Best Dog Friendly Beaches On East Coast – Fluent Woof supported readers. When you shop through links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions for free.
Ocean City is a tourist attraction and beach resort in Maryland along the Eastern Shore. With over 8 million visitors a year, you know it has to be a great place. In summer, it is one of the most popular places in the country. With temperatures in the low 80s from July through August, everyone wants to go to the beach. Although winter days can be quite chilly, with highs in the 40s, it’s still a great place to stroll on the sand.
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The entire town is located on Fenwick Island, which is a shoal with water around it. 10 miles of beaches with golden sand and blue water to enjoy, along with piers, parks, restaurants and shops.
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While there are only a few “official” dog beaches in Ocean City, you’ll find plenty of parks and public spaces on the water. We found 15 of the best dog-friendly beaches in Ocean City for you to check out.
Recognized as one of TripAdvisor’s top 10 beaches in the United States, the main beach in Ocean City, Maryland is beautiful. The whole town is one big beach with 10 undisturbed golden sands and fresh, clear blue water. From October through May, you can bring your pup to any Ocean City beach, but they must remain on a leash. You should also bring your own dog bag to pick up any messes he makes. You and your pup can swim here, but it can be quite cold during these months.
The downtown beach stretches from the entrance to the end of the 27th Street Boardwalk and has the most entertainment options for tourists. You can find more than 30 dining options on this stretch of sand, including Bad Ass Cafe, Shenanigan’s Irish Pub and Barracuda’s Bar & Grill. Midtown Beach stretches from 27th to 62nd Streets and has about a dozen shops and eateries. The last stretch of beach has many resort properties and hotels.
On Isle of Wight Bay and Ocean City Inlet, just north of Homer Goodelsky Park, Herring Creek Nature Park has nearly 44 acres for you and your fur baby to explore and enjoy. Although most of the park is forest, you’ll also find some open spaces where you can have a picnic with your pup, throw a Frisbee and let him play in the creek. There is plenty of open water here consisting of ponds, creeks and lakes where you and your fur baby can spot wildlife.
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The parking lot consists of broken shells that your dog likes to stalk like the beach (which is not far), so keep him on a leash and it will be easier to take him to the park. You will see old water fountains, toilets and a large gazebo where you can sit and enjoy the view. The park is full of different ecosystems, including wildflower fields, new forests, grasslands, salt ponds, freshwater wetlands and tidal pools. Be sure to bring a poop bag to clean up your dog’s poop.
With over an acre of beach, Homer Gudelski Park is happy to let you and your companion dog play here year-round. You will need to use a leash and bring your own poo bag. This is a beautiful sandy beach across the bridge, known as Stinky Beach because local commercial fishermen stop there to clean their fish before returning to the ocean. Today, however, you won’t find any stinky fish. Now it’s a fun place for picnics, water play and fetch.
It is less popular with tourists, so you can enjoy a quiet day on the water here. Although there is a strong current here, you can let your child splash in the shallows and keep the leash short. You won’t see many people swimming here, but you will see a few families relaxing on the sand or grass for a picnic, as well as many anglers looking for hoops, perch and bluefish.
Across from Homer Gudelsky Park on the southwest corner of Ocean City Island, Sunset Park is a large grassy area on the water with walking paths, interpretive exhibits and stunning views of the ocean, harbor and Assateague Island. For your convenience, there are toilets and water fountains, as well as a stage where concerts and other meetings are held. Your pup is welcome to join you at any time of the year, but please be respectful of those who enjoy the event.
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You can also enjoy the water here all year round, but always make sure your dog is on a lead and make sure to pick him up afterwards. Fishing and crabbing are also fun activities here. Right next to the park is the Pet Beach between the Ocean Fishing Pier and the amphitheater. Your fur baby can be let loose as long as he is guided by his voice. For dogs that like to swim, you may want to consider a dog life jacket for safety.
Located across the border in Delaware, Fenwick Island State Park includes three miles of beachfront property from Lewes Street to Logan Street. Everyone goes swimming here. The only problem with this is that you can only take fur babies to the swimming beach from May to October, so it’s usually too cold for people to get in the water. However, your child will not get their feet wet and splashed by the waves.
The car park to the north has a walking sand dune and another footpath north of the swimming beach where you and your fur baby can swim in the summer. This is considered a waterfront park, so your dog is welcome on a leash. Follow the signs to know where you can and cannot go. You will not be able to use the sauna, picnic area or park building at any time of the year.
Assateague is a large island that stretches from the mouth of Ocean City, Virginia, all the way to Assateague Island Hook. The state park begins at the Verrazano Bridge, but you are allowed outside the park. You can take your puppy on a leash anywhere in Maryland. It includes marinas, campgrounds and trails. Dogs are not allowed in the Virginia Beach section.
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One of the most unique things about the 37 mile long barrier island is the wild horses. 300 horses and wild ponies live here, and you’re almost guaranteed to see them on your trip. It is important not to approach them and not allow your dog to approach them. It is better to observe them from a distance. In addition to swimming and horseback riding, you can also rent kayaks to get out on the water or take a sightseeing cruise. There are some that allow dogs.
Behind Delaware’s Fenwick Island, James Farm Ecological Reserve is a dog-friendly beach and park where you can hike, bike, fish and swim together, as long as your companion is on a leash. Surrounded on three sides by the Indian River inlet, it has plenty of water to splash around in without worrying about currents or waves. From salt marshes to calm coastal bays, you and your pup can cool off at any time.
The park also has seven different trails totaling more than three miles and featuring three lookouts, parks, beach crossings and boardwalks. Be sure to bring a cleaning bag to pick up after the puppy. The most popular trail is the 1.6-mile James Farm Loop Trail, an easy hike that takes about 30 minutes. If you keep quiet, you can see some of the local wildlife. But please don’t let your dog hurt them.
Just northeast of James Farm Ecological Reserve is Delaware Seashore State Park, with 20 miles of sandy shoreline. Although your dog can only visit the swimming beach between October and May, this is the best time for peace and quiet. If you see the park in the summer, you know that dogs are prohibited. It gets very crowded and noisy with all the tourists. But you can go to other parts of the park that are not designed for swimming.
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Places to avoid in summer are clearly marked. One is North Inlet Beach, another at Towers Beach on Tower Ocean Road, and another at South Inlet. Besides swimming, there are plenty of activities for you and Fido to choose from. You can enjoy picnicking, fishing, clam hunting or surfing if you want
