Dog walking in Gardiner

South Gardiner

One of the things that makes Gardiner so great is the abundance of trails in town that allow you to explore on foot. The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is one such trail, and it's the pawfect place to walk with your dog on a leash. This 21.2-mile trail is just one of a network of 1,600 trails across America that were created from formerly abandoned railway lines. This portion of the path is asphalt, cinder, dirt, and gravel, and it's popular with cyclists, horseback riders, and hikers in addition to dog walkers. You'll experience all sorts of landscapes and a variety of terrain on your journey, from small farms to rivers and wetlands.

South Montgomery

Montgomery is a village of fewer than 4,000 people in Orange County, New York. In the southernmost part of town, there's a place called Thomas Bull Memorial Park. In addition to a golf course, a pond, stables, and sports fields, there's also a dog park here! The Thomas Bull Memorial Dog Park is an off-leash park with separate sections for big and small dogs. The dog park sits on 1.5 acres, and visitors note that the grass is consistently clean and well-kept. There are water fountains for dogs in the park, as well as waste disposal supplies, seating areas, and plenty of shade.

Van Wyck Meadows

The area of eastern Fishkill, New York known as Van Wyck Meadows is less than 30 miles from Gardiner. This area is known for its townhouses and single-family homes, but it's also near the Doug Phillips Dog Park. This dog park is a vast open space perfect for a game of fetch or just letting your dog run around with dogs of all sizes. There are also water fountains for dogs, waste disposal supplies, and seating areas. Other areas of Doug Phillips Park include playgrounds, nature trails, sports fields and courts, and picnic areas. Your dog can also hang out with you in other areas of the park if they're on a leash.

Pilgrim Corners

Another town in Orange County, New York with an excellent dog park is called Middletown, and the western edge of the city is about 25 miles from Gardiner. This is where you'll find the Maple Hill Dog Park, an off-leash area with separate sections for big and small pups. The Maple Hill Dog Park is a spacious park with lots of room to play fetch or run around, and there is also some agility equipment in the park where dogs can show off their special skills. You'll also find water fountains for dogs, waste disposal supplies, and shade and seating for pet parents.

Mineral Springs

The southwestern corner of Cornwall, New York is a little more than 20 miles from Gardiner. This is where you'll find the Cornwall Dog Park, a spectacular off-leash area that opened in 2012. It sits on an acre of land, and it's divided into two parcels so big and small dogs have their own spaces. In addition to covered areas for shade, there's also seating, water, and waste disposal supplies at the dog park. Conveniently, this off-leash park is just across the street from a variety of well-groomed trails, and your dog is welcome to join you on the trails when they're on a leash.