Planning a beach vacation? Why not bring your canine companion along for some seaside fun? Across the United States, numerous beaches welcome dogs, offering a variety of experiences from the shores of the Great Lakes to the vast Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. These dog-friendly destinations often boast amenities like dedicated cleaning stations, convenient water fountains, and even fenced-in areas where dogs can run and socialize freely. Whether you’re dreaming of wide, sandy beaches, rugged, windswept shores, or tranquil lakefronts, there’s a perfect The 18 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in the US awaiting you and your furry friend. Let’s explore some of the top spots where dogs can enjoy the sun, sand, and surf.
1. Montrose Dog Beach, Illinois
Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Montrose Dog Beach offers a four-acre sandy paradise for dogs. This designated dog-friendly area is a haven for pups to enjoy off-leash play. To access the beach, all dogs, including those belonging to visitors, must have proof of vaccination and obtain a Chicago Dog Friendly Area (DFA) permit and registration tag from a local veterinarian. The park is enclosed on three sides, providing a safe space for dogs to roam freely from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The Montrose Dog Owners Group (MonDog) diligently maintains the park, providing amenities like a hose-down area and complimentary waste bags. Visitor donations are welcome to help with beach upkeep.
2. Jupiter Dog Beach, Florida
Stretching for 2.5 miles along the Atlantic coast in northern Palm Beach County, Jupiter Dog Beach is one of the largest off-leash dog beaches on the East Coast. This expansive beach offers ample space for dogs to play in the sand and surf without the restriction of a leash. Dogs must be leashed while traveling from the parking lot to the beach area. Poop bag stations are conveniently located along the route, encouraging visitors to adhere to the area’s "leave no trace" policy. Given the shared nature of the beach, dogs are expected to be well-behaved and socialized to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.
3. Coronado Dog Beach, California
Located in San Diego, Coronado Dog Beach provides a picturesque setting for dogs to frolic in the sand and waves. The iconic Hotel del Coronado serves as a stunning backdrop to this leash-free dog park, situated across from Sunset Park on Ocean Boulevard. Free street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood, and a dog-washing station makes post-play cleanup a breeze. After a fun day at the beach, take a stroll down Orange Avenue or relax on one of Coronado’s many dog-friendly restaurant patios.
4. Fort DeSoto Park, Florida
Fort DeSoto Park in St. Petersburg consists of five interconnected islands and is the largest park in Pinellas County. It features a dedicated "Paw Playground" for visiting pets. This area includes two grassy dog parks, one for larger dogs and another for smaller dogs. A quarter-mile, off-leash Dog Beach allows furry friends to freely enjoy the sugary-sand shores. Water stations and hoses are available for quick cleanup. Leashed dogs can also explore nearly 1,200 acres of hiking trails that wind through the park’s diverse landscapes, including wetlands, palm trees, and mangroves.
5. Block Island, Rhode Island
Unlike many other area beaches with seasonal pet restrictions, Block Island beaches are open to leashed dogs year-round. Situated just 12 miles from mainland Rhode Island, the island offers 17 miles of coastline to explore, including Sandy Crescent Beach and the dramatic Mohegan Bluffs. Many restaurants, hotels, and points of interest, such as the grounds of the Southeast Lighthouse, welcome dogs. The Southeast Lighthouse is the highest structure of its kind in New England. A ferry ride to this location provides a unique vacation that will be remembered for a lifetime.
6. Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island, a Georgia barrier island, welcomes dogs year-round along its 10 miles of pristine coastline. Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than 16 feet and are not permitted on the sand dunes. Visitors can enjoy splashing in the water or exploring Jekyll’s iconic Driftwood Beach, a unique stretch on the island’s northern end characterized by eroded tree trunks and branches from a former maritime forest. The laid-back island also offers several dog-friendly restaurants, such as Sunrise Grille, where you and your pup can relax on a covered patio.
7. Huntington Dog Beach, California
Huntington Dog Beach is a popular off-leash dog beach located along the Pacific Coast Highway in Orange County. Spanning 1.5 miles between Goldenwest Street and Seapoint Street, this scenic beach is open year-round from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dogs must be leashed from the parking lots to the beach area. Amenities include drinking fountains for dogs and their owners, free waste bags, restrooms, and picnic tables. Several pet-friendly restaurants are located nearby, including Pacific Hideaway and The Park Bench Cafe, both of which offer dedicated dog menus.
8. Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach, a small coastal city renowned for its expansive shorelines and towering Haystack Rock, allows dogs on its 1.5-mile stretch of beach. Dogs must be leashed or responsive to voice commands. The wide, flat beach features plenty of driftwood for dogs to play fetch. Dogs are also permitted on the seaside trails of nearby Ecola State Park, but leashes are required to avoid encounters with local wildlife. Many Cannon Beach restaurants are dog-friendly, including Warren House Pub, which has a large outdoor patio.
9. Island Beach State Park, New Jersey
Island Beach State Park, one of the largest undeveloped beaches on the north Atlantic coast, welcomes dogs on leashes no longer than 6 feet year-round. The 3,000-acre park has eight trails that wind through maritime forests, tidal marshes, and rolling sand dunes. Dogs are not allowed on the swimming beach, and visitors are advised to bring their own hydration and waste bags.
10. Emerald Isle, North Carolina
Emerald Isle, located on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, features 12 miles of soft, sandy beaches for dogs to enjoy year-round. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and visitors should bring their own waste bags. Muttigans, a local coffee shop and pet store, sells toys, organic food, and snacks.
11. Dog Beach at Pier Park, Florida
Located in Panama City Beach, Dog Beach at Pier Park stretches 400 feet along the emerald waters across from Pier Park. It’s open daily from sunrise to sunset, and dogs must be leashed. Nearby Frank Brown Dog Park offers three fenced-in playgrounds for off-leash pups, plus 2 miles of pet-friendly paths.
12. Kiva Beach, California
Kiva Beach in South Lake Tahoe is a quiet beach with some of the destination’s best swimming for both humans and dogs. Dogs can swim without a leash, but must be leashed when exploring the narrow shoreline. Waste bags are provided at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, and visitors should avoid the fragile marsh zone adjacent to the sand. Nearby Van Sickle Bi-State Park offers hiking trails, and Bijou Dog Park provides off-leash play areas, washing stations, and drinking water.
13. Tannery Beach, Michigan
Tannery Beach on Lake Charlevoix in Boyne City is a rocky, rugged public beach open to dogs year-round. The park provides scoopers and bags for easy cleanup. Ridge Run Dog Park, located a few blocks north of the lake, offers large and small runs for dogs to romp and socialize after a day at the beach.
14. Camp Hero State Park, New York
Camp Hero State Park, located on the easternmost tip of Long Island in Montauk, offers more than 400 acres of maritime forests, rocky bluffs, and Atlantic beachfront for dogs and their owners to explore. Dogs must be leashed at all times, but are permitted on all trails. Visitors should be mindful of ticks and pack their own water, waste bags, and proof of rabies vaccination.
15. South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre Island, the only tropical island in Texas, allows dogs on its 34 miles of white sandy beachfront year-round. Dogs must be leashed, and vaccinations must be up-to-date. Pets and their owners have access to restrooms and rinse-off areas by the Malaquite Pavilion, but must stay off the boardwalk and stick to the pet access trail to the beach. This location offers a one-of-a-kind experience.
16. Morris Island, South Carolina
Morris Island, accessible only via boat near Charleston, is an uninhabited island with 840 acres of beachfront and maritime forests for dogs to roam leash-free, except during the summer seabird nesting season. Visitors can walk along the shell-lined shores to see the Morris Island Lighthouse or tour the island with Adventure Harbor Tours. Be sure to bring waste bags, water bowls, and snacks, as there are no facilities on the island.
17. Dauphin Island, Alabama
Dauphin Island, a tiny barrier island west of Gulf Shores, welcomes dogs and their owners year-round. Most public beaches are dog-friendly, with wide swaths of tranquil coastline for pups to frolic. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and West End Beach is off-limits due to its bird nesting habitat. The Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary offers dog-friendly hiking trails through maritime forests, marshes, and beaches.
18. Fort Funston Beach, California
Fort Funston Beach, a rocky beach on San Francisco’s southwest coast, allows dogs to roam freely off-leash. The walk from the parking lot down the cliffside to the beach is steep. Visitors can enjoy panoramic ocean views. Swimming can be dangerous due to the surf and rip tide, and waste bags are essential. The 18 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in the US are only a few of the many dog-friendly locations around the world.
When planning your next beach vacation, consider one of these The 18 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in the US to create unforgettable memories with your four-legged friend. Remember to always check local regulations and be a responsible pet owner by keeping your dog leashed when required and cleaning up after them. With a little planning, you and your dog can enjoy a fantastic beach getaway.
