergarten
- Saure Wiese
- Park Freitagsfeld
- ZOOM Erlebniswelt Grimberger Hof
- Streichelzoo
- Königsgruber Park
- ZOOM Erlebniswelt Asien
- ZOOM Erlebniswelt Alaska
- ZOOM Erlebniswelt Afrika
- Solbadhalde
- Peterplatz
- Berger Aue
- Schloßpark Weitmar
- Bürgerpark Gladbeck
- Festwiese
- Barbara Park
- Ruhrpark
- Styrumer Ruhrauen
- Elefantenpark
- Stadtgarten Johow
- Zeche Hugo Schachtanlage 2/5
- Zechenpark
- Reinhold-Krohn-Park
- Volksgarten Eickel
Forests in Essen32
- NSG Kamptal
- Schönebecker Schlucht
- NSG Hülsenhaine im Schellenberger Wald
- Winkhauser Tal
- Winkhauser Bachtal
- NSG Mechtenberg
- Heisinger Ruhraue
- Hexbachtal
- Ehemaliges Floatglas-Gelände
- Rumbachtal, Gothenbach, Schlippenbach
- Vogelschutzgebiet Heisinger Bogen
- Forstbachtal
- Rohmbachtal und Rossenbecktal
- Dr.-C.-Otto-Wald und Hörsterholz
- Linnenbrink
- Almagelände
- Saarn-Mendener Ruhraue
- Zinsbachtal
- Natroper Feld
- Boyetal-Ost
- Steinbruch Rauen
- Halde Rheinbaben
- Ruhrtalhang am Auberg
- Ruhraue Hattingen Winz
- Halde Ellinghorst
- Naherholungsgebiet Wittringer Wald
- Styrumer Ruhraue
- Auberg und Oberläufe des Wambaches
- Schmitterbachtal
- Boyetal-West
- Bergehalde Pluto-Wilhelm
- Hafen Grimberg
All 201
on one map
Parks and Forests in Essen. Free, Souldog Plus optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which parks in Essen are good for a walk with your dog?
In Essen and the surrounding area, we have listed 197 named parks, forests, and green spaces, including Waldthausenpark, Universitätsviertel, Elisenplatz, Stadtgarten Essen, Stadtgarten. A leash requirement applies in most of them.
Do I have to keep my dog on a leash in the park?
In public parks, a leash requirement usually applies under the local park bylaws, and in forests, state forest and hunting laws mostly require a leash as well. If you want your dog to run free, a designated dog meadow is the right place.
What is the breeding and nesting season, and what does it mean for dogs?
The breeding and nesting season (Brut- und Setzzeit) runs roughly from March 1 to July 15, when birds are nesting and wild animals are raising their young. Several German states tighten leash requirements in forests and fields during this time. Staying on paths and keeping your dog close on a short leash is a good idea during these months, even where it is not explicitly required.
More in Essen
Parks and Forests in Other Cities
Last updated: October 2026. Location data based on © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), curated and supplemented by Souldog. Information about the legal situation is a general overview and does not replace legal advice; on-site signage and local ordinances take precedence. Whether a place allows dogs can change; when in doubt, call ahead.