Riverdale Park
Riverdale Park is a beautiful forest park that’s perfect for taking long walks with your pup! This park stretches from 232nd Street to 254th Street, and it’s located right on the Hudson River. Dogs are welcome to join you on-leash in this park anytime. If you’d like to give your pup some off-leash time, dogs are allowed to go off-leash after 9 PM and before 9 AM.
While you’re walking through Riverdale Park, you’ll find lots of fun, small trails to hike on with your pup. Riverdale Park’s main trail begins by the park’s entrance at the corner of 232nd Street and Palisade Avenue. This unpaved trail takes you up a series of small hills, and it goes through a forest preserve filled with native trees, including cedars, oaks, and hickories. Poison ivy also grows in the forest, so be sure to look out for this plant as you’re on your trek.
As you go along the trail, you’ll pass by a series of openings in the trees where you’ll get great views of the Hudson River and unique wetland habitats. Many people come to birdwatch in Riverdale Park—there are over 25 species of birds in the forest and wetlands, including screech owls, Orioles, and Great-Crested Flycatchers.
At about the halfway point of the trail, you’ll reach a series of private residences. When you get to this point, you’ll have to exit the park, walk along the road for a couple blocks, and then re-enter the park. Then, the park’s main trail continues until you reach the end of the park at 254th Street.
Riverdale Park is a scenic forest park that feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of New York City! Be sure to bring some water and doggy bags with you, and enjoy spending time in this fun-filled riverside park.
