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.

10 Great Dog-Friendly Beaches in New Jersey (2025 Update)

Vizsla dog at the beach

Heading to the beach with friends is always a good time, but as a dog owner, you likely want to include your furry buddy in your beach excursions—at least every once in a while. Fortunately, there are several beaches located in the Garden State that happen to be dog-friendly, so you can spend a fun day on the sand and in the ocean with your canine friend. Here are 10 great New Jersey dog-friendly beach spots to consider.

divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

The 10 Great Dog-Friendly Beaches in New Jersey

1. Longport Dog Beach

🗺️ Address: Egg Harbor Township, NJ  08244
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash: Yes
  • No amenities besides portable toilets
  • This beach is part of the Malibu Beach Wildlife Management program
  • You must take garbage and used poop bags away with you
  • The beach area is small during high tide
  • Enjoy views of Great Egg Harbor Bay

2. Beach Haven Doggy Bay

🗺️ Address: Taylor Ave. Beach Haven, NJ 08008
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset from September 16 to May 14
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash: No
  • Dogs are not permitted on the beach during the summer months
  • Dogs are welcome on the bay beach at Taylor Avenue only
  • Dogs must be leashed at all times
  • The beach is typically clean and safe for small dogs
  • Surfers can be spotted entertaining those on the beach

3. Wildwood Dog Park and Beach

🗺️ Address: 3000 Boardwalk. Wildwood, NJ 08260
🕐 Open Times: 24 hours
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash: Yes, only in the enclosed dog park area
  • Dogs must be leashed on the beach area
  • Waste bags and drinking water are available onsite
  • Fenced play areas are available for large and small dog breeds
  • Dogs must be up to date on their vaccinations before entering the park
  • The park has play and agility equipment for the dogs to enjoy

4. Bradley Cove

🗺️ Address: Asbury Park, NJ
🕐 Open Times: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., September 15 to May 15; before 8:30 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m., May 16 to September 14
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash: Yes
  • This beach is located at the end of the Boardwalk
  • Visiting dogs must be licensed and always supervised
  • The beach can get crowded during the morning hours
  • Must bring your own water and waste bags
  • Great place for beginning dog swimmers

5. Higbee Beach

🗺️ Address: New Jersey 08204
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash: No
  • Enjoy hiking, swimming, bird watching, and plum picking here
  • Some people enjoy sunbathing nude at the park
  • The dunes are as high as 35 feet in some areas of the beach
  • Explore hundreds of acres of woodland
  • Seek out the freshwater marsh

6. Asbury Park Dog Beach

🗺️ Address: 1738 Ocean Ave N. Asbury, NJ 07712
🕐 Open Times: 24/7, September 15 to May 14
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash: Yes, only in the designated dog beach area
  • Dogs must be leashed unless in the designated dog beach area
  • Use the Deal Lake Drive beach entrance
  • Dogs are allowed on the beach between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. from May 16 to September 15
  • The beach is usually always busy during the summer months
  • A few nearby restaurants offer dog menus

7. Gateway National Recreation Area

🗺️ Address: 26 Hudson Rd, Highlands, NJ, US, 07732
🕐 Open Times: 6 AM to 9 PM Mon-Sun (All year, bay-side beaches at Plum Island and Horseshoe Cove)
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash: No
  •  Multiple beach areas open during off-season
  • No dogs from March 15 through September 15 on ocean-side beaches at Sandy Hook Unit
  • Nearby trails for walking with your dog
  • Parking is $20 in the summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day

8. Spring Lake Borough Beach

🗺️ Address: Spring Lake, NJ 07762
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset, October 1 to May 14
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash: Yes, in the fenced dog area
  • Dogs must be on leash unless in the fenced area off Pitney Avenue
  • Dogs are never allowed on the boardwalk
  • Enjoy 2 miles of sand to run and play on
  • Watch surfers and kayakers as you walk with your dog
  • Bring your waste bags and water

9. Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area

🗺️ Address: 383 3rd Ave. Manasquan, NJ 08736
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash: No
  • The beach is backed by an impressive 55-acre park
  • Fishing is popular here, so watch out for fishing lines
  • Plenty of room on the beach to picnic and play in the water
  • Enjoy an old-town feel during your visit
  • No amenities available

10. Corson’s Inlet State Park

🗺️ Address: County Hwy 619. Ocean City, NJ 08214
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset, September 16 to March 31
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-leash: No
  • This place is home to local and migratory wildlife
  • Dogs must be leashed at all times
  • No swimming allowed
  • Explore undeveloped trails and dunes near the shoreline
  • Shade can be hard to find

divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

Conclusion

There is no shortage of outdoor fun when spending time with your dog in New Jersey. Whether you want to just hang out at the beach, go hiking, or watch your canine play around with their peers, all the dog-friendly beaches on this list have something exciting to offer.


Featured Image Credit: martine552, Pixabay

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

How Smart Are Dalmatians? Facts & FAQ

Dalmatians are iconic dogs with their unique spotted coats and charming personalities. But have you ever wondered just how intelligent they are? Can...

Dog Hair vs. Fur: Vet-Verified Differences & How to Treat Them

We use the terms “hair” and “fur” interchangeably when it comes to our pets. Nevertheless, it is one of the defining characteristics of...

National Make a Dog’s Day 2025: When It Is & How to Celebrate

National Make a Dog’s Day is on October 22nd each year, and it’s all about finding a way to put a smile on...

8 Best Dog Foods at PetSmart in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Having a dog is a daunting task. There are so many factors to consider when taking care of your new dog. Your dog...

More related

10 Best Dog Foods for St. Bernards in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Finding the right dog food is essential and can also be frustrating. You have to work through reviews and clever marketing strategies to...

Can Dogs Have Onion Rings? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

You love giving your dog a bite of your food every now and then as a special treat, and most of the time,...

Irregular Heartbeat in Dogs: Our Vet Explains Signs, Causes & Care

During a physical exam, your veterinarian should always listen to your dogs’ chest with their stethoscope. This will include placing their stethoscope in...

Nutra-Nuggets Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons & Recalls

Review Summary Nutra-Nuggets is a pet food company that’s under the umbrella of Diamond Pet Foods. It has two main lines of food—US...

Keep reading

Can Dogs Eat Meatballs? Vet-Verified Nutrition Info & Tips

Is your dog staring at you, waiting for a delicious meatball to fall onto the floor just for them? Most canines are interested in their owner’s dinner preparations whenever meat is involved. Luckily, you can offer your dog meatballs as...

Can Dogs Eat_meatballs

Can Dogs Eat Ravioli? Vet-Verified Facts & Safety Guide

Americans love their pets, which is why they’re willing to dish out an estimated $150.6 billion on them. Roughly $70 million goes toward food. Nevertheless, we still bring home doggy bags and give them table scraps. The recent pet humanization...

Can Dogs Eat_ravioli

10 Best Chicken & Rice Dog Foods in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Chicken and rice recipes are among the most popular and common dog food formulas. Virtually every brand and formula offers a chicken and rice recipe, and for good reason! Chicken is a lean, healthy, complete protein that’s affordable and highly...

cream dog eating from the bowl

Can Dogs Eat Jam? Vet-Reviewed Potential Health Risks

Perhaps your furry friend got into a jar of this sweet spread, which is why you’re wondering if jam is safe for dogs to eat. If jam is safe for humans, can dogs also eat this thick, sugary food? The...

Can Dogs Eat_Jam

Cat Food vs Dog Food: The Main Differences

Many people have both dogs and cats in their homes. With the high cost of pet food, some owners are starting to wonder what the differences are between dog and cat food and if both animals can eat the same...

Cat Food VS Dog Food

How to Keep Birds Away from Dog Food: 7 Easy & Effective Ideas

If you are someone that feeds your dog outdoors, you are bound to have some trouble with the local wildlife scavenging for their share. Birds are intelligent creatures that are built for survival. When they pick up on an easy...

adorable border collie dog drinking from a water bowl

Kibbles ‘n Bits Dog Food Review 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Kibbles ‘n Bits has a range of dry dog foods and a limited range of wet foods for dogs. The food is low priced and generally well received by owners, but a lot of its ingredients are considered...

Dogster_Kibbles ‘n Bits Dog Food Review

Can Dogs Eat Tangerines? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

If you enjoy the sweet, tart taste of citrus fruits like tangerines, you might be tempted to share the delicious goodness with your dog. Fortunately, most dogs can safely eat parts of tangerines in small quantities. In this article, we’ll...

Can Dogs Eat Tangerines