5 Best Off-leash Dog Parks in New Jersey

You can enjoy several activities with your dog while in New Jersey—from hanging out at the dog park to swimming and hiking. If you’ve recently moved to The Garden State or are planning to visit it with Fido, here are some of the best off-leash areas you should check out.

1) Timber Creek Park

236 Taylor Ave & Chews Landing Road, Blackwood, NJ 08012

Timber Creek Park is a 128-acre park in Lindenwold and Gloucester Township. You’ll find the north branch of Big Timber Creek on one side of the park. There are also cross-country trails, nature trails, and an accessible walking track on-site. 

This Blackwood, New Jersey park is also home to the Timber Creek Dog Park. It’s a 9-acre fenced off-leash area in the woods, with plenty of space for all sorts of canine activities. So if you want to let Fido play and socialize amidst lush greens and beautiful trees, don’t miss a chance to bring him here. 

Water fountains where you can refill your dog’s bowl are available on-site. There are pavilions and parking spaces on-site as well.

2) Goffle Brook Park

675 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, NJ 07506

The off-leash dog park at Goffle Brook Park is set amidst meadows and paved walkways. If you’re looking to take your dog for a long walk, don’t miss a chance to check out this park. You can check out a small duck pond on-site with your dog, but you need to keep him on a leash.

Leashed dogs are also welcome around the rest of the park. There are bike trails, a brook, an art center, and picnic areas on-site. There’s also a hill on-site where you can ride a sleigh in winter.

3) East Brunswick Dog Park

Dunhams Corner Rd, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

You’ll find East Brunswick Dog Park inside Heavenly Farms in East Brunswick. It has excellent hiking trails where you can stroll with your dog. 

If you want to check out the rest of Heavenly Farms, make sure you keep your dog on a leash. Bike trials, a disc golf course, a lacrosse field, a soccer field, and a football field are available on-site. Parking and clean restrooms are also available. 

4) Sirius Dog Park

130 West 1st Street, Bayonne, NJ 07002

You’ll find Sirius Dog Park at Dennis P. Collins Park in Bayonne, New Jersey. It was named after a 4-year-old yellow labrador who worked as a bomb-detecting police dog with the Port Authority. 

The dog park has a synthetic turf carpet that’s easy on your dog’s paws and amenities that will keep Fido busy, like a doggie crawl, a small hoop jump, a teeter-totter, a stepping paws, and a Rover Jump Over. 

You’ll also find a pet drinking fountain and a waste station on-site.

5) Mercer County Park

1638 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550

Over 2,500 acres of space are available at Mercer County Park in New Jersey. It’s home to recreational amenities like an ice skating center, tennis courts, and the Finn Caspersen Rowing Center. 

You’ll also find 17 athletic fields used for soccer, football, lacrosse, Frisbee, and more. There are also several trails nearby where you can go hiking, mountain biking, and jogging. Fishing, inline skating, and boating are also popular activities on-site. 

Of course, there’s also a special place for Fido on-site. The park’s off-leash dog park has separate areas for big and small dogs. Both areas are securely fenced and equipped with water fountains and obstacle courses.

More dog-friendly things to do in New Jersey

Check out dog-friendly beaches

New Jersey’s must-see dog beaches include Brigantine Beach and Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area.

Don’t miss a chance to visit Asbury Park Dog Beach as well, which is open from September to May. You can also check out Island Beach State Park with your dog, but he must wear a leash.

Hike along beautiful trails

If you’re more of a hiking-and-mountain-climbing type of fur parent, you’re in for a treat. The Garden State is home to dog-friendly trails that you can check out with Fido, including the Batona Trail, Batsto Village, and the Parvin State Park trails.

All in all

There is no shortage of activities for you and Fido to enjoy when you visit New Jersey. Dogs and pets are welcome in so many parks and even in select restaurants and establishments. 

Just make sure you don’t forget dog park etiquette. You always have to be ready to clean up after your dog. Bring poop bags and dispose of used ones only in designated waste bins. 

Pack other essentials as well, like plenty of water and your dog’s bowl. If you’re planning to go hiking or camping, bring a first-aid kit, so you’re prepared in case of an emergency.

Top Dog Parks has a database of other off-leash dog parks, indoor dog areas, and dog park bars in the U.S. you can visit with Fido.