NEW YORK
The further east you go out on Long Island the more dog-friendly New York becomes but whether on the north shore or south shore you can find a place to get the dog to the sea.
Recommended Tail-Friendly Beaches
Montauk. The many beaches, some stone and some sandy, will welcome dogs if you stay out of the swimming areas. The town beaches are very tail-friendly and Hither Hills State Park and Theodore Roosevelt County Park offer geat trails before you reach the beach.
The Hamptons. Come in the winter and you dog will have these magnificent Atlantic Ocean beaches to herself.
Nassau County - North Shore
Bayville
Creek Beach
BEACH FOR RESIDENTS ONLY
516-628-1439
Port Washington
Bar Beach Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-883-6566
Hempstead Harbor Beach Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-766-1029
Manorhaven Beach Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-883-6566
Nassau County - South Shore
Lido
Nassau Beach Park
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH EXCEPT WHEN BIRDS ARE NESTING
516-571-7700
Wantaugh
Jones Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-785-1600
Suffolk County - North Shore
Centerport
Centerport Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-754-9537
Fleets Cove Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-351-9481
Seniors Beach (seniors only)
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-754-9537
Eatons Neck
Asharoken Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-261-7574
Huntington
Crescent Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-423-0014
Gold Star Battalion Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-351-9289
West Neck Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-351-9565
Kings Park
Sunken Meadow State Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-269-4333
Lloyd Harbor
Caumesett State Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-423-1770
Wading River
Wading River Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-727-5744
Wildwood State Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-929-4314
Suffolk County - Eastern Forks
Amagansett
Alberts Landing Beach
LOCAL RESIDENTS ONLY IN SEASON
631-324-4143
Atlantic Avenue Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH IN OFF SEASON
631-324-4143
Indian Wells Beach
LOCAL RESIDENTS ONLY IN SEASON
631-324-4143
Bridgehampton
Mecox Beach
LOCAL RESIDENTS ONLY IN SEASON
631-283-6011
W. Scott Cameron Beach
LOCAL RESIDENTS ONLY IN SEASON
631-283-6011
East Hampton
Town Beaches
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10 AM AND 6 PM BETWEEN MAY 15 AND SEPTEMBER 15
631-324-4140
Montauk
Ditch Plains Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH - NO LEASH LAWS
631-668-5081
Fort Pond Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH - NO LEASH LAWS
631-668-5081
Gin Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH - NO LEASH LAWS
631-668-5081
Hither Hills State Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED IN BATHING AREAS
631-668-2461
Kirk Park Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH - NO LEASH LAWS
631-668-5081
Montauk Point State Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED IN BATHING AREAS
631-668-2461
Shadmoor State Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED IN BATHING AREAS
631-669-1000
Theodore Roosevelt County Park
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-852-7879
Orient
Orient Beach State Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-323-2440
Sag Harbor
Havens Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH FROM THE THURSDAY PRECEDING MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH AND INCLUDING THE TUESDAY FOLLOWING LABOR DAY
631-725-0011
Southampton
Cooper’s Beach
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-283-0247
Flying Point Beach
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-283-6000
Meschutt Beach County Park
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-852-8205
Ponquoque Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH FROM SEPTEMBER 15 TO MARCH 15 BUT NOT WITHIN 50 FEET OF NESTING BIRDS
631-283-6011
Shinnecock Inlet County Park
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-852-8899
Tiana Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH FROM SEPTEMBER 15 TO MARCH 15 BUT NOT WITHIN 50 FEET OF NESTING BIRDS
631-283-6011
Southold
Goose Creek Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON TOWN BEACHES
631-765-5182
Kenny’s Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON TOWN BEACHES
631-765-5182
McCabe’s Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON TOWN BEACHES
631-765-5182
New Suffolk Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON TOWN BEACHES
631-765-5182
Town Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON TOWN BEACHES
631-765-5182
Suffolk County - South Shore
Fire Island National Seashore
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH BUT NOT IN SWIMMING AREAS
631-289-4810
Brookhaven
Blue Point Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
516-451-6000
East Islip
Heckscher State Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED IN BATHING AREAS
631-581-2100
Fire Island
Robert Moses State Park
DOGS ALLOWED ON FIELD 5
631-669-0449
Smith Point County Park
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-852-1313
Patchogue
Sand Spit Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-475-4300
Westhampton
Cupsogue Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-854-4949
Lashley Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-288-1654
Pike’s Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-288-1654
Rogers Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-288-1654
Westhampton Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
631-288-1654
New York City Area
Brooklyn
Coney Island
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON THE BEACH
718-372-5159
Gateway National Recreation Area - Fort Tilden
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH AND BAYSIDE BEACHES
718-318-4300
Riis Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH OR BOARDWALK
718-318-4300
NEW JERSEY
In-season, the New Jersey shore isn’t especially welcoming to people (beach tags required in most towns) or dogs. After Labor Day, however, some of America’s best sand beaches start to open wide for dogs.
Recommended Tail-Friendly Beaches
Gateway National Recreation Area. After Labor Day bring your dog for a long hike on the beach around Sandy Hook with views of the New York skyline.
Island Beach State Park. A rare stretch of ten miles of undeveloped Jersey shoreline is open to your dog year-round.
Brigantine Natural Area. For Atlantic City visitors, go one town north and keep following the ocean until you can go no further. Park and let your dog onto the beach year-round.
Corson’s Inlet State Park. Dogs are only allowed September 16 to March 31 but it is worth the wait for this winning combination of hiking trails through the dunes, ocean surf and gentle inlet waters.
Higbee Beach. Hike through the last remaining dune foreston the Delaware Bay to the beach at the tip of Cape May. Your dog is welcome on this bay beach year-round.
Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH FROM LABOR DAY TO MARCH 15
732-872-5970
Asbury Park
Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH IN OFF-SEASON
732-775-210
Atlantic City Town Beach
DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE BEACHES OR BOARDWALK
888-228-4748
Avalon Town Beach
DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE BEACH, BOARDWALK OR DUNES BETWEEN MARCH 1 AND SEPTEMBER 30
609-967-3066
Avon -By-The-Sea Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON THE BEACH FROM NOVEMBER 1 TO APRIL 1 BUT NEVER ON BOARDWALK
732-502-4510
Barnegat Light Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON THE BEACHES FROM OCTOBER 1 TO MAY 1
609-494-9196
Beach Haven Town Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
609-492-0111
Belmar Town Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
732-681-3700
Bradley Beach Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED FROM OCTOBER 15 TO APRIL 15
732-776-2999
Brigantine Beach Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH FROM 14TH STREET NORTH TO THE NORTHERNMOST JETTY
609-266-5233
Cape May
Sunset Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH - IT'S A DOG BEACH
609-884-5508
Town Beach
DOGS NOT ALLOWED ON BEACH, BOARDWALK OR OUTDOOR SHOPPING AREAS
609-884-5508
Cape May Point
Town Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
609-884-5508
Lavallette
Town Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH BUT CAN GO ON BOARDWALK FROM AFTER LABOR DAY UNTIL THE START OF SWIMMING SEASON IN LATE JUNE
732-793-2566
Mantoloking
Lyman Street Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH OCTOBER 1 TO MAY 15
732-899-6600
Town Beach
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH OCTOBER 1 TO MAY 15 ANYTIME AND SUNRISE TO 8 AM AND 6 PM TO SUNSET OTHERWISE
732-899-6600
North Wildwood
Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH FROM SEPTEMBER 15 TO MAY 15
609-729-4000
Ocean City Town Beach
DOGS ARE NEVER ALLOWED ON THE BOARDWALK BUT CAN BE LEASHED ON THE BEACH FROM OCTOBER 1 TO APRIL 30 609-399-6111
Ocean Grove Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH AND BOARDWALK FROM OCTOBER 1 TO MAY 1
732-774-1391
Point Pleasant Beach
Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH ANYTIME FROM SEPTEMBER 15 TO JUNE 15 AND BEFORE 8 AM AND AFTER 6 PM OTHERWISE
732-892-5813
Sea Isle City
Town Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH, BEACH APPROACHES OR PROMENADE AT ANY TIME
609-263-0050
Seaside Park
Island Beach State Park
DOGS ALLOWED ON NON-RECREATIONAL BEACHES ANY TIME
732-793-0506
Ship Bottom
Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH AFTER OCTOBER 1
Spring Lake
Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH IN OFF-SEASON
732-449-0800
Stone Harbor
Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH OCTOBER 1 TO MARCH 1
Strathmere
Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON THE BEACH IN MORNINGS AND EVENINGS IN SEASON
Surf City
Town Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
Wildwood
Town Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
609-729-4000
Wildwood
Crest Town Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
609-729-4000
DELAWARE
Off-season, Delaware’s sandy ocean beaches are a paradise for dogs. You can even get your dog into the ocean throughout the summer at some beaches. The overlooked beaches along Delaware Bay mean that you can find sand and waves for your dog any time.
Recommended Tail-Friendly Beaches
Fowler Beach. One of the best places in Delaware to bring your dog to the beach. With no development and backed by dunes, this is the Delaware Bay beach that most resembles an ocean beach, the sloping coastline promotes excellent wave action and you can walk your dog for hours.
Cape Henlopen State Park. A long beach that reaches around the cape into the bay. Your dog is welcome throughout the year but can’t go on the beach mid-day during the summer.
Delaware Seashore State Park. Stay away from the swimming beaches and you can bring your dog here right through the year. Also access to the gentle waters of Rehoboth Bay where your dog can walk out a half-mile and scarcely get his tummy wet.
Bethany Beach
Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH AND BOARDWALK FROM OCTOBER 1 TO APRIL 1
302-539-8011
Delaware Seashore State Park
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH FROM OCTOBER 1 TO MAY 1, DESIGNATED DOG BEACHES IN SEASON
302-227-2800
Dewey Beach
Town Beach
DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON BEACH ALL YEAR BUT IN SEASON NOT BETWEEN 9:30 AM AND 5:30 PM
302-227-6363
Fenwick Island
Fenwick Island State Park
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH FROM OCTOBER 1 TO MAY 1
302-539-9060
Lewes
Cape Henlopen State Park
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH FROM OCTOBER 1 TO MAY 1
302-645-8983
Rehoboth
Rehoboth Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH AND BOARDWALK FROM NOVEMBER 1 TO APRIL 1
302-227-6181
MARYLAND
Sandy beaches on the Chesapeake Bay that welcome dogs are few and far between but once you reach the Atlantic Ocean the sands get friendlier. Stay clear of the Maryland state parks.
Recommended Tail-Friendly Beaches
Assateague Island National Seashore. Miles and miles of undeveloped beach stretch south from the campground. Your dog is always allowed in the Atlantic Ocean here. When you drive onto the island make sure to turn right - straight ahead is the state park that doesn’t even allow dogs out of the car.
Terrapin Nature Park. On the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, this sandy beach offers splendid views of the Chesapeake- Bay Bridge - the world’s longest continuous over-water steel structure. Each year more than twenty million vehicles make the 4.35-mile crossing.
Downs Memorial Park. On the western side of the Chesapeake this county park offers a small sand beach, maybe 40 yards long. But it is secluded, sandy, and it is a dog beach. Your canine swimmer should find these energetic waves to his liking.
Atlantic Ocean
Berlin
Assateague Island National Seashore
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH BUT NOT ON TRAILS
410-641-1441
Assateague State Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
410-641-2120
Ocean City
Town Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH AND BOARDWALK OCTOBER 1 TO APRIL 30
410-250-0125
Chesapeake Bay
Annapolis
Sandy Point State Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
410-974-2149
Chase
Gunpowder Falls State Park-Hammerman
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
410-592-2897
Chesapeake Beach
Bayfront Park
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
410-257-2230
Breezy Point
Public Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
410-535-1600 x225
Dameron
Elms Public Beach
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
301-475-4572
Edgemere
North Point State Park
DOGS ALLOWED ON SMALL BEACH
410-592-2897
Essex
Rocky Point Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
410-887-3780
Lusby
Calvert Cliffs State Park
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
800-784-5380
Flag Ponds
Nature Park
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
410-586-1477
North Beach
North Beach Public Beach
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
410-257-9610
Pinehurst
Downs Memorial Park
DOG BEACH IN PARK
410-222-6230
Scotland Point
Lookout State Park
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH NORTH OF CAUSEWAY
301-872-5688
VIRGINIA
Virginia makes plenty of allowances for dogs on its beaches, even at its popular sand and surf spots.
Recommended Tail-Friendly Beaches
Virginia Beach. You can get your dog on all of Virginia Beach’s clean, white sand at some point during the year; after Halloween every grain is open to dogs from Cape Henry to the North Carolina border.
First Landing State Park. In the summer, while you wait for Virginia Beach around the corner to open for your dog, you can come to the wide sand beach at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Just move your dog down away from the bathhouse.
Chincoteague
National Wildlife Refuge
NO DOGS ALLOWED IN REFUGE BUT CAN GO LEASHED ON BEACH IN NATIONAL SEASHORE
757-336-6122
Gloucester Point
Gloucester Point Beach
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED IN PARK
804-642-9474
Mathews
Bethel Beach
LEASHED DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
804-725-4BAY
Virginia Beach
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH OCTOBER 1 TO MARCH 31
757-721-2412
False Cape State Park
DOGS ALLOWED BY BOAT OR BEACH TRAIL NOVEMBER TO MARCH; BOAT ONLY APRIL TO SEPTEMBER AND NOT IN SWIMMING AREAS
757-426-7128
First Landing State Park
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH
757-412-2300
Little Island Park (Sandbridge)
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH BUT NOT IN SWIMMING AREAS
757-426-7200
North End-41st to 80th Street
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH THE DAY AFTER LABOR DAY TO THE FRIDAY BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY; IN SUMMER DOGS ALLOWED ON RESIDENTIAL BEACHES ABOVE 42ND STREET BEFORE 10 AM AND AFTER 6 PM
800-822-3224
Oceanfront-1st to 40th Street(“The Strip”)
DOGS ALLOWED ON BEACH THE DAY AFTER LABOR DAY TO THE FRIDAY BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY; IN SUMMER DOGS ALLOWED ON RESIDENTIAL BEACHES ABOVE 42ND STREET BEFORE 10 AM AND AFTER 6 PM
800-822-3224