Pat Dolan Trail - Flushing, NY
Pat Dolan Trail – A Dog-Friendly Urban Nature Trail in Flushing, New York
Pat Dolan Trail, nestled within Willow Lake Preserve in Flushing, New York, offers city dwellers and their four-legged friends a scenic escape into urban wetlands. Often described as a hidden gem, this pet-friendly trail allows visitors to experience lush vegetation, wildflowers, butterflies, and birdlife, all just steps away from the bustle of Queens. While not a traditional fenced dog park, the trail is very dog-friendly and perfect for leashed walks with your pup.
This trail is a favorite for dog owners seeking dog-friendly hiking or nature adventures in NYC. Be sure to bring sturdy, comfortable shoes as parts of the path can be muddy, especially after rain, and wear bug spray during warmer months. The trail is open to families and pet owners, offering a peaceful escape with a unique wetland setting right in the heart of the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the Pat Dolan Trail is itself a natural hiking trail in Willow Lake Preserve, perfect for dog-friendly hikes.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Yes, the trail can be muddy after rain, so wearing boots or old sneakers is recommended.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Maintenance seems to vary by season, with better upkeep during the spring and summer and less in other times. Visitors recommend keeping an eye out for possible debris on the trail.
- Are ticks or other pests common in the area? Yes, as a wetland trail, bugs and mosquitoes can be common, especially in the summer.
Reviews
We had a great time on the trail taking pictures and seeing lots of flowers and certain butterflies. My daughters loved it. Most of the paths were well maintained, son needed to get checked out and either repaved or have the wood cleaned up.
Definitely wear comfortable shoes but ones that you don’t mind getting a little dirty.
This is a fun little trail to check out on a beautiful spring day when you don’t feel like traveling far for a little nature adventure. We saw some pretty wildflowers, birds and a snake in the brush that thankfully slithered away quickly.
It is a wetland area even if it hasn’t rained in recent memory, so definitely wear sneakers or boots you don’t mind getting muddy. I would not go here in the summer when bugs are out in full force. I also wouldn’t go here alone, mainly because there are very few people around, but it’s a peaceful escape with a buddy.
I highly recommend crossing the footbridge to Kew Gardens Hills and stopping at Max and Mina’s for ice cream. Such a fun shop and the ice cream is legit.
It’s a nice trail, but if it rained the day before the trail is muddy
I would not recommend this trail. Especially don’t come here without boots that can handle mud. I guess probably from all the recent storms, this walk way has become very flooded and nasty. It is a nice attempt at pure nature that’s hidden in this big city. But doesn’t look very safe and doesn’t seem to be updated in a very very long time. Lots of bugs and mosquitoes as well. Walk this trail only covered in bug spray. Won’t come back here until it gets a major update.
I highly recommend using your phone as a guide while walking this trail and bring a battery pack too.
I walked this trail on a whim and was hesitant to continue walking because the trail was not maintained well (garbage and toys dumped along the trail). Which is why I was confused when I read reviews about how well maintained the trail is after I completed it, but most of those reviews seem to be during the spring/summer seasons so perhaps that’s when it gets tidied up.
The step stones and the wooden planks were walkable but if you’re not paying attention some of the stones are either spaced too far apart or submerged, and as someone who already commented this, the trail is not walking accessible for everyone. The trail is short and near the highway, however I had to keep checking my surroundings for my own safety because the weeds or tall and dense and there’s only two entries/exits that are far from each other. Thankfully there were a good number of families and couples walking along so I enjoyed the trail knowing that there are other people there.
This is trail is in the wetlands, so make sure to wear sturdy shoes and comfortable clothing. Overall, this trail is a hidden gem because it’s a step into nature that removes you from the city. I’ve lived here all my life but never thought that NYC had wetlands, it was refreshing to be giddy about hopping the step stones and getting muddy.