Dog Friendly Beaches in Maine

Dog friendly beaches are heaven on earth for Fido. And since sandy paws equal happy dogs, we’ve sniffed out the best beaches in Maine where dogs can run, swim, and frolic in the sand. Use the links/map below to find a dog-friendly beach in Maine.

Pet Friendly Gooch's Beach
Gooch's Beach Gooch's Beach in Kennebunk, ME is pet friendly at specific times throughout the year. From June 15 to Labor Day, dogs are welcome before 9am and after 5pm under voice control or on a leash. From the day after Labor Day to June 14, dogs are permitted on the beach at any time, but must be under voice control or on a leash. See Details
Pet Friendly Fort Foster Park
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. See Details
Wells Beach Wells Beach is a pet-friendly spot for Fido in Wells, ME. From April 1 until June 15, dogs must be leashed and under control of a responsible person at all times. From June 15 until September 15, dogs are only permitted on the beach from 6:00 PM until 8:00 AM and they must be leashed and under control of a responsible person. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that is left behind to preserve the cleanliness of the beach for others. See Details
Drake's Island Drake's Island in Wells, ME, is pet-friendly. From April 1 until June 15, dogs must be leashed and under control of a responsible person at all times. From June 15 until September 16, dogs are only permitted on the beach from 6pm until 8am and they must be leashed and under control of a responsible person. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that is left behind to preserve the cleanliness of the beach for others. See Details
Long Sands Beach Long Sands Beach is a lovely pet-friendly beach in York, ME. Pets are welcome after 6 pm and before sunrise, May 20th through September 20th. Enjoy taking a stroll with Fido on 1.5 miles of sandy beach. Pets must be leashed and cleaned up after during your visit. See Details
Bayview Beach Bay View Beach in Saco, ME, is a dog-friendly beach. Dogs can stay and play here all day with their owners. Dogs must be leashed and under control of their owners from April 1 to September 30 on beaches in Saco where piping plovers or least terns are present or have traditionally nested. The rest of the year, dogs are allowed all day off-leash and under voice control. See Details
East End Beach at Eastern Promenade Park Bring Fido to the pet-friendly East End Beach at Eastern Promenade Park in Portland, ME. There is a designated area for off-leash play, giving your dog the opportunity for exercise and maybe even social time with other pups! Off-leash hours are in the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM, and in the winter (Labor Day to Memorial Day) any time during park hours, 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. See Details
Willard Beach Willard Beach is a dog-friendly public beach in South Portland, ME. In the summer months, dogs can run off leash (under voice control) in the off-season, October 1 through April 30, from 6:00 am to 9:00 am. Between May 1 and September 30, dogs are not allowed on the beach except between the hours of 7:00 am and 9:00 am and 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm. Willard Beach is a great sandy beach with cold, but inviting water for swimmers. Dogs love to play and romp on this scenic beach! Dog owners are required to have a leash in hand at all times. Off-leash dogs must be kept within 100 feet and under voice control. Pet waste must be bagged and properly disposed of in a trash receptacle or carried out of the park. Entry into sand dune vegetation by dogs and/or people is unlawful and strictly prohibited. See Details
Short Sands Beach Short Sands Beach is a great place to spend the day with Fido in York, ME. Dogs are welcome at this pet-friendly destination before 8:00 am and after 6:00 pm, May 20th through September 20th. Pets must be leashed and cleaned up after during your visit. See Details
Higgins Beach Higgins Beach is a dog-friendly beach in Scarborough, ME. Dogs are allowed on and off-leash at Higgins Beach at different times depending on the season. During Peak Season, no dogs are allowed from May 15 to Labor Day 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, but leashed dogs are allowed from sunrise to 9:00 AM or after 5:00 PM to sunset. Look for posted red signs indicating restricted areas. From April 1 to Labor Day, dogs are not allowed in the restricted beach area between Champion Street and the Spurwink River. During the off-season from Labor Day to May 14 dogs on leash are allowed between 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. See Details
Laite Memorial Beach From May 1 to September 30 dogs are allowed on the beach from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. They can be off leash as long as the owner can control the dog with voice commands and has a leash in hand. See Details
Mother's Beach Bring your dog to join the seaside fun at Mother's Beach in Kennebunk, ME. Leashed dogs are welcome before 9am or after 5pm in summer, or anytime on a leash or under voice command in the off season. A permit to park at the beach is required from mid-June to mid-September. Daily, weekly and seasonal passes are available at Kennebunk Town Hall and at electronic kiosks at the beaches. See Details
Goose Rocks Beach Pet-friendly Goose Rocks Beach welcomes dogs at varying times throughout the year in Kennebunkport, ME. From April 1st through June 14th and from Labor Day through September 15th, dogs must be on a leash. From June 15th until Labor Day, dogs are not permitted from 9 am until 5 pm (and must be leashed outside of this time window). From September 16th through March 31st, dogs must be leashed from noon until 6 pm (and are welcome off leash, under voice control outside of this time window). See Details
Nubble Lighthouse Bring Fido to Nubble Lighthouse for a walk to see beautiful views from rocky shores, between Long Sands and Short Sands beaches. Nubble Light Gift Shop is open daily from 9am – 7pm from the first of May - October. See Details
Ogunquit Public Beach Leashed dogs are permitted during the off-season at Ogunquit Public Beach, a pet-friendly beach in Ogunquit, ME. Fido can enjoy this soft sand beach from mid-September through the end of March. Please note that dogs can swim in the ocean, but are not permitted in the Ogunquit River Estuary that winds behind the beach and flows into the ocean. See Details
Seapoint Beach Locals love to bring their dogs to play at Seapoint Beach, a rocky, pet-friendly beach in Kittery Point, ME. Please note, beach parking is only for Kittery residents and dogs are not permitted between the hours of 10am to 5pm from June 15th through September 10th. See Details
Camp Ellis Beach Camp Ellis Beach welcomes Fido to enjoy a swim at this pet-friendly area in Saco, ME. Located at the mouth of the Saco River, Camp Ellis Beach is short distance away from Ferry Beach State Park. The beach is smaller due to years of erosion but is close to parking, making it perfect for a quick stop. Dogs must be on a leash from April 1 to September 30. See Details
Monson Pond Monson Pond is a pet-friendly attraction in Fort Fairfield, ME. Bring Fido out for a dip on the water on a hot day! It is also a great spot for fishing or boating as it is in a low-traffic area. See Details
Little Tunk Pond Little Tunk Pond is a pet-friendly recreation area in Sullivan, ME. Bring your pooch to this 55-acre outdoor space that includes woodlands, abandoned fields, and a sand beach on the pond. There's public access to the beach, where swimming is allowed, off a short trail from the car park. Leashed dogs are welcome, as long as they are cleaned up after to preserve the cleanliness of the lake. See Details
Schoodic Lake Schoodic Lake is a pet-friendly attraction in Bangor, ME. Bring Fido along for an afternoon of swimming, fishing, a canoe or kayak ride, or just relaxing by the lake. See Details
Maine