Dogs Info

The Rear Dog Park at Clonial Park will be closed until Spring for Maintenance.

Dogs are a part of the family and are welcome in many parks.  Visitors can bring dogs for a HIKE or WALK at the following Somerset County Park Commission parks:

  • Colonial Park
  • Duke Island Park
  • East County Park
  • Little Brook Sanctuary
  • Mountain View Park
  • Natirar Park
  • North Branch Park
  • Skillman Park
  • Sourlands Mountain Preserve
  • Torpey
  • Washington Valley Park

When bringing your dog to a Somerset County Park Commission park, please keep the following in mind:

Dogs must be LEASHED at all times when within the parks, except when in leash-free dog areas (locations listed below). Leashing includes when dog is entering and exiting vehicles. Utilizing a leash significantly reduces the chance of negative interactions with people, wildlife, and other dogs. Please keep in mind, municipal dog leash ordinances are enforced by local law enforcement and failure to properly leash your pet can lead to fines.

Why Aren't Dogs Allowed Off Leash?

Park patrons are encouraged to bring their own dog waste bags as limited bags are available as a courtesy in select park locations. Owners are responsible for picking up after their pets and disposing of their pet waste bags. Please be courteous to other park patrons and dispose of all dog waste bags in a garbage receptacle, not along trails, walkways, or fields.  

Certain park locations remain dog free for the benefit of wildlife, safety, and functionality of the designated area.  Therefore, except for service animals*, dogs are prohibited from the following parks:

  • Lord Stirling Park Environmental Education Center
  • Leonard J. Buck Garden
  • The Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden at Colonial Park
  • The Stable at Lord Stirling Park

However, the Stable at Lord Stirling Park offers DOG WALKS on select weekend days. Participants must register ahead of time. Call 908-722-1200 ext. 5010 for more information.

Please visit our LEASH-FREE dog areas located at:

  • Colonial Park – 165 Mettlers Road – Franklin Township
  • East County Park – 40 Reinman Road – Warren Township
  • Skillman Park (Lot A) – Main Boulevard – Montgomery Township

*Under Title II and Title III of the ADA, a service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.