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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
2. Plum Island Beach
3. Dane Street Beach
| 🗺️ 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 |
4. Singing Beach
5. Nauset Beach
6. Provincetown Dog Beach
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 |
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 |
9. Francis Street Beach
10. Good Harbor Beach
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.
Featured Image Credit: Bertrand Bouchez, Unsplash
