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Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach, DE is dog-friendly and Fido is allowed on the beach before 9:30 am and after 5:30 pm during the summer (mid-May through mid-September). Dogs are permitted on the beach at all times during the day from mid-September to mid-May and are allowed to be off leash if under your full control. You must clean up after your dog at all times, and all dogs must have a Dewey Beach dog license that can be obtained from Dewey Beach Town Hall or online. Visit Website

Or call (302) 227-6363 for more information.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating

Dewey Beach has received a rating of 4.1 out of 5 bones by 13 canine critics on BringFido.

  • Victoria
    Mar 24, 2024
    A fun time

    Leashes during on season leash free during off season

  • Irene
    Oct 16, 2021
    First visit was a really fun day!

    Beautiful, warm October Friday so there were lots of sunbathers…just walked to a less occupied spot so we wouldn’t annoy any folks. The dogs very much enjoyed their off leash play and swimming in the surf!!! My young pup is still learning so we did have a few happy, wagging encounters with people walking by but all were pleasant! I hope the town doesn’t ever change the off leash policy!!! They even provide waste bags and there was also a trash bin so I didn’t have to drive home with waste in the car 👍
    Thanks Dewey for an amazing afternoon!!!

  • Daniel
    Jul 28, 2021
    Super dog-friendly beach Summer 2021

    Just returned from 2 weeks in July 2021 at Dewey Beach. Great experience bringing my dog onto the beach in the morning (before 9:30 AM) and evenings (after 5:30 PM).

    Everyone I encountered was super pet-friendly. Absolutely zero issues with sunbathers or other dogs.

    Some people keep their dog on leashes but most dogs are unleashed. I didn't see any bad unleashed behavior.

    Dewey Beach dog license is required and regularly checked in the mornings. Non-resident cost is $5 for 3 days or $10 for 8 days from the easy parking kiosk in front of town hall. I think there is a $50 non-resident "lifetime" membership that you can also buy from the guy that checks the permits.

    Judging by the popularity and positivity of the town employees, residents, and vacationers towards the dogs, it feels inconceivable that Dewey Beach is planning any negative changes.

    Be aware of where Dewey Beach starts and ends - you have about 1 or 2 miles of pet-friendly freedom. You can walk south through the "Indian Point" area but you must turn around before you hit the beach with the WW II era gun towers. When walking north, turn around before you hit the obvious crowds near the Rehoboth beach boardwalk area.

  • A barbara
    Jan 2, 2021
    Permits

    The permits are lifetime for the dog. In ten years we’ve never had to show it. Agree with positive reviews. It can be a tough day trip with parking and lack of public restrooms.m

  • Alex
    Oct 22, 2019
    Dog Heaven In October

    Took our dog here in October and she LOVED it! There were so many other dogs running around on the beach, playing in the waves, and sniffing around. In October the beach is dog friendly and they do not have to be off leash. It’s a wonderful treat for your furry friend!

  • Mary
    Aug 11, 2019
    No longer pet friendly!

    Beachgoers have become increasingly hostile toward dogs and owners over time. We are now looking for other dog-friendly beaches. Such as a shame as Dewey used to be extremely welcoming!

  • Stephanie
    More than a year ago
    great beach

    If your not staying in Dewey good luck finding a parking spot! Other than that it's a great beach for dogs!

  • KRISTIN
    More than a year ago
    Fantasticly Dog Friendly

    This is a great dog friendly beach!! And well behaved dogs are allowed to be off their leash :) We went early in the morning with our two dogs (one of which can be a little bit of a jerk around other pups. Not aggressive just VERY vocal) all other people were very understanding. We are from out of town so we didnt know that you had to purchase a permit to bring your dogs on the beach however an attendant politely told us where we could find one and how much they cost for next time. We will definitely be taking our pups here again during our next vacation!

  • John
    More than a year ago
    Dog Friendly early morning and evenings

    Dewey Beach is quite dog friendly, so long as you stick the posted hours (before 9:30 am and after 5:30 pm) - there's seldom any real sun bathers to worry, as it's mostly folks with dogs on their strolls and the occasional early morning surf fisherman.

  • CA
    More than a year ago
    dog friendly

    I love taking my dog here. But the risk of losing the benefits of a no leash friendly worries me since there are not many towns near-by with such benefit. The problem is dumb humans once again, if you can't control your dog with voice commands, put a leash on!!! Those of us who spend hours training our dog to be well behaved in public risk losing a great benefit because of inconsiderate dumb people. I hope Dewey continues to be dog friendly, we really enjoy making the trip there for this reason alone!

  • Sara
    More than a year ago
    Tide is changing

    Too many dogs off lead are causing the town to seriously consider leash laws. There are so many sunbathers on the beach that ia leash is required. The police will prosecute if your dog interferes with sunbathers, beware, this town is not as dog friendly as they say, most residents and beachgoers resent dogs on the sand.

  • Mikey
    More than a year ago
    Dog Beach

    Dog friendly before and after lifeguard hours in the summer. Off leash and loving it. Four bones only since permit parking is dominant by the beach. Be aware or $35 fine. Worth it since pooch loved her beach frolic.

  • Diane
    More than a year ago
    ms

    Truly is a great dog beach. Take my dogs every fall for great time on the beach!

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Dewey Beach