Dog Friendly Beaches in Massachusetts

Brant Rock is a small coastal village in Marshfield, Massachusetts that is very popular for its abundance of sandy ocean beaches.

There is an esplanade along Ocean Street and a stone jetty that people use to walk out over the water. The water is cool even in the summer, but the sand is soft and wonderful for sunbathing. Unfortunately, the beach is fairly narrow and the houses are very close to the beach. Nevertheless, it is very popular and lively, meaning it is not a good choice if you’re looking for quiet.

Dog owners love it as dogs are allowed year round on the leash. There are even poop bags at the entrance to the beach. Owners should promptly clean up after their pets.

Find it at this Address: Ocean Street/H 139, Marshfield,Massachusetts 2050, Phone: 781-834-0268

Carson Beach is a public beach in South Boston. The beach is part of a three-mile long park segment along the shoreline in South Boston, heading west from Castle Island and from L and M Street beaches. The beach is very popular since it is easily accessible from the city and offers wonderful smooth sand and fantastic views of the Boston Harbor. The beach facilities are decent but the water is frigid year round.

Dogs are allowed on Carson Beach out of season, from Labor Day to Memorial Day, as long as they are on a leash. The beach is large and wide, and dogs and their owners enjoy running on the hard packed sand and occasionally splashing in the water.

Find it at this Address: 2010 Day Blvd., Boston, MA 02127, Phone: 617-727-5290

Located in South Boston on the scenic shore of Boston Harbor, Castle Island is a popular 22-acre recreation spot for Boston residents and the location of 1634m Fort Independence. Besides visiting the fort, the most popular activities include strolling along the beach, swimming, or sunbathing. There are few beaches to choose from.

Pleasure Bay Beach, south and west of Castle Island, has nice protected areas for swimming on the edge of the lagoon. Beaches along Day Boulevard have wonderful white sand and have lifeguards. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash and the owners clean up after them.

Find it at this Address: 2010 William J Day Blvd, Boston, MA 02127, Phone: 617-727-5290

Located in Eastham, Coast Guard Beach is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, and it is a wonderful beach for hiking, relaxing, and swimming during the summer.

The waves can get a bit rough, making the beach not so good for small kids. There is a lifeguard on duty during the summer and restrooms are on-site.

Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a six-foot leash and stay off the portion of the beach guarded by lifeguards during the summer.

It is very important that owners clean up after their dogs since they share the beach with other people and kids.

Find it at this Address: Nauset & Doane Rds, Eastham, MA

Located on Cape Cod Bay just north of Pamet Harbor, Corn Hill Beach is a long and narrow sandy beach edged with low sand dunes covered in crabgrass.

The bay floor is shallow and sloping, and its calm, warm waters make this beach perfect for families with small kids. There is a narrow inlet behind the beach that is quiet and secluded. The beach is wonderful for watching boats going in and out of harbor, and even dogs love watching them from the wide expanse of packed sand.

The beach is dog friendly before 9am or after 6pm during the summer, or throughout the whole day in the off-season, but they have to be on leash.

Find it at this Address: Old Pilgrim Library Bldg., 36 Shore Road, Rt. 6A, North Truro, MA 02652, Phone: 508-487-6983

Craigville Beach is a popular beach in Craigvile (part of Centerville) on Nantucket Sound. This huge public beach is open to everyone and is especially popular with teens and students, but its wide expanse of fine sand is appealing to everyone. The beach is known for kite surfing, swimming and sunbathing. There is a lifeguard on duty during the summer season and there are a few concessions with rental chairs and umbrellas.

The beach has showers and restrooms. Dogs are allowed on Craigville Beach only during the off season, from September 15 to May 15.

Find it at this Address: 997 Craigville Beach Rd, Centerville, MA 02632-3544, Phone: 508-775-9695

Crowes Pasture is a secluded beach accessible by a rough mile-long dirt road that goes through the scrub oak woods along the shore of Cape Cod Bay and Quivett Creek. A salt marsh and restored fields full of wildflowers border the path in summer and fall. While the road to the beach is open to vehicles, it is much better to leave your car at the parking area by the cemetery and enjoy the walk to the beach. You may get a chance to spot some wildlife. Be careful to time your visit to a few hours after high tide to have more space on the beach.

Crowe’s Pasture Conservation Area and Beach is wild and natural with no amenities, and dogs love it but have to be on a leash. It does not really matter since the walk to the beach will tire them out enough that they’ll enjoy simply relaxing on the sand once they get there.

Find it at this Address: Rte 134, South Dennis, MA 02641, Phone: 508-760-6123

Fort Phoenix State Reservation is a popular park in Fairhaven on outer New Bedford Harbor. The park has a wonderful half-mile long beach, spectacular views of Buzzards Bay, and a fascinating well-preserved Revolutionary War Fort Phoenix. The beach is the favorite summer spot for families to spend the day swimming, picnicking, playing tennis or basketball, or strolling along the beach and collecting shells from oysters, scallops, clams and sea snails. There is a playground for kids and outdoor showers.

Dogs are allowed on Fort Phoenix State Reservation only off-season between September and April and have to be on leash.

Find it at this Address: Green Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719, Phone: 508-992-4524

Francis Street Beach is a small harbor beach close to downtown Nantucket just a few minutes’ walk from Main Street. Like other beaches on the island’s north shore, the waters of this beach are calm and the surf is gentle. It is great for swimming even for small kids, but keep in mind that there is no lifeguard. There is a Jungle Jim for the kids along with kayak rentals and restrooms.

The views of the harbor and Nantucket Sound are wonderful from Francis Street Beach. You can bring your dog but must keep him or her on a leash. Stay away from Brant Point as the current is very strong.

Find it at this Address: Washington St & Lafayette St, Nantucket, MA, 02554-0000, Phone: 508-325-5395

Hatches Harbor salt marsh near Provincetown is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. There are miles of hiking and biking trails throughout this huge marsh between Hatches Harbor and the Provincetown Airport.

The trail starts at the parking lot off Province Lands Road. Follow the dike path to the dunes before reaching the beach. If the tide is low, you can continue along the shore and cross a small stream to reach the lighthouse. If the tide is high, you will have to walk over the dunes. The trails are very popular with dog owners because of the hard packed sand and fantastic views of the Race Point Lighthouse and the harbor. If you come between March and May, you can see right whales. There is so much wildlife year around.

Please do not forget that dogs have to be leashed anywhere in the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Find it at this Address: Route 6, Provincetown, MA