Places to go with your dog in Newton, MA
Whether you want to let your dog play with other dogs or you're looking for the best places to take your dog for a walk, you're sure to find what you're looking for easily enough in Newton, MA. This area is a great location for dogs and the people that love them.
Dog parks
If you want to visit a dog park in Newton, you're in luck. There are a variety of parks to choose from. Keep in mind that due to the leash law requirements in Newton, you will need to pay for a special license to let your dog play at the dog park. This is a different license than that required to simply own a dog, so make sure that you have the right licensing for off-leash play.
Upper Falls Playground
This is a great park that usually isn't too busy. There's plenty of wide, grassy areas for your dog to play in and it is lined with tree cover at the perimeters so that you can always find some shade on hot days.
The tree cover around the perimeter also provides a great windbreak if you'd like to let your dog play in the snow on a cold day but don't want to be faced with the frigid breeze. There don't seem to be divided areas for large and small dogs, so if you have a dog that doesn't get along well with dogs of other sizes, it may not be the best park for you.
Cold Spring Dog Park
This is a nice, large park that has lots of wooded areas along with grassy spaces. If you want to enjoy a hike in the woods off leash with your pup, this may be the right park for you. Lots of forested areas also make dogs less likely to run into problematic behavior in this park, since large clots of dogs playing and the predatory drift that can accompany this kind of play are unlikely to occur in a densely forested area like this.
There are some gentle sloping hills to provide variety in your hike. There are chairs for the humans and simple amenities like bag dispensers. Keep in mind that there isn't much of a parking lot here (you'll just pull your car over on the side of the road) so when it's busy you may not be able to find parking.
Hunnewell Park
This is a very nice park that covers a whopping four and a half acres. There are plenty of amenities for humans as well as dogs, with soccer fields, softball schools, and a play area.
There's a section for both large and small dogs, so if you have a dog that needs to be separated by size, this park may be a good pick for you. The majority of the dog park area is grassy, but there is enough tree cover to get out of the sun or find a windbreak if necessary.
This tends to be one of the busier parks around, so if you want to be able to bring your dog to the park and feel confident that they'll find a playmate there, this might be the right dog park for you. On the other hand, if you're worried about your dog becoming overwhelmed by large amounts of dogs, try to visit this part during off times.
Hiking trails
There are some gorgeous hiking trails for you to choose from in Newton, Massachusetts, and some even allow limited periods during which you can let your dog off-leash.
Webster Conservation Area
This gorgeous Natural Area is complete with miles of hiking trails and a lovely pond. This park is gorgeous year-round, but you may find it to be an especially lovely walk in the fall when the leaves are changing.
You'll likely be amazed by just how big this conservation area actually is for being so close to the city. You'll be able to walk your dog all day or go for many hour-long hikes without having to cover the same trails. Plenty of elevation changes, boulders, and streams cutting through the park provide challenging terrain that will likely give your dog and you more of a workout than a casual walk.
Hammond Pond Reservation
This is a lovely woodland park with all kinds of sandstone cliffs that are a favorite of rock climbers and create a striking backdrop for hikes with your dog. You can also find all kinds of ways to challenge your dog during your hike to provide additional mental and physical stimulation.
You won't be likely to run out of room for hiking on this 59 acre park. There are all kinds of little caves, cooks, and crannies that your dog will have a blast exploring. If you want a challenging and beautiful hike, this is a great option.
Cutler Park Reservation
This is a gorgeous natural preservation area the covers over 730 acres and has a very large freshwater marsh, as well as a river. This gorgeous area is a wonderful place to walk your dog, and you can also enjoy a full day's entertainment with fishing as well.
This park can get busy with joggers and hikers, particularly on the weekends and during the busiest times, so if you want to have it to yourself with your dog, be ready to hike to some of the less-traveled paths or go at off times. It's a great choice if it's been rainy since the boardwalk covers the marshy area so you'll keep your feet dry.
Cat Rock Park
This park offers a wide variety of different landscapes and terrain. There is a lovely lake and a hill from which you can see a beautiful view of the town.
Lots of different trails of varying sizes means that you can enjoy your hike without having to overlap with other people too often. Enjoy wandering through the forest or follow the attractive little brook that runs through.
Parking can be a bit limited, so it's best to go during off times. There is a period during the morning when you can allow your dog off-leash between 6 and 10 a.m. as long as your dog has good recall.
Have Fun With Your Dog In Newton
There are so many wonderful things that you can do with your dog in Newton Massachusetts. Whether you want to get an off-leash license and let your dog play with other dogs at one of the beautiful dog parks or you want to hike along one of the beautiful trails, you're sure to have a wonderful day with your dog.