USA TODAY 10Best
From coast to coast, 10 best dog-friendly beaches in the US
Best Dog-Friendly Beach (2024)
Dog-friendly beaches offer slices of paradise where you can share the joy of sun, sand, and surf with your furry friend. At these 10 beaches, selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the U.S., your canine companion can frolic in the waves or sprint across the soft sand.
And as an added bonus, many of these beaches provide amenities like cleaning stations and water fountains, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable experience for both pets and owners.
- Nags Head - Nags Head, North Carolina
- Coronado Dog Beach - Coronado, California
- Port Aransas Beach - Port Aransas,Texas
- Fort De Soto Park - Tierra Verde, Florida
- Rosie's Dog Beach - Long Beach, California
- Cannon Beach - Cannon Beach, Oregon
- Freeman Park - Carolina Beach, North Carolina
- Quiet Waters Park - Annapolis, Maryland
- Seaside Beach - Seaside, Oregon
- Jupiter Dog Beach - Jupiter, Florida
Photo courtesy of Wirestock / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 10:
Just south of where the Wright Brothers took their famous flights, Nags Head serves as a prime example of the idyllic beauty of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. And as an added bonus, visitors are welcome to stroll around the area with their leashed canine companion all year round.
Photo courtesy of Leoba / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 9:
Balmy California weather and soft sand awaits at Coronado Dog Beach, a San Diego County park found just southwest of the downtown district. Dogs are welcome to surge through the surf without a leash, while gorgeous coastal vistas can be found as far as the eye can see.
Photo courtesy of MiMaLeFi / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 8:
While the sprawling Texas coast is renowned for its top-tier birdwatching opportunities, the region also plays host to its fair share of dogs throughout the year. At Port Aransas Beach, visitors can wander the area with their leashed animal companions.
Photo courtesy of VisitStPeteClearwater.com
No. 7:
Florida’s historic Fort De Soto Park dates back to the late 19th century, and in the modern era, the surrounding region serves as a popular recreation site for dogs and their owners alike. Upon arrival, pets can take a dip in the warm Sunshine State water, with Fort De Soto allowing beach access to dogs in a designated area.
Photo courtesy of Karyna Demianiuk / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 6:
For those in search of an early-morning recreation area in the southern reaches of Los Angeles County, Rosie’s Dog Beach is a top spot, opening at 6 a.m. Established back in 2003, the space currently comes equipped with both waste bags and waste scoops to aid in keeping the area clean.
Photo courtesy of MaximFesenko / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 5:
While Oregon’s Cannon Beach is best known for its towering rock formations, the area also doubles as a top spot for dog lovers, with canines getting the chance to explore along the shore as long as they’re on-leash or can follow voice control.
Photo courtesy of dageldog / E+ Getty Images
No. 4:
The sprawling North Carolina shore draws visitors in abundance during the summer months, but it’s not just people that thrive along its sandy beaches. Freeman Park has become a beloved site for dog owners, with their pets being able to frolic off-leash from October 1 to March 31 and play on-leash from April 1 to September 30.
Photo courtesy of Staff of Quiet Waters Park
No. 3:
Maryland is rife with scenic beaches all across its shores, with Quiet Waters Park drawing both Annapolis residents and their canine companions thanks to its calm water and abundant natural beauty.
No. 2:
On a rare sunny day on the Oregon coast, Seaside Beach provides ample opportunity for dogs to roam. Visitors can take to the water with their off-leash pups, while the area offers many dog-friendly restaurants for a post-beach meal.
Photo courtesy of murat4art / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 1:
Located in the Palm Beach area, Jupiter offers ample outdoor recreation opportunities for both tourists and their pets. Upon arrival to the beach, well-behaved dogs can run free without a leash, with no shortage of waste bag stations — thoughtfully provided by the Friends of Jupiter Beach organization — lining the surrounding shore.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a... Read More
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jean Chen Smith
Jean Chen Smith is a freelance journalist who has... Read More
Jean Chen Smith is a freelance journalist who has been producing content for over 15 years. With a love of travel and storytelling, her intention is to create content to inspire and connect people to places, things, and experiences. Her articles have appeared in AARP, Travel and Leisure, 1859 magazine, Insider Travel, USA Today, Family Vacationist, The Oregonian, SFGATE, weekand.com, and more. When not writing or teaching Pilates at her studio, she enjoys trail running, spending time with her pups Tonka and Paisley, and reading suspense novels.
Jean Chen Smith
Jean Chen Smith is a freelance journalist who has been producing content for over 15 years. With a love of travel and storytelling, her intention is to create content to inspire and connect people to places, things, and experiences. Her articles have appeared in AARP, Travel and Leisure, 1859 magazine, Insider Travel, USA Today, Family Vacationist, The Oregonian, SFGATE, weekand.com, and more. When not writing or teaching Pilates at her studio, she enjoys trail running, spending time with her pups Tonka and Paisley, and reading suspense novels.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
