Dog parks at Academy Street and Cornelius Road parks, leashed walks at Lake Norman State Park, and Mooresville's park rule: a 6-foot leash except in off-leash areas.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Rules come from the Town of Mooresville’s park ordinance (Chapter 17 of the town code, Sec. 17-19, “Animals and Pets”), its standard park rules and parks list, and N.C. State Parks’ Lake Norman State Park page. Venue pet policies come from each venue’s own website.

Mooresville has two town dog parks, at Academy Street Park and Cornelius Road Park, and Lake Norman State Park north of town welcomes leashed dogs on its trails. In every town park, the rule is the same: a leash no longer than 6 feet, except inside a marked off-leash area. Parks and Recreation: 704-663-7026.

Who to call

  • Parks and Recreation (park rules, lost and found): 704-663-7026
  • Police non-emergency (loose or dangerous dogs in town): 704-664-3311
  • Lake Norman State Park: 704-528-6350

Dog parks

From the town’s parks list:

Park Address Size Also there
Academy Street Park 601 S. Academy St. 2 acres Basketball, picnic shelter, playground
Cornelius Road Park 247 Cornelius Road 79 acres Disc golf, tennis and pickleball, fields, a 1-mile walking trail, playground

Dogs may run off leash only inside the designated off-leash area, and must stay under the immediate supervision and control of a responsible person, the ordinance says.

The leash rules in town parks

Under Sec. 17-19 of the town’s park ordinance:

  • Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under your immediate personal supervision and control.
  • No pets in enclosed park buildings, except service animals or as part of an authorized program.
  • No pets in pools or water play areas, or on the land next to them, without written permission from the director. Pets may not go into any natural or built body of water except where the town allows it.
  • Carry bags and pick up after your dog. Put waste in a trash can, or take it with you if there is no can.
  • Pets must wear current rabies and inoculation tags.
  • A pet that is not under control, or that causes a disturbance, can be removed from the park.

Town parks are open sunrise to sunset unless posted otherwise. The park rules sign adds that pets must be on a leash no more than 6 feet long and that pet waste goes in the cans provided.

Walks and trails

  • Lake Norman State Park, 759 State Park Road, Troutman: 38 miles of hiking trail; day use is free. Pets must be on an attended leash of no more than 6 feet at all times and are not allowed on the swim beach, inside buildings or in camper cabins.
  • Mazeppa Park, 645 Mazeppa Road: 2 miles of walking trail.
  • Bellingham Park, 1600 Bellingham Drive, and Cornelius Road Park: 1-mile walking trails.

More in our walking and biking trails guide.

Where dogs cannot go

  • Town festivals in Liberty Park: the town’s prohibited-items lists for Symphony Under the Stars and Bands, Brews & BBQ bar pets (service animals allowed).
  • Lazy 5 Ranch: no pets.
  • Carrigan Farms open swim: no pets.
  • High Branch Brewing: its FAQ says pets are not allowed inside its tap rooms.

Patios

We list a restaurant or bar as dog-friendly only when the business says so on its own website. None of the downtown venues we checked on Oct. 11 advertised a dog-friendly patio. Owners can send their pet policy through our contact page.

Dog events

The Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival in Huntersville, about 12 miles south, welcomes dogs; in 2026 it runs Nov. 14-15. Details in our fall festivals guide.

What this means for you

  • Use Academy Street or Cornelius Road parks for off-leash play.
  • Everywhere else in town parks, keep a leash of 6 feet or less.
  • Leave dogs home for splash pads, the pool and Liberty Park festivals.

More: parks and trails and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the dog parks in Mooresville?

The town lists dog parks at Academy Street Park, 601 S. Academy St., and Cornelius Road Park, 247 Cornelius Road. Dogs may be off leash only inside those designated areas.

Do dogs have to be on a leash in Mooresville parks?

Yes. The town’s park ordinance requires pets to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under the owner’s control, except in areas marked as off-leash.

Are dogs allowed at Lake Norman State Park?

Yes, on an attended leash no longer than 6 feet. Pets are not allowed on the swim beach, inside buildings or in camper cabins, N.C. State Parks says.

Can I bring my dog to the splash pad in Mooresville?

No. The town’s park ordinance bars pets from pools and water play areas and from the land next to them, except service animals with the director’s written permission.