Where Should I Take My Dog? To The Beach? By Rolanda Vang

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It is hard to think about many places a dog is happier than at a beach. Whether running round on the sand, jumping in the water, digging a hole or just lying in the sun, every dog deserves a day at the beach. However, all too often dog owners stopping at a sandy stretch of seashore are met with indicators designed to make hearts – human and canine alike – droop: NO DOGS ON BEACH. Below is a short traveling tour of America’s beaches with each state ranked from essentially the most dog-friendly (****) to the worst (*).

DOGS ON ATLANTIC OCEAN BEACHES (traveling North to South)

The rocky coast of Maine (***) is mesmerizing to have a look at, however, does not leave a lot of room for sandy beaches. Dogs are generally banned from the beaches at the many small state parks along the Maine coast, but dog owners will find more pleasant sands on the town beaches. Around Portland, the state’s metropolis, and the tourist towns of the Southern Coast dogs are often allowed on the beach anytime Labor Day to Memorial Day and in the mornings and evenings through the summer. The spectacular Acadia National Park is one of America’s most dog -friendly national parks but doesn’t allow dogs on its beaches.

It is fortunate for dog lovers that New Hampshire (*) has only 18 miles of coastline. State beaches and parks don’t allow dogs on the sand at all. In case you must stop in New Hampshire, try the Grand Island Common in New Castle or Foss Beach in Rye during the off-season from October to late May.

For further reading from the same author: Is this for you?

In Boston, the beaches of the North Shore are off-limits to dogs throughout the summer time, however, other towns in Massachusetts (****) are more beneficial – dogs are usually allowed year-round with restrictive hours in the summer. Cape Cod, nevertheless, is the best destination for beach-loving dogs in New England. Cape Cod National Seashore, America’s first national seashore, allows dogs on the seashore anytime outside the swimming areas (and not on the trails). The curviture of the Cape limits sightlines down the beach and provides the park the impression of being comprised of a series of dune-backed private coves. The 2 tourist islands off southern Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, are both extremely dog- friendly – on Nantucket, dogs can even take the shuttle to the beach.

The beaches of Rhode Island (**) are kept dog-free throughout the summer time, however, if you happen to take the ferry to Block Island, dogs can enjoy the black sand beaches throughout the year. In Newport, you can take your dog on the fabled Cliff Walk (poop bags are offered at the trailhead) through the backyards of America’s rich and famous. The hike begins at Bailey’s Beach, which welcomes dogs from Labor Day to Memorial Day.

The sandy beaches of Connecticut (*) aren’t known for being dog-friendly. However, many aren’t that friendly to people either, with restricted access being common. If your dog is hankering to try the benign waves of the Long Island Sound, stop in Groton. Dogs aren’t allowed to experience America’s most famous beach at Coney Island in Brooklyn.

The further east you go out on Long Island, the more dog-friendly New York (**) becomes, however, whether on the north shore or south shore yow will discover a spot to get your dog to the sea. Dog owners must pass on the prime locations at Jones Beach and Fire Island National Seashore until reaching the Hamptons, where the tails of surf-loving dogs will start wagging. Many towns in the Hamptons offer dog- friendly sand and at Montauk, on the very tip of Long Island, several beaches allow dogs year-round, including Gin Beach on the Block Island Sound. The wide, white- sand beaches of the Jersey shore are a few of America’s hottest, and there isn’t much space for a dog to squeeze into in the summertime.

Most of the beaches in New Jersey (***), including the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area, open to dogs in the off-season. Summertime visitors ought to take their dogs to Island Beach State Park, one of the last undeveloped stretches at the Jersey Shore. Pets are allowed on the non-recreational beaches in this ten-mile oasis. Dogs will never get to trot down the historic wooden planks of the Atlantic City boardwalk, nevertheless, – no dogs are permitted on the beach or boardwalk of the Grande Dame of America’s seaside resorts. Dogs are also not allowed anywhere in the Victorian village of Cape May, however, dog lovers can travel south of town to Sunset Beach, a sand strip at the southernmost point of the Jersey shore that’s actually on the Delaware Bay. In the water offshore of “Dog Beach” are the remains of the Atlantis, a unique concrete ship built to transport soldiers in World War I.

Brought to you by Rolanda Vang

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