Dog Parks and Dog Walks in Taupō
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around Taupō, with the council's rules for each.
In Taupō, dogs must be on a leash in all public places, and can only run off leash in the council's dog exercise areas and the rural environment. From 1 December to 31 March, dogs are banned from the Taupō lakefront and several lake beaches between 9am and 7pm, and Acacia Bay North beach is dog free all year. 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
Dog parks (2)
Spa Park fenced dog exercise area
Off leash Fenced DirectionsWalks and reserves (25)
Great Lake Pathway
On leashLakefront path; stays open to leashed dogs during the summer lakefront ban.
Directions Read the guideMangakino Recreational Reserve
Off leashOnly the part south of Lake Road between Lake Maraetai and the golf course.
Directions Read the guideSpa Thermal Park
Off leashDog exercise area, except the children's play equipment area. Riverside tracks lead from the park towards Huka Falls.
Directions Read the guideAratiatia Rapids Lookout Walk
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
Directions Read the guideKawakawa Bay tracks
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
Directions Read the guideOpepe walks
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
Directions Read the guideTongariro River Trail
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
Directions Read the guideWhakaipo Bay tracks
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
Directions Read the guideControl Gates Reserve
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area; dogs must stay under control.
DirectionsGrassed area beside Turangi Park
Off leashBetween Turangi Park and the houses between Aonini Road and Wharekaihua Grove.
DirectionsHarakeke Drive Stormwater Gully
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsHawai Street Reserve
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsKimberley Reserve
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsKinloch Marina Terrace Reserve
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsKuratau Lakeshore Recreation Reserve
Off leashFrom the cliff top to Ihaia Road, but not on the beach.
DirectionsLakeshore Recreation Reserve, Pihanga Road to Motutaiko Street
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsPukawa South Recreation Reserve (Pukawa Common)
Some rulesNot between the road and the lake. No dogs: Pukawa Esplanade Reserve (No dogs at any time).
DirectionsSeccombe Park
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsStormwater gully between Acacia Bay Road and Reeves Road
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsTamatea Water Reserve
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsTaupahi Road Reserve
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area beside the Tongariro River.
DirectionsTe Rangiita/Waitetoko Lakeside Reserve
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsTitoki Water Reserve
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsWaipapa Reserve
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsWhareroa Esplanade Reserve (Kowhai Flats)
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area beside Lake Taupō.
DirectionsBeaches (7)
Kinloch Esplanade Reserve beach
On leash Seasonal rulesNo dogs 9am to 7pm, 1 December to 31 March
Directions Read the guideTwo Mile Bay beach
On leash Seasonal rulesTwo Mile Bay Reserve and beach; the walkway stays open.
No dogs 9am to 7pm, 1 December to 31 March
Directions Read the guideBeach from Mapou Road to Kowhai Road
On leash Seasonal rulesThe walkway stays open.
No dogs 9am to 7pm, 1 December to 31 March
DirectionsHatepe Esplanade Reserve
On leash Seasonal rulesNo dogs 9am to 7pm, 1 December to 31 March
DirectionsKuratau lakeshore (Kuratau River mouth to Motutaiko Street)
Some rules Seasonal rulesSeasonal ban from the river mouth to Motutaiko Street. The Kuratau beach is excluded from the nearby off-leash exercise area, so dogs are on leash there.
No dogs 9am to 7pm, 1 December to 31 March
DirectionsTaupō Lakefront Reserve beach
On leash Seasonal rulesBelow the embankment from the Lake Terrace pump station to the Sea Scouts building.
No dogs 9am to 7pm, 1 December to 31 March (access road and Great Lake Pathway excepted)
DirectionsWharewaka beach
On leash Seasonal rulesWharewaka Reserve and beach from below Kohatu Parade to Wharewaka Point; the walkway stays open.
No dogs 9am to 7pm, 1 December to 31 March
DirectionsNo dogs (23)
Arataki Track
No dogsDOC: Only with a DOC permit.
DirectionsBoyd, Oamaru and Cascade Hut tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsHauhungaroa Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsKetemaringi Route
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsKiko Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsMount Pureora from Link Road
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsMount Pureora via Toitoi Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMt Titiraupenga Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsNgapuketurua Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsRimu Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsRotopounamu Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideTe Hapua Bay Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsTongariro Alpine Crossing
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideTongariro Northern Circuit
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideTree Trunk Gorge tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
Directions Read the guideWaihora Lagoon Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsWaipakihi Middle Range Route
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsWaipapa Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsAC Baths and Hot Pools
No dogsAll times.
DirectionsAcacia Bay North beach
No dogsNo dogs at any time. Acacia Bay North beach area: All times.
DirectionsMangakino Community Pool
No dogsAll times.
DirectionsTurangi Town Centre shopping mall
No dogsAll times.
DirectionsTurtle Pools, Tūrangi
No dogsAll times.
DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashThe council's dog exercise areas only, such as Spa Thermal Park (not the play area), the fenced area at Spa Park on County Ave, Control Gates Reserve, Kimberley Reserve, Tamatea and Titoki Water Reserves, Kinloch Marina Terrace Reserve, Waipapa Reserve in Tūrangi and part of Mangakino Recreational Reserve. Dogs can also be off leash in the rural environment.
On a leashAll other public places in Taupō, Kinloch, Acacia Bay, Tūrangi, Mangakino and the southern settlements, including the Great Lake Pathway and lake beaches outside the summer bans. Always carry a leash.
No dogsAcacia Bay North beach, Pukawa Esplanade Reserve, AC Baths and Hot Pools, Turtle Pools in Tūrangi, the Turangi Town Centre shopping mall and Mangakino Community Pool. Also all council sports fields and courts, and children's play areas.
Summer and seasonal rules1 December to 31 March, 9am to 7pm: no dogs on the Taupō Lakefront Reserve (the access road and Great Lake Pathway stay open), Two Mile Bay, the beach from Mapou Road to Kowhai Road and Wharewaka (walkways stay open), Kinloch Esplanade Reserve, Hatepe Esplanade Reserve, and the Kuratau lakeshore from the river mouth to Motutaiko Street.
Taupō District Council dog exercise and restricted areas
Dog services in Taupō
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in Taupō?
Yes. The council lists a fenced dog exercise area at Spa Park on County Ave. The off-leash area at Spa Thermal Park nearby has shade, seating, a dog water fountain and dog bags.
Can I take my dog to the Taupō lakefront?
On a leash, except from 1 December to 31 March between 9am and 7pm, when dogs aren't allowed on the Lakefront Reserve from the Lake Terrace pump station to the Sea Scouts building. The Great Lake Pathway and the access road stay open to dogs on a leash all year.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Taupō?
Yes, in all public places. They can only be off leash, under control, in the council's dog exercise areas and the rural environment.
Sources: Taupō District Council; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.