Hiking is what Gatsby loves to do. While I want to bring him on epic hiking adventures all the time, like our hiking trip to Acadia National Park, it’s just not possible every weekend! If you’re in the New York City area and want to take your pup hiking but don’t want to drive too far, I have the best dog-friendly hikes near NYC to share with you.
6 Best Dog-Friendly Hikes Near NYC
1. Sands Point Preserve
This place is my favorite local hiking spot for a good reason! Located at the tip of Port Washington Peninsula in Long Island, NY, known as the Gold Coast, it’s the inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book “The Great Gatsby.” The novel is the reason why I named my husky Gatsby!
Under a 45-min drive from NYC, the preserve’s 216 acres offer more than just hiking with your pup! After hiking, you can picnic, visit the rose garden, take photos of the castle and even let your dog socialize with other dogs in a fenced-in dog park! Best of all, there’s a beach for your pup to dip their paws in the ocean to cool off on a warm day.
Admission to the Preserve is $15 per car or free for the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy members.
Dog Policy
Dogs must be on a leash not more than 6 feet and not allowed in the back of the Hempstead House.
Want to see more of what this location looks like? Check out our YouTube video below!
2. Bear Mountain State Park
The Look: Dog Backpack | GPS & Health Tracker | Rex Specs Goggles
About 1.5 hours from NYC, Bear Mountain State Park is the perfect hiking spot if you have an adventurous dog with endless energy. Take the Appalachian Trail, which consists of 1,200 steps to arrive at the Bear Mountain Summit. On the top of Bear Mountain, you will find the Perkins Memorial Tower and a breathtaking 360-degree view looking out over the Hudson Valley.
Gatsby and his pup friends easily climbed the 1,200 steps while I huffed and puffed my way up to the top.
TIP: There is a $10 parking fee, and it gets crowded very quickly during the weekends. The best time is to arrive is before 10 am.
Dog Policy
Dogs must be on a leash not more than 6 feet and are not allowed in buildings, picnic areas, bathing areas, walkways, or the Trailside Museum and Wildlife Center.
Getting There
If you’re not driving, you can also get here by train. Take the Metro-North Railroad Hudson line from Grand Central station to Peekskill station. Then a 15-minute cab ride to Bear Mountain.
Dogs up to 65 pounds are allowed on the Metro-North train for no additional pet fee. They are not permitted on the train when crowded or during peak hours, and they may not take up a seat. Dogs must be securely leashed or in a carrier.
3. Mohonk Mountain Preserve
Under a 2-hour drive from NYC, Mohonk Mountain Preserve is the largest nature preserve in New York, consisting of 8,000 acres of forest, fields, cliffs, streams, and ponds for your pup to explore.
There are five trailheads in this preserve, and we tend to always park at the Visitor Center Trailhead. From there, we head to the East Trapps Connector Trail and climb 1/4 mile of a strenuous set of stone steps leading us uphill to more than 100 miles of carriage roads and trails!
Tip: The East Trapps Connector trail is pretty difficult. If you have a dog that pulls heavily when walking, please be careful when you make your way back down to the visitor center. Going downhill is extremely steep! I highly recommend you wear a hip belt and have a pair of good hiking boots with traction when hiking this area.
Here are the other four trailheads to explore that are less difficult.
- Westrapps Trailhead
- Coxing Trailhead
- Spring Farm Trailhead (you get amazing mountain views here and get to see gorgeous wildflowers)
- Testimonial Gateway Trailhead
Dog Policy
Dogs must be on a leash not more than 6 feet and must be under your control at all times.
4. Minnewaska State Park Preserve
The Look: Moisture Wicking Top | Leggings | Hiking Boots | Dog Backpack
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is another hiking spot just under a 2-hour drive from NYC (close by Mohonk Mountain Preserve). With almost 60 miles of hiking, biking trails, and carriage roads, this dog-friendly state park also features several waterfalls and two lakes for your pup to explore.
Tip: Bring bug spray when hiking here during the warmer months! Since the trails are close to waterfalls and lakes, there are a ton of mosquitos. I got chewed up and had huge welts from the damn mosquitos here!
Dog Policy
Dogs must be on a leash not more than 6 feet. They are not allowed in buildings, camping, picnic, or bathing areas. Dogs are NOT permitted on beaches or cross-country ski trails.
5. South Mountain Reservation
South Mountain Preserve is less than 1 hour from NYC! Located in West Orange, NJ, this dog-friendly hiking spot consists of a 2,100-acres, so you and your pup can explore all day!
You’ll find trails, waterfalls, and a 2-acre fenced-in dog park – South Mountain Dog Park. After hanging out with other pups in the dog park, hike to Hemlock Falls to see a 25-foot waterfall.
Want to hike on a magical trail? Look for the Fairy Trail, where tiny fairy homes are hidden among the trees.
Dog Policy
Dogs must be on a leash not more than 6 feet and must be under your control at all times.
Getting There
If you’re not driving, head to Penn Station and take the NJ Transit Morris & Essex Line. Here are the transit directions.
6. Nyack Beach State Park
Nyack Beach State Park is located in Rockland county. Hike the 5-mile loop trail right alongside the Hudson River.
Tip: They charge $6 for parking. Because the lot is so tiny, it gets filled very quickly. Try to look for parking outside by the residential homes instead. You’ll find tons of parking spots.
Dog Policy
Dogs must be on a leash not to exceed 6 feet in length. Pets are not allowed in the Upper Plateau area.
These hiking spots will save you so much time from long drives and getting stuck in traffic, so you have more time hiking with your pup. Which dog-friendly hikes near NYC will you take your dog to? Finally, make sure your pup is equipped with hiking gear so they can hike like a pro on the trails!
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