Parks and Nature

Branch Brook Park

A sprawling Newark park with walking paths, ponds, open lawns, and thousands of Japanese Flowering Cherry Blossom trees that bloom each spring

Take Me There
Dog policy Leashed Dogs Welcome
Cost Free
Best time to visit Early to Mid-April for peak Cherry Blossom Season

Newark's Branch Brook Park is a massive 360-acre urban oasis that serves as the ultimate playground for energetic pups and their humans. Designed by the famed Olmsted brothers, this historic park boasts miles of winding, paved pathways, lush open lawns, and scenic waterways perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll with your dog. While it is world-renowned for its explosive pink cherry blossoms in the spring, it is a spectacular year-round destination where dogs can sniff their way through towering forests, cross majestic stone bridges, and take in the sights. Just remember to keep your pup on a standard six-foot leash, and pack waste bags and water.

Plan your visit

Address
Lake Street & Park Avenue
Newark NJ 07104
Hours
Open 24 Hours
Phone
(973) 268-3500
Get directions Official website

Know before you go

  • Dogs must stay leashed throughout the park, except inside the designated dog park.
  • There’s a fenced dog park inside Branch Brook Park if you want to let them run off-leash.
  • Keep dogs out of Branch Brook Lake and don’t let them drink the water. The park has had recurring harmful algal blooms, especially in summer.
  • The park and parking are free. Parking is available along designated park roads and at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center.
  • Cherry blossom season gets very busy, especially around peak bloom in April and during festival events. Some event days also include road closures inside the park.
  • For the densest cherry blossoms, head toward the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center at the north end of the park

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