Patch Guide to Bergen County Dog Parks

Looking for a place to treat Fido to a nice, long walk before summer ends? Patch has got you covered. Below are the five parks in the Bergen County parks system that have dog runs or dedicated “off-leash” areas where your pooch can play:

Wild Duck Pond Area, Saddle River County Park, Ridgewood

This county park spans a whopping 577 acres along the Saddle River and its tributaries. The park itself is located across parts of Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ridgewood, Rochelle Park and Saddle Brook. The Wild Duck Pond area of the park in Ridgewood has a multi-use bicycle and pedestrian pathway along which you can find three ponds, shaded picnic areas, pavilions, playgrounds, tennis courts, athletic fields and a “scenic waterfall,” according to the county Parks Department. The Wild Duck Pond area is also where you will find the park’s off-leash dog park area.

Henry Hoebel Area, Overpeck County Park, Fort Lee Road, Leonia

The highlight of this park is a World Trade Center Memorial honoring every county resident who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. But it also has an off-leash dog park area, a 1.25-mile, multi-use bicycle and pedestrian pathway that forms a figure eight alongside a scenic lake and a jogging path, popular with fitness enthusiasts.

Sam Nelkin County Park, Rose Street, Wallington

This 17-acre county park has a dedicated dog park, in addition to a pedestrian walkway, fishing and picnicking areas and much more.

Joseph A. Carucci, Jr, Area, Riverside County Park, Riverside Avenue, Lyndhurst

Riverside County Park along the Passaic River spans 85 acres in Lyndhurst and North Arlington. In addition to its off-leash dog park, there is a pedestrian walkway, bocce and tennis courts, a fitness center and a picnic area.

Wooddale County Park, Prospect Avenue, Woodcliff Lake

This 118-acre park spanning Hillsdale, Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake allows off-leash dog running in a dedicated dog park in the Woodcliff Lake section. The county park also features a pond, “shady picnic groves,” a pavilion and a gazebo, according to the Bergen County Parks Department.

Other Options

And Westvale Park in Westwood recently opened the “West Woof Dog Run.”

Also, check out this photo gallery by photographer Christopher Costa on some of Westwood and Washington Township's furry residents playing that good, old-fashioned game dogs love so much: Fetch!

Know Something We Don't?

Do you have any tips for places where people can walk their dogs in Bergen County? Tell us in the comments!