Are Cape Cod Beaches Dog-Friendly?
Cape Cod has a wide selection of dog-friendly beaches, offering the perfect seaside vacation for you and your furry friend. However, it’s important to note that many of these beaches have seasonal restrictions. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, it’s advisable to do a bit of research prior to your visit. But worry not, as there are also some beaches open year-round that warmly welcome dogs, ensuring that you and your furry friend can enjoy the coastal charm of Cape Cod anytime.
Here’s a list of dog-friendly beaches by town. Keep in mind, rules and restrictions may apply.
Barnstable Beaches That Allow Dogs
Barnstable includes beaches in Hyannis, Centerville, Osterville, and Cotuit. Beaches include Craigville Beach, Dowses Beach, Eugenia Fortes (aka East) Beach, Covell Beach, Loop’s Beach, Millway Beach, Oregon Beach, Orrin Keyes Beach, Hamblin Pond, Ropes Beach, Hathaway’s Pond, Sandy Neck Beach, Joshua Pond, Kalmus Beach, Veterans Beach, Long Beach, and Wequaquet Beach.
Barnstable Beaches Dog Rules
The public beaches in Barnstable don’t allow dogs during the summer, but you are allowed to take them off-season after September 16th.
Bourne Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Bourne include Barlow’s Landing, Pocasset River, Electric Avenue, Queen Sewell, Gray Gables Beach, Red Brook Harbor, Hen Cove, Sagamore Beach aka First Beach, Second Beach, Massasoit Avenue, Monks Park, Squeteague, Monument Beach, and Picture Lake.
Bourne Beaches Dog Rules
Dogs are not permitted on public beaches in Bourne from May 1st to October 15th.
Brewster Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Brewster include Breakwater Beach, Crosby Landing Beach, Cliff Pond Beach, Ellis Landing, Linnell Landing, Long Pond Brewster Beach, Paines Creek Beach, Point of Rocks Landing, Robbins Hill Beach, Saints Landing Beach.
Brewster Beaches Dog Rules
Dogs are allowed on Brewster beaches on the off-season only which spans from September 16th through May 14th.
Chatham Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Chatham include Cockle Cove Beach, Forest Beach, Harding Beach, Jacknife Beach, Jacknife Harbor Beach, Oyster Pond Beach, Pleasant Street Beach, Ridgevale Beach, South Beach, and Lighthouse Beach.
Chatham Beaches Dog Rules
Chatham only allows dogs during the off-season: September 26th through April 30th.
Dennis Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Dennis include Bayview Beach, Chapin Memorial Beach, Cold Storage Beach, Corporation Beach, Dennisport South Village Road Beach, West Dennis Beach, Glendon/Dulling, Harborview Beach, Howes Street Beach, Inman Road Beach, Mayflower Beach, Princess Beach, Scargo Beach, Sea Street Beach, and South Village Beach.
Dennis Beaches Dog Rules
Dogs are not permitted on Dennis beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Eastham Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Eastham include beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore- Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach. Public beaches that are town-managed include Bayberry Land Beach, Campground Beach, Cooks Brooks Beach, First Encounter Beach, Great Pond Beach, Herring Pond Beach, Sunken Meadow Beach, Thumpertown Beach, and Wiley Park Beach.
Eastham Beaches Dog Rules
There are two types of beaches in Eastham that allow dogs: Cape Cod National Seashore beaches and town-managed beaches. Cape Cod National Seashore beaches allow dogs year-round whereas town-managed beaches only allow dogs during the off-season. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Falmouth Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Falmouth include Bristol Beach, Chapoquoit, Falmouth Heights Beach, Megansett Beach, Menuahant Beach, Old Silver Beach, Stoney Beach, Surf Drive Beach, and Wood Neck Beach.
Falmouth Beaches Dog Rules
Dogs are allowed on Falmouth beaches during their off-season which ranges from October 2nd to April 30th.
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Harwich Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Harwich include Bank Street Beach, Earle Road Beach, Jacknife Harbor Beach (Pleasant Bay), Long Pond Beach, Cahoon’s Landing Beach, Pleasant Street Beach, Red River Beach, and Sand Pond.
Harwich Beaches Dog Rules
Dogs are not permitted on beaches during the summer season spanning from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Mashpee Beaches that Allow Dogs
Dogs are allowed on the the state-owned area of South Cape Beach in Mashpee from mid-September through April only.
Orleans Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Orleans include Nauset Beach, Skaket Beach, Rock Harbor, and Nauset Beach Orv Trails.
Orleans Beaches Dog Rules
Dogs are typically permitted on most beaches only during the off-season. However, certain beaches might have a more limited timeframe for allowing dogs.
Provincetown Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Provincetown include Race Point Beach, Herring Cove Beach, Dog Beach on Commercial Street.
Provincetown Beaches Dog Rules
Provincetown warmly welcomes dogs on its beaches throughout the year. However, there are specific regulations to adhere to, such as keeping dogs off the bike trails and away from nesting shorebirds.
Sandwich Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Sandwich include East Sandwich Beach, Sandy Neck Beach, and Town Neck Beach (and Boardwalk).
Sandwich Beaches Dog Rules
Sandwich only allows dogs on their beaches during their off-season. Each beach has their own off-season time frame.
Truro Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Truro include Head of the Meadow Beach (part of the Cape Cod National Seashore), town-managed Truro Beaches, as well as public beaches Ballston Beach, Beach Point, Cold Storage Beach at Pond Village, Great Hollow Beach, Coast Guard Road Beach, Corn Hill Beach, Fisher Beach, town-managed Head of the Meadow Beach, Long Neck Beach, Noons Landing, and Ryder Beach.
Truro Beaches Dog Rules
Truro, much like Eastham, has both Cape Cod National Seashore beaches and town-managed beaches. Cape Cod National Seashore beaches are much more welcoming of dogs year-round. Be sure to check the rules and regulations before visiting a beach in Truro.
Wellfleet Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Wellfleet include Marconi Beach (part of the Cape Cod National Seashore), town-managed public beaches Cahoon Hollow Beach, Newcomb Hollow Beach, White Crest (Surfer’s Beach), and Lecount Hollow Beach (Maguire’s Landing Beach).
Wellfleet Beaches Dog Rules
There are beaches in Wellfleet that allow dogs year-round. Again, Wellfleet has both Cape Cod National Seashore beaches and town-managed beaches.
Yarmouth Beaches That Allow Dogs
Dog-Friendly beaches in Yarmouth include public beaches Bass Hole (Grays Beach), Bass River Beach (Smugglers), Bay View Beach, Colonial Acres Beach, Englewood Beach, Parker’s River Beach, Seagull Beach, Seaview Beach, South Middle Beach, Wilbur Park Beach, and Windmill Beach.
Yarmouth Beaches Dog Rules
Dogs are permitted on Yarmouth beaches from the day after Labor Day to May 14th.
We understand how important your pets are which is why we’ve created a guide to dog-friendly beaches in Cape Cod. Although many beaches welcome dogs, it’s crucial to be aware of seasonal restrictions. Always confirm in advance if your visit coincides with the times when dogs are allowed on these beaches. Planning in advance will ensure that everyone in your family can have a delightful time on their Cape Cod holiday.
You can find more details on all of the area beaches here:
Upper Cape Cod Beaches
Mid Cape Cod Beaches
Lower Cape Cod Beaches
Outer Cape Cod Beaches
Looking for a rental home on your next vacation on the Cape? Check out our list of dog-friendly rentals.