Dogs Allowed
Dog-Friendly Maryland Beaches
Every Maryland beach that welcomes dogs, organized by leash rules and seasonal access. Always check the specific beach page for current policy before you go.
Off-Leash Dog Beaches
Rare in Maryland. These beaches allow dogs off-leash in designated areas.
Matapeake Beach & Dog Park
Off-leash policy: Off-leash permitted in designated dog beach area. Must be under voice control.
Downs Park
Off-leash policy: Designated off-leash dog beach. Leash required elsewhere.
Dewey Beach
Off-leash policy: Dogs allowed before 9:30 AM and after 5:30 PM in summer. Off-leash permitted with Dewey Beach dog license. Year-round dog access otherwise.
Year-Round (Leashed)
Bring your leash — dogs welcome any season, but must stay on-lead.
Brownies Beach (Bayfront Park)
Dogs allowed on leash year-round.
Elk Neck State Park
Dogs permitted on leash in designated pet areas.
Fort Smallwood Park
Dogs permitted on leash outside designated beach area.
Beverly Triton Nature Park
Dogs permitted on leash.
Point Lookout State Park
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas. Not on swim beach.
Tolchester Beach
Dogs permitted on leash.
Rock Hall Beach
Dogs permitted on leash.
Terrapin Nature Area & Beach
Dogs permitted on leash.
Cove Point Beach
Dogs permitted on leash.
Hart-Miller Island State Park
Dogs permitted on leash.
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Dogs permitted on leash on trails.
Claiborne Landing
Dogs permitted on leash.
Oxford Beach
Dogs permitted on leash.
St. Michaels Waterfront Beach
Dogs permitted on leash in town.
Janes Island State Park
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas.
Rocky Gap State Park
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas, not on swim beach.
Indian River Inlet
Dogs permitted on leash outside swim areas.
North Point State Park
Dogs permitted on leash.
Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum
Dogs permitted on leash.
Martinak State Park
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas.
Public Landing Beach
Dogs permitted on leash.
Assawoman State Wildlife Area
Dogs permitted on leash.
Kiptopeke State Park
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas.
Cape Charles Beach
Dogs permitted on leash.
Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area
Dogs permitted on leash.
Westmoreland State Park
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas.
Belle Isle State Park
Dogs permitted on leash.
Smith Point Beach
Dogs permitted on leash.
Kings Landing Park
Dogs permitted on leash.
Deal Island Wildlife Management Area
Dogs permitted on leash.
Seasonal / Restricted
Dogs permitted only in the off-season, or with time-of-day restrictions. Check rules before visiting.
North Beach
Dogs allowed on the boardwalk but not on the swimming beach Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Ocean City Beach
Dogs permitted on beach and boardwalk Oct 1 - Apr 30 only. Banned during season.
Colonial Beach
Dogs prohibited on beach May - Sep. Allowed off-season on leash.