12 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in the US (2026 Update)
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View 3 More +Going to the beach with your dog is an excellent way to provide an enriching outing for them. Dogs can run around in the sand, cool off in the water, or just sunbathe next to you. When visiting a beach, it’s important to check to ensure it allows dogs. Not all beaches are dog-friendly and won’t allow dogs, even if they’re leashed.
To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best dog-friendly beaches in the United States. All these beaches welcome leashed dogs, and some of them even let them play off-leash.
Top 12 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in the US
West Coast
1. Double Bluff Beach, Washington
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?6378 S Double Bluff Rd, Freeland, WA |
| ? Open Times: | Year-round from 6:00 AM–10:00 PM |
| ? Cost: | Free |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | Yes |
- Dogs must be leashed before entering and leaving the beach area
- Has a dog wash station on site
- Parking is limited, and it can be difficult to find free parking
2. Cannon Beach, Oregon
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?2864 S Pacific St, Cannon Beach, OR |
| ? Open Times: | 24/7 |
| ? Cost: | Free |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | Yes |
- Dogs must be leashed if they’re not trained under voice control
- Make sure to bring fresh water and waste bags with you
- Cannon Beach is a very dog-friendly town
3. Huntington Dog Beach, California
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?100 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA |
| ? Open Times: | Year-round from 5:00 AM–10:00 PM |
| ? Cost: | Free |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | Yes |
- Has two parking lots nearby that charge $2 per hour
- Dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting the beach
- The beach isn’t fenced and isn’t recommended for dogs that don’t have good recall
- The beach can be reserved and closed for weddings and other special events
4. Carmel Beach, California
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?Ocean Ave & Scenic Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA |
| ? Open Times: | Year-round from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| ? Cost: | Free |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | Yes |
- Dogs are allowed to be unleashed but must remain under voice control
- Make sure to leash your dog before entering and leaving the beach
- Don’t use the bluffs as a shortcut to the beach because this will cause damage
- Fire pits are allowed until 10:00 PM
East Coast
5. Herring Cove Beach, Massachusetts
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?Province Lands Rd, Provincetown, MA |
| ? Open Times: | Year-round from 6:00 AM–12:00 AM |
| ? Cost: | $15–$25 |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | No |
- Beach is located along the Province Lands Bicycle Trail
- Has gentler waves and is a popular place to watch sunsets
- Protected birds nest at this beach, so be mindful of pet signs
- Annual park passes are available if you’re planning multiple visits
6. Block Island Mansion Beach, Rhode Island
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?1701 Mansion Rd, New Shoreham, RI |
| ? Open Times: | Year-round, from sunrise to sunset |
| ? Cost: | Free |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | No |
- Secluded and quiet beach with big waves
- Has a parking lot, but it’s easier to access by bike or foot
- Admission and parking are both free
7. Wildwood Dog Park & Beach, New Jersey
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?3000 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ |
| ? Open Times: | Year-round, from sunrise to sunset |
| ? Cost: | Free |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | No |
- Has on-site water stations and clean-up bags
- Dogs must be leashed when walking on the beach
- Park has a lot of climbing and play equipment for dogs
South
8. Jupiter Dog-Friendly Beach, Florida
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?48 Ocean Blvd, Jupiter, FL |
| ? Open Times: | Year-round, from sunrise to sunset |
| ? Cost: | Free |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | Yes |
- Dog-friendly area is 2.5 miles long and is located between beach markers #26 to #57
- Check water conditions daily for sea life and jellyfish
- Dogs must remain leashed while walking from the car to the beach
- Dog waste bags are located at every crossover
9. Fort De Soto Dog Park & Beach, Florida
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL |
| ? Open Times: | Year-round 7:00 AM–Sunset |
| ? Cost: | Free |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | Yes |
- Dog beach area entrance is located in the southwest corner of the dog park
- Entrance is free, but there is a $5 vehicle parking fee
- Has on-site water stations
- Dogs must be leashed when walking through county parks and aren’t allowed on boardwalks or observation towers.
10. Jekyll Island Driftwood Beach, Georgia
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?N Loop Trail, Jekyll Island, GA |
| ? Open Times: | Year-round 24/7 |
| ? Cost: | $8 daily fee |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | No |
- Beach is open 24/7, but make sure to check tide charts before visiting
- Best time to visit is during an outgoing tide or at low tide
- Has a lot of driftwood for dogs to explore and snoop around
- Has a lot of scenic areas and good photo-taking opportunities
Midwest/Great Lakes
11. Kirk Park Beach, Michigan
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?9791 Lakeshore Ave, West Olive, MI |
| ? Open Times: | March 1–October 15: 7:00 AM–10:00 PM; October 16–February 28: 7:00 AM–8:00 PM |
| ? Cost: | Free |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | Yes, in the south end of the beach |
- Requires motor vehicle parking fees from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
- Dogs are allowed off-leash on north end of the beach from October 1–April 30
- Dogs aren’t allowed on playground areas and off-trails and in park buildings or restrooms
- Dog leashes can’t be longer than 10 feet in on-leash zones
12. Montrose Dog Beach, Illinois
| ️ ?️ Address: | ?4697 Lawrence, W Wilson Dr, Chicago, IL |
| ? Open Times: | Year-round, 6:00 AM–11:00 PM |
| ? Cost: | Free |
| ? Off-leash allowed? | Yes |
- Requires a Chicago Dog-Friendly Area (DFA) tag for entry
- Paid parking lot and street parking available
- Can get very crowded during the peak season in the summer
- Beach is fenced, but dogs can escape the area depending on water levels and sand buildup
Conclusion
There are tons of fun beaches across the US that you and your dog can visit. Just keep in mind that each beach has its own unique set of rules, and some require registrations or entry fees. So, make sure to check a beach’s rules and regulations ahead of time so that you arrive prepared and are able to enter the beach without any issues.
Featured Image Credit: mark__graham, Shutterstock
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Jessica is a freelance writer who spends bigger part of her day researching and writing while her furry companion Cavapoo, Nora, snoozes beside her. She loves dogs, pets and animals because there’s so much to learn from them, and they do so much for us. As a dog mom, she understands the strong connection that pet parents have with their pets. So, she loves sharing helpful information that pet owners can use to better understand their beloved pets. When she isn't writing, you may find her walking dogs, tending to her plants, or drinking her nth cup of coffee.
