Taking your dog on vacation with you is preferable to leaving them behind at a kennel or with a sitter, but not every vacation location is dog-friendly. If you’re in Alabama and planning a trip to the Gulf Coast or surrounding areas, then you’re in luck! Alabama has several dog-friendly beaches you and your favorite furry pal can visit.
Take a look below at the top seven dog-friendly beaches in Alabama, and see where your next vacation will take you!
The 7 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Alabama
1. Dauphin Island Public Beach
| ️ Address: | 1501 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528 |
| Open Times: | Year-round |
| Cost: | $10 parking fee |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Less crowded than other Alabama beaches
- Can be accessed by road (2-hour drive from the mainland) or ferry (leashed, well-behaved dogs allowed)
- Dogs are not allowed on the West End
- Dogs are not allowed off-leash due to island-wide leash law
- Walk is long from the parking lot to the beach
2. Graham Creek Nature Preserve
| ️ Address: | 23030 Wolf Bay Dr, Foley, AL 36535 |
| Open Times: | Preserve is open 7 days a week from dusk till dawn; the nature center is open 10 AM–4 PM M–F, 10 AM–2 PM Saturday, and closed Sunday |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Hiking trails will take you to a dog-friendly beach
- Has a creek for you and your pups to enjoy
- Can also spend time on the boardwalks, disc golf course, and kayak launch
- Dogs must be leashed at all times
3. Mayday Park
| ️ Address: | 100 College Avenue, Daphne, AL |
| Open Times: | Open dawn till dusk |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Offers bayfront and beach access
- Has a boardwalk/pier
- Can boat with your dog in kayaks or canoes
- Dogs must be leashed at all times
- Keep an eye out for snakes and alligators
4. Orange Beach Waterfront Park
| ️ Address: | 26425 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561 |
| Open Times: | 8 AM–6 PM Monday–Saturday, closed Sunday |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Beach on Wolf Bay, not Gulf
- Has a pier (though currently closed for hurricane damage)
- Enjoy picnicking and kids’ park
- Dogs must be leashed at all times
- More dogs are around after sunset hours, so you may want to go early in the day
5. Pirate’s Cove Marina
| ️ Address: | 6664 Co Rd 95, Elberta, AL 36530 |
| Open Times: | 8 AM–9 PM Monday–Thursday, 8 AM–10 PM Friday and Sunday, 8 AM–11 PM Saturday |
| Cost: | Varies, depending on the food you get |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- On the north shore of Arnica Bay
- Public boat launch for boating with your pup
- A restaurant is one of the main features of Pirate’s Cove
- Dogs must be leashed at all times
- Extremely dog-friendly area
Dog-Friendly Beaches in Gulf Shores, AL
Gulf Shores is one of the best places to hit the beach in Alabama. Unfortunately, they only have a couple of dog-friendly beach areas you can visit.
6. The Dog Pond at Lake Shelby (Gulf State Park)
| ️ Address: | 20115 State Park Rd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 |
| Open Times: | 8 AM to sunset |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Only on beach |
- Inside Gulf State Park, so you can also go hiking
- Dogs must be leashed in the park but can be off-leash on the beach
- Dog food isn’t allowed, but treats are
- Agility course area
- Picnic area for humans
7. Fort Morgan Historic Site Bayside Beach
| ️ Address: | 51 AL- 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 |
| Open Times: | Fort is 8 AM–4:30 PM; beach is always open |
| Cost: | Fort is $8 for adults, $5 for children 6–12 and seniors, children under 6 free; beach is free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Public beach, plus historical fort located 22 miles outside Gulf Shores
- Dogs can visit the beach and the fort (but not the museum)
- Dogs must stay between Fisherman’s Wharf and the old Fort Morgan Pier while on the beach due to a nearby Federal Wildlife area
- Dogs must be leashed at all times
Final Thoughts
As you can see, Alabama has quite a few dog-friendly beaches (or beach-adjacent areas)! Whether you want to spend a day or two on the sandy shores of Dauphin Island or move between nature trails and swimming in the water, you can find a bit of everything. So, next time you’re planning to take a beach vacation, look at Gulf Shores and the surrounding areas to find a dog-friendly location that will allow you to bring your furry friend along.
- See Also: 10 Dog Friendly Beaches in San Diego, CA
Featured Image Credit: LyAn Voyages, Unsplash
