Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Massachusetts (2026 Update)

Share

dog lying on the sand at the beach

Planning your trip to the Cape isn’t complete without factoring in your canine friend. Generally, dogs are allowed on Massachusetts beaches during the off-season, which is usually between Labor Day and Memorial Day. During the summer, dogs may be banned from the beaches, at least during the busiest times of day when tourists and lifeguards are present.

Certain beaches have different rules though, so check before you go. Additionally, a few beaches may allow your dog to run through the sand off-leash, while others may restrict the times or require them to always remain on-leash.

Here are our 10 top picks for dog-friendly beaches all over Massachusetts, noting the time of year you can visit and any other information you need to know before you pack your dog’s beach ball.

divider single dog paw oct 2024

Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Massachusetts

1.  Joe Moakley Park at Carson Beach

️ Address: 1005 Columbia Road, Boston, Massachusetts 02127
Open Times: 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM; Beach access only available September 15th through May 1st
 Cost: Free
Off-Leash: No
  • Nice park where you can walk your leashed dog year-round
  • On-leash access to Carson Beach during the off-season
  • Near Logan International Airport
  • Water fountains function during the warmer months

2.  Plum Island Beach

️ Address: N Reservation Terrace, Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950
Open Times: September 15th through May 1st
 Cost: Parking fee is $15 for residents, $20 for non-residents
Off-Leash: Yes
  • Off-leash access allowed during off-season
  • Beach is closed to dogs during peak season
  • Free parking after 6:00 PM
  • No dogs allowed at Plum Island’s Sandy Point State Reservation

3.  Dane Street Beach

️ Address: Beverly, MA 01915
Open Times: Open 24/7 during off-season; No dog access allowed from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day
 Cost: Free
Off-Leash: No
  • Public beach with free parking
  • Dogs allowed on the beach year-round after 7:30 PM
  • All day play allowed during off-season

4.  Singing Beach

️ Address: 119 Beach St, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944
Open Times: Dogs allowed on beach from October 15th through April 15th
 Cost: Free during off-season
Off-Leash: Yes
  • Free 2-hour parking within walking distance
  • Doggie haven during off-season
  • Off-leash romping allowed

5.  Nauset Beach

️ Address: 250 Beach Road, Orleans, MA 02653
Open Times: September 15th through April 15th
 Cost: Free off-season parking
Off-Leash: No
  • 10-mile stretch of Cape Cod coast
  • Beach access available for free during off-season
  • Seals, whales, and the occasional shark swim nearby
  • No dogs allowed during peak times from April 15th through September 15th

6.  Provincetown Dog Beach

️ Address: 55 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657
Open Times: On-leash fun allowed 24/7, 365 days a year
 Cost: $2 parking
Off-Leash: Yes, but off-leash hours vary
  • Cheap parking for $2 an hour
  • Off-leash fun only allowed between from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and from 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM during peak season of Memorial Season through November 1st
  • The only beach in Cape Cod that always allows leashed dogs
  • Part of Herring Cove
  • Off-leash always allowed during off-season

7.  Corn Hill Beach

️ Address: Corn Hill Road, Truro, MA 02666
Open Times: 6:00 PM through 9:00 AM only from Labor Day through the third Sunday in June; 24/7 during off-season
 Cost: Free
Off-Leash: No
  • Allows dogs during certain hours in the summer
  • Off-leash not allowed at any time
  • Available to all dogs 24/7 during the winter

8.  Craigville Beach

️ Address: Barnstable, MA
Open Times: Available from September 15th through May 15th
 Cost: $25 parking from 7:30 AM through 3:45 PM
Off-Leash: Not unless dogs are under voice control
  • Small, tidy beach
  • Allows dogs during the off-season
  • Dogs must be on a leash or under voice control

9.  Francis Street Beach

️ Address: Nantucket, MA 02554
Open Times: 24/7
 Cost: Free
Off-Leash: No
  • Minutes from downtown Nantucket
  • Allows dogs year-round
  • Dogs must be leashed

10.  Good Harbor Beach

️ Address: 99 Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930
Open Times: September 15th through April 15th
 Cost: Free after 6:00 PM
Off-Leash: No
  • Leashed dogs are allowed during the off-season
  • Handicap accessible
  • Hours and parking vary; call ahead

divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

Conclusion

Whether you’re visiting Boston or traveling to Nantucket, you’ll be sure to find plenty of dog-friendly beaches along the Massachusetts coast. Most public beaches are only open to dogs during the off-season, but a few may allow leashed dogs year-round. However, a June trip isn’t always a summer bummer. Sometimes beaches will still allow dogs during peak times of year after dark and before dawn when it’s less crowded. Always check before you go just to be safe.

Related Read:


Featured Image Credit: Bertrand Bouchez, Unsplash

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Dogster’s Weekly Photo Contest Winners: Best Easter Photo (April 9, 2026)

Every week our team gets the privilege of sorting through our readers photos to choose what dogs will win this weeks contest! See...

We Didn’t Just Add a Dog to Our Life – We Built a Life With Him

“We didn’t just bring a dog home—we built a life together.” Most people are quietly taught a version of pet ownership that looks...

What Most Airlines Won’t Let You Do With Your Dog (Even If You Pay Extra)

Airline pet policies are notoriously hard to navigate. The information is scattered across different pages, buried in FAQ sections, and often contradicts what...

Designer Breeds: Best of Both? New Study Says No

“I’ll take a highly trainable, low-shedding lapdog, hold the heart disease and anxiety!” Something I always found amusing was when people would point...

More related

Can Dogs Eat Ham? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Dogs are omnivores, and they can eat plant—and animal-based ingredients. In the wild, they hunt small animals individually, and in packs, they work...

Blue Merle Corgi: Info, Pictures, Origin & History

If you’re looking for a Corgi, few color variations are quite as cute as the merle blue. It is an adorable pattern on...

How to Keep Your Dog Calm When Guests Arrive (10 Great Tips)

When you have guests over, does your dog lose self-control and go crazy? If so, you’re not alone! Many dogs, especially puppies, enjoy...

Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare: Vet-Approved Explanation and Info

When you take on the responsibility of owning a pet, you are committing to making sure the animal has everything that they need...

Keep reading

Is Blue Buffalo Made in the USA? What You Need to Know

Blue Buffalo is a famous dog food brand with many recipes for optimal canine health. There are tons of options in recipes, treats, and other supplements. If you have any kitties—they even have quite a comprehensive cat food line. But...

Is blue buffalo made in the USA?

Can Dogs Eat Licorice? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Info

Our pets can eat all sorts of goodies that we can prepare from the comfort of our own kitchens. However, when it comes to sweets, it isn’t always the best idea to share with our four-legged friends. Licorice is not...

twizzlers licorice candies

How to Improve Your Dog’s Diet: 12 Vet-Approved Tips

Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of keeping your dog healthy and happy while giving them the best chance of a long life. And yet many owners buy the cheapest or most convenient dog food, tip some in...

Natural dog food Dog lying near its bowl

9 Best Dog Foods for Poop Eaters in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

So, your dog loves to eat their own feces in the yard or from your cat’s litter box—and you’re concerned. We understand. It’s disgusting for us to watch. But while poop-eating is gross, it’s also a natural phenomenon for some...

bulldog eating food

10 Best Foods for Golden Retriever Puppies in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

Congratulations on getting your Golden Retriever puppy! You are now one of 69 million American households 1 that have welcomed a dog into their lives. Of course, choosing the right food for your pup is a significant decision. A look...

Golden retriever puppy sitting on bowl

Victor Dog Food vs Purina Pro Plan: 2026 Comparison, Pros & Cons

With so many pet foods on the market, it can be daunting to choose the right one for your dog. Naturally, we want the best for our pups, but the sheer number of brands, ingredients, options, and more can lead...

Dogster_Dog Food Victor VS Purina Pro Plan

Iams Dog Food Review 2026: Pros, Cons, Recalls & FAQ

Review Summary Iams is one of the best-known and oldest pet food companies in the world. The company was founded in 1946 by Paul Iams, an animal nutritionist who planned to bring quality dog food to animals who’d mostly been...

Dogster_Iams Dog Food Review

9 Best Dog Foods for Toy Poodles in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

The Toy Poodle is a small dog breed popular for its boisterous personality and fluffy, curly coat. These Poodles, like other toy breeds, are susceptible to digestive upset and require a diet that’s ideal for their sensitive stomachs. In addition,...

poodle dog eating

Love Dogs? So Do We! Join the Dogster Community

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




Sign up for the Dogster Email Newsletter