Dog-friendly Apex: two fenced dog parks ($30 a year for residents), the 10-foot leash rule, greenways, Paws and Rec events and patios that welcome dogs.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts come from the Town of Apex dog parks page, Paws and Rec page, the Apex Code of Ordinances and businesses’ own websites.
Apex has two fenced dog parks, more than 22 miles of town greenway open to leashed dogs, a new town events series for dogs and their owners, and a downtown coffee house that invites you to bring the dog. Here are the places and the rules. Questions about dog park passes go to the John M. Brown Community Center at 919-249-3402; loose or dangerous dogs go to Wake County Animal Services or, in an emergency, 911.
Leash rules in one line
Off your own property, an Apex dog must be on a leash no longer than 10 feet, and you must pick up its waste and carry a bag to do it. (Apex Code, Sections 4-1 and 4-2)
The leash and waste rules
Apex adopted the Wake County Animal Control Ordinance as its own in 1994, and Section 4-2 of the town code defines when a dog is “under restraint” inside town limits. A dog is under restraint only if it is:
- On its owner’s property and controlled by a chain, leash or similar device
- Off the owner’s property on a leash no longer than 10 feet
- In a secure vehicle, a secure enclosure or the owner’s home
Any other dog is “at large.” Section 4-1 requires anyone walking a dog on public property, in a park or on a right-of-way to pick up the waste immediately and to carry a bag or container for it; a violation is a misdemeanor. State law separately bars letting a dog over six months old run at large at night without its owner (N.C. General Statute 67-12).
In town parks, Section 15-7 allows dogs subject to these rules, except where signs say no pets, and bans exercising pets on athletic fields, courts and playgrounds. Throwing objects for dogs to fetch is also barred where it endangers other park users.
The dog parks
From the town’s dog parks page:
| Hunter Street Park | Apex Nature Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 1250 Ambergate Station | 2600 Evans Road |
| Hours | 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., year-round | 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., year-round |
| Monthly maintenance closure | 2nd Tuesday, 7 a.m. to noon | 2nd Thursday, 7 a.m. to noon |
Both are fenced and lighted, with separate small and large dog sections, shade structures, water fountains and waste stations. The gates stay locked; you need a key card.
- Annual pass: $30 for one dog or $50 for multiple dogs for Apex residents; $60 or $100 for nonresidents. One key card opens both parks; extra cards are $10.
- Apply with the town’s online form (up to two dogs per form) or in person at the John M. Brown Community Center, 53 Hunter St. Bring proof of rabies vaccination, on paper or on your phone.
- Rules: no dogs under 6 months old, and no more than two dogs per adult at a time.
The town’s Rainbow Bridge on the Beaver Creek Greenway, behind the Beaver Creek complex past Target in the Beckett Crossing neighborhood, is a place to remember pets; visitors attach a collar to the rails.
Trails and greenways
Every Apex greenway lists walking leashed dogs as a permitted use. Greenways are open from sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Good dog walks include the paved loop around Lake Pine in Apex Community Park, the Beaver Creek Greenway from Kelly Road Park and the American Tobacco Trail. See our walking and biking trails guide for distances and parking.
Paws and Rec events
The town’s Paws and Rec series runs seasonal events for dogs and owners:
- Spooky Tails, 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, Apex Nature Park: vendors, trail walks and a dog costume contest
- Love Your Pup: Paint Your Pet Evening, February 2027
- UltiMutt Dog Egg Hunt, March 2027, free for dog park pass holders
- Dog Mom Mini Fest, May 7, 2027
- Summer Social, June 2027, with water activities
Dogs at these events must be vaccinated, including for rabies, and stay on a non-retractable leash no longer than six feet; owners sign the town’s waiver.
Patios and shops
- Common Grounds Coffee House and Desserts, 219 N. Salem St., invites guests to grab a table out front and bring the dog. Open every day, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (website).
- Apex Farmers Market, Saturdays at The Depot, 220 N. Salem St.: see our farmers markets guide for market rules.
Businesses with a dog-friendly patio can send us a link to their own policy at hello@peakcitynews.com.
Related: parks and trails, kids’ activities and free things to do.
Frequently asked questions
What is the leash law in Apex?
Off the owner’s property, a dog in Apex must be on a leash no longer than 10 feet, under Section 4-2 of the town code, which adopts the Wake County animal control ordinance. Owners must also pick up waste and carry a bag.
How much is an Apex dog park pass?
An annual pass is $30 for one dog or $50 for multiple dogs for Apex residents, and $60 or $100 for nonresidents. One key card opens both dog parks; extra cards are $10.
Where are the dog parks in Apex?
Hunter Street Park, 1250 Ambergate Station, and Apex Nature Park, 2600 Evans Road. Both are fenced and lighted, with separate small and large dog areas, and open 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Are dogs allowed on Apex greenways?
Yes. The town lists walking leashed dogs as a use on its greenways, which are open from sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Can I bring my dog to a playground or ball field in Apex?
No. The town code bans exercising pets on athletic fields, courts and playgrounds in public parks, and pets are barred from any area posted as no pets.
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