/ Lifestyle / By Brooke Bundy
Planning your trip to the Cape isn’t complete without factoring in your canine friend. Generally, dogs are allowed on Massachusetts beaches during the off-season, which is usually between Labor Day and Memorial Day. During the summer, dogs may be banned from the beaches, at least during the busiest times of day when tourists and lifeguards are present. Certain beaches have different rules though, so check before you go. Additionally, a few beaches may allow your dog to run through the sand off-leash, while others may restrict the times or require them to always remain on-leash. Here are our 10 top picks for dog-friendly beaches all over Massachusetts, noting the time of year you can visit and any other information you need to know before you pack your dog’s beach ball.
Top 10 Dog Friendly Beaches in Massachusetts
1. Joe Moakley Park at Carson Beach
| ️ Address: | 1005 Columbia Road, Boston, Massachusetts 02127 |
| Open Times: | 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM; Beach access only available September 15th through May 1st |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Nice park where you can walk your leashed dog year-round
- On-leash access to Carson Beach during the off-season
- Near Logan International Airport
- Water fountains function during the warmer months
2. Plum Island Beach
| ️ Address: | N Reservation Terrace, Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950 |
| Open Times: | September 15th through May 1st |
| Cost: | Parking fee is $15 for residents, $20 for non-residents |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Off-leash access allowed during off-season
- Beach is closed to dogs during peak season
- Free parking after 6:00 PM
- No dogs allowed at Plum Island’s Sandy Point State Reservation
3. Dane Street Beach
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci7-4Rpu_KX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
| ️ Address: | Beverly, MA 01915 |
| Open Times: | Open 24/7 during off-season; No dog access allowed from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Public beach with free parking
- Dogs allowed on the beach year-round after 7:30 PM
- All day play allowed during off-season
4. Singing Beach
| ️ Address: | 119 Beach St, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944 |
| Open Times: | Dogs allowed on beach from October 15th through April 15th |
| Cost: | Free during off-season |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Free 2-hour parking within walking distance
- Doggie haven during off-season
- Off-leash romping allowed
5. Nauset Beach
| ️ Address: | 250 Beach Road, Orleans, MA 02653 |
| Open Times: | September 15th through April 15th |
| Cost: | Free off-season parking |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- 10-mile stretch of Cape Cod coast
- Beach access available for free during off-season
- Seals, whales, and the occasional shark swim nearby
- No dogs allowed during peak times from April 15th through September 15th
6. Provincetown Dog Beach
| ️ Address: | 55 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657 |
| Open Times: | On-leash fun allowed 24/7, 365 days a year |
| Cost: | $2 parking |
| Off-Leash: | Yes but off-leash hours vary |
- Cheap parking for $2 an hour
- Off-leash fun only allowed between from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and from 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM during peak season of Memorial Season through November 1st
- The only beach in Cape Cod that always allows leashed dogs
- Part of Herring Cove
- Off-leash always allowed during off-season
7. Corn Hill Beach
| ️ Address: | Corn Hill Road, Truro, MA 02666 |
| Open Times: | 6:00 PM through 9:00 AM only from Labor Day through the third Sunday in June; 24/7 during off-season |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Allows dogs during certain hours in the summer
- Off-leash not allowed at any time
- Available to all dogs 24/7 during the winter
8. Craigville Beach
| ️ Address: | Barnstable, MA |
| Open Times: | Available from September 15th through May 15th |
| Cost: | $25 parking from 7:30 AM through 3:45 PM |
| Off-Leash: | Not unless dogs are under voice control |
- Small, tidy beach
- Allows dogs during the off-season
- Dogs must be on a leash or under voice control
9. Francis Street Beach
| ️ Address: | Nantucket, MA 02554 |
| Open Times: | 24/7 |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Minutes from downtown Nantucket
- Allows dogs year-round
- Dogs must be leashed
10. Good Harbor Beach
| ️ Address: | 99 Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930 |
| Open Times: | September 15th through April 15th |
| Cost: | Free after 6:00 PM |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Leashed dogs are allowed during the off-season
- Handicap accessible
- Hours and parking vary; call ahead
Conclusion
Whether you’re visiting Boston or traveling to Nantucket, you’ll be sure to find plenty of dog-friendly beaches along the Massachusetts coast. Most public beaches are only open to dogs during the off-season, but a few may allow leashed dogs year-round. However, a June trip isn’t always a summer bummer. Sometimes beaches will still allow dogs during peak times of year after dark and before dawn when it’s less crowded. Always check before you go just to be safe.
Related Read:
- Top 8 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Provincetown, MA (with Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Bertrand Bouchez, Unsplash
Contents
- Top 10 Dog Friendly Beaches in Massachusetts
- 1. Joe Moakley Park at Carson Beach
- 2. Plum Island Beach
- 3. Dane Street Beach
- 4. Singing Beach
- 5. Nauset Beach
- 6. Provincetown Dog Beach
- 7. Corn Hill Beach
- 8. Craigville Beach
- 9. Francis Street Beach
- 10. Good Harbor Beach
- Conclusion
