Beaches That Allow Dogs in the USA

Stretching for approximately 1.5 miles along the Pacific Coast, Huntington Dog Beach is located on the northern end of Huntington Beach. The beach is regularly used to host special events for dogs, including canine weddings, dog surfing competitions, and a special annual corgi beach day. Signs indicate that dogs must be on a 6-foot leash, but the beach is known to locals as an off-leash beach and dogs are only ever cited by the city if deemed dangerous. Amenities include restrooms, picnic tables, and complimentary doggie waste bags, and the beach is open every day between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.

100 Goldenwest St F, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, Phone: 714-841-8644

Offering stunning views of Long Island Sound, Jennings Dog Beach is a large 27-acre piece of land that provides dogs with plenty of space to play on the sand and in the water. Amenities include public washrooms, picnic tables, a snack shack, a volleyball area, and sailboat racks, and the beach is wheelchair accessible. Plenty of parking is available, and a parking fee is charged to non-residents between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The beach is open to the public every day from dawn to dusk, but dogs are only permitted between October 1st and April 1st.

880 S Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, Phone: 203-256-3191

Family Beaches That Allow Dogs in the USA:

Accessible from two different exits on the I-95, Jupiter Dog Beach is a 2.5-mile stretch of sand that begins at beach marker 25 and goes all the way down to beach marker 60. Dogs must be controlled at all times, and visitors should be aware that the water is home to sea lice and jellyfish that can harm dogs. Owners are required to clean up after their pets, and plenty of free doggie waste bag dispensers can be found along the beach. The sand is kept clean thanks to monthly volunteer beach cleanups, which visitors are more than welcome to join.

48 Ocean Blvd, Jupiter, FL 33477

Jekyll Island is conveniently located just of the coast of Georgia, and it's one of the best spots in the state to bring your dog on vacation. Dogs must be kept on a leash on most of island's southern beaches, as this part of the island is home to nesting sea turtles and migratory birds. However, anyone wanting to let their dog run free only needs to head north of the South Dunes Picnic Area. Some of the beaches in the north are quite narrow, so it's best if you can visit this part of the island at low tide.

Unique Beaches That Allow Dogs in the USA:

Found right next to the old boat launch structure on Montrose Beach, Montrose Dog Beach is widely considered to be the best dog beach in Chicago. Off-leash dogs are welcome, and there is a convenient area to rinse off your pup when it's time to head home for the day. All dogs who visit the beach are required to have city-issued DFA tags proving that they aren't going to spread diseases to other animals. The beach is maintained by a volunteer organization known as MonDog, and visitors who enjoyed their time at the beach are encouraged to make a small donation.

Located in the Atlantic Ocean just off the east coast of the mainland, Assateague Island is a rugged 37-mile island split between the states of Maryland and Virginia. Animals are only allowed on the northern section of the island that belongs to Maryland; the Virginia portion of the island is a national wildlife refuge, and pets are not even permitted to enter this part of the island in vehicles. Dogs are required to be on a 6-foot leash at all times, and visitors to the beach are charged an admission fee.

Romantic Beaches That Allow Dogs in the USA:

Kennebunk offers three different beaches that permit off-leash dogs as long as they're under voice control: Mother's Beach, Middle Beach, and Gooch's Beach. The city works to keep the beaches as clean as possible, and pet owners are required to use the provided doggie waste bags to clean up after their furry friends. The beaches' dog-friendly hours vary according to the season: dogs are permitted all day between Labor Day and June 15th, but during the rest of the year, their access is restricted to before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Permits are required between mid-June and mid-September.

Encompassing almost 3,500 acres of land bordering Lake Michigan, the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area offers plenty of pet-friendly beaches and nature trails. Dogs must always be kept on a leash; this is especially important when exploring the sandy beaches along Lake Michigan, which are home to a species of endangered bird known as the piping plover. Dogs that love playing in the sand will also appreciate the park's sand dunes, which are approximately 3,500 years old and more than 140 feet tall. The dunes are surrounded by freshwater ponds, and many are covered with dune grass.

If you are a photographer, don't miss:

Featuring 32 miles of dog-friendly beaches, the city of Galveston is the ideal vacation destination for pets and their owners. All of the beaches require dogs to be kept on a leash, but there's plenty of room for you and your furry friend to stretch your legs. The island's East Beach is one of largest in the state, and dogs can be walked along the city's beautiful seawall, which runs for more than 10 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. When it's time for a break, it's not hard to find a local cafe that will allow your pooch to sit on the patio.

Found on Whidbey Island, Double Bluff Beach boasts stunning views of the surrounding mountains and downtown Seattle. The highlight of the beach is the off-leash dog park, where dogs are free to play in the sand and the surf to their heart's content. There are plenty of other beach activities for pet owners to enjoy as well; the beach stretches on for miles, and it's a popular destination for clamming, seashell hunting, and even rock collecting. Parking can be found along the side of the road, but summer visitors are advised to go early to secure a good spot.