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Fort Foster Park

Located on Gerrish Island in Kittery Point, pet-friendly Fort Foster Park offers three small but sandy beaches, an extensive trail system, restroom facilities in season, picnic areas and old military fortifications to explore. The park features an excellent view of the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor, including Whaleback Light, Portsmouth Harbor Light and Fort Constitution. Leashed dogs are welcome, and day passes are available for purchase at the gatehouse. Visit Website

Or call (207) 439-2182 for more information.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating

Fort Foster Park has received a rating of 4.6 out of 5 bones by 24 canine critics on BringFido.

  • Karah
    Aug 4, 2023
    Beach not very accessible

    There is a small beach covered with large rocks, no walking path. Mt senior dog hurt her leg trying to get down to the water, and kids didn’t fare much better with all the rocks in the water. It’s scenic and I appreciate they allow dogs, but not worth the money, there’s other free or low cost beach areas to take a pet during high season that are similar, save your 20 dollars.

  • Tammy
    Jul 18, 2023
    Great “spot”

    Very pet friendly, well worth the 20 bucks. pets can go anywhere in the park minus the swimming with pets to the left of the pier.

  • Jen
    Aug 12, 2022
    Nice park for kids and dogs.

    Small beach areas with rocks at high tide and sand at low tide. Very dog friendly!

  • Delaney
    Jul 3, 2022
    SUPER Dog Friendly

    This is our second year in a row coming here, and we love it so much we bought a season pass this time! Dog-friendly beach is sandy and not too crowded! Only beach around that allows dogs year-round!

  • Hannah
    Nov 26, 2021
    Dog friendly as of 11/2021

    From other reviewers, it sounds like the dog-friendliness has changed a bit. We visited with our two dogs and enjoyed off-leash time from sunrise until 10 am (when the park technically opens) and then after 3 pm until sunset. Picking up poop is a must, and dog owners need to pack it out (no trash cans). Lots of other people with their dogs off leash, and tons of space—both trails and beach—to get zoomies out. We had a great time!

  • Nicole
    Sep 16, 2021
    Great walk

    Great place for a walk and to take some pictures. It's 100% pack in/pack out so be prepared to take your waste with you as there are no trash bins. Trails were well maintained and we had a great time exploring!

  • Alissa
    Aug 28, 2021
    Fun to explore!

    This is a great spot to bring your dog to explore the Maine coastline. It’s a very dog friendly spot, where your dog can splash in the ocean year-round any time of day or night. There are several beaches, only one beach to the left of the pier is off-limits to dogs (it is clearly marked), otherwise you can take your leashed dog around any part of the park! There are picnic tables, lots of park benches, grills and public restrooms. Parking is $21 for the day.

  • Cassie
    May 22, 2021
    Great Beach

    The pier boards have large gaps in them, our small dogs feet kept getting stuck in between. Other than that it was fanatic. Dogs are required to be on leash (we ran into two groups who did not follow this). One side of the beach is dog friendly and the other is not. We went in Mid-May on a Saturday afternoon and found ample space to walk, run and swim with our pup. The entry fee was $21, no cash.

  • Deb
    Oct 11, 2020
    Great Dog Friendly Beach

    So happy they dropped the proposed ban on dogs being allowed. leashes are required but great place to visit

  • Dan
    Sep 9, 2020
    Dog Friendly TBD

    Great, under rated park along the water with beautiful views. not too crowded, even on Labor Day weekend with nice weather. That said, 4 bones rating contingent on park continuing to allow dogs — there is a town council meeting on 9/9/20 to discuss a dog ban. if enacted, Fort Foster should be removed from Bring Fido, and we won’t be going back

  • Kara
    Sep 7, 2020
    Great Spot!

    We were so excited to find Fort Foster Beach after finding out that Jenness Beach is actually not dog friendly. Our pup had to stay on a leash while we were there, but she still enjoyed going in the water and meeting new doggy friends. We saw many signs about the upcoming vote to ban dogs at Fort Foster Beach. I would urge locals not to ban dogs here as it was the only beach that we (tourists) could find would allow dogs.

  • Danielle
    Aug 28, 2020
    Not DOG FRIENDLY Or Welcomed

    We’ve been coming to Fort Foster because it’s the only dog friendly beach where we live. There is a proposed plan to ban dogs from Fort Foster starting after this season which is evident when we arrived today. The part we’re dogs are allowed shrunk in size and there was a security guard only letting us stay in a certain area. It was packed with lots of dogs and people during a week day. It’s disappointing because we used to love going here but now the beach is tiny and nowhere for our dogs to play. I don’t recommend going.

  • Juliana
    Aug 15, 2020
    Beautiful spot!

    First time here yesterday, yes it cost $20 but the beach and water were beautiful, sandy and crystal clear water! Perfect for pups since it’s very shallow very far out.

  • Carol
    Aug 11, 2020
    Fee Updates

    just checked out the website and a day pass is now $20. still trying to find out how much a season pass is to determine which to buy.

  • Allie
    Jul 28, 2020
    Great scenic spot to be able to take your pup

    We stopped here this weekend and had a great time. Dogs can go into the water with you most of the beach area. Pretty rocky but ok! $20 to get in and due to COVID you had to buy a pass online before you came and there isn’t great service at the gate so do it before you go. We would def go back!

  • Lilia
    Jul 10, 2020
    We loved the place.

    There is a nice sandy beach on a right from the peer where dogs can hangout. Lot of places to walk around. There are the tables on a grass by the beach. Great place to hangout all day.

  • Brooke
    Aug 12, 2019
    Great beach!

    We went there today for Piper's first real ocean experience! There were lots of dogs to play with, friendly locals, and lots of room! They say it's on leash but we didn't see many dogs with leashes! Everyone got along well and my baby is tuckered out! It's "carry in carry out" so be aware of that when your fur baby poops. Other than that, great, great place.

  • Erin
    Jul 28, 2019
    Belle’s First Ocean Visit

    Let me start with I have a newfoundland puppy. Living in central Mass there aren’t a ton of places to bring her to swim. Fort Foster was great! It was $20 to get into the park and it’s “carry in, carry out” so keep that in mind when your baby poops! Rocky beach is exactly what it claims to be, ROCKY! There were very few people but it was almost impassable. One beach no longer allows dogs but the third was perfect. Sandy, not really crowded, people gave us our space. My baby girl had such a good time. So the bad it’s “carry in, carry out” I get it, and the place seemed really clean, but it’s a pain, $20 to get in is a little much but worth it, we had to drive 2 hours to get there, this is obviously not Fort Foster Park’s fault but I’m scraping the barrel for negative here! And finally it would be really nice if they put in even one out door shower so you can rinse off some of that sand and salt. I had to rinse off in the sink.

  • Susan
    Jul 28, 2019
    Price Change

    The cost is now $20 per car.

  • Alison
    More than a year ago
    Awesome place for dogs and their humans

    We took a trip here on Labor Day weekend and to my surprise it wasn’t terribly crowded. Dogs are allowed on most sections of the beach and there’s a great trail along the beach to walk with the dog. Tons of picnic tables and benches. A great place to spend the day.

  • Denise
    Aug 26, 2018
    Great visit!

    This place is a great family area and you can bring your dog! Great experience and was pleasantly surprised. One of the best parts? Little to no litter and it appears everyone picks up after their dog! Amazing place which I knew about it sooner. Lots of areas to bring your family and pets. Highly recommend!

  • Orange
    Jul 19, 2018
    Wide flat trails.

    I loved walking the dogs along the rocky coast and then into the shaded woods. There were lots of picnic tables and benches to take in the views.

  • Aly
    Jun 21, 2018
    Amazing low-key beach

    Very friendly and low-key beach! We went to the Rocky Point beach and we're 1 of 3 groups on the Rocky beach. There are signs to leash your dog bust most other well behaved dogs went free in the water to play. I'll be going back again and again!

  • Maude
    More than a year ago
    Amazing

    So cool! I loved the park and I brought my dog, sal! Really family friendly!

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Fort Foster Park