Top 10 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in New Jersey

Introduction

New Jersey, known as the Garden State, offers numerous parks and trails that are ideal for hiking with your dog. These trails traverse various landscapes, including wetlands, coastlines, shady forests, and quaint fields.

The 10 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in New Jersey

1. Manasquan Reservoir

• Address: 311 Windeler Rd, Howell Township, NJ 07731
• Open Times: Sunrise – Sunset
• Cost: Free to enter; other fees apply for specific activities
• Off-Leash: No
• Features: 1-mile and 5-mile trails, large reservoir for boating, sailing, and fishing, beautiful views, well-maintained trails, and a bicycle repair station.

2. Holmdel Park

• Address: 44 Longstreet Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733
• Open Times: 7 AM – Sunset
• Cost: Free
• Off-Leash: No
• Features: Over 600 acres of wooded land, miles of shady trails, Historic Longstreet Farm and the Holmes-Hendrickson House, activities like picnicking and sledding.

3. Blueberry Hill Trail

• Address: 50 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd, Gibbsboro, NJ 08026
• Open Times: 24/7
• Cost: Free
• Off-Leash: No
• Features: Multiple miles of trails in Camden County, unique sites like a quarry and an old radar station, connection to the United States Avenue Trail, activities like snowshoeing and birding.

4. Estell Manor Park

• Address: Not specified in this article, but generally in Atlantic County, NJ
• Open Times: Not specified in this article, but generally 7 AM – Sunset
• Cost: Free
• Off-Leash: No
• Features: Level hiking trails through wooden paths and swamps, six-and-a-half-mile and four-mile trails, ADA accessible trails, packed sand paths suitable for walking or biking.

5. Cattus Island County Park

• Address: 1170 Cattus Island Blvd, Toms River, NJ 08753
• Open Times: 7 AM – Sunset
• Cost: Free
• Off-Leash: No
• Features: Over 500 acres of wetland on a peninsula, seven miles of diverse trails, beaches, shaded trails, boardwalks, amenities in nearby Toms River.

6. Cheesequake State Park

• Address: Not specified in this article, but generally in Matawan, NJ
• Open Times: Not specified in this article, but generally 7 AM – Sunset
• Cost: Not specified in this article
• Off-Leash: No
• Features: Not detailed in this article, but generally includes diverse ecosystems and trails.

7. Billie Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve

• Address: Not specified in this article, but generally in Princeton, NJ
• Open Times: Not specified in this article, but generally 7 AM – Sunset
• Cost: Not specified in this article
• Off-Leash: No
• Features: Not detailed in this article, but generally includes nature preserve trails.

8. Thompson Park

• Address: 805 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738
• Open Times: 7 AM – Sunset
• Cost: Free
• Off-Leash: Yes, in a designated area
• Features: Over 14 miles of multipurpose trails, 667 acres of diverse land including fields and woodland parks, off-leash area, visitor center, and old homes.

9. Monroe Township Bike Path

• Address: Fries Mill Road, Williamstown, NJ 08094
• Open Times: 24/7
• Cost: Free
• Off-Leash: No
• Features: 1-mile trail linking Glassboro to Williamstown, passes through the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area, paved and multi-use trail, part of a regional trail network.

10. Lewis Morris County Park

• Address: Not specified in this article, but generally in Morris Township, NJ
• Open Times: Not specified in this article, but generally 7 AM – Sunset
• Cost: Not specified in this article
• Off-Leash: No
• Features: Not detailed in this article, but generally includes diverse trails and park activities.

Conclusion

The article highlights the variety of dog-friendly hiking trails in New Jersey, catering to different interests and lifestyles. Whether you prefer scenic landscapes, historical sites, or beachfront parks, there are numerous options available across the state. Most of these hikes can be completed in a day and are accessible within a few hours from most locations in New Jersey. So grab your furry friend and hit the trails for some outdoor adventure!