163 beaches

Best Dog-Friendly Beaches

Maryland is not generous to dog owners at the beach. Most state parks ban dogs from swimming areas entirely, and Ocean City only allows dogs on the beach between October 1 and April 30. That said, there are bright spots: Matapeake Beach has a dedicated off-leash dog beach, Downs Park in Anne Arundel County has separate dog-beach access, and several smaller Chesapeake community beaches welcome leashed dogs year-round. Always call or check posted signs — dog rules shift year to year with complaints and county-council decisions.

What to look for

Look for beaches with "off-leash" explicitly in the rules. Second-best: year-round leashed access with no seasonal restriction.

Ranked by Today's Conditions

Anne's Beach

Monroe County, FL
88

Ideal for dog-friendly

84°F water 82°F air 5 mph wind

Coronado Beach

San Diego County, CA
87

Ideal for dog-friendly

74°F water 80°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Del Mar Beach

San Diego County, CA
87

Ideal for dog-friendly

75°F water 83°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

New Smyrna Beach

Volusia County, FL
87

Ideal for dog-friendly

78°F water 79°F air 10 mph wind

Sombrero Beach

Monroe County, FL
87

Ideal for dog-friendly

84°F water 83°F air 5 mph wind

St. George Island

Franklin County, FL
87

Ideal for dog-friendly

80°F water 74°F air 5 mph wind

Avila Beach

San Luis Obispo County, CA
86

Ideal for dog-friendly

66°F water 75°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Bonita Beach (incl. Bonita Beach Dog Beach)

Lee County, FL
86

Ideal for dog-friendly

78°F water 82°F air 7 to 13 mph wind

Carmel Beach

Monterey County, CA
86

Ideal for dog-friendly

67°F water 74°F air 3 to 8 mph wind

Cayucos State Beach

San Luis Obispo County, CA
86

Ideal for dog-friendly

66°F water 76°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Long Beach (Alamitos Beach)

Los Angeles County, CA
86

Ideal for dog-friendly

74°F water 85°F air 10 mph wind

Sanibel Island Beach

Lee County, FL
86

Ideal for dog-friendly

78°F water 81°F air 6 to 14 mph wind

Atlantic Beach

Duval County, FL
85

Ideal for dog-friendly

76°F water 74°F air 13 mph wind

Cardiff State Beach

San Diego County, CA
85

Ideal for dog-friendly

75°F water 79°F air 5 to 15 mph wind

Haulover Beach Park

Miami-Dade County, FL
85

Ideal for dog-friendly

82°F water 84°F air 7 mph wind

Honeymoon Island State Park

Pinellas County, FL
85

Ideal for dog-friendly

81°F water 76°F air 14 mph wind

Huntington Beach (Surf City USA)

Orange County, CA
85

Ideal for dog-friendly

74°F water 82°F air 5 to 15 mph wind

Neptune Beach

Duval County, FL
85

Ideal for dog-friendly

76°F water 74°F air 13 mph wind

Ocean Beach (San Diego)

San Diego County, CA
85

Ideal for dog-friendly

75°F water 77°F air 5 to 15 mph wind

Port Aransas Beach

Nueces County, TX
85

Ideal for dog-friendly

77°F water 80°F air 15 mph wind

St. Simons Island Beach

Glynn County, GA
85

Ideal for dog-friendly

73°F air 10 mph wind

Vero Beach

Indian River County, FL
85

Ideal for dog-friendly

83°F water 82°F air 10 mph wind

Amelia Island Beach

Nassau County, FL
84

Great for dog-friendly

76°F water 73°F air 12 mph wind

Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula)

Galveston County, TX
84

Great for dog-friendly

76°F water 74°F air 15 mph wind

East Beach (Galveston)

Galveston County, TX
84

Great for dog-friendly

76°F water 74°F air 15 mph wind

Galveston Seawall

Galveston County, TX
84

Great for dog-friendly

76°F water 75°F air 15 mph wind

Jamaica Beach

Galveston County, TX
84

Great for dog-friendly

76°F water 75°F air 15 mph wind

Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)

Monterey County, CA
84

Great for dog-friendly

66°F water 73°F air 2 to 12 mph wind

Pirates Beach

Galveston County, TX
84

Great for dog-friendly

76°F water 76°F air 15 mph wind

Sea Rim State Park

Jefferson County, TX
84

Great for dog-friendly

76°F water 75°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Sullivan's Island Beach

Charleston County, SC
84

Great for dog-friendly

78°F water 72°F air 8 mph wind

Surfside Beach (TX)

Brazoria County, TX
84

Great for dog-friendly

76°F water 76°F air 15 mph wind

Cape San Blas (Salinas Park)

Gulf County, FL
83

Great for dog-friendly

75°F water 73°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Isle of Palms

Charleston County, SC
83

Great for dog-friendly

78°F water 71°F air 9 mph wind

Jekyll Island Beach

Glynn County, GA
83

Great for dog-friendly

72°F air 12 mph wind

Oak Island Beach

Brunswick County, NC
83

Great for dog-friendly

69°F water 71°F air 9 mph wind

Padre Island National Seashore

Kleberg County, TX
83

Great for dog-friendly

78°F air 15 mph wind

St. Augustine Beach

St. Johns County, FL
83

Great for dog-friendly

76°F water 73°F air 14 mph wind

Bay St. Louis Beach

Hancock County, MS
82

Great for dog-friendly

Dauphin Island Public Beach

Mobile County, AL
82

Great for dog-friendly

77°F water 70°F air 10 mph wind

Folly Beach

Charleston County, SC
82

Great for dog-friendly

69°F water 71°F air 12 mph wind

Monterey State Beach

Monterey County, CA
82

Great for dog-friendly

67°F water 69°F air 2 to 9 mph wind

Mustang Island State Park

Nueces County, TX
82

Great for dog-friendly

79°F air 17 mph wind

Pacific City Beach (Cape Kiwanda)

Tillamook County, OR
82

Great for dog-friendly

Pawleys Island

Georgetown County, SC
82

Great for dog-friendly

78°F water 70°F air 9 mph wind

Pismo Beach

San Luis Obispo County, CA
82

Great for dog-friendly

66°F water

Emerald Isle Beach

Carteret County, NC
81

Great for dog-friendly

69°F water 68°F air 9 mph wind

Mokuleia Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI
81

Great for dog-friendly

78°F water 82°F air 18 mph wind

Topsail Beach

Pender County, NC
81

Great for dog-friendly

69°F water 69°F air 10 mph wind

Indian Beach

Carteret County, NC
80

Great for dog-friendly

69°F water 68°F air 10 mph wind

Litchfield Beach

Georgetown County, SC
80

Great for dog-friendly

78°F water 68°F air 12 mph wind

North Topsail Beach

Onslow County, NC
80

Great for dog-friendly

69°F water 68°F air 6 to 10 mph wind

Baker Beach (San Francisco)

San Francisco County, CA
79

Great for dog-friendly

65°F water 66°F air 8 mph wind

Matagorda Beach

Matagorda County, TX
79

Great for dog-friendly

76°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Pacifica State Beach

San Mateo County, CA
79

Great for dog-friendly

65°F water 66°F air 5 mph wind

Surf City Beach

Pender County, NC
79

Great for dog-friendly

69°F water 67°F air 12 mph wind

Ocean Beach (San Francisco)

San Francisco County, CA
78

Great for dog-friendly

65°F water 65°F air 8 mph wind

Leo Carrillo State Park

Los Angeles County, CA
77

Great for dog-friendly

74°F water 82°F air 10 to 25 mph wind

Jupiter Beach

Palm Beach County, FL
76

Great for dog-friendly

83°F water 83°F air 9 mph wind

Belle Isle State Park

Lancaster County, VA
74

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 62°F air 6 to 12 mph wind

Kill Devil Hills Beach

Dare County, NC
73

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 63°F air 12 to 15 mph wind

Ocean View Beach

Norfolk County, VA
73

Great for dog-friendly

70°F water 61°F air 12 mph wind

Chapel Point State Park

Charles County, MD
72

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 61°F air 14 mph wind

Corolla Beach

Currituck County, NC
72

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 62°F air 12 to 15 mph wind

Duck Beach

Dare County, NC
72

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 62°F air 15 mph wind

Friendship Farm Park

Charles County, MD
72

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 61°F air 14 mph wind

Jean S. Roberts Memorial Park

Harford County, MD
72

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 61°F air 14 mph wind

Kings Landing Park

Calvert County, MD
72

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 61°F air 9 to 14 mph wind

Smith Point Beach

Northumberland County, VA
72

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 61°F air 9 to 14 mph wind

Chic's Beach

Virginia Beach County, VA
71

Great for dog-friendly

70°F water 60°F air 15 mph wind

Greenwell State Park

St. Mary's County, MD
71

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 60°F air 12 to 15 mph wind

Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum

Calvert County, MD
71

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 60°F air 12 to 15 mph wind

Myrtle Point Park

St. Mary's County, MD
71

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 60°F air 15 mph wind

Nags Head Beach

Dare County, NC
71

Great for dog-friendly

74°F water 63°F air 10 to 17 mph wind

North East Community Park

Cecil County, MD
71

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 59°F air 13 mph wind

Public Landing Beach

Worcester County, MD
71

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 60°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Snow Hill Farm Park

St. Mary's County, MD
71

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 60°F air 14 mph wind

Solomons Island Riverwalk & Boat Ramp

Calvert County, MD
71

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 60°F air 15 mph wind

Brownies Beach (Bayfront Park)

Calvert County, MD
70

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 59°F air 15 mph wind

Chapman State Park

Charles County, MD
70

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 61°F air 13 to 16 mph wind

Cox's Point Park

Baltimore County, MD
70

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 59°F air 15 mph wind

Flying Point Park

Harford County, MD
70

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 60°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Great Marsh Park (Gerry Boyle Park)

Dorchester County, MD
70

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 60°F air 13 to 16 mph wind

Havre de Grace Promenade & Tydings Park

Harford County, MD
70

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 59°F air 15 mph wind

Louisa Lane Park (Charlestown Beach)

Cecil County, MD
70

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 59°F air 14 mph wind

Mariner Point Park

Harford County, MD
70

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 60°F air 12 to 15 mph wind

Perryville Community Park

Cecil County, MD
70

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 59°F air 15 mph wind

Purse State Park

Charles County, MD
70

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 61°F air 12 to 16 mph wind

Quiet Waters Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
70

Great for dog-friendly

63°F water 59°F air 15 mph wind

Cape Charles Beach

Northampton County, VA
69

Good for dog-friendly

70°F water 60°F air 14 to 17 mph wind

Oxford Beach

Talbot County, MD
69

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 15 mph wind

Roaring Point Waterfront Park

Wicomico County, MD
69

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 60°F air 17 mph wind

Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area

Northampton County, VA
69

Good for dog-friendly

70°F water 60°F air 17 mph wind

Tyaskin Wharf

Wicomico County, MD
69

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 59°F air 12 to 16 mph wind

Augustine Beach

New Castle County, DE
68

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 57°F air 15 mph wind

Beverly Triton Nature Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
68

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 16 mph wind

Bowers Beach

Kent County, DE
68

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 57°F air 15 mph wind

Kitts Hummock Beach

Kent County, DE
68

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 57°F air 15 mph wind

Kitty Hawk Beach

Dare County, NC
68

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 61°F air 13 to 18 mph wind

Rocky Point Beach & Park

Baltimore County, MD
68

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 16 mph wind

Saltwater State Park

King County, WA
68

Good for dog-friendly

54°F water 62°F air 1 to 7 mph wind

Slaughter Beach

Sussex County, DE
68

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 57°F air 15 mph wind

South Bowers Beach

Kent County, DE
68

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 57°F air 15 mph wind

Woodland Beach Wildlife Area

Kent County, DE
68

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 57°F air 15 mph wind

Dash Point State Park

Pierce County, WA
67

Good for dog-friendly

54°F water 61°F air 1 to 10 mph wind

Downs Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
67

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 59°F air 17 mph wind

Franklin Point State Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
67

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 59°F air 17 mph wind

Kailua Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI
67

Good for dog-friendly

80°F water 79°F air 22 mph wind

Deal Island Wildlife Management Area

Somerset County, MD
66

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 60°F air 20 mph wind

Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park)

Leelanau County, MI
66

Good for dog-friendly

54°F water 51°F air 10 mph wind

Indiana Dunes National Park

Porter County, IN
66

Good for dog-friendly

50°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Montrose Beach (Chicago)

Cook County, IL
66

Good for dog-friendly

51°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Wilderness State Park

Emmet County, MI
66

Good for dog-friendly

50°F air 10 mph wind

North Point State Park

Baltimore County, MD
65

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 59°F air 20 mph wind

Cave Point County Park

Door County, WI
64

Good for dog-friendly

54°F water 48°F air 12 mph wind

Claiborne Landing

Talbot County, MD
64

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Dewey Beach

Sussex County, DE
64

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 57°F air 20 mph wind

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Kent County, MD
64

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Ferry Park (Rock Hall)

Kent County, MD
64

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Ferry Point Park

Queen Anne's County, MD
64

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Matapeake Beach & Dog Park

Queen Anne's County, MD
64

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Owen Beach (Point Defiance)

Pierce County, WA
64

Good for dog-friendly

54°F water 59°F air 1 to 12 mph wind

Rock Hall Beach

Kent County, MD
64

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Leelanau County, MI
64

Good for dog-friendly

51°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Terrapin Nature Area & Beach

Queen Anne's County, MD
64

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Tolchester Beach

Kent County, MD
64

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Villas

Cape May County, NJ
64

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 58°F air 20 mph wind

Big Stone Beach

Kent County, DE
63

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 57°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park

Lane County, OR
63

Good for dog-friendly

66°F air 7 to 20 mph wind

Pickering Beach

Kent County, DE
63

Good for dog-friendly

63°F water 57°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

South Padre Island Beach

Cameron County, TX
62

Good for dog-friendly

80°F water 80°F air 15 mph wind

Deception Pass State Park

Island County, WA
57

Good for dog-friendly

61°F air 6 to 23 mph wind

Double Bluff Beach

Island County, WA
57

Good for dog-friendly

54°F water 58°F air 8 to 21 mph wind

Bandon Beach (Face Rock)

Coos County, OR
56

Good for dog-friendly

64°F air 20 to 26 mph wind

Harris Beach State Park

Curry County, OR
56

Good for dog-friendly

57°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Gold Beach (South Beach Park)

Curry County, OR
55

Good for dog-friendly

65°F air 15 to 22 mph wind

Larrabee State Park

Whatcom County, WA
55

Good for dog-friendly

60°F air 7 to 26 mph wind

Birch Bay State Park

Whatcom County, WA
53

Fair for dog-friendly

58°F air 8 to 22 mph wind

Fort Worden State Park

Jefferson County, WA
51

Fair for dog-friendly

54°F water 59°F air 13 to 28 mph wind

Edgewater Beach (Cleveland)

Cuyahoga County, OH
47

Fair for dog-friendly

51°F air 23 mph wind

Sims Park Beach (Euclid)

Cuyahoga County, OH
45

Fair for dog-friendly

54°F air 18 mph wind

Boca Chica Beach

Cameron County, TX
42

Fair for dog-friendly

79°F air 15 mph wind

Nye Beach (Newport, OR)

Lincoln County, OR
40

Fair for dog-friendly

54°F water 60°F air 14 to 35 mph wind

Headlands Beach State Park

Lake County, OH
38

Fair for dog-friendly

54°F air 20 mph wind

Cape Lookout State Park

Tillamook County, OR

Tough for dog-friendly today

60°F air 13 to 37 mph wind

Rockaway Beach

Tillamook County, OR

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 60°F air 9 to 28 mph wind

Cannon Beach (Haystack Rock)

Clatsop County, OR

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 63°F air 9 to 24 mph wind

Seaside Beach (Oregon)

Clatsop County, OR

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 62°F air 9 to 29 mph wind

Nehalem Bay State Park

Tillamook County, OR

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 58°F air 13 to 40 mph wind

Ecola State Park

Clatsop County, OR

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 61°F air 10 to 29 mph wind

Hug Point State Recreation Site

Clatsop County, OR

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 59°F air 15 to 39 mph wind

Manzanita Beach

Tillamook County, OR

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 57°F air 15 to 45 mph wind

Hamlin Beach State Park

Monroe County, NY

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 51°F air 13 mph wind

Long Beach (Washington)

Pacific County, WA

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 64°F air 12 to 33 mph wind

Cape Disappointment State Park

Pacific County, WA

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 62°F air 13 to 35 mph wind

Ocean Shores

Grays Harbor County, WA

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 64°F air 14 to 30 mph wind

Twin Harbors State Park

Grays Harbor County, WA

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 62°F air 14 to 32 mph wind

Westport Light State Park

Grays Harbor County, WA

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 61°F air 15 to 35 mph wind

First Beach (La Push)

Clallam County, WA

Tough for dog-friendly today

53°F water 57°F air 21 to 40 mph wind

Hobuck Beach

Clallam County, WA

Tough for dog-friendly today

53°F water 59°F air 20 to 26 mph wind

Kalaloch Beach

Jefferson County, WA

Tough for dog-friendly today

53°F water 57°F air 15 to 31 mph wind

Pacific Beach State Park

Grays Harbor County, WA

Tough for dog-friendly today

55°F water 60°F air 12 to 23 mph wind

Ruby Beach

Jefferson County, WA

Tough for dog-friendly today

53°F water 57°F air 17 to 32 mph wind
esc

↑↓ navigate ↵ open · Browse all · View map