Dog walking in East Kingston

The Strand

Just south in the city of Kingston is the Kingston Point Dog Park at Kingston Rotary Park, where your pooch can free himself of the lead and run, jump and play to his heart’s content. This clean, well-maintained park is fenced for your pup’s safety and has some water and waste bags provided. Once he has exhausted himself here, back on the lead you can go for a walk around Kingston Rotary Park. The paved walking trails make for a pleasant stroll through the grassed area and offer stunning views out over the Hudson River. If you fancy walking a little further, check out the 1.5 mile Kingston Rail Trail, part of the D&H Canal Corridor network.

Kingston Uptown

The nearby town of Kingston is the place to go for a variety of pup-friendly places to dine. For a casual meal out, head to Vincenzo's Pizzeria and Ristorante for familiar favorites such as pasta, subs and, of course, pizza. Duo Bistro specialises in New American cuisine with farm-to-table, sustainably-sourced ingredients. Tuck into a carefully prepared mushroom, onion and barley veggie burger, chopped kale salad, Duo omelette or scallop and ricotta gnocchi. Ecce Terra is an upscale cafe that serve a variety of meals, from pasta or burgers, to seafood or meat dishes. The Anchor is pub-style, if that is more your taste serving cold drinks and classic but quality bar food. After lunch, visit the historic Academy Green Park. The great elms surrounding the park and the central fountain make for a relaxing, tranquil setting, perfect for quiet reflection or a little stroll with your pup around the park.

Rondout/ Ponck Hockie

T.R. Gallo Waterfront Park in the town of Kingston is a pup-tastic park to bring your four-legged companion for an on-lead stroll or play on the grass. Here you will find Urban Cultural Parks Visitor Centre for more information on the area, as well as seasonal restrooms and picnic areas. Your pup will enjoy a nice on-lead walk with you along the waterfront, checking out the boats in the marina and the shops along adjacent streets. There are two other parks close by that are worth a wander; Block Park and Cornell Park. You need to keep your pet on a lead here too and bring your water, a drinking owl for pup and some waste bags. If all this park visiting has you hungry, there are numerous places around here that welcome pups at an outdoor table - Armadillo Bar and Grill, Ship to Shore, Savona’s Trattoria, Golden Ginza and Ole Savannah Southern Table & Bar.

Poet's Walk Park

Rhinebeck, just six miles by car from East Kingston, has two beautiful places to take an on-lead walk with your four-legged friend. Ferncliff Forest is a 200-acre old-growth forest with many lovely trails to explore. You can pick up a trail map at the kiosk near the entrance, and each trail is clearly marked and well-maintained. The main trail is a 2.2 mile loop and takes you past the iconic tower through beautiful woodlands and around the pond. Poet’s Walk Park is set on 120 acres and is a spectacular place for a quiet walk with you pup through forest and over fields. There are benches all along the way where you can stop and admire the views.

Sawkill/ Halihan Hill

The 3,000 acre Bluestone Wild Forest offers up yet more spectacular dog-friendly trails. There are three well-signposted loops you can choose from, distinguished by the colours yellow, red or blue. The shortest of these is 1.5 miles and the longest 2.25 miles, so if you are up for a decent hike, you may like to try a couple of them! These trails take you through oak stands, past vernal pools and around abandoned bluestone quarries. If you have a water-loving pup, the Onteora Lake is a popular place for fishing and kayaking. Your pet needs to stay on a lead through here and pack your water, picnic food and clean up bags for the trip.