Dog-friendly Manassas: Lucky's Dog Park at Dean Park, 40 miles of battlefield trails (6-foot leash), dog licenses ($5 or $10) and the city's animal rules.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Manassas Lucky’s Dog Park, Animal Control and dog license pages, the National Park Service and Historic Manassas Inc.

Manassas has one fenced dog park, Lucky’s Dog Park at Dean Park, and more than 40 miles of dog-friendly trails next door at Manassas National Battlefield Park, where dogs walk on a leash. Dogs over four months old need a city license. To report a loose or dangerous dog, call the police Communications Center, 703-257-8000; Animal Control Services, 703-257-8009.

What this means for you

  • Fenced dog park: Lucky’s Dog Park, 9501 Dean Park Lane.
  • Battlefield: dogs welcome on every trail on a leash of 6 feet or less.
  • License: $5 spayed or neutered, $10 intact; renew by Dec. 31.
  • Farmers market: pets are not allowed, except trained service animals.

Lucky’s Dog Park

Lucky’s Dog Park is inside Dean Park near the Boys and Girls Club, 9501 Dean Park Lane. The city lists:

  • One area for big dogs and one for small dogs
  • Water fountains for dogs and people, benches, walking paths and landscaping
  • Two shade umbrellas and a paw washing station, added after park users asked for them
  • Dog waste stations and trash and recycling cans
  • A stone-dust surface, chosen because it drains well and is accessible; a yard hydrant can cool and settle it in summer

Expect the park to close twice a year, in spring and fall, while the surface is groomed and topped up. The park is named for Lucky, the dog in the children’s book All Aboard for Manassas: A Dog’s Tale, sold at Echoes, the Manassas Museum Store.

Trails for dogs

  • Manassas National Battlefield Park, just north of the city: more than 40 miles of trails, open dawn to dusk, free. Dogs are allowed on all trails on a leash no longer than 6 feet, according to the Park Service. Blue blazes mark hiking trails; yellow blazes are horse trails, so expect riders.
  • City parks with walking trails: Dean Park, Byrd Park, Oakenshaw Park, Kinsley Mill Park, Stonewall Park and Nelson Park, according to the city’s parks page.
  • Cannon Branch Fort, 10611 Gateway Blvd.: wooded trails around an 1864 Union earthwork.
  • Liberia House and Grounds, 8601 Portner Ave.: nature trails.

Distances and trailheads are in our walking and biking trails guide.

Leash rules and the city code

The city’s animal control ordinances are in Chapter 18 of the Manassas City Code, which the police department links from its Animal Control page (read the City Code). Virginia law lets cities ban dogs from running at large, meaning off the owner’s property and not under the owner’s immediate control (Va. Code § 3.2-6538). Check the City Code for the exact leash rule before letting a dog off leash anywhere but the dog park.

Other city rules cited by Animal Control:

  • Licenses are required for dogs over four months old; new residents have 30 days. Tags must be on the collar whenever the dog is off your property. Failing to license is a Class 4 misdemeanor with a fine of up to $250.
  • Rabies vaccination is required by state law and city ordinance 18-31.
  • Feeding stray animals outdoors is unlawful under city ordinance 18-9 if it causes unsanitary conditions or attracts wildlife.

Dog licenses

Dog Annual license
Spayed or neutered $5 (proof required)
Intact $10
Service dogs No license required

Every application needs a current rabies certificate from a veterinarian. Licenses expire Dec. 31 and go on sale in December. Buy one in person or by mail from the City of Manassas Treasurer’s Office, P.O. Box 512, Manassas, VA 20108; details on the city’s dog license page.

Adopting a dog

The city’s Animal Adoption Center, 10039 Dean Drive, phone 703-257-2420, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is closed Sundays and most holidays. Adoption is $20, plus $100 to spay or neuter a dog; every adopted dog is vaccinated for rabies, distemper and parvo, according to the center. Adoptable animals are posted on Petfinder.

Patios and events

  • Farmers market: Historic Manassas Inc. says pets are not allowed at the market, except trained, certified service animals.
  • Restaurant patios: whether dogs are welcome on a patio is each restaurant’s call; ask before you sit down. Monza on Battle Street, for one, advertises a patio and yard.
  • Anything’s PAWSible Festival and 5K on the Manassas Museum lawn: the 4th annual was Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Related: parks and trails, kids’ activities and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a dog park in Manassas?

Yes. Lucky’s Dog Park is inside Dean Park near the Boys and Girls Club at 9501 Dean Park Lane. It has separate areas for big and small dogs, water fountains for dogs and people, shade umbrellas and a paw washing station.

Can I take my dog on the Manassas battlefield trails?

Yes. Dogs are allowed on all trails at Manassas National Battlefield Park on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Do I need a dog license in Manassas?

Yes. The city requires a license for dogs over four months old. It costs $5 for a spayed or neutered dog and $10 for an intact dog, needs a rabies certificate and expires Dec. 31 each year.

Who do I call about a loose or dangerous dog in Manassas?

Call the Manassas City Police Communications Center at 703-257-8000. Animal Control Services is at 703-257-8009, Monday to Saturday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.