| It is hard to imagine many places a dog is happier | | | | of the state around Jacksonville |
| than at a beach. Whether | | | | (Amelia Island) offers some of the best beaches for |
| running around on the sand, jumping in the water, | | | | dogs in the state but heading |
| digging a hole or just lying in the sun, every dog | | | | south below Daytona, dogs are almost universally |
| deserves a day at the beach. But all too often dog | | | | banned from the sand. Jupiter, on |
| owners stopping at a sandy stretch of beach are | | | | the Treasure Coast, is one place you can find a |
| met with signs designed to make hearts - human and | | | | break from the ubiquitous NO DOGS |
| canine alike - droop: NO DOGS ON BEACH. Below is a | | | | ON BEACH signs. Fort Lauderdale has thrown dog |
| quick traveling tour of America's beaches with each | | | | owners a tiny bone - they have |
| state ranked from the most dog-friendly (****) to | | | | set up a 100-yard long Dog Beach (at Sunrise and |
| the worst (*).DOGS ON ATLANTIC OCEAN | | | | A1A) on Saturdays and Sundays |
| BEACHES (traveling North to South)The rocky coast | | | | only from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.DOGS ON GULF OF |
| of Maine (***) is mesmerizing to look at but doesn't | | | | MEXICO BEACHES (traveling East to West)The Gulf |
| leave much | | | | Coast beaches in Florida (*) offer precious little for |
| room for sandy beaches. Dogs are generally banned | | | | dog owners. Dogs were |
| from the beaches at the many | | | | once associated as closely with the Florida Keys as |
| small state parks along the Maine coast, but dog | | | | conch shells but today you have |
| owners will find more friendly | | | | to look hard for a beach to take your dog. Anne's |
| sands on the town beaches. Around Portland, the | | | | Beach in Lower Matecumbe and |
| state's biggest city, and the tourist | | | | Sombrero Beach in Marathon are two safe places. In |
| towns of the Southern Coast dogs are often | | | | Key West the "Dog Beach" is at |
| allowed on the beach anytime Labor Day | | | | Waddell and Vernon avenues but there is really just |
| to Memorial Day and in the mornings and evenings | | | | enough sand to accomodate one |
| during the summer. The | | | | good beach blanket and the little amount of |
| spectacular Acadia National Park is one of America's | | | | swimming available is treacherous over |
| most dog-friendly national | | | | coral outcroppings. On the Suncoast, seek out Bonita |
| parks but does not allow dogs on its beaches.It is | | | | Beach Dog Park north of |
| lucky for dog lovers that New Hampshire (*) has only | | | | Naples, the excellent Fort DeSoto Dog Beach and |
| 18 miles of coastline. State | | | | Park in St. Petersburg and the Dog |
| beaches and parks don't allow dogs on the sand at | | | | Beach on Honeymoon Island in the Dunedin area. |
| all. If you must stop in New | | | | Head for Franklin County, though, |
| Hampshire, try the Grand Island Common in New | | | | where dogs are allowed on all the public beaches - |
| Castle or Foss Beach in Rye during | | | | and the only county in Florida to |
| the off-season from October to late May.Around | | | | allow dogs to run free. On the Florida Panhandle the |
| Boston, the beaches of the North Shore are off-limits | | | | Gulf Islands National Seashore |
| to dogs during the | | | | is the only national seashore that bans dogs |
| summer but other towns in Massachusetts (****) | | | | completely. It is the same story in town |
| are more generous - dogs are | | | | after town on the Gulf of Mexico across Florida. |
| usually allowed year-round with restrictive hours in | | | | Near Panama City, dogs can reach |
| the summer. Cape Cod, | | | | the water on Carrabelle Beach and Bruce Beach. At |
| however, is the best destination for beach-loving | | | | Saint Andrews State Beach, a past |
| dogs in New England. Cape Cod | | | | winner of "The Best Beach In America," dogs can |
| National Seashore, America's first national seashore, | | | | hike the sandy nature trails and run |
| allows dogs on the beach | | | | on the beach of the Grand Lagoon. It isn't actually |
| anytime outside the swimming areas (and not on the | | | | the Gulf of Mexico or the Best |
| trails). The curviture of the | | | | Beach In America, but you can them from here.For |
| Cape limits sightlines down the beach and gives the | | | | dog owners, Alabama (*) may as well not even have |
| park the impression of being | | | | the few beaches it does on |
| comprised of a series of dune-backed private coves. | | | | the Gulf of Mexico.In Mississippi (**) dog owners |
| The two tourist islands off | | | | need to stay on the western coast in Hancock |
| southern Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's | | | | County; |
| Vineyard, are both extremely dog- | | | | dogs aren't allowed around the populated Biloxi |
| friendly - on Nantucket, dogs can even take the | | | | beaches.People don't seek out Louisiana (*) for its |
| shuttle to the beach.The beaches of Rhode Island | | | | sandy beaches; most of the coastline is |
| (**) are kept dog-free during the summer but if you | | | | made up of bayous. Grand Isle State Park is the |
| take the ferry to Block Island, dogs can enjoy the | | | | only state park with access to the |
| black sand beaches throughout the | | | | Gulf of Mexico and dogs are allowed in |
| year. In Newport, you can take your dog on the | | | | non-swimming areas here.In Texas (***), Padre Island |
| fabled Cliff Walk (poop bags are | | | | is America's longest barrier island and there is plenty |
| provided at the trailhead) through the backyards of | | | | of |
| America's rich and famous. The | | | | room for dogs on its 113 miles of sand. At Padre |
| hike begins at Bailey's Beach, which welcomes dogs | | | | Island National Seashore dogs are |
| from Labor Day to Memorial | | | | allowed anywhere except on the deck at Malaquite |
| Day.The sandy beaches of Connecticut (*) are not | | | | Beach and in front of the Visitor |
| known for being dog-friendly. But | | | | Center at the Swimming Beach. Galveston Island |
| many aren't that friendly to people either, with | | | | serves up another 32 miles of |
| restricted access being common. If | | | | mostly dog-friendly beach.DOGS ON PACIFIC |
| your dog is hankering to try the benign waves of | | | | OCEAN BEACHES (traveling North to South)Dogs on |
| the Long Island Sound, stop in | | | | leash are allowed in all Washington (***) state parks, |
| Groton. Dogs are not allowed to experience | | | | often on the beach, |
| America's most famous beach at | | | | but not in many swimming areas around Puget |
| Coney Island in Brooklyn.The further east you go | | | | Sound. No dogs are allowed on |
| out on Long Island the more dog-friendly New York | | | | beaches in the city of Seattle. The uncrowded |
| (**) | | | | Pacific Coast beaches are some of the |
| becomes but whether on the north shore or south | | | | dog-friendliest in America - even Olympic National |
| shore you can find a place to get | | | | Park, which bans dogs from |
| your dog to the sea. Dog owners must pass on the | | | | almost all of its 632,324 acres, opens some of its |
| prime destinations at Jones | | | | remote coastal beaches to dogs. |
| Beach and Fire Island National Seashore until reaching | | | | Dogs are allowed on almost all beaches on the |
| the Hamptons, where the tails | | | | Washington coast as long as they |
| of surf-loving dogs will start wagging. Many towns in | | | | remain out of the active swimming areas.All of the |
| the Hamptons offer dog- | | | | beaches in Oregon (****) are public. You can step on |
| friendly sand and at Montauk, on the very tip of | | | | every grain of |
| Long Island, several beaches allow | | | | Oregon sand for 400 miles and, in the rare |
| dogs year-round, including Gin Beach on the Block | | | | exception of a ban due to nesting birds, |
| Island Sound. The wide, white- | | | | your dog can be with you all the way. One beach |
| sand beaches of the Jersey shore are some of | | | | dog owners won't want to miss is |
| America's most popular and there isn't | | | | the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area with its |
| much space for a dog to squeeze into in the | | | | 40 miles of sandy shore. These |
| summertime.Most of the beaches in New Jersey | | | | are the biggest dunes in the United States - as tall |
| (***), including the Sandy Hook Unit of the | | | | as 500 feet and reaching two and |
| Gateway National Recreation Area, open to dogs in | | | | one-half miles inland at their widest point.Northern |
| the off-season. Summertime | | | | California (****) would get plenty of votes from |
| visitors should take their dogs to Island Beach State | | | | beach-loving dogs for |
| Park, one of the last | | | | having the best beaches in America. Only a beach |
| undeveloped stretches at the Jersey Shore. Pets are | | | | here and there restricts dogs from |
| allowed on the non-recreational | | | | its sand on the North Coast. Even in the highly |
| beaches in this ten-mile oasis. Dogs will never get to | | | | populated areas, concessions are |
| trot down the historic wooden | | | | made for dog owners. In Marin County a "Dog |
| planks of the Atlantic City boardwalk, however - no | | | | Beach" has been set aside on the |
| dogs are permitted on the | | | | north end of Stinson Beach and many towns allow |
| beach or boardwalk of the Grande Dame of | | | | dogs on the beach under voice |
| America's seaside resorts. Dogs are also | | | | control. San Francisco ranks among the |
| not allowed anywhere in the Victorian village of | | | | dog-friendliest of beach cities. Take your |
| Cape May but dog lovers can travel | | | | dog to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area |
| south of town to Sunset Beach, a sand strip at the | | | | and have your pick of several |
| southernmost point of the Jersey | | | | designated dog-friendly beach areas. At Baker |
| shore that is actually on the Delaware Bay. In the | | | | Beach, dogs are allowed to romp off- |
| water offshore of "Dog Beach" are | | | | leash. Further down the coast, dog owners will want |
| the remains of the Atlantis, a unique concrete ship | | | | to visit the Monterey Peninsula. |
| built to transport soldiers in | | | | Dogs are welcome to run on the Carmel City Beach |
| World War I.Off-season, the sandy beaches in | | | | and can slip into the water near |
| Delaware (****) are a paradise for dogs. Two state | | | | Monterey and Pacific Grove as well. At Big Sur dogs |
| parks, Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore, both | | | | can enjoy one of the prettiest |
| welcome dogs between October | | | | secluded beaches on the coast a Pfeiffer Beach. |
| 1 and May 1. During the summer season dogs can | | | | Skip Santa Cruz and there are plenty |
| also share the beach with their | | | | of opportunites to get your dog on the sand in |
| owners on select stretches of sand in Delaware | | | | California's Central Coast, especially |
| state parks. In Cape Henlopen, the | | | | on unnamed beaches.Heading south on the California |
| 80-foot high Great Dune is the highest sand pile on | | | | coast the water warms up and beach restrictions on |
| the Atlantic shore between | | | | dogs increase accordingly. There is still sand time for |
| Cape Cod and Cape Hatteras. The concrete | | | | dogs in Oxnard and Ventura |
| observation towers standing as silent | | | | but things are getting bleak as dog owners reach |
| sentinels along Delaware beaches were built to | | | | Santa Barbara. In Los Angeles |
| bolster America's coastal defenses | | | | County the beaches are for people. In Southern |
| during World War II. Summer vacationers can take | | | | California (**), San Diego is the place |
| dogs on the Dewey Beach town | | | | for sand-loving dogs. Several popular beaches have |
| beach in the mornings and evenings. Along the | | | | set aside "dog beaches" that |
| Delaware Bay just north of Cape | | | | attract hundreds of dogs. Every day is a beach day |
| Henlopen you can find several beaches that offer | | | | for dogs in San Diego.DOGS ON GREAT LAKES |
| frisky wave action and wide swaths | | | | BEACHES (traveling West to East)Possessing the |
| of sandy beach - and best of all there are no | | | | largest surface area of any freshwater lake in the |
| restrictions against dogs on the bay | | | | world, there is |
| beaches.The Assateague Island National Seashore is | | | | enough water in Lake Superior (**) to easily fill the |
| the prime destination for dog owners | | | | other four Great Lakes to |
| heading for the beach in Maryland (***). The | | | | overflowing. Lake Superior is known for its cold |
| undeveloped dunesland permits dogs | | | | water and rugged shoreline but |
| year-round on the beach and in the campgrounds | | | | there are some sandy beaches scattered across its |
| (but not on the short nature | | | | 300 or so miles of southern |
| trails). Keep your dog alert for the wild ponies that | | | | shores. Other beaches are more of the cobble |
| live on the island. Its neighbor to | | | | variety. Most of the shoreline is |
| the north, Assateague State Park, often celebrated | | | | sparsely populated which bodes well for finding a |
| as one of the best state parks in | | | | dog-friendly beach. In Michigan, |
| America, is off-limits to dogs. If you are not roughing | | | | the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore allows dogs |
| it on your trip to the Maryland | | | | on the beach from Twelvemile |
| seashore, nearby Ocean City allows dogs on the | | | | Beach Campground to Au Sable Lighthouse and at |
| beach and boardwalk between | | | | Munising, dogs can dig in the |
| October 1 and May 1. Traveling along the | | | | sand at Miners Beach. At Sand Point, dogs can play |
| Chesapeake Bay, dogs are banned from | | | | on the beach until the trail |
| the thin beaches in Maryland state parks. Exceptions | | | | begins to climb the cliffs. In Wisconsin, dogs are |
| are the small beach in the | | | | allowed on the beach in Ashland |
| former amusement park at North Point State Park | | | | and in Minnesota, dogs can swim in Lake Superior at |
| and the beach north of the | | | | Duluth's Park Point Beach.Dogs will have to admire the |
| causeway at Point Lookout State Park.There is | | | | spectacular dunes and sandy beaches of the eastern |
| plenty to like for beach-loving dogs in Virginia (***). | | | | shore of Lake Michigan (**) mostly from the car as |
| Canine romps on the | | | | dogs are not allowed on Michigan |
| clean, wide sands of Virginia Beach's "Strip," the | | | | state beaches and most county and town beaches. |
| commercial oceanfront from 1st | | | | In-season, the metropolises of |
| Street to 40th Street, can't begin until the day after | | | | Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin are even more |
| Labor Day but during the | | | | restrictive. Chicago has recently gotten |
| summer dogs are allowed on residential beaches | | | | its first official dog beach at Montrose Avenue. |
| above 41st Street before 10 a.m | | | | Belmont Beach is not an official |
| and afer 6 p.m. Dogs can jump in the ocean anytime | | | | Chicago beach so dogs are allowed on this small |
| at Cape Henry on Fort Story, | | | | patch of sand in a fenced area. In |
| where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake | | | | nearby Evanston licensed and vaccinated dogs are |
| Bay. Fort Story is an active military | | | | allowed on Dog Beach but a |
| base, the only installation devoted to coastal | | | | beach token is required for non-residents from May |
| operations, but its uncrowded, pristine | | | | to October which costs $80 to |
| beaches are open to the public and dogs. Just to the | | | | $100. Your best bets to dip into Lake Michigan, the |
| west is First Landing State Park, | | | | only Great Lake totally within |
| where canine swimming is allowed on unguarded | | | | the United States, are the national lakeshores and |
| sandy beaches. Check for seasonal | | | | the state parks of Wisconsin's |
| restrictions against dogs in these places. Just | | | | Door County. At the Indiana Dunes National |
| off-shore are views of the Chesapeake | | | | Lakeshore dogs are restricted to the |
| Bay Bridge-Tunnel, one of the seven modern | | | | easternmost beaches at Mt. Baldy and Central |
| engineering marvels of the world. Each | | | | Avenue until October when all |
| span of the 17.6-mile crossing utilizes more than | | | | beaches open to our four-legged friends. In the |
| 2,500 concrete piles to support | | | | Sleeping Bear Dunes National |
| the trestles.Except for designated wildlife areas, | | | | Lakeshore, dogs can swim in the waves of Lake |
| dogs are permitted on the beach year-round | | | | Michigan backed by some of |
| virtually everywhere on the Outer Banks in North | | | | America's larges dunes on all beaches except Platte |
| Carolina (****). Cape Hatteras | | | | Point Beach, the D.H. Day |
| Natonal Seashore has only four swimming beaches | | | | Campground Beach and the Manitou Islands. Dogs |
| (in season) on its entire 70 miles | | | | also cannot make the Dune |
| of protected coastline which leaves plenty of open | | | | Climb up hundreds of feet of sand.Lake Huron (*) |
| sand for the dog to roam. | | | | features 3,827 miles of shoreline, characterized by |
| Seafaring dogs can reach Ocracoke Island and Cape | | | | shallow water and |
| Lookout National Seashore by | | | | many sandy beaches. None of this will matter much |
| ferry or private boat for many miles of more | | | | to your dog, however, since the |
| undeveloped, dog-friendly beaches. | | | | Lake Huron beaches in Michigan are mostly closed to |
| The northern part of the barrier islands has been | | | | him. Alpena is a rare |
| rapidly developing in the past | | | | exception. Dogs are allowed on the resort |
| decade but where you can still find access to the | | | | destination of Macinac Island, however.Although its |
| beach, unleashed dogs are sill | | | | shores are the most densely populated of any of the |
| allowed year-round in towns like Duck and Corolla. | | | | Great Lakes, there |
| Mainland North Carolina | | | | is plenty of opportunity for a dog to explore Lake |
| beaches on Cape Fear are almost as dog-friendly; | | | | Erie (***). The smallest of the five |
| most swimming beaches restrict | | | | lakes, Erie waters average only about 62 feet in |
| dogs only during the day in the summer.South | | | | depth and warm rapidly in the |
| Carolina (****) ranks among the most dog-friendly | | | | summer for happy dog paddling. Ohio, especially |
| beach states on the | | | | around Cleveland, is the most |
| Atlantic seaboard. Get away from the people and | | | | restrictive of the Lake Erie states. Try some of the |
| commercial beaches and there is | | | | smaller town beaches in Ohio and New York, most of |
| plenty of unrestricted sand for dogs in the Palmetto | | | | which permit dogs outside of designated swimming |
| state. Most of the smaller towns | | | | areas. Some |
| allow dogs on the beach under voice control and | | | | of the best Lake Erie beachfront is in Presque Isle |
| only Myrtle Beach (from 21st | | | | State Park, the most-visited state |
| Avenue North to 13th Avenue South) bans dogs | | | | park in Pennsylvania. Your dog can can hike the |
| completely. One of the best places | | | | sandytrails past the swimming |
| to take dogs here is Hunting Island State Park. More | | | | beaches and enjoy the waves on the long, |
| than one million visitors | | | | unsupervised sretches on the northern |
| (human) come here each year, 85 miles south of | | | | end of the peninsula.Not many people have settled |
| Charleston, to enjoy three miles of | | | | most of the hundreds of miles of shoreline of the |
| unspoiled beach.Georgia (**) doesn't sport much | | | | south side of Lake Ontario (*) in New York. There |
| coastline and many of the beaches on Georgia's | | | | aren't many beaches and not many |
| barrier islands and the Golden Isles are under control | | | | bans on dogs - as long as they don't try to swim |
| of resorts and most welcome | | | | with the humans.Copyright 2006I am the author of |
| dogs except during the middle of the day in | | | | over 20 books, including 8 on hiking with your dog |
| summer. Cumberland Island National | | | | and the |
| Seashore permits dogs but is accessible only by | | | | widely praised The Canine Hiker's Bible. As publisher |
| private boat. Savannah's beach at | | | | of Cruden Bay Books, |
| Tybee Island is closed to dogs.Florida (*) ranks | | | | we produce the innovative A Bark In The Park |
| among the most dog-unfriendly of states. Entire | | | | series of canine hiking books found at |
| counties and | | | | During the warm months I lead canine hikes as tour |
| regions ban dogs from the beach. There are so | | | | leader for tours, leading packs of dogs and humans |
| many prohibitions already against | | | | on hiking |
| dogs on Florida beaches that when they change, it is | | | | adventures. Tours, ranging from one-day trips to |
| typically in favor of dog | | | | multi-day explorations, |
| owners. For the Atlantic beaches, the northeast part | | | | visit parks, historical sites and beaches. |