158 beaches

Best Beaches for Dog-Friendly Beaches

Maryland is not generous to dog owners at the beach. Most state parks ban dogs from swimming areas entirely, and Ocean City only allows dogs on the beach between October 1 and April 30. That said, there are bright spots: Matapeake Beach has a dedicated off-leash dog beach, Downs Park in Anne Arundel County has separate dog-beach access, and several smaller Chesapeake community beaches welcome leashed dogs year-round. Always call or check posted signs — dog rules shift year to year with complaints and county-council decisions.

What to look for

Look for beaches with "off-leash" explicitly in the rules. Second-best: year-round leashed access with no seasonal restriction.

Ranked by Today's Conditions

Belle Isle State Park

Lancaster County, VA
86

Ideal for swimming.

77°F water 87°F air 3 to 7 mph wind

Brownies Beach (Bayfront Park)

Calvert County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 85°F air 5 to 14 mph wind

Matapeake Beach & Dog Park

Queen Annes County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 84°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Beverly Triton Nature Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 83°F air 7 to 16 mph wind

Downs Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

75°F water 84°F air 6 to 15 mph wind

Tolchester Beach

Kent County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 83°F air 5 to 15 mph wind

Rock Hall Beach

Kent County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 85°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Oxford Beach

Talbot County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 85°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum

Calvert County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 86°F air 3 to 14 mph wind

Public Landing Beach

Worcester County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 85°F air 5 to 12 mph wind

Cape Charles Beach

Northampton County, VA
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 80°F air 7 to 16 mph wind

Smith Point Beach

Northumberland County, VA
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 86°F air 3 to 10 mph wind

Kings Landing Park

Calvert County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 87°F air 5 to 12 mph wind

Deal Island Wildlife Management Area

Somerset County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 83°F air 8 to 12 mph wind

Mariner Point Park

Harford County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 85°F air 6 to 16 mph wind

Jean S. Roberts Memorial Park

Harford County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 85°F air 6 to 13 mph wind

Havre de Grace Promenade & Tydings Park

Harford County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

79°F water 84°F air 6 to 13 mph wind

North East Community Park

Cecil County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

79°F water 85°F air 6 to 12 mph wind

Louisa Lane Park (Charlestown Beach)

Cecil County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

79°F water 85°F air 6 to 12 mph wind

Perryville Community Park

Cecil County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

79°F water 84°F air 6 to 13 mph wind

Cox's Point Park

Baltimore County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

75°F water 86°F air 5 to 16 mph wind

Quiet Waters Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 84°F air 7 to 16 mph wind

Myrtle Point Park

St. Mary's County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 86°F air 6 to 14 mph wind

Greenwell State Park

St. Mary's County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 86°F air 5 to 14 mph wind

Purse State Park

Charles County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 87°F air 6 to 14 mph wind

Friendship Farm Park

Charles County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 88°F air 6 to 12 mph wind

Chapman State Park

Charles County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

79°F water 87°F air 6 to 14 mph wind

Great Marsh Park (Gerry Boyle Park)

Dorchester County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 86°F air 6 to 10 mph wind

Roaring Point Waterfront Park

Wicomico County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

76°F water 83°F air 7 to 12 mph wind

Chapel Point State Park

Charles County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 87°F air 5 to 13 mph wind

Snow Hill Farm Park

St. Mary's County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 85°F air 5 to 13 mph wind

Ferry Park (Rock Hall)

Kent County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 85°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Tyaskin Wharf

Wicomico County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

76°F water 81°F air 7 to 12 mph wind

Pickering Beach

Kent County, DE
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

76°F water 81°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Kitts Hummock Beach

Kent County, DE
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

76°F water 83°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Bowers Beach

Kent County, DE
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

76°F water 82°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

South Bowers Beach

Kent County, DE
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

76°F water 82°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Woodland Beach Wildlife Area

Kent County, DE
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

76°F water 81°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Ocean View Beach

Norfolk County, VA
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 86°F air 5 to 12 mph wind

Folly Beach

Charleston County, SC
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

84°F water 84°F air 6 to 12 mph wind

Isle of Palms

Charleston County, SC
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

84°F water 84°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Sullivan's Island Beach

Charleston County, SC
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

84°F water 83°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

East Beach (Galveston)

Galveston County, TX
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

85°F water 86°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Galveston Seawall

Galveston County, TX
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

85°F water 86°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula)

Galveston County, TX
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

85°F water 86°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Port Aransas Beach

Nueces County, TX
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

83°F water 88°F air 13 to 16 mph wind

Augustine Beach

New Castle County, DE
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

85°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Chic's Beach

Virginia Beach County, VA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

82°F air 5 to 15 mph wind

Chic's Beach

Virginia Beach County, VA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

82°F air 5 to 15 mph wind

Nags Head Beach

Dare County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

82°F air 6 to 12 mph wind

Kitty Hawk Beach

Dare County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

83°F air 3 to 12 mph wind

Kill Devil Hills Beach

Dare County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

82°F air 3 to 12 mph wind

Duck Beach

Dare County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

81°F air 3 to 12 mph wind

Corolla Beach

Currituck County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

82°F air 3 to 13 mph wind

Surfside Beach (TX)

Brazoria County, TX
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

86°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Montrose Beach (Chicago)

Cook County, IL
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

73°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Jamaica Beach

Galveston County, TX
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

86°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Pirates Beach

Galveston County, TX
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

87°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Sea Rim State Park

Jefferson County, TX
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

87°F air 10 mph wind

Matagorda Beach

Matagorda County, TX
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

86°F air 15 mph wind

Surf City Beach

Pender County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

83°F air 6 to 9 mph wind

Topsail Beach

Pender County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

84°F air 5 to 9 mph wind

North Topsail Beach

Onslow County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

87°F air 6 to 10 mph wind

Oak Island Beach

Brunswick County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

88°F air 5 to 8 mph wind

Emerald Isle Beach

Carteret County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

80°F air 6 to 10 mph wind

Indian Beach

Carteret County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

81°F air 6 to 10 mph wind

Pawleys Island

Georgetown County, SC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

85°F air 3 to 9 mph wind

Litchfield Beach

Georgetown County, SC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

84°F air 6 to 12 mph wind

Mokuleia Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

85°F air 14 to 17 mph wind

Avila Beach

San Luis Obispo County, CA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

73°F air 0 to 10 mph wind

Dewey Beach

Sussex County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 77°F air 5 to 15 mph wind

Slaughter Beach

Sussex County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 82°F air 5 to 15 mph wind

Big Stone Beach

Kent County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 81°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Villas

Cape May County, NJ
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

72°F water 81°F air 5 to 15 mph wind

Morro Bay (Morro Strand State Beach)

San Luis Obispo County, CA
78

Ideal for photography.

73°F air 0 to 10 mph wind

Pismo Beach

San Luis Obispo County, CA
77

Great day for a beach walk.

Pacific City Beach (Cape Kiwanda)

Tillamook County, OR
77

Great day for a beach walk.

Bay St. Louis Beach

Hancock County, MS
77

Great day for a beach walk.

South Padre Island Beach

Cameron County, TX
76

Great day for a beach walk.

76°F water 87°F air 13 to 20 mph wind

Huntington Beach (Surf City USA)

Orange County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

68°F air 0 to 15 mph wind

Long Beach (Alamitos Beach)

Los Angeles County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

71°F air 0 to 15 mph wind

Leo Carrillo State Park

Los Angeles County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

68°F air 0 to 10 mph wind

Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)

Monterey County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

67°F air 1 to 8 mph wind

Indiana Dunes National Park

Porter County, IN
75

Great day for a beach walk.

71°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Ocean Beach (San Diego)

San Diego County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

66°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Cardiff State Beach

San Diego County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

68°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Mustang Island State Park

Nueces County, TX
74

Great day for a beach walk.

86°F air 16 to 20 mph wind

Padre Island National Seashore

Kleberg County, TX
74

Great day for a beach walk.

85°F air 14 to 20 mph wind

Boca Chica Beach

Cameron County, TX
74

Great day for a beach walk.

84°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Rocky Point Beach & Park

Baltimore County, MD
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

75°F water 85°F air 5 to 16 mph wind

Terrapin Nature Area & Beach

Queen Annes County, MD
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 84°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Kent County, MD
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 82°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Claiborne Landing

Talbot County, MD
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 83°F air 5 to 15 mph wind

North Point State Park

Baltimore County, MD
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

75°F water 84°F air 5 to 17 mph wind

Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area

Northampton County, VA
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 83°F air 7 to 14 mph wind

Flying Point Park

Harford County, MD
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 85°F air 5 to 14 mph wind

Franklin Point State Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 83°F air 7 to 16 mph wind

Solomons Island Riverwalk & Boat Ramp

Calvert County, MD
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F water 86°F air 6 to 14 mph wind

Ferry Point Park

Queen Anne's County, MD
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 83°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Baker Beach (San Francisco)

San Francisco County, CA
67

Great day for photography.

60°F air 9 to 17 mph wind

Kailua Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI
63

Great day for a beach walk.

80°F air 15 to 18 mph wind

Cave Point County Park

Door County, WI
63

Great day for photography.

67°F air 5 to 9 mph wind

Half Moon Bay State Beach

San Mateo County, CA
61

Ideal for photography.

63°F air 3 to 9 mph wind

Ocean Beach (San Francisco)

San Francisco County, CA
61

Great day for photography.

58°F air 10 to 17 mph wind

Gold Beach (South Beach Park)

Curry County, OR
61

Great day for photography.

62°F air 3 to 8 mph wind

Harris Beach State Park

Curry County, OR
61

Ideal for photography.

56°F air 3 to 10 mph wind

Cayucos State Beach

San Luis Obispo County, CA
61

Ideal for photography.

64°F air 0 to 10 mph wind

Pacifica State Beach

San Mateo County, CA
61

Great day for photography.

61°F air 10 mph wind

St. Simons Island Beach

Glynn County, GA
59

Great day for sunbathing.

87°F air 7 to 13 mph wind

Monterey State Beach

Monterey County, CA
59

Great day for photography.

62°F water 64°F air 2 to 12 mph wind

Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park

Lane County, OR
56

Ideal for photography.

62°F air 0 to 5 mph wind

Coronado Beach

San Diego County, CA
54

Great day for a beach walk.

66°F water 68°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Del Mar Beach

San Diego County, CA
54

Great day for a beach walk.

66°F water 71°F air 0 to 10 mph wind

Cape San Blas (Salinas Park)

Gulf County, FL
53

Great day for sunbathing.

86°F water 86°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Honeymoon Island State Park

Pinellas County, FL
53

Great day for sunbathing.

90°F water 88°F air 6 to 12 mph wind

Jekyll Island Beach

Glynn County, GA
52

Great day for sunbathing.

87°F air 7 to 13 mph wind

Amelia Island Beach

Nassau County, FL
52

Great day for sunbathing.

87°F air 7 to 14 mph wind

St. George Island

Franklin County, FL
52

Great day for sunbathing.

86°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Dauphin Island Public Beach

Mobile County, AL
48

Great day for sunbathing.

84°F water 86°F air 5 mph wind

Carmel Beach

Monterey County, CA
48

Ideal for photography.

62°F water 70°F air 2 to 9 mph wind

Anne's Beach

Monroe County, FL
46

Great day for sunbathing.

91°F water 88°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Sanibel Island Beach

Lee County, FL
46

Great day for sunbathing.

90°F water 88°F air 9 mph wind

St. Augustine Beach

St. Johns County, FL
43

Decent day for sunbathing.

89°F air 7 to 14 mph wind

Vero Beach

Indian River County, FL
43

Decent day for sunbathing.

92°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Cannon Beach (Haystack Rock)

Clatsop County, OR
41

Ideal for photography.

61°F air 0 to 6 mph wind

Seaside Beach (Oregon)

Clatsop County, OR
41

Ideal for photography.

61°F air 0 to 7 mph wind

Ecola State Park

Clatsop County, OR
41

Ideal for photography.

59°F air 0 to 7 mph wind

Manzanita Beach

Tillamook County, OR
41

Ideal for photography.

56°F air 0 to 7 mph wind

Rockaway Beach

Tillamook County, OR
41

Ideal for photography.

58°F air 0 to 6 mph wind

Nehalem Bay State Park

Tillamook County, OR
41

Ideal for photography.

56°F air 0 to 6 mph wind

Cape Lookout State Park

Tillamook County, OR
41

Ideal for photography.

58°F air 0 to 7 mph wind

Hug Point State Recreation Site

Clatsop County, OR
41

Ideal for photography.

56°F air 0 to 7 mph wind

Bandon Beach (Face Rock)

Coos County, OR
41

Great day for photography.

60°F air 7 mph wind

Long Beach (Washington)

Pacific County, WA
39

Great day for photography.

64°F air 0 to 8 mph wind

Cape Disappointment State Park

Pacific County, WA
39

Great day for photography.

63°F air 1 to 8 mph wind

Neptune Beach

Duval County, FL
38

Decent day for sunbathing.

84°F water 91°F air 7 to 13 mph wind

Atlantic Beach

Duval County, FL
38

Decent day for sunbathing.

84°F water 91°F air 7 to 14 mph wind

Jupiter Beach

Palm Beach County, FL
38

Decent day for sunbathing.

85°F water 91°F air 7 to 10 mph wind

Haulover Beach Park

Miami-Dade County, FL
38

Decent day for sunbathing.

89°F water 90°F air 8 to 12 mph wind

Sombrero Beach

Monroe County, FL
38

Decent day for sunbathing.

91°F water 89°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Bonita Beach (incl. Bonita Beach Dog Beach)

Lee County, FL
38

Mixed conditions today.

88°F air 6 to 10 mph wind

Edgewater Beach (Cleveland)

Cuyahoga County, OH
38

Mixed conditions today.

78°F air 12 mph wind

Sims Park Beach (Euclid)

Cuyahoga County, OH
38

Mixed conditions today.

79°F air 8 to 12 mph wind

Empire Beach (Lake Michigan Beach Park)

Leelanau County, MI
37

Mixed conditions today.

63°F air 5 mph wind

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Leelanau County, MI
36

Mixed conditions today.

61°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Hamlin Beach State Park

Monroe County, NY
36

Decent day for photography.

74°F air 5 to 8 mph wind

Nye Beach (Newport, OR)

Lincoln County, OR

Skip the beach today.

55°F water 58°F air 1 to 7 mph wind

New Smyrna Beach

Volusia County, FL

Skip the beach today.

93°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Hobuck Beach

Clallam County, WA

Skip the beach today.

59°F air 3 to 7 mph wind

Wilderness State Park

Emmet County, MI

Skip the beach today.

63°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Ocean Shores

Grays Harbor County, WA

Skip the beach today.

63°F air 7 mph wind

Pacific Beach State Park

Grays Harbor County, WA

Skip the beach today.

60°F air 6 mph wind

Kalaloch Beach

Jefferson County, WA

Skip the beach today.

55°F air 2 to 6 mph wind

Ruby Beach

Jefferson County, WA

Skip the beach today.

55°F air 1 to 6 mph wind

First Beach (La Push)

Clallam County, WA

Skip the beach today.

55°F air 3 to 8 mph wind

Westport Light State Park

Grays Harbor County, WA

Skip the beach today.

59°F air 5 to 8 mph wind

Twin Harbors State Park

Grays Harbor County, WA

Skip the beach today.

60°F air 5 to 8 mph wind

Headlands Beach State Park

Lake County, OH

Skip the beach today.

78°F air 9 to 13 mph wind
esc

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