Take Your Four-Legged Friends to These NJ Dog Parks

August is National Dog Month, and August 26 is International Dog Day, so it’s a great chance for you and the kids to venture to a local dog park and let your pup off-leash to have some playtime with other dogs. Here are some of our favorites around the state:

Atlantic County
Egg Harbor Township Dog Park
2 Swift Dr., Egg Harbor Twp.
Open daily dawn to dusk
Members have access to the dog park via key fobs that allow entry to the park. Memberships include two dogs per family. Additional dogs are an extra yearly fee. All dogs must have a valid rabies vaccine certificate.

Margate City Dog Park
North Brunswick Drive, Margate City
Open daily from 9 am to dusk
Margate City Dog Park is a community dog park maintained by the City of Margate for the residents of Margate, Ventnor and Long Port on Absecon Island. There is a fenced-in, off-leash park where well-behaved canine citizens can exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property or wildlife, according to its Mission Statement.

Bergen County

Ridgewood Bark Park
Part of Saddle River County Park
Wild Duck Pond Area, 1173 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
The dog run is located near the pond and at the beginning of the bike path. Aside from the dog run, enjoy the comfort station, pavilion, comfort area and playground at the park.

Sam Nelkin County Park
Rose Street, Wallington
The dog run is near the bowling alley, just off the walking path. There is also a large playground and tennis courts in the area.

Burlington County

Laurel Acres Park
1045 S. Church St., Mt. Laurel
Enjoy the dog run, stay for lunch at the picnic pavilion, go fish by the lake, climb over the playgrounds, job along the nature trail – or in the winter, sled down the designated hill.

Swede Run Fields Dog Park
735 Westfield Rd., Moorestown
The dog park includes fenced in areas for both large and small dogs, separated for safety. There are agility structures so that your pup can work on her physicality or training. A picnic pavilion with tables and seating provide shade and picnicking opportunities for you and your human friends.

Camden County

Timber Creek Dog Park
Chews Landing Road & Taylor Avenue, Blackwood
Nine acres of fenced-in area in the woods will be a delight for your dogs.

Cape May County

Wildwood Dog Park & Beach
Glenwood & Maple avenues
Dog park is open daily; dog beach is open from dawn to dusk. Dogs visiting the Wildwoods area are welcome to join their families on the beach to swim in the ocean or visit the dog park. Fresh water and clean up bags are available on site. Dogs on the beach must remain leashed, and leashes in the park are optional.

Cumberland County

Vineland
Laurel Road across from the Lincoln Avenue entrance to Giampietro Park
Open 6 am to dusk
The park includes an 11,000-square-foot play area for larger dogs and a 6,500-square-foot play area for smaller dogs. Each play area includes an entry corral and is equipped with a dog waste station and seating for dog owners. A pet-friendly water fountain is available outside of the enclosures. No more than two dogs per person are permitted in the park at one time, and puppies must be older than four months. All dogs must be on a leash in the parking area and on the way in and out of the enclosures.

Essex County

Branch Brook Park
Park Avenue & Lake Street, Newark
This is Newark’s first dog park. The 30,000-square-foot dog park is divided into two sections: one for small dogs which is about 11,000 square feet and one for large dogs which is about 19,000 square feet. Both sections have equipment on which the dogs can run and climb. Water fountains for humans and canines were installed. The entrance to the dog park consists of a double fence to prevent unleashed dogs from running away.

Brookdale Dog Park
West Circuit Drive, Bloomfield (Montclair)
Also known as Dog Park at Brookdale, this off-leash facility is part of beautiful Brookdale Park, which in turn is part of the Essex County Parks system. The park has two host communities, Bloomfield and Montclair. There are separate small and large dog areas to keep everyone safe.

Hilltop Dog Park
255 Fairview Ave., Verona
Open 8 am – 6 pm
Visit the Hilltop Reservation, a nature preserve located on the Second Watchung Mountain in the host communities of Cedar Grove, North Caldwell and Verona.

South Mountain Reservation
Cherry Lane, West Orange
This 2,110-acre nature reserve includes the South Mountain Dog Park, trails and the South Mountain Recreation Complex. No puppies less than 4 months old are allowed, nor are children younger than eight.

Watsessing Dog Park
78-88 Locust Ave., Bloomfield (East Orange)
The off-leash dog facility is 19,500 square feet. The fenced-in play area has a stone dust surface, park benches, water fountains for pets and owners, and DogiPot stations with bags and waste receptacles. A dual entrance gate system assures pet owners and their dogs can enter the facility without the dogs running away.

Gloucester County

Gloucester County Dog Park
2401 High Hill Road, Logan Twp.
Open dawn to dusk
The dog park has a water fountain, two gazebos, four dog waste stations and eight benches. The 2.5-acre area on the corner of High Hill and Birch Creek Roads in Logan Township features a small dog park for dogs less than 25 pounds that is .5 acres, and a large dog park which is one acre.

Hudson County

Hoboken
There are several dog runs in Hoboken:

1600 Park (16th St. & Park Ave.)
Church Square Park (Garden St. between 4th St. & 5th St.)
Elysian Park (Hudson St. between 10th St. & 11th St.)
Harborside Park (Park Ave. near 15th St.)
Maxwell Park (Sinatra Drive N near 11th St.)
Shipyard Park (Sinatra Drive N near 13th St. – private dog run for residents only)
Stevens Park (Hudson St. between 4th St. & 5th St.)
Under the 14th Street Viaduct (14th St & Madison St.) – Hudson County Park

Timulty Park Dog Run
Ogden Avenue & Cuneo Place, Jersey City
This dog run inside a small park gives Jersey City Heights residents a place to relax with their pups.

Hunterdon County

Hillcrest Park
Hillcrest Road, Readington Twp.
The park has a fenced-in, off-leash dog area, in addition to multi-purpose fields, a playground, concession stands and restrooms.

Horseshoe Bend Park
178 Horseshoe Bend Road, Kingswood Twp.
The park has a fenced-in, off-leash dog area.

Hunterdon County Off-Leash Dog Area
314 Route 12, Flemington
Open dawn to dusk
Puppies younger than 6 months old are not allowed. Please note when visiting, there are no restroom facilities available.

Mercer County

Mercer County Park Dog Park
West Windsor
There is one dog park for small dogs and another for large dogs. Also have fun at the athletic fields, ice skating center, tennis center, cross country track, boat house and marina, sand volleyball courts and cricket pitches.

Rosedale Dog Park
Pennington
The dog park has separate areas for large and small dogs.

West Windsor Community Park Dog Parks
The 123-acre Community Park is the main active recreational facility in the township. The park includes a playground, walking-jogging paths, two basketball courts, two dog parks, a skate park, two tennis courts, two pickleball courts and is home to the West Windsor Water Works Family Aquatic Center.

Middlesex County

Heavenly Farms
440 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick
Bring the pup to the dog park, and stay for the bike trail, disc golf, football, lacrosse or soccer.

North Brunswick Dog Park
Community Park, 2051 Route 130, North Brunswick
Open daily from 8 am to sunset
Let your dog off-leash as long as he or she is older than 4 months old. No more than two dogs per person are allowed on a single visit. Small training treats for dogs are allowed, but no food bowls. Humans cannot smoke or eat at the park.

Rocky Top Dog Park
3086 Route 27, South Brunswick
Open daily from dawn to dusk
The 3-acre wooded space owned by South Brunswick Township includes one fenced-in area for small dogs and two fenced in areas for all other dogs. Dogs must be 6 months or older. Males must be neutered and females in heat are not permitted. Membership required.

Thompson Park
Forsgate Drive, Monroe
Aside from the dog park, there is an animal haven, sports fields, disc golf course, fishing on the lake, gazebo and picnic groves, volleyball nets, hiking trails and handball courts.

Monmouth County

Thompson Grove Park
Thompson Grove Road, Manalapan
Open from dawn to dusk
No puppies under 4 months old are allowed. They can play in the field, go down by the water or walk along the trails.

Thompson Park
805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft
Open daily from 8 am to dusk
The 1.5-acre off-leash area consists of a 1¼-acre area for dogs over 35 pounds and a ¼-acre small dog area for dogs that weigh 35 pounds 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 Pl., Oceanport
Open daily from 8 am to dusk
This off-leash dog area combines an area for dogs of all sizes as well as a smaller area for dogs 35 pounds or less. The area features two concrete patios with sheltered picnic tables while the small dog area includes one concrete patio with sheltered picnic area. Dog waste bags and garbage cans can be found in both areas. This site features portable toilets near the parking lot. There is ample parking located next to the area off of Crescent Place.

Morris County

Cameron Dog Park
South Beverwyck Road, just south of Route 80, Parsippany
There is an area set aside for dogs and their owners to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment. There are separate fenced-in areas for small dogs and large dogs. Dog drinking fountains are provided in both areas. Permits are required.

Ocean County

Freedom Fields County Park
1160 Route 539, Little Egg Harbor Twp.
Open from 8 am to a half-hour before the park’s closing time
Dogs must be at least 6 months old to play. The area is an off-leash facility.

Ocean County Park
659 Ocean Ave., Lakewood
Open from 8 am to a half-hour before the park’s closing time
Dogs must be at least 6 months old to play. The area is an off-leash facility.

Robert J. Miller Air Park
901 Route 530, Berkeley Township
Open from 8 am to a half-hour before the park’s closing time
Dogs must be at least 6 months old to play. The area is an off-leash facility.

Passaic County

Friends & Family Park Dog Park
868 Black Oak Ridge Road, Wayne
Open 8 am to dusk
A maximum of two dogs per person is allowed. Dogs must be at least 6 months old. There is also a large children’s playground and water fountains on-site.

Salem County

Nick Mowers Dog Park
Industrial Park Road & Riviera Drive, Pennsville
Not just a dog park, the community holds 5Ks and produces sales to benefit the park.

Somerset County

Colonial Park
Off Mettlers Road; access via the same driveway as the Spooky Brook Golf Maintenance area
Dogs and their owners may visit the three-acre (530-foot by 250-foot) fenced area, in which dogs are free to roam and play. This area includes a one-acre small dog area for dogs that weigh less than 25 pounds.

East County Park
40 Reinman Road, Warren
There is a leash-free dog area in the park.

Skillman Park
Main Boulevard (Route 601) Skillman/Montgomery Twp.
There is a leash-free dog area in the park.

Sussex County

Wantage Dog Park
128 Route 628
Open dawn to dusk
The recreational facility is for friendly canines and their owners to enjoy at no cost, regardless of where they reside. The more than 8-acre fenced park provides space for dogs to run off-leash, interact with other dogs and people, and enjoy freedom. Toys are provided.

Union County

Echo Lake Dog Park
Mountain or Springfield avenues, Mountainside
The dog park covers almost 3 acres, with fenced areas set aside for large and smaller dogs. It is accessible for people with disabilities with designated parking areas and sloped paths. Please note that a portion of the dog park had been closed earlier this year for reseeding and minor improvements.

Warinanco Dog Park
1 Park Dr., Roselle, next to the Warinanco Sports Center (formerly the Ice Skating Center)
Parking is available on-site and across the street on Park Drive.

Warren County

Blairstown Dog Park
Lambert Road, Blairstown
With a land donation from the township, the Blairstown Dog Park is a large, 1-acre fenced-in area where people can bring their dogs to socialize and run off leash. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, it is completely funded and run by volunteers and generous donations. Open to anyone, members must first complete a membership form and show proof of license and vaccines. A membership fee also applies.