Dog-friendly parks and beaches

Clyde, a 6-month-old basset hound owned by Wade

Photo by Yana Paskova

User rating:

Click to rate

There's nothing better than enjoying the great outdoors with a few good friends, but what if your friends are among the four-legged set? Long Islanders enjoy several parks where dogs are free to socialize, romp and play to their heart's content. So go ahead, BYOD -- bring your own dog -- and check out a few great spots for you and your furry friends.

In general, dog runs are open from dawn to dusk. Most are fenced, some with separate areas for large and small (usually 25 pounds or lighter) dogs. You're expected to clean up after your animal, be able to produce proof of rabies vaccination and obey park guidelines about where dogs can roam on and off their leashes.

Some parks charge a fee or have resident-only restrictions from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Here's a growing list of state and county parks where your dogs can roam free or leashed.

Click to rate

Bay Park Roller rinks, County park, Skating, Inline skating First Avenue East Rockaway 96 acres; 9-hole golf course, fishing dock (year-round), picnic area, playground, tennis courts, boat ramp ...
User rating 1

Belmont Lake State Park State park, Kayak/Canoe rental, Paddling and rowing, Kids, Outdoors, Sports and recreation Exit 38 - Southern State Parkway North Babylon This 459-acre spread surrounds a lake, with picnic and play areas nearby ...
Click to rate

Bethpage State Park Park, State park 99 Quaker Meetinghouse Rd. Farmingdale Park with 5 18-hole golf courses, restaurant and bar, softball fields, basketball courts, bocceball, horse ...
User rating 2

Blydenburgh County Park County park, Kayak/Canoe rental, Paddling and rowing Veterans Memorial Highway Smithtown 588 acres; bridle paths (no rentals), campsites, freshwater fishing, bike hostel area, hiking trails, picnic ...
Click to rate

Camp Hero State Park State park 1898 Montauk Highway (Route 27) east to the end Montauk 415 acres includes wooded areas, beachfront along the Atlantic Ocean and an historic military installation; ...
Click to rate

Cedar Creek Park Roller rinks, County park, Skating, Inline skating, Biking trail, Park, Radio-controlled airplanes, Running, Walking, Tennis/Racquetball, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball Merrick Road Seaford What you'll find: The 259 acre park has nine fields. It has eight tennis courts ...
User rating 3

Christopher Morley Park County park, Skating, Ice skating rink Searingtown Road Roslyn-North Hills 98 acres; swimming pools (fee), boat basin for model sailboats, tennis courts (fee), 9-hole golf ...
Click to rate

Eugene Nickerson Beach Park County park 880 Lido Blvd. Lido Beach Pools (fee), seasonal cabanas (by lottery), tennis courts, basketball, handball, paddleball courts, playgrounds, snack bars, ...
User rating 1

Heckscher State Park State beach, State park, Beach, Outdoors, Biking trail, Park, Sports and recreation, Fishing, Sailing Heckscher Parkway Southern State Parkway east to south end of Heckscher Parkway East Islip This 1,469 park on Great South Bay draws boaters and landlubbers. ...
Click to rate

Hempstead Lake State Park State park, Hiking, Biking trail Southern State Parkway West Hempstead This multi-use facility is built around a sprawling lake; 775-acre park also offers a historic ...