Best Places to Bring Your Dog

Learn about Central Park dog leash rules.

Central Park's 843 acres of land are a natural magnet for dog owners and their furry little friends. In fact, thousands of dogs come to the park every day to run around in the open areas and enjoy the trails with their owners.

While the park is dog-friendly, dog owners need to be aware of certain rules about where they can take their dogs, when they need to be leashed, and much more. Let's take a look at a few of the most important rules when it comes to bringing your pooch to Central Park.

Leash Rules and Regulations

WHEN your dog needs to be leashed:  Dogs must be on-leash daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The hours for letting the dogs run off-leash are in the early morning from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and at night from 9:00 PM until 1:00 AM when the park closes.

No dogs can be unleashed at ANY time in certain areas that include:

Dogs are never allowed at:

  • All ballfields and recreational courts
  • All playgrounds
  • All bodies of water, streams and ornamental fountains
  • Sheep Meadow
  • Great Lawn Oval
  • Reservoir running track
  • Sand volleyball courts
  • Hallet Nature Sanctuary
  • Lilac Walk
  • Elm Islands at the Mall

Areas That Are Friendly to Dogs

There are multiple dog-friendly areas scattered around the park. Some of these areas include Harlem Meer, East Meadow, Cedar Hill and Mineral Springs. 

In addition, there are 29 dog fountains throughout the park. It's important to keep your dog well-hydrated when you visit the part to prevent dehydration. If you are bringing your pet to Central Park, the Conservancy asks that you have your dog drink from the specially designated fountains instead of from regular water fountains.

5 More Important Things to Know

There are a few more special considerations if you are bringing your dog to Central Park:

» If your dog relieves itself within the park, you are requested to pick up after it.

» The Conservancy also requests that you not let your dog urinate on tree pits within the park.

» While dogs are able to play on the lawns, they are not allowed to dig on them.

» Do not let your dogs chase other animals - even wild ones - in the park.

» Be sure to keep your dog on a short leash when crossing drives to avoid any accidents.

» During the summer the toxins emitted from algae blooms found on various bodies of water in the park, can be especially dangerous for dogs. Please follow all dog-walking rules for safety.

» There is a newly renovated dog run called Bull Moose Dog Run located next to the Museum of Natural History at West 81st Street and Central Park West

If you are bringing your dog to Central Park, you are urged to have fun, but still have respect for other park-goers. That includes keeping your pet from disrupting people or their pets, and making sure your dog does not endanger others or property within Central Park. As long as you stay within the rules, there’s no reason why you and your pet can’t have a great time in the park.