Dog Parks and Dog Walks in Nelson
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around Nelson, with the council's rules for each.
In Nelson, dogs can be off leash under control anywhere the council does not list as on-lead or dog-free, but they must be on a lead in the CBD, the shopping areas, the formal gardens and most neighbourhood parks. The eastern two-thirds of Tāhunanui main beach and Rabbit Island are off limits, and the Boulder Bank and Maitai swimming holes have seasonal bans. Every place below shows its rule and how to get there.
Map of dog parks, walks and beaches
Every place on this page as a pin. Tap a pin for its dog rule, directions and our guide.
Dog parksWalksBeachesNo dogsHas our guideGroup, tap to zoom in
Dog parks (1)
Walks and reserves (30)
Branford Park
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area and off-lead neighbourhood park.
Directions Read the guideCorder Park
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area and off-lead neighbourhood park.
Directions Read the guideGrampians Reserve
Some rulesOn lead on the signposted grazed parts; large areas open for off-lead exercise.
Directions Read the guideMaitai River Esplanade Reserve
Off leashCattle-grazed, but dogs may be off lead under voice control.
Directions Read the guideMaitai Walkway
Some rulesOn lead from the river mouth to the Collingwood Street bridge; off lead under control further up the valley. Swimming holes are dog free 1 December to 31 March.
Directions Read the guideQueens Gardens
On leash Directions Read the guideTitoki Reserve
Off leashExcept the playground area.
Directions Read the guideEves Valley Walk
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsPiwakawaka Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsSnowdens Bush Walk
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsBaigents Bush Scenic Reserve
Off leashTasman controlled exercise area.
DirectionsBill Wilkes Reserve
Off leashTasman controlled exercise area.
DirectionsBorck Creek
Off leashTasman controlled exercise area.
DirectionsCodgers Recreation Area (Coppermine Trail section)
Dogs allowedDogs allowed on this section; the Coppermine Trail from Tantragee Road to Smiths Ford is dog free.
DirectionsDellside Reserve
Off leashTasman controlled exercise area, including the track into the Richmond Hills.
DirectionsFaulkner Bush Reserve
Some rulesOff leash, except on leash in the picnic area.
DirectionsGlenduan Reserve
Off leashOff-lead neighbourhood park.
DirectionsHoddy Estuary Park
Some rulesOn leash in the central area; no dogs on the shoreline edge or the vegetated inlet margins.
DirectionsHope Recreation Reserve
Off leashNot off leash during dog obedience and training classes.
DirectionsIsel Park
Some rulesOn lead; the less cultivated part is exempt when no events are on.
DirectionsJimmy Lee Creek Walkway
Some rulesOn leash on the lower walkway and the north section (Hill Street to Cushendell Rise); off leash on the south section from Cushendell Rise to Grassy Saddle.
DirectionsMarsden Valley Reserve tracks
Off leashOff leash on formed walking and cycling tracks, including the Involution Trail; no dogs in the bush off the tracks east of the Barnicoat Walkway.
DirectionsMonaco Reserve
Off leashExcept the playground area.
DirectionsParemata Flats Reserve
Some rulesOff lead on the grazed part under voice control; the fenced planted area is dog free; on lead on the Wakapuaka River walkway to the lookout.
DirectionsRailway Reserve
Off leashListed by the council as a dog exercise area.
DirectionsRough Island
Off leashHunter Brown and Greenslade Park all year; Events and Equestrian Park except during equestrian events; forestry roads and tracks when no harvesting or fire restrictions.
DirectionsSir Stanley Whitehead Park
Some rulesOn lead on the signposted grazed parts; large areas open for off-lead exercise.
DirectionsTantragee Reserve
Off leashCattle-grazed, but dogs may be off lead under voice control.
DirectionsWashbourn Gardens
On leash DirectionsWill's Gully track
On leashTo Grassy Saddle.
DirectionsBeaches (6)
Boulder Bank
Some rules Seasonal rulesOff leash north of Boulder Bank Drive through to Glenduan; on leash from Boulder Bank Drive towards the Cut.
No dogs on the 4 km nearest the Cut, 15 August to the last day of February
DirectionsDelaware Bay (Delaware Estuary)
On leashMargins, islands, sand and mudflats.
DirectionsKina Beach
Off leashTasman controlled exercise area.
DirectionsRuby Bay foreshore
Off leashFrom the seaward boundary of Mapua Leisure Park to Chaytor Reserve.
DirectionsTāhunanui Back Beach
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsTāhunanui Beach (main beach)
Some rulesNo dogs on the eastern two-thirds at any time; dogs allowed under control at the western end.
DirectionsNo dogs (28)
Archer Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsCable Bay Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideChalice, Goulter Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsCloustons Mine Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsEllis Basin Route
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsFlora Circuit (via Mt Arthur Hut and Flora Hut)
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsForks/Riverside Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsHacket Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsHawkes Lookout Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsLake Chalice Hut tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsLake Rotoiti Circuit
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideLodestone summit
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMount Robert Circuit
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideMt Fishtail Route
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsMt Patriarch Route
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsOld Man Hut Circuit
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsOpouri Bridle Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsPearse Valley Route to Pearse River Resurgence
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsQuartz Creek/Mount Royal Route
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsRichmond Ranges Te Araroa route
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsSt Arnaud Range Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideTe Puna Wai o Riuwaka/Riuwaka Resurgence
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsCoppermine Trail between Tantragee Road and Smiths Ford, Maitai Valley Road
No dogsThe Coppermine Trail section in the Codgers Recreation Area is open to dogs.
DirectionsEastern two-thirds of Tāhunanui main beach
No dogsDogs are directed to the western end and the Back Beach.
DirectionsMarsden Valley Reserve bush east of the Barnicoat Walkway, off the formed tracks
No dogsDogs may be off leash on the formed tracks.
DirectionsNelson Airport
No dogsExcept dogs being flown or secured in a vehicle.
DirectionsRabbit Island (Moturoa) beach
No dogsTasman prohibited area, including the beach. Moturoa / Rabbit Island, including the beach: Tasman prohibited area; the Great Taste Trail is also dog free from the west end of the causeway to the ferry landing.
DirectionsWhakapuaka Raupo Swamp and the fenced planted area of Paremata Flats
No dogs DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashAnywhere in Nelson not listed as on-lead or dog-free, including Tāhunanui Back Beach, the Railway Reserve, the Marsden Valley tracks, the Maitai Valley above the Collingwood Street bridge and 30 listed neighbourhood parks. In Richmond and nearby Tasman, the council's exercise areas such as Dellside Reserve, Borck Creek, Bill Wilkes Reserve and Rough Island. Carry a leash at all times.
On a leashThe Nelson CBD, the Stoke and Tāhunanui shopping centres, Queens Gardens, Church Hill, Isel Park and the other formal gardens, cemeteries, most neighbourhood parks, the Maitai Walkway from the river mouth to the Collingwood Street bridge, the Delaware Estuary, the Boulder Bank from Boulder Bank Drive to the Cut, and the grazed parts of Grampians Reserve and Sir Stanley Whitehead Park. In Richmond, Washbourn Gardens, Hunter Avenue Walkway, Will's Gully track and the lower Jimmy Lee Creek Walkway.
No dogsThe eastern two-thirds of Tāhunanui main beach, Trafalgar Park, the Maitai, Roding and Brook water reserves, Haulashore Island, Nelson Airport, Rabbit Island including the beach, the Waimea Inlet shoreline reserves, sports field playing areas, children's playgrounds, and in Tasman within 10 metres of playground equipment and picnic tables.
Summer and seasonal rulesBoulder Bank: no dogs on the 4 km nearest the Cut from 15 August to the last day of February (the bylaw dates; the council's web page gives October to February). Maitai River swimming holes and picnic areas (Black Hole, Dennes Hole, Sunday Hole, Maitai Camp Hole): no dogs 1 December to 31 March. Maitai Cricket Ground: no dogs October to March.
Nelson City Council dog rules Tasman District Council dog exercise areas
Dog services in Nelson
VetsPets, Livestock and Horses, Surgery and Emergencies
Pet groomersAll Breed Clips, Cat Grooming and De-Matting
Dog trainersPuppy Classes and Behaviour Help
Pet shopsPet Stores and Pet Supplies in Nelson and Richmond
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in Nelson?
Yes. Marsden Valley Dog Park in Stoke is fenced and over a hectare, with agility equipment, separate small and big dog areas, seating, shade, water and parking. There is no fenced dog park in Richmond.
Can I take my dog to Tāhunanui Beach?
Only to part of it. Dogs are not allowed on the eastern two-thirds of the main beach at any time. They can go to the western end under control, and Tāhunanui Back Beach is an off-leash exercise area.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Nelson?
In the CBD, the shopping centres, the formal gardens, cemeteries and most neighbourhood parks, yes. Elsewhere in Nelson they can be off leash if they are under control, and you must carry a leash.
Sources: Nelson City Council; Tasman District Council; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.