The 10 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in the U.S.—and 100+ More Pup-Friendly Shores

Clear blue waters? Check. Miles of white sand for an off-leash romp? Check. Jupiter Dog Beach is a 2.5-mile stretch of beautiful East Coast beach where your four-legged friend can stretch their legs and frolic in the waves. Of all the dog-friendly Florida beaches, this is a fan favorite for both pups and pup parents. If your dog is well-behaved, well-socialized and under voice control, they can explore leash-free. Plus, there’s a convenient free public parking lot, restrooms and a shower area for a quick rinse after a day in the sand. Free dog poop bags are provided by Friends of Jupiter Beach, the local nonprofit dedicated to keeping the beach tidy and open for four-legged furry friends.

Make a Day of It: For adventurous dogs, explore the hiking trails leading up Hobe Mountain, an ancient sand dune at nearby Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Then hit up one of the local restaurants for a bite to eat—the Dive Bar and Little Moir's Leftover Cafe have tasty food and dog-friendly outdoor seating.

Named after Rosie the English Bulldog, a long-time local pup who adored the beach, Rosie’s Dog Beach is the only off-leash beach in Los Angeles County. Located on just under three glorious acres, this scenic ocean beach is perfect for swimming, splashing or simply soaking up some sun. The waters here are calm, so you won’t have to worry about big waves (or droves of surfers). Open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. year-round, this popular spot can get crowded, so be sure your dog is well-behaved around other pups and people before letting them off leash. Rosie’s Dog Beach also hosts special events like Justin Rudd’s Haute Dogs Bulldog Beauty Contest.

Make a Day of It: Rent a boat from dog-friendly London Boat Rentals to take your pup out on the water. Once you’ve had enough sun, hit up KC Branaghans or The Attic, both of which let you treat your dog to a bite off their dog menus. Then, swing by the Pie Bar for pet pie bites for dessert.

Spend the Night: Long Beach has a lot of great pet-friendly hotels to choose from, but if you want to treat your dog (and yourself) to a posh experience, the Hilton Long Beach is where it's at. With its elevated outdoor pool and private balcony views, both you and your pup will feel extra-pampered.

An iconic beach among the many gems of the Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach is well-known for being one of the top dog-friendly beaches in the U.S. The nearly four miles of dog-friendly coast is highlighted by 235-foot Haystack Rock, one of Oregon’s most recognizable landmarks. Along with the beautiful backdrop, this sandy beach also has tidepools to explore at low tide. If your furry best friend loves to run, play fetch or dash into the waves, Cannon Beach is a spacious playground for all their zoomies and shenanigans.

Make a Day of It: Take a leashed hike on the Cape Falcon Trail at Oswald West State Park to explore an old-growth forest with spectacular views of the coast. Then hit up the dog-friendly shops and art galleries in downtown Cannon Beach.

Spend the Night: For a homey stay that welcomes both you and your dog, book a night at the Inn at Cannon Beach. Its location just a block from the shore is about as close to beachfront as you’ll find in the area. Plus, the Inn offers a dog wash so you can easily rinse the salt and sand off your dog after their day out in the surf.

Don’t be fooled by the name—Useless Bay, a scenic beach area on Washington’s Whidbey Island, is anything but useless, thanks to the two-mile shoreline stretch of dog-friendly Double Bluff Beach. Well-behaved dogs are welcome to explore the wide, flat beach off-leash (though if your dog loves sticks, you’ll have to make sure they play safely along the driftwood-scattered shore). Water-loving dogs can enjoy paddling around in the shallow bay during the summer. On a clear day, you’ll get a glimpse of the Olympic Mountains in the distance across the Puget Sound. The park also has a grassy area with picnic tables and a doggie shower so you can tidy up before heading home.

Make a Day of It: If you’re visiting from the Seattle area, ride the Mukilteo to Clinton Ferry for a novel travel experience (just be sure to follow their pet policies, which require pets to be in their carrier or on-leash). This ferry offers a shorter route to Freeland so you can enjoy more beach time and less drive time. Then, after a morning at the beach, swing by Greenbank Farm to explore their café, wine and cheese store, art galleries and dog-friendly nature trails.

Spend the Night: The decadent Inn at Langley makes dogs feel right at home with their very own bed and bowls. Plus, it’s convenient to most of the local attractions, including kayaking tours, biking along the beach, and exploring the shops of downtown Langley.

It might surprise you to find one of the best dog-friendly beaches in a major city like Chicago, but the Windy City’s prime location on Lake Michigan is a great spot for pups to play. And the Montrose Dog Beach is one of the best lakefront spots for some off-leash larks, whether your dog loves digging in the sand, surfing in the waves or gallivanting with their new beach pals. To use the fenced off-leash area of this popular city beach, your dog will need to be healthy, vaccinated and immunized, and you will need to get them a DFA tag ($10) from a local veterinarian’s office. The beach also has dog wash stations so you can leave the sand behind after a day of fun in the sun.

Make a Day of It: Take a stroll on the dog-friendly Chicago Riverwalk or see the downtown sites from the water on the Mercury Canine Cruise. Then grab a bite at one of Chicago’s many dog-friendly restaurants.

Spend the Night: For a unique, dog-friendly stay, book a room at the Talbott Hotel, an upscale boutique hotel located in a historic building that once housed a jazz club frequented by members of the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead. It’s also convenient to Chicago’s “Wiggly Field” dog park, which is worth a visit for its pun-tastic name alone!

Plan a beach vacation to escape the crowds at the northernmost town of the Outer Banks. The cozy coastal haven of Duck welcomes off-leash dogs on the town’s oceanfront beach. Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound, the town boasts seven miles of dog-friendly sand. Note there is no public beach access which means you will need to spend the night at one of the local beachfront rentals or hotels to enjoy Duck’s dog-friendly beaches. (For a day trip to the Outer Banks, check out dog-friendly Nags Head beach.) The morning sunrise over the Atlantic will absolutely be worth the overnight stay. In fact, your beach bum dog may never want to leave.

Make a Day of It: Book an afternoon kayak or SUP ecotour adventure to explore the Outer Banks from the water. (You can get your pup ready to SUP in advance with this guide.) Then head to downtown Duck to take a leashed stroll on the Duck Boardwalk.

Spend the Night: Book one of Duck’s many dog-friendly rental cottages for a coastal home away from home. Whether you’re looking for a cozy cottage for you and your pup or a larger home to fit the whole extended family, you’ve got options!

The gnarled driftwood and twisted trees of Driftwood Beach make for a one-of-a-kind setting. Dogs are allowed to explore on a 16-foot leash. You and your pup can take a stroll on the soft, white sand or enjoy a refreshing dip in the water. The crooked driftwood on the beach makes a stunning backdrop for some pup photography. Catch a sunrise or sunset for particularly memorable (and Instagrammable) golden hour pics.

Make a Day of It: After a morning at the beach, book a dog-friendly sight-seeing trolley tour of Jekyll Island or spot some dolphins aboard the Jekyll Island Boat Tours. Then stop by the dog-friendly tiki bar at Tortuga Jacks to enjoy beverages, bites, and the perfect oceanfront view.

Spend the Night: The dog-friendly Seafarer Inn & Suites is right across the street from the beach, so you and your pup can soak up all the sun and sand you want. It also has an outdoor pool and is convenient to dozens of area restaurants and attractions within just a few miles.

Wildwood Dog Park & Beach is packed with dog-friendly features. Pup perks include fresh water, dog poop bags, shade and a fun, fenced play area where your dog can rule the beach off-leash—not to mention the largest fire hydrant sculpture your dog has ever seen. (That’s it in the photo above.) For a pleasant meander to feel the sea breeze and sightsee along the shore, take a walk with your pup on the Dog Beach on Glenwood Avenue. Dogs must be leashed on this part of the beach, but you are free to stroll, sunbathe and cool off in the water with your dog by your side. (Note that while dogs are allowed on the beach, they’re not welcome on the nearby boardwalk.)

Make a Day of It: Grab a brew and bite to enjoy at the dog-friendly outdoor dining area at PigDog then head out aboard the Cape May Whale Watcher for a chance to spot dolphins or whales with your pup.

Spend the Night: Though Wildwood has a number of dog-friendly hotels, it’s hard to beat the convenience of the dog-friendly Island Breeze Motel, located a five-minute walk from the dog beach!

Located at the northern tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown—or P-town as it's known by the locals—is a delightful getaway for pups looking for sand, sun and fun. The dog-friendly town beach is a short walk from the main street, and the sandy stretch along the sheltered Provincetown Harbor is the perfect spot for a long walk, a game of fetch or a swim for water-loving dogs. Leash requirements vary by date and time: Pups can play off-leash 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. from November 2 to Memorial Day. During the rest of the year, dogs must be leashed unless they’re visiting during off-leash hours from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Make a Day of It: Make some new dog friends at Pilgrim Bark Park and take a walk around downtown to explore the shops, galleries, and restaurants, many of which are dog-friendly. For more time on the water, book a whale watching trip or sunset outing with Dog Gone Sailing Charters which welcomes sea dogs of all shapes and sizes.

Spend the Night: Make yourself at home in one of the pet-friendly rooms at the Land’s End Inn. The guest rooms have unmatched ocean views and a cozy, coastal decor style, and the location is just a short walk from the beach.

An iconic spot on Cali’s Central Coast, Carmel Beach often takes top honors for being one of the best beaches in the U.S. Both the beach and the adjacent town of Carmel-by-the-Sea enthusiastically welcome four-legged visitors alongside human ones. But the pet-friendly beach is the real gem of the area—the wide, white sand beach and stunning blue waters of the Pacific Ocean are even more memorable at sunset. Dogs are allowed off-leash, and if your dog loves to run, this is one dog-friendly beach where they can really let loose.

Make a Day of It: Hang ten with your dog with their very own canine surf lessons. Then, hit the strip where you’ll find that many of the restaurants in Carmel-by-the-Sea roll out the red carpet for Fido with water bowls, treats, dog menus and “yappy hours.”

All States List: Find Dog-Friendly Beaches Near You

Looking for beaches that are dog-friendly near you? Below are some options to get your pooch out for some shoreline adventures.

Remember: When researching which beaches allow dogs, always check the leash laws and pet policies before visiting. Some beaches have seasonal closures, dog-friendly hours, designated pup-friendly spots or other restrictions you will want to know before you go.

While not all of these beaches are on the ocean, if you don’t mind a sandy shoreline along a lake, pond or river, you can still get your beachy vibes from these local spots. So, pack your sunnies and beach umbrella—your dog will be thrilled for a beach day with you no matter where you go.