Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in New York, NY

There are 7 dog-friendly hiking trails in New York. Use the links below to get an overview of each one, see pictures, print directions, and even read reviews from other dog owners. Coming from out of town? Get a discounted rate on pet friendly hotels in New York.

Pet Friendly Central Park
Central Park No trip to New York, NY, with your dog, would be complete without a stroll through Central Park. Pets must remain on-leash in the park except during designated off-leash hours in 23 areas of the park. Off-leash hours are before 9:00 AM and after 9:00 PM. There are over 15 dog fountains throughout the park. Visit the website for specific information on dog-friendly areas. Make sure to always clean up after your pet. See Details
Pet Friendly Inwood Hill Park Trail
Inwood Hill Park Trail Inwood Hill Park Trail is an easy, 2-mile hike that will take about 1 hour to complete with Fido. Moderate slopes offer you and your pup some exercise as you hike through the only natural park on Manhattan Island. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. See Details
Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed and suspension bridge in New York, NY that crosses over the East River and connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you as you admire the views from either side of the paved, dog-friendly pedestrian pathway on the bridge. Ensure you keep Fido close, as the bridge is a popular crossing for commuters. See Details
Empire Trail Empire Trail is a pet-friendly trail in New York. Officially completed on the last day of 2020, it's now the longest, statewide, multi-use trail in the country. The 750-mile pathway will take you and your dog through city centers, quaint villages and hidden gems from New York City through the Hudson River Valley, to Buffalo along the Erie Canal, and north to the Champlain Valley and the Adirondacks. Leashed pups are welcome on the mostly paved pathway. See Details
Thomas Jefferson Park Thomas Jefferson Park in New York, NY, is dog friendly! This community space offers parkgoers many amenities, including sports courts, fitness equipment, athletic fields, a skate park, playgrounds and an off-leash dog run. Pups are welcome to join their owners at this park; just ensure they remain leashed unless within the designated dog run. See Details
Carl Schurz Park Leashed dogs love walking through the pet-friendly Carl Schurz Park in New York, NY. This public recreation space is located along the East River and features a variety of amenities for parkgoers. Fido is welcome to socialize off-leash only when inside a designated dog run located in the park. See Details
Washington Square Park Pargoers and their pups love visiting the pet-friendly Washington Square Park in New York, NY. This community recreation area features an off-leash dog run, playgrounds, spray showers and more. Ensure Fido remains leashed during his visit unless in the dog park. See Details
Sands Point Preserve Bring Fido to walk along the Sand Point Castle or hike up the cliffs at Sands Point Preserve, overlooking the Long Island Sound in San Points, NY. Fido must be leashed at all times. Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time. The Dog Run – also known as Charlie’s Run – offers two large spaces for pups to romp and socialize, one for small dogs and one for dogs of any size. See Details
South Mountain Reservation South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, NJ is dog-friendly. This nature reserve coverers 2,112 acres in portions of Maplewood, Millburn and West Orange. The woodland park features a variety of hardwood trees, and tall hemlocks towering above streams, creeks and ponds. The west branch of the Rahway River flows through the valley, and a 25-foot waterfall at Hemlock Falls is a dramatic feature. It is also a Revolutionary War historic site. Leashed dogs are welcome on trails and the South Mountain Dog Park is located within the Reservation. See Details
Mills Reservation Bring Fido to explore the pet-friendly Mills Reservation in Cedar Grove, NJ. This 157-acre recreation area features trails of varying difficulty for different levels of dogs and hikers. Your leashed pup is welcome to join you, but please remember to clean up after him. See Details
Alley Pond Park Alley Pond Park is a dog-friendly spot in the heart of Oakland Gardens, NY. A beautiful hidden secret of NYC, trade the hustle and bustle of the city for miles of well-maintained trails. This area also has an enclosed dog run to exercise Fido and several designated off-leash areas. Please note your furry friend can only be leash free from when the park opens until 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM until closing. See Details
Liberty State Park Visit the pet-friendly Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. Take a walk around with your pooch and experience the amazing views of New York City and the Statue of Liberty. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times during the visit. See Details
Saxon Woods Park Trail Saxon Woods Park Trail is an easy 2.5-mile hike that will take about 1.25 hours to complete with Fido in Harrison, NY. The southern section of Saxon Woods offers hikers and their pups a gentle pet-friendly walk. Dogs are not allowed in picnic areas and must be leashed at all times. See Details
Piermont Pier This lovely spot was originally the eastern end of the Erie Railroad. Located in the Village of Piermont, NY, the Piermont Pier is open year-round and is popular with dog walkers, joggers, birders and fishermen. During WWII, it was known as "Last Stop USA" because it served as the embarkation point for troops destined for the European theater. Today the pier offers spectacular views of the Hudson River. See Details
Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve Explore the pet-friendly Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve in Franklin Lakes, NJ. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you to explore the various trails at this recreation area, but please remember to clean up after them. See Details
Saddle River County Park Bike Path The Saddle River County Park Bike Path is a multi-use trail that's a great place to walk Fido in Rochelle Park! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Saddle River County Park Bike Path. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com. See Details
Dog Runs at Van Cortlandt Park Van Cortlandt Park in Bronx, NY, has three dog runs where Fido is welcome to explore, socialize and play off-leash. The Canine Court dog run is located on Broadway and 252nd St. Oneida Run is located in the East section between Oneida Ave and E 238th St. The Sackerah Woods Dog Run is located at Gun Hill Rd and Gates Pl. These fenced recreation areas include separate sections for small and large dogs. See Details
High Mountain Park Preserve Visit the pet-friendly High Mountain Park Preserve in North Haledon, NJ. This lovely recreation area is a great place to bring your pup for a hike, offering trails of varying difficulty for different levels of hikers. See Details
Branch Brook Park Visit the pet-friendly Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ. This 360-acre community recreation area features an off-leash dog park, walking trails, tennis courts, softball fields and much more. Your pup must be leashed at all times when not in the dog park. See Details
Rockleigh Woods Sanctuary Check out the pet-friendly Rockleigh Woods Sanctuary in Rockleigh, NJ. This recreation area features more than 200 wooded acres and 4.5 miles of trails. Leashed pups are welcome, but please remember to clean up after them. See Details
New York, NY, US