A Dog’s Guide to Central Park
Visiting Central Park with your dog? There are a few rules in place to help everyone enjoy their time and stay safe.
Central Park is a haven for urban pups. There are just a few rules to help everyone—humans and animals alike—enjoy their time and stay safe.
These guidelines ensure fun for your dog while protecting wildlife and essential ecosystems, including the Park’s garden beds, tree root zones, and lawns.
DOG RULES
City-wide dog rules and regulations, outlined by NYC Parks.
- With the exception of service animals, dogs must be leashed from 9:00 am–9:00 pm.
- Off-leash hours are 6:00 am–9:00 am and 9:00 pm–1:00 am in specified areas.
- Certain landscapes are always off limits to dogs. Please follow signage rules.
- You must monitor and control your dog at all times.
- Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated.
- You must pick up after your dog
ON-LEASH HOURS
Dogs must be leashed in Central Park from 9:00 am–9:00 pm daily.
OFF-LEASH HOURS
Off-leash hours in Central Park are from:
- 6:00 am–9:00 am
- 9:00 pm–1:00 am
Dogs are welcome across most of the Park’s 843 acres. Some areas require leashes at all times, and others are fully off-limits.
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