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