William Howe Regional Park

William Howe Regional Park is a quiet bushland reserve on the Mount Annan and Narellan Vale border, and it is one of the few NSW National Parks that welcomes dogs: on lead, at all times, across the whole park. The main draw is a loop trail through regenerated bushland that climbs to a lookout with views over the Macarthur region toward the Blue Mountains.

Leash status

Dogs are permitted on leash in all areas, per the park's own visitor information. There is no off-lead zone anywhere in the reserve, so the lead stays on from the car park to the car park. Carry your own waste bags, because bins are not guaranteed along the trail.

Max: this is the park next door to the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, and the Botanic Garden bans dogs outright. Park at the William Howe entry off Mary Howe Place so you do not end up walking a fence line all morning.

The walk

The loop runs about 2.4 km on wide gravel paths, rated easy to moderate with a steady incline toward the summit. Most walkers round it in under an hour, which makes it a morning loop rather than a day out, and there is no scrambling that would trouble a steady older dog.

The high point is the Turkeys Nest lookout at the top of the circuit, with picnic tables just below it. Views run southwest over farmland toward the Razorback range and out to the Blue Mountains escarpment on a clear day.

Water and heat

There is no drinking water on site for people or dogs, so bring enough for both, and more than you think in summer. The exposed sections of trail hold heat through the middle of the day and shade is patchy on the climb.

Getting there and parking

Vehicle access and parking are off Mary Howe Place in Narellan Vale, on sealed roads suitable for any car. The park opens daily from 8am to 6pm under NSW National Parks hours.

More walks nearby

For an actual off-lead run, the Burrell Road fenced dog park in Spring Farm is a short drive south. Delictable Cafe in Mount Annan handles the coffee afterwards.

More routes are on the New South Wales dog friendly trails guide and the Mount Annan destination page.