There’s nothing quite like feeling the sand between your paws and the sun on your fur. If your four-legged friend thinks the same, it’s a wise idea to open up a world of wonder and discover the best US dog beaches in 2024.
A handful of beaches in the US have a no-pet policy but for the most part, many require you to pop your dog on a leash no longer than six feet to ensure anyone and everyone can enjoy the sun, sea and sand on offer. If that's the case, investing in one of the best dog leashes will help you keep your pooch safe and under control.
However, you may be very pleased to learn that a handful of beaches are made with your dog in mind, so have their own four-legged-friend section, filled with dog baths, poop bins and hydration stations. Some even let your furry friend run young, wild and free. While others are free for your dog to use during certain times of the day.
To help you figure out the best beaches that welcome your pooch to its shores, stick right here. We’ve pulled together a list of the best US dog beaches you and your cute companion just have to visit.
Best US dog beaches to visit in 2024 and beyond
1. Pensacola Beach, Florida
Otherwise known as a paradise for pets, the Pensacola Bay Area has plenty of dog-friendly places to let your pooch sniff, fetch, and roam.
With its crystal clear waters, our favorites in the area include Pensacola Dog Beach East and Pensacola Dog Beach West.
Just know, you’ll need to keep your sandy explorer on a leash. So check out a trainer’s advice on how to get your dog walking well under a loose leash.
2. Huntington Dog Beach, California
Canine companions: rejoice! Off-leash dogs are welcome to sit, splash, and stay all year round at the 1.5-mile stretch, known as Huntington Dog Beach, a beach between Seapoint and Goldenwest.
Plus, the thoughtful Preservation Society of Huntington Dog Beach who oversees the area even has doggy bay dispensers to use on the bike path between the Pier and Seapoint.
3. Staircase Beach, California
Looking for a quieter beach for your tail-wagging friend? Just north of North Beach, the little-known seafront of Staircase Beach attracts hikers, surfers, and dog walkers with its beautiful coastline and rocky areas which are bound to keep your sniffer entertained for hours.
If you’re going to visit, make sure your dog is wearing a leash at all times.
4. Its Beach: Santa Cruz, California
Dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds are much-welcomed on Its Beach in California. As long as you keep your dog leashed, you can enjoy a plod along the sandy shores, feel the sand between your toes (or paws) and lap up the beautiful sites the Californian coast has to offer.
In the summer, the average daily high temperature can hit 80°F or more. So do stock up some dog-friendly sunscreen and some tips on how to cool down a dog.
5. Pismo State Beach, California
Spanning 17-sandy miles long, your friendly fur friend can enjoy life at the shore at Pismo State Beach. So take them out, pop their leash on as they sniff, explore and get sandy along the Pacific coastline.
Just know, if you plan on heading to Pismo Beach Pier, your four-legged companion will have to sit that out.
6. Dewey Beach, Delaware
Finally! A beach where your four-legged best friend can roam to their heart’s content.
Grab some of the best dog toys and let your pooch fetch, run and sniff along the shoreline for as long as they want. Just keep in mind, there are some limitations from May 15th through to September 15th. During this period, dogs are only allowed on the beach before 9.30am and after 5.30pm.
7. Dog Beach at Pier Park, Florida
The Sunshine State is home to nearly 200 beaches, with 900 miles of white sandy shores and more than 1,800 miles of coastline. But if there’s one place in Florida to take your furry companion for a dip in the ocean and a sniff along the shore, it’s the aptly named Dog Beach at Pier Park in Panama City Beach.
The area is super pet-friendly with parks and restaurants welcoming pooches in their dozens. So you (and their sandy paws) could spend all day living your best beach life if you really wanted to. If that’s the plan, read up on top tips for cooling down a dog , and don’t forget to pack lots of water and sunscreen for the both of you.
8. Fort Funston, San Francisco
Featuring 200-foot high sandy bluffs, wild winds, and a network of trails, Fort Funston, which was formerly known as the Lake Merced Military Reservation, is a paradise for canine activity.
If your dog is hyperactive, come rain or shine, this off-leash dog park will provide hours worth of fun and help them burn off some energy.
9. Kiva Beach, California
How does 200 yards of narrow sandy shoreline sound? Pretty great, huh? Positioned on National Forest land, sandy Kiva Beach is the dog-friendly place to take your paw-fect pet if you live in, near or are visiting Lake Tahoe.
Remember to keep your dog leashed and pick up after them. And if you run out of dog waste bags, you can pick up the ones provided at Taylor Creek Visitor Center.
10. Compo Beach, Connecticut
Want to let your dog get salty, sandy, and just a little bit sweaty from all that exploring? Compo Beach in Westport is the place to do it.
From October 1st through to March 31st, the 6-mile-long beach turns into an off-leash pet-friendly area. Whether they prefer to sniff all the flotsam and jetsam or hang out in the sand or rocky areas, hours of fun are promised for you and your pooch.
11. Arroyo Burro Beach, California
Often referred to as Hendry's Beach by local residents, provided you keep your pooch on a leash at all times, this public space welcomes four-legged friends for walks on the bluffs, splashing in the waves or just taking a scenic stroll on the sandy shores.
Has your pup got super sandy? No problem. Once you’re finished, wash your little adventurer down in one of the self-serve dog wash stations. Wondering: can dogs get sunburned? The answer is yes and may be worth reading up on expert advice on protecting your pooch from UV rays.
12. Fort De Soto Park, Florida
Another dog-friendly beach in Florida is St. Petersburg’s Fort De Soto Park which is largely untouched and a world away from many of the commercialised beaches in the state.
It has a designated area for dogs complete with water stations so they can roam, sniff, and splash while staying hydrated. What more could your dog need?
13. Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland
A hub for wildlife, animals, and dogs, you’ll often spot horses roaming along the 37-mile-long barrier of Assateague Island too.
Dogs are only allowed on the National Park side of the Assateague seashore and pooches must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Find your dog often pulls on walks? Why not try three trainer-approved games to reduce pulling and make walks along the coastline more relaxing?
14. Tannery Beach, Michigan
If your dog likes to feel the sea beneath its paws, Tannery Beach comes with out-of-this-world views of Lake Charlevoix which covers a surface area of more than 17,200 acres.
So, as you can imagine, it's a popular spot for dogs that love to swim. Should you find yourself needing to pick up after your pup, doggie bags and scoopers are available.
15. Coligny Beach Park, South Carolina
In the South Carolina area? Coligny Beach Park is a pet-friendly place to take a stroll with your pooch. You’ll find all the amenities here. From outdoor showers and restrooms to restaurants too. Four-legged friends are welcomed from Memorial Day through to Labor Day from 10 am and then after 5 pm. Just remember to keep your dog leashed and clean up any mess before exiting.
16. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Prefer to go on a walk or jog with your dog in the morning or evening?
From May 1st through Labor Day, you can hit Myrtle Beach’s 60-mile stretch of sandy shores in South Carolina and enjoy the sun’s rays with your furry best friend before 10 am and after 5 pm.
17. Keewaydin Island, Florida
Located between Naples and Marco Island, Keewaydin Island is an eight-mile stretch of untouched white sandy beach. If you happen to find yourself in the area, this island beach is only accessible by boat and it’s also the only pet-friendly beach in the Naples/Marco Island area so it’s well worth a trip.
18. St. Augustine, Florida
As long as your pooch is fine to be leashed, they can dip their paws in the sea, stroll along the 42 miles of sand, or join you as you watch the sun go down at St Augustine Beach. Just know, there is a protected bird sanctuary at Anastasia State Park and Recreation Area so your pooch won't be permitted there.
19. South Padre Island, Texas
One of the best things about Padre Island? Its whole National Seashore is pet-friendly just as long as your furry best friend remains on a leash.
The resort town lies on the southern coast of Texas and is known for its calm waters and beautiful beaches. Some even say this barrier island has the best beaches in Texas — and we believe them!
20. Jekyll Island, Georgia
You’ll still have to keep your furry friend on a leash at Jekyll Island, however, instead of the usual 6ft leash, they can roam up to 16ft while remaining safe and under control.
So pack up some of the best rope dog toys ideal for a game of fetch and don’t forget to reward them with some of the best dog treats, too.
21. Camp Hero State Park, New York
Totaling 415 acres, Camp Hero State Park is quite the place to go if you’re looking for densely wooded areas and a beach to help expel some energy.
Whether you choose to explore the woodlands, take your pooch for a beach stroll, or all of the above, dogs must be kept on a leash no more than 6 feet in length.
22. Emerald Isle, North Carolina
With 300 miles of barrier island beaches, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to pet-friendly beaches in North Carolina.
However, we think the beach destination of Emerald Isle along the Crystal Coast takes the top spot as it's 100% dog-friendly all year long.
Bring some chairs for you and the kids, set up a tent, and prepare to get sandy as you take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, fish, or frisbee catch with your pooch.
23. Rialto Beach, Washington
If you’re in Washington, you might be wondering: which beach is best, Rialto Beach or Ruby Beach?
If you’re after a stony scene that’s great for hiking with your leashed four-legged friend in tow, we’d have to say Rialto Beach is the way to go.
From the crashing waves to the piles of driftwood, this pebbled beach provides endless opportunities for exploring and sniffing.
24. Willard Beach, Maine
The laid-back river community of South Portland makes for one of the best travel destinations for dogs when it comes to long walks and never-ending playtimes. For moments of off-leash play, Willard Beach is your best bet as from May 1st through to September 30th canines can run free from 7 am to 9 am and 7 pm to 8 pm.
If you intend to visit during the off-season, between October 1st and April 30th, your pooch will need to be on a leash from 10 am to 3 pm.
25. Cannon Beach, Oregon
At Cannon Beach in Oregon, it really is a dog’s life. Surrounded by forests, ocean beaches, and the Oregon Coast Mountain range, the popular filming location (which has seen Twilight and the Goonies filmed here) welcomes four-legged friends of all breeds and ages as long as they are on a leash or under voice control.
So make a date for your trip so they can run along the sandy shores, marvel at the Haystack Rock, and feel the water beneath their paws.
26. Brohard Beach, Florida
Open every day from 7 am until dusk, Brohard Beach and Paw Park is the place for canines in Venice to venture if they want to splash along the sand freely and enjoy the sun on their back.
Aside from the beautiful beach views, amenities include drinking fountains, benches, showers, and picnic tables. So pack up a picnic, some of the best long-lasting dog chews , and toys and prepare to enjoy life with your dog at the beach.
27. Island Beach State Park, New Jersey
Like many of the other beaches listed in this guide, you’ll need to keep your pooch on a leash that is a maximum length of six feet, but that’s not to say they can’t enjoy the miles (and miles) of sandy beach and waves Island Beach State Park has to offer.
28. Jupiter Dog Beach, Florida
Wondering where to take your dog for a sandy stroll in Florida? The clue’s in the name of this pooch-friendly destination. One of the few remaining dog-friendly beaches in the state, this 2.5-mile-long dog-friendly destination will see your canine enjoying life on the shore.
Just remember to give your dog some shade and use sunblock to protect your pooch against the UV rays. Or, you could help your dog chill out with one of the best cooling dog mats.
29. Kiptopeke State Park, Virginia
Take a (leashed) walk on the wild side to Cape Charles, which is just 30 minutes from Virginia Beach, and you and your pooch can enjoy a sniff, stroll, and splash in the sandy shoreline.
Plus, if you intend to make a weekend of it, the state park has picnic shelters, a trail, and lodges for you and your fur friend to stay in — so the beachcombing adventures never have to end!
30. Cisco Beach, Massachusetts
Providing they’re leashed and licensed, dogs of all shapes and sizes are encouraged on Cisco Beach, Nantucket. The pet-friendly stretch is popular with surfers, swimmers, and dog walkers. Just stay off any dune vegetation or marsh grass to help protect the local wildlife in the area.
31. Carmel Beach, California
Let them play, lounge, and run freely along the beautiful beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea while enjoying the scenic views the white-sand shore has to offer. Need to pick up after your pooch? Just use the Mutt Mitts provided at the top of every stair access to the beach.
32. Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
If you're in Massachusetts, Cape Cod National Seashore is open to leashed dogs for most of the year.
However, during the summer season, there are a few more restrictions around enjoying the sandy shores with your dog. The beach is also prone to nesting seabirds so do keep an eye on any signs before you venture out with your canine.
