South Jersey’s Top Five Places To Walk Your Dog…On The Path To Number Three

Where are the best places in our part of South Jersey to walk your dog?  Every dog owner has looked for  new and different spots to get your doggy, and yourself, some exercise.  The daily walk around the neighborhood gets boring for both of you after awhile, and when you have the chance to explore something new, it’s handy to have some ideas of where to go. But if you do an internet search for “good places for dog walk in New Jersey”, you’ll get pages of information and ideas for wonderful spots to …walk ‘ol Rover, and almost all of it will be for central and northern New Jersey.

As the owner of a ten-month old puppy (or,  is she really the one in charge?), I’ve wondered about this myself. It seemed like a good idea to try to compile five excellent places in Atlantic and Cape May Counties,  well within driving distance,  for you to try out when the opportunity presents itself.

This is not to say these are the only great places locally to walk your dog.  You may know of one in your town that’s not included.  If so, feel free to list it in the comments section below, along with any observations or experiences you’ve had walking your dog at any of my top five places.

Most, but not all, of the spots on the list require on-leash walking and some are only available seasonally.  Most are free, but some charge and insist on pet registration.  I’ll try to make that clear with each of the five listings.   Every place on the list has particular rules and regulations concerning walking your dog, and you should make yourself familiar with them before using any of the places for doggy exercise!

So, here they are….”Eddie’s Top Five Places to walk your dog in South Jersey”…..

Number Three...The Pleasantville to Somers Point Bike Path

Winding its way 6.5 miles through four South Jersey towns; Pleasantville, Northfield, Linwood and Somers Point, this bike trail is a great place to spend time with Fido!

You'll experience a little of everything these towns have to offer, from tranquil woods and cozy neighborhoods,  to the urban centers of business and the frantic pace of the Black Horse Pike. Be advised that there are many road crossings on this path where you better use caution.

This summer is when this bike path will become extra special.  That's when the work on the Rt. 52 causeway bridge connecting Somers Point with Ocean City is scheduled to be finished and the bike path will be is extended into Ocean City.  When that happens, you'll be able to walk your dog from Absecon to the beach in Ocean City!  Just make sure you save a little energy for the long walk  home.

You have to follow a specific set of rules and courtesies when walking your dog on a bike path.  As the name implies, the bike was also intended for bicycles!  Keep your dog on a short leash, stay to one side,  and try not to stop unexpectedly when others are behind you.  And clean up after him!

Leave your comments about  walking your dog and bike paths in South Jersey below, and come back tomorrow for my Number Two spot in South Jersey's Top Five Places to Walk your Dog!