Everyone looks forward to the summer beach season - except dog owners. Most swimming beaches close to dogs completely, others are open only before 8:00 am or in the evening. But very rarely you can find a stretch of sand to enjoy with your dog in the summer sand. Here are the best, state by state, along the East Coast...
Maine York Harbor Beach
At York Harbor Beach you’ll find a big, convenient parking lot next to a wide sand beach in a sheltered cove. You have to arrive early or come late in the summer but your dog can play here under voice control.
Massachusetts Duxbury Beach
In the less crowded areas of Duxbury Beach, dogs are allowed on leashes. Stop by Town Hall -- it’s on the way to the beach -- with your dog license and get a permit. You’ll snag the best nonresident parking by approaching the beach through Marshfield and parking in the lot near the snack shack.
Rhode Island Goddard Memorial State Park
Henry Grinnell Russell spent much of his days walking around his Oaks Estate dropping acorns from his pockets, planting them in holes punched with his cane in the sandy soil. Today those trees have grown up into some of the most pleasing trails anywhere - some of which lead to a splendid sand beach on Greenwich Cove and superb dogpaddling in Greenwich Bay.
New York Ditch Plains Beach
This remote beach backed by high bluffs can be reached by hiking through undeveloped Shadmoor State Park or from township parks from Ditch Plains Road off the Montauk Highway. Although there are large cobbles on the beach, this is the last big stretch of Atlantic Ocean sands on the eastern tip of Long Island.
New Jersey Island Beach State Park
A rare stretch of ten miles of undeveloped Jersey shoreline is open to your dog year-round.
Delaware Fowler Beach
The sand is a little rockier and the beach a little narrower but if you are looking to spend undisturbed days on the beach with your dog come to the small towns of the Delaware Bay. Fowler Beach is one of the best. 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 several solitary hours.
Maryland Assateague Island National Seashore
Miles and miles of undeveloped beach march south out of the campground on this lovely barrier island. Entrance fees are good for one week and 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.
Virginia Kiptopeke State Park
Features more than a half-mile of wide sandy beaches, backed by dunes. Off-shore nine concrete World War I surplus ships have been sunk as a breakwater, leaving gentle waves for your dog to play in. Also an easy 1.5-mile Baywoods Trail when your dog wants to dry out from the water. Dogs are welcome in the campground.
North Carolina Duck
This could well be the best place in America to rent a vacation beach house with your dog. Arriving onto the Outer Banks most people follow Route 12 south but when others go right you’ll turn left to the towns of Duck and Corolla. In Duck your dog can go on the beach year-round under voice control. If it’s a long walk you are after, head north.
South Carolina Edisto Beach
The fame of Edisto Island cotton spread far and wide. It is stated that at one time the Vatican insisted that the Pope’s garments be made only from “Sea Island Cotton.” The Boll Weevil and the Civil War tag-teamed the destruction of the cotton fields and after that development slowed to a crawl. So today the Edisto Beach State Park maintains 1.5 miles of Atlantic Ocean beachfront, backed by some of the Palmetto State’s tallest trademark trees. The beach is wide with plenty of room for your dog to stretch out for a hike. And if that isn’t enough sand time, the park adjoins Edisto Beach that has remained a residential beach so your dog can just keep going.
Florida Fort DeSoto Park
Fort DeSoto was named “America’s Best Beach” by Dr. Beach in 2005. Your dog can’t actually go on that champion Gulf of Mexico beach but around the corner there is an enormous dog park and paw-friendly groomed sand on Tampa Bay. There are even doggie showers to spruce up a bit before you head home.
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