Dog walks in Upper West Side, New York

The parks, off-leash dog areas, and trails within about a 15-minute walk of central Upper West Side.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsUpdated September 18, 2026

Within about a 15-minute walk of central Upper West Side, you'll find 16 parks covering about 1,065 acres, 4 off-leash dog areas, and 3.6 miles of named walking paths.

16Parks nearby

1,065Acres of parks

4Off-leash areas

3.6Trail miles

Map of parks, dog areas, and walking paths within about a 15-minute walk of Upper West Side, New York — Neighborhood center Parks Dog areas Walking paths Water fountains ~15-minute walk

Parks near Upper West Side

Central Park845 acres · 0.3 mi (about 7 min walk) · Open in MapsLeashed dogs welcome
Riverside Park75 acres · 0.3 mi (about 6 min walk) · Open in MapsHas an off-leash area
Riverside Park103 acres · 0.6 mi (about 13 min walk) · Open in MapsHas an off-leash area
Riverside Park South25 acres · 0.7 mi (about 15 min walk) · Open in MapsHas an off-leash areaLeashed dogs welcome
Theodore Roosevelt Park11 acres · 0.3 mi (about 6 min walk) · Open in Maps
Joan of Arc Park1.5 acres · 0.4 mi (about 8 min walk) · Open in Maps
Playground Eighty Nine LXXXIX0.4 acres · 0.2 mi (about 4 min walk) · Open in Maps
Happy Warrior Playground1.7 acres · 0.7 mi (about 13 min walk) · Open in Maps

Off-leash dog areas near Upper West Side

West 87th Street Dog Run1.34 acres · 0.3 mi (about 7 min walk) · Open in Maps
Bull Moose Dog Run0.31 acres · 0.3 mi (about 7 min walk) · Open in Maps
West 72nd Street Dog Run0.3 acres · 0.7 mi (about 14 min walk) · Open in Maps
Riverside Park South Dog Run0.1 acres · 0.7 mi (about 14 min walk) · Open in Maps

Off-leash hours and rules vary by park. Always check the posted signs before letting your dog off leash.

Walking paths and trails

Riverside Walk1.3 mi within a 15-minute walk
Northwest Central Park Loop1 mi within a 15-minute walk
Stephanie and Fred Shuman Reservoir Running Track0.8 mi within a 15-minute walk
Hudson River Greenway0.4 mi within a 15-minute walk
74th Street Track0.1 mi within a 15-minute walk

Good to know

36 mapped drinking fountains nearby. Still bring water on warm days.
New York summers are hot and humid, and winters bring snow and salted sidewalks, so time walks for cooler hours and wipe paws after winter walks. In many NYC parks, dogs can be off-leash in designated areas before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m. Outside those hours and areas, leashes are required, so check the posted rules for each park.
Planning the day's walk? See how long to walk your dog, check if it's too hot or too cold.

Upper West Side dog walk FAQ

Where can I walk my dog in Upper West Side?

The main green spaces within about a 15-minute walk of central Upper West Side are Central Park (845 acres), Riverside Park (75 acres) and Riverside Park (103 acres). For a longer walk, try the Riverside Walk. Most city parks require dogs to be leashed outside designated off-leash areas.

Is there a dog park near Upper West Side?

Yes. West 87th Street Dog Run is about 0.3 miles from the neighborhood center, and 3 more off-leash areas are within a 15-minute walk. Check posted hours and rules before you go.

Park, trail, and amenity data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), as of September 18, 2026. Distances are straight-line from the neighborhood's center point, so actual walking routes are a little longer. Parks marked as closed to dogs in OpenStreetMap are left out, but rules change, so follow posted signs.