New Jersey Dog Friendly Attractions; Parks, Beaches, and Trails

New Jersey Dog Friendly Attractions

Getting out with your dog for some healthy fresh air and exercise can add so much to the enjoyment of an outing.

Especially when you know your pet is welcome and the facilities have the amenities that can be enjoyed by both you and you pet .

Most New Jersey beaches prohibit dogs during the peak summer season. However, we have identified many special purpose beaches that permit dogs on the beach year round.

North Jersey Dog Friendly Attractions

Fairwiew Farm Wildlife Preserve
2121 Larger Cross Road
Bedminster, NJ
908-234-1852
Website
A dog friendly park with no picnic tables or play areas with an interest in preserving, educating, protecting, and providing a quality nature experience for wildlife inhabitants. Dogs are welcome here; they must be leashed and cleaned up after at all times. Dogs are allowed throughout the park and on the trails, they are not allowed in the ponds. A maximum of 2 dogs allowed per dog owner.

Great Falls National Park
McBride Avenue
Paterson, NJ
973-279-9587
This 89 acre National Historic Site Park with a rich cultural and industrial history, trails, and a 77+ foot waterfall. Dogs must be under their owner's control, leashed, and cleaned up after at all times. Dogs are not allowed in buildings.
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Hacklebarney State Park
119 Hacklebarney Rd
Long Valley, NJ
908-638-6969
Website
A long stone staircase brings visitors into this 978 acre glacial valley with gorges carved from the Black River, steep ravines covered in hard-wood forests, rare plants and animals, miles of trails, and a variety of land and water recreation. Dogs are allowed throughout the park and on the trails, and must be leashed and cleaned up after at all times.

Hasenclever Iron Trail
1304 Sloatsburg Road
Ringwood State Park
Ringwood, NJ
973-962-7031
Website
A trail that connecting Ringwood and Skylands State Parks. Dogs are allowed on the trail. They must be on no more than a 6 foot leash and cleaned up after at all times.

Long Pond Ironworks Historic District
1304 Sloatsburg Road
Ringwood State Park
Ringwood, NJ
973-962-7031
Website
A 175 acre historical district with natural beauty and historical example of pre-independence ironworks plantations. Dogs must be under their owner's control and cleaned up after at all times.

Morristown National Historical Park
Tempe Wick Road
Morristown, NJ
973-539-2016
Website
27 miles of foot and horse trails, the beginning of a 2 mile auto loop tour, and a visitor center at the Jockey Hollow area of this park that marks the winter-quarters for the Continental Army during a rather harsh weather period. Dogs are allowed on the grounds and on the trails, and must be on no more than a 6 foot leash and cleaned up after at all times.

Shakespeare Garden-Cedar Brook Park
Park Pemberton and Park Avenues
Plainfield, NJ
908-753-3000
Website
A 1920's garden containing a bust of Shakespeare along with plants that were cited in his works. Dogs are allowed throughout the park and on the trails, and must be leashed and cleaned up after at all times.

Silas Condict County Park
William Lewis Arthur Drive
Kinnelon, NJ
973-326-7600
Website
A year round with over 1,000 acres of activities and recreation for every age. Dogs are allowed and must be under their owner's control, leashed, and cleaned up after.

South Mountain Reservation
112 Glenview Rd
South Orange, NJ
973-268-3500
Website
They have a very large dog park with areas for both small and large dogs with some agility course features.

Watchung Reservation/Trailside Nature & Science Center
452 New Providence Road
Mountainside, NJ
908-789-3670
Website
A this 1,900+ acre park with a rich cultural history has many hiking and riding trails with a playground, picnic areas, stables, a trailside nature center, and a visitor center as well. Dogs are allowed throughout the park and on the trail sand must be under their owner's control, leashed, and cleaned up after at all times.

Wawayanda State Park
885 Warwick Turnpike
Hewitt, NJ
973-853-4462
Website
More than 34,000 acres,with a natural 2,167 acre swamp area and more than 60 miles of marked trails (including a piece of the Appalachian Trail), a beautiful lake surrounded by forested hills, and a variety of land and water recreation. Dogs must be well behaved, leashed, cleaned up after, and owners are responsible for them at all times.

Central Jersey Dog Friendly Attractions

8th Ave Dog Beach
8th Ave and Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park, NJ
Website
During the summer season, dogs are allowed between the hours of 6:00pm and 8:30am. and during the off season, October 1st through May 15th, dogs are permitted all day.

Angela Hibbard Park
616 Drum Point Road
Brick Township, NJ
Website
The park contains two areas for dogs – one for small dogs and one for large dogs. The park also has a playground for children ages 2-5, a second playground for children ages 6-12, a basketball court, a pickleball court, plus a perimeter walking trail.

Double Trouble State Park
Bayville, NJ
732-341-6662
Website
The park features fishing, hiking trails, Cedar swamps, cranberry, bogs, picnicking, and more. This an old cranberry farm with a historical village for touring. Dogs on leash are allowed on the state park grounds.

Fisherman's Cove Conservation Area
391 Third Avenue
Manasquan, NJ
Website
On the Manasquan Inlet, at the beginning of the Inter coastal waterway on the eastern seaboard. Dog owners can enjoy the front (east) portion of the beach

Island Beach State Park
Route 35
Seaside Park, NJ
732-793-0506
Website
Home to diverse wildlife and maritime plant life, and with a variety of land and water activities and 8 interesting trails. During the winter months, dogs are allowed on all of the beaches, but must be on a 6 foot or less leash, however dogs are not allowed on the Spizzle Creek Bird Blind Trail at any time of year.

Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve Trail
Mountain Ave and Great Rd
Park entrance is on Mountain avenue, east of Route 206 Bayard Lane).
Princeton, NJ
Website
A dog friendly picturesque hiking trail on a 2.2 mile loop trail with a variety of activity options open year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.

Raritan Dog Park
Corner of Tilman and First Avenue
Raritan, NJ
Website
A gated park, open from dawn to dusk. Dog owners should go to Boro Hall to show that their dog is licensed, vaccinated and spayed or neutered. Then the Borough will issue a key code that will open the lock on the gate at the park.

Sandy Hook (Gateway National Park)
(732) 872-5970
128 South Hartshorne Drive
Highlands, NJ
Website
Gateway National Park at Sandy Hook is a 'dog friendly' beach on the Inlet side of the Hook but your dogs must be leashed at all times
The Sandy Hook Bay side of the park is ideal pets. Leashed dogs are allowed year-round at Plum Island and Horseshoe Cove. 5 am to 10 pm.

Thompson Park Off-Leash Dog Area
805 Newman Springs Road.
Lincroft, NJ
Website
7am to dusk.
This complex includes two dog areas. a 1 1/4 acre area for dogs over 35 lbs and a 1/4 acre “small dog area” for dogs that weigh 35 lbs or less. Visitors are to park in the Three Barns parking lot located adjacent to the off-leash area. Water is available at this site and toilets are located in the nearby Creative Arts Center.

Wolf Hill Recreation Area
3 Crescent Place,
Oceanport, NJ
Website
7 am to dusk.
This dog-friendly park near the Long Branch oceanfront has two off-leash areas. Its a 4-acre area for dogs of all sizes as well as an area for dogs weighing 35 lbs. or less. Dog waste bags and garbage cans can be found in both dog areas and there are portable toilets near the parking lot. There’s also a patio with sheltered picnic tables

South Jersey Dog Friendly Attractions

The Absecon lighthouse
31 S. Rhode Island Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ
Awesome views from atop New Jersey's tallest lighthouse with a two-acre lawn. Leashed pets are welcome.
New Jersey's tallest and one of the nations oldest lighthouses is located in the northern tip of Atlantic City.
Learn more

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park Beaches
Broadway and the Bay Barnegat Light
New Jersey 08006
609-494-2016
Website
A lighthouse with great views and a beach where dogs are allowed on the park and beaches from August 16 through April 14. The park has a dual function as ball field & dog park with a double gated entrance. All licensed well behaved dogs are welcome. Dogs must be under their owner's control, leashed, and cleaned up after at all times.
Learn more

Cape May Point State Park
Lighthouse Avenue
Cape May Point, NJ
609-884-2159
Website
Dogs are only allowed on the beach during the off-season, from September 16 to April 14th. Dogs must be on a 6 foot or less leash and people need to clean up after their pets.

Cape May Dog Park
Located on Lafayette Street near the corner of Broad
Cape May, NJ
Website
The dog park has a gazebo, toys, and a water source for when the dogs get thirsty during play. The park is double gated for easier entry and introduction.

Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area
County Road 64
Cape May, NJ
609-628-2103
Website
A 1/2 mile stretch of beach, providing management of migratory wildlife. Dogs on leash and under control are allowed at the beach from September through April. Parking areas near the beach may be closed during the summer. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Historic Cold Spring Village
720 Route 9
Cape May, NJ
Website
A 22-acre, open-air, living-history museum featuring working crafts people in period costumes, 26 restored historic buildings. Leashed pets are welcome.

Longport Dog Beach (Near Ocean City)
Located on the Longport side of the Longport - Ocean City Bridge
Ocean Drive and Route 152
Longport, NJ
Facebook page
This is a beach where dogs are free to roam throughout the year.

Malibu Beach Wildlife Management Center, Egg Harbor Township
Ocean Drive
Longport, NJ
(856) 629-0090
Website
 Malibu Beach permits dogs on the beach all year long. Malibu Beach is a small but beautiful piece of undeveloped beach providing valuable nesting habitat for several threatened and endangered birds. Open daily from 5 AM to 9 PM. Dogs must be kept on leash.

Sunset Beach
Cape May Point, NJ
Famous for it's sunset flag ceremonies and the concrete ship of Atlantus which since 1926 has been "grounded" at Cape May Point. Dog owners are advised that they are to clean up after their dog.
Learn more

The Wildwood Dog Park & Beach
3000 Boardwalk
Between Glenwood and Maple Avenues.
Wildwood, NJ
Website
Dogs are welcome to join their families on the beach to swim in the ocean or visit the dog park.
The Wildwood Dog Park Beach is one of the largest dog beaches in the nation.
Dogs can enjoy the entire area from Glenwood to Maple Avenues plus a large dog park identified by the 30 ft tall fire hydrant!
This year round attraction open daily, and the dog beach is open from dawn to dusk. Use caution and only swim when a lifeguard is present. All rules for the Wildwood Dog Park & Beach are posted at entry and must be followed. Fresh water and clean up bags are available on site. Dogs on the beach must remain leashed, and leashes in the park are optional. Entry to the Wildwood Dog Park & Beach is at the owners risk, please be cautious and courteous to all dogs and visitors.