Dog Friendly Beaches in the United States

Take Fido for a splash at the pet-friendly Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach, CA! While not a fully fenced or officially designated dog beach, dogs are welcome to enjoy the sand and surf during the daily Dog Zone hours from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Be sure to keep your pup leashed on the way in, but once inside the designated area, they’re free to roam and play off-leash. For full guidelines and rules, check out their website.

Huntington Dog Beach in Huntington Beach, CA is considered a dog-friendly heaven by most visitors. Dogs come from all over the world to play in the sand and splash in the surf. Visitors are asked to abide by good doggy etiquette which includes properly disposing of pet waste and ensuring that your dog is non-aggressive and under control at all times. Dog Beach amenities include public restrooms, grassy area with picnic tables, and drinking fountains for dogs and humans.

Isle of Palms Beaches in South Carolina boasts seven miles of pristine coasts that you can access via 57 public paths. These pet-friendly beaches allow dogs to visit off-leash from 5:00 AM until 9:00 AM April 1st through September 14th, and from 4:00 PM until 10:00 AM September 15th through March 31st. At all other times, dogs must be leashed and under complete control, even in the water. Residents are encouraged to obtain a dog permit from the Isle of Palms Police Department when visiting.

Dogs are allowed on the beach, outside of the lifeguard-protected beach area, along the Maryland portion of Assateague National Seashore in Berlin. Pets are not permitted on the nature trails or anywhere within the Virginia portion of Assateague Island, and visiting pups must be on a six-foot leash at all times.

Jupiter Dog Beach is home to one of Florida's best off-leash beach areas. Dogs are free to roam a designated section of the beach running along A1A near Ocean Cay Park in Jupiter, FL. This 2.5-mile stretch of pet-friendly beach is located from beach marker #26 at Marcinski Road, going north to beach marker #57 (at the Carlin Park property line) and welcomes well-behaved, obedient dogs.

Fenwick Island State Park in Delaware has a nice, uncrowded, pet-friendly beach during winter. However, dogs are prohibited from May 1st to September 30th. However, pups are permitted in other areas of the park, provided they are kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. The area offers three miles of ocean beaches and access to the Little Assawoman Bay. Boundary markers for areas open or closed to pets will typically be designated by signs posted at the seaward toe of the dune.

The Coronado Dog Beach is a dog-friendly, leash-free area on the western part of the shore in Coronado, CA. Parking is available along Ocean Boulevard, but it can be a rather long walk to the beach, so be sure to keep your pup leashed until you reach the sand, as there is a strict zero-tolerance policy for unleashed dogs. Owners are asked to monitor their dogs at all times, clean up any messes, and ensure that Fido has all current licenses before visiting. Make sure to bring a camera and snap some photos of Fido with the stunning scenery! The Point Loma headland and iconic Hotel del Coronado are visible from the shore.

Perhaps the most popular canine hotspot in San Diego, CA is The Original Dog Beach located at the northern end of Ocean Beach. Here, dogs can roam off-leash at any time of the day. Owners should take care to pick up after their pets. After a day at the beach, you may want to head over to the Dog Beach Dog Wash to give Fido a bath.

Brohard Paw Park has a fenced dog play area featuring separate sections for small and large dogs, which leads to Sarasota County's only dog-friendly beach. Located in Venice, FL, pups are invited to enjoy a variety of park amenities, including drinking fountains and showers. There are also water fountains, picnic tables and benches. Please observe the posted signage stating where the dog beach ends.

Leashed dogs are welcome year-round at dog-friendly Fort Fisher State Park in Kure Beach, NC. This very wide beach is ideal for Fido to run and swim with other dogs. Explore the one-mile trail that traverses the salt marsh and ends at an observation deck with views of Zeke's Island and the Cape Fear River. Pet waste cleanup laws are strict, and bags are provided for this purpose.

Bring your pet for a dip at De Soto National Memorial Beach in Bradenton, FL. This dog-friendly recreation area welcomes leashed pups to enjoy a stroll along the trails and shoreline with you. Restrooms and water stations are available.

The Oak Island, NC beaches (Caswell, Yaupon, & Long Beach) are very family and pet friendly. Bring Fido for a run through the sand and water! From March 16th through October 15th, dogs must be leashed at all times in the public beach areas.

The Montrose Dog Beach is Chicago's first legal off-leash beach. Located on the Northwest corner of Montrose Beach, this area is fenced and offers free dog waste bags and a dog-wash area. Montrose Dog Beach is open during all regular Chicago Park District hours, but morning hours are the most popular. DFA tags are required for all dogs.

Gooch's Beach in Kennebunk, ME is pet friendly at specific times throughout the year. From June 15th to Labor Day, dogs are welcome before 9 AM and after 5 PM under voice control or on a leash. From the day after Labor Day to June 14th, dogs are permitted on the beach at any time, but must be under voice control or on a leash.

Indiana Dunes National Park is a dog-friendly attraction in Porter, IN. Explore this beautiful nature center and dunes area with your leashed pet. Dogs are permitted on all beaches in the park except the West Beach swimming area. Before leaving, be sure to stop by the Visitors Center to have Fido certified as an official National Park B.A.R.K. Ranger!

Driftwood Beach in Jekyll Island, GA is dog friendly. This sandy area is covered in beautiful pieces of driftwood, perfect for Fido to hide under when it's hot. Dogs must be on a leash, but they can still have fun wandering in the calm surf and on the golden sand.

Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head, NC, welcomes leashed dogs. Some trails will take you into multiple environments, including wetlands, sandy beaches and grassy dunes. While this pet-friendly park also allows dogs on the sand dunes, note that sand spurs are present (ouch!). The sand can also reach temperatures 30 degrees higher than the air temperature, so ensure that Fido's paws are protected and water is always available during hotter months.

Mission Point Lighthouse has been a Traverse City and Old Mission Peninsula icon for decades in Michigan. This pet-friendly destination allows well-behaved pups on the beach and trails but not inside the lighthouse. The lighthouse is a classic piece of history, located at the north end of a picturesque drive along M-37 through cherry orchards and vineyards.

Most of Fiesta Island Park, a large sandy island in San Diego, CA, is designated leash-free for dogs. It has lots of sandy dunes to romp in, and the calm bay waters allow the more adventurous dogs to take a quick dip. There's a designated off-leash location on the backside of the island. Bring water for your dogs.

Island Beach State Park is a pet-friendly island barrier on the coast of Seaside Park, NJ. Stretching 10 miles in total, the sand dunes offer a varied and interesting area for plants and animals to thrive. From Memorial Day weekend through the first of October, pets are not permitted on the ocean swimming beaches. Leashed pets are permitted south of these areas during this time period. Pets are not permitted on the Spizzle Creek Bird Blind Trail at any time. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that their pooches leave behind.