It’s not necessary to keep your pet from enjoying a fun day at the beach with you. As you travel across the United States, you’ll find many beautiful beaches that allow dogs. Our list includes the top 10 dog-friendly beaches in the US, spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Apply sunscreen and get your dog’s leash. You’re going on a fun trip to find the best places.
Here are the top 10 dog-friendly beaches in the United States.
1. Cisco Beach: Nantucket, Massachusetts
One of the best pet-friendly beaches on Nantucket is Cisco Beach, which can be found on the island’s southern side. Surfers and younger people frequent this beach because of its powdery sand and powerful waves. In season, a lifeguard is on duty, but there are no other amenities, so be sure to bring a picnic lunch for you and your dog. Your canine companion must be properly licensed and restrained at all times.
You can bring your pet to Nantucket on Cape Air or one of the ferries operated by Hy-Line Cruises or the Steamship Authority. The Woof Cottages The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin are pet-friendly lodgings that include pet beds and bowls, a welcome bag of treats, and a personalized pet tag. The hotel’s pet concierge, Bailey, would love to meet you.
If you and your dog are visiting the island, stop by Cisco Brewers for a pint. Nantucket’s unofficial dog park, Tupancy Links, is a great place to let your dog run free (on or off leash) as you enjoy the scenery from atop a 42-foot bluff.
- Address: 1 Dirt Road, Nantucket, MA 02554
2. Willard Beach: South Portland, Maine
This 4-acre beach in South Portland is just one of many in Maine that is dog-friendly all year long. Located only four miles from Portland’s central business district, this gorgeous neighborhood beach features magnificent views of Spring Point Ledge Light and the harbor’s moored sailboats. From October through April, dogs are allowed on the beach without leashes from sunrise to sunset. Only early mornings and late evenings during the hectic summer season are dog-friendly. Checking the most recent regulations is a good idea because leash laws are subject to change.
Portland is home to the Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the United States, and the surrounding Fort Williams Park. If you want your pets to be treated like royalty during your stay in Cape Elizabeth, consider the “INNcredible Pets” package at the Chic Inn by the Sea. An exclusive L.L. Bean dog bed and toy are just the beginning of the rewards included in this package.
If you’re planning a trip in October, you’ll be happy to know that the inn allows dogs in the pool for a full week before closing. The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland has been working with the property for several years to establish a successful dog fostering and adoption program.
- Address: 46 Willow St., South Portland, ME 04106
3. Jupiter Dog Beach: Jupiter, Florida
Bring your furry friend to this beach in Jupiter that is just for dogs and have a great time. The 2.5-mile stretch of beach is in the Palm Beaches in southern Florida on the Atlantic Ocean. It starts at beach marker No. 26 on Marcinski Road and ends at beach marker No. 57 on the Carlin Park property line. Dogs can run free on the beach, but they should be well-behaved, friendly, and able to follow voice instructions. When you walk them from the car to the beach, you have to tie them up.
You can book a room at the Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa in Palm Beach. Your dog friend (up to 30 pounds) will get the same great treatment as you, starting with a gift bag when they arrive. The resort has public areas that are dog-friendly and parts of the beach that are set aside for your dog to explore. There are also outdoor shopping malls in town, like The Royal Poinciana Plaza, where you can take your friend. You can also spend the afternoon at one of the local dog parks with other pet owners and dogs.
- Address: 48 Ocean Blvd., Jupiter, FL 33477
4. Cannon Beach, Oregon
It’s hard to find a holiday spot where you can’t bring your furry friend with you. Another great one is the small city of Cannon Beach on the coast. People can walk their dogs on the beach with them as long as the dogs stay within sight and are walked by voice order. The area also has a lot of hiking trails where dogs can follow the smells of chipmunks, elk, and bears that live in the area.
There aren’t any fireworks in town on July 4, so this is a great place to go with pets that are scared of fireworks. The Dog Show on the Beach takes place every year in October in Cannon Beach. There are prizes for everything from the best trick to the best costume. For lodging in Cannon Beach, book a room at either the Tolovana Inn or the Surfsand Resort, both of which are beachside and allow pets.
- Address: 124 N. Laurel St., Cannon Beach, OR 97110
5. Kiptopeke State Park: Cape Charles, Virginia
On the Eastern Shore of Virginia, 45 miles north of Virginia Beach, Kiptopeke State Park is on the Chesapeake Bay. Pet owners can take their dogs to the south beach on a leash while their dogs swim, boat, fish, or crab. Plus, you can walk with your pet on more than 5 miles of trails in the park. Remember that Kiptopeke State Park charges a small fee per car to enter and park. Also, make sure the leash is no longer than 6 feet.
You can stay the night in a rustic house in the park or go into town and “ruff it” at the Sunset Beach Hotel with your friend. You can kick back and relax at the off-leash Sandy Paws Dog Beach and the Beach Bark Dog Park, which are both right next to this seaside property.
- Address: 3540 Kiptopeke Drive, Cape Charles, VA 23310
6. Brohard Beach: Venice, Florida
In Sarasota County, Brohard Beach, and Paw Park is the only beach where you and your dog friend can play together on the beach and in the water. There is a fenced area in Paw Park that goes to the beach. You’ll also find picnic tables, chairs, showers, and water fountains for dogs. Dogs can run free without a leash, but they need to be leashed. There are also several leash-free dog parks in Sarasota County. One of these is 17th Street Paw Park, which has fenced areas for big and small dogs, drinking fountains for dogs, and things you can use to clean up after your pet.
Owen’s Fish Camp is one of the best places in Sarasota for a casual night out. It has an Old Florida feel and a patio where you and your dog can enjoy dinner. Many other places in town allow dogs, and the Bijou Garden Cafe is one of them. In downtown Sarasota, many hotels allow pets. The Hyatt Regency Sarasota and The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota both allow pets up to 30 pounds. BringFido has holiday rentals in Venice that are great for pet owners who want a more laid-back vibe.
- Address: 1850 S. Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285
7. Fort De Soto Park: St. Petersburg, Florida
A lot of beaches close to St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach are dog-friendly and have great facilities for your animal friend. This park is at the mouth of Tampa Bay and is made up of five small islands. You can keep your dog on a leash anywhere in the park except on the main beaches. The Paw Playground has a dog beach where they can run free and splash around in the water. There are fenced-in areas for small and large dogs, as well as showers and water stations that dogs can reach.
Enjoy a cold beer at the Dog Bar after going to the beach. It has an off-leash dog park and a full-service bar where you and your friend can meet new people. People who come with their dogs must have a membership or a day pass that costs less than $10. At the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, there is a leash-free Pet Play Zone and a quick-wash spot where you can clean up after a day in the surf and sand. You can get bowls and leashes for your pet at the Doggie Accessory Center.
- Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL 33715
8. Crystal Coast, North Carolina
North Carolina’s Crystal Coast is home to several year-round dog-friendly beaches, including the Atlantic, Indian, Emerald Isle, and Pine Knoll Shores beaches. Your doggie pal is welcome on a leash with only a restriction near the lifeguarded areas on Atlantic Beach.
Grab a treat for your pup and a coffee for yourself at Muttigans, or head to The Growler Bar for a cold brew on a hot day; your pet can join you indoors at both places. Plan to stay at the Atlantis Lodge, a unique vintage beachfront lodge in Pine Knoll Shores. This pet-friendly property features a dog park and a pet washing station with complimentary shampoo and conditioner to freshen up your pup after a day of fun in the sun.
- Address: Harkers Island, NC 28531, USA
9. Olympic National Park, Washington
There are many busy, pet-friendly outdoor spots in Washington state. One of these is along the beautiful northern Olympic Peninsula coast. You and your leashed dog can walk along certain rocky beaches and designated scenic trails in the forest at Olympic National Park. You can also use the campgrounds and picnic spots. Spend days in the fresh air, and then go back to one of the park hotels, Kalaloch Lodge. This property in Forks is on a beach where dogs are welcome, and it has houses where you and your furry friend can stay while enjoying views of the forest, Kalaloch Creek, or the Pacific Ocean.
You and your pet can walk more than 250 miles of trails in Olympic National Forest, which is not in the park. You can also visit Fort Worden State Park or the dog-friendly beaches in the Kalaloch area while you are at the lodge. The fenced-in Sequim Dog Park is a great place to play without a leash. The beach town of Port Townsend has many places to relax outside with your furry friend at the end of a long day of fun activities.
- Address: 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles, WA 98362
10. Dog Beach at Pier Park: Panama City Beach, Florida
Plan a trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast to enjoy white sand beaches and sparkling emerald waters with your canine companion. As the pet-friendly section of the beach, Dog Beach sits across from Pier Park and extends 400 feet along the coastline of Panama City Beach between beach access Nos. 56 and 57. Leashes are required.
A little more than a mile away, Frank Brown Dog Park has three fenced-in playgrounds for your furry friend to socialize and run free – one even offers a lakeside view. The park also has more than 2 miles of pet-friendly trails and greenways where you can get in human and doggie steps. For accommodations, plan to stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City-Beachfront, or reserve an oceanfront condominium with a view of Treasure Island for a longer stay.
- Address: 16201 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Conclusion:
These are the top 10 dog-friendly beaches in the U.S., where both people and dogs are welcome. They’re great for a day of sun, sand, and surf. Before you go to each beach, make sure you know the rules about dogs there. This will keep your pet safe and comfortable while you enjoy your day. With these beautiful coastal choices, you and your furry friend can have an adventure you’ll never forget. Then get your beach stuff together and head to the beach with your best friend.
FAQ’s
Q1. Are dogs allowed on all these beaches year-round?
No, these beaches have different rules about dogs in different places. Some places let dogs stay all year, while others have rules about when they can come, especially during busy tourist times. Before you go, make sure you know what the rules are for each beach.
Q2. Can my dog be off-leash on these beaches?
On some beaches, dogs can be off-leash in certain places, but on others, they have to be on a leash at all times. Make sure you and your dog stay safe and have a good time at the beach by always following the rules stated there.
Q3. Can my dog swim in the ocean at these beaches?
Many of these beaches lead out to the ocean, and dogs are generally welcome to swim and play in the water. But make sure your dog is used to the ocean, and keep a close eye on them at all times to make sure they stay safe.
Q4. Are there any pet-friendly accommodations near these beaches?
Yes, many of the beaches on our list are located near pet-friendly accommodations. It's a good idea to book your stay in advance and confirm the pet policies with the accommodations to ensure a comfortable and welcoming experience for you and your dog.
Q5. Can I bring any breed of dog to these beaches?
All dog breeds are generally welcome at these beaches, though specific rules may differ. It is imperative to be cognizant of any breed-specific laws or municipal policies that may impact your stay. The majority of beaches place more emphasis on a dog's conduct than breed.
