Dog Friendly Beaches in Maryland

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

Pet Friendly Assateague National Seashore
Assateague National Seashore Dogs are allowed on the beach, outside of the lifeguard-protected beach area, along the Maryland portion of Assateague National Seashore in Berlin. Pets are not permitted on the nature trails or anywhere within the Virginia portion of Assateague Island, and visiting pups must be on a six-foot leash at all times. See Details
Pet Friendly Dog Beach at Matapeake Clubhouse and Beach
Dog Beach at Matapeake Clubhouse and Beach The Dog Beach at Matapeake Clubhouse and Beach in Stevensville, MD features a winding natural surface trail through the woods that ends at the sandy banks of Chesapeake Bay. The trail is a nice short hike for pooches, yet is long enough that it’s adequately separated from the public areas. Dogs can run off leash, retrieve in the water and sniff out the surroundings at this pet-friendly designated beach area. See Details
Ocean City Beach Pet-friendly Ocean City Beach welcomes dogs on the beach and boardwalk in Ocean City, MD between October 1st and April 30th. Enjoy the sun and sand with Fido during the off season, but remember to leash and clean up after your pets during your visit. See Details
Quiet Waters Dog Beach Bring Fido to the pet-friendly Quiet Waters Dog Beach in Annapolis, MD. Your leashed pup is welcome to splash and play in the water, and there's even a dog rinse-off station to get cleaned up when you're done. Please note that there's a small fee to enter. See Details
Dog Beach at Downs Park Bring Fido for an afternoon of fun at the dog beach at Downs Park in Pasadena, MD. Located off the perimeter trail, this pet-friendly beach is a fantastic place for new dogs to learn to swim and for veteran canine swimmers. Once you and your dog are done splashing in the water, leash your pup up for a walk on more than 5 miles of trails through the park. See Details
Homer Gudelsky Park Homer Gudelsky Park in Ocean City, MD, welcomes Fido to enjoy some fun in the sun and a dip in the water at this dog-friendly beach across from the Ocean City Inlet. Pets must be leashed at all times and cleaned up after. Please note that parking is limited at this quaint bayside beach. See Details
Terrapin Nature Park Terrapin Nature Park is a hidden gem with unlikely access through an industrial/business area in Stevensville, MD. This pet-friendly park features a 3.25-mile trail that meanders around the 276-acre nature park through woodlands, marsh and tidal ponds.Take one of the side trails to get to the beach that runs along the shore of the Chesapeake, where dogs are allowed on a leash. See Details
Flag Ponds Nature Park Flag Ponds Nature Park is dog-friendly. Leashed dogs are welcome at this Natural Resources Park with a beach. For hundreds of years, the forces of nature have reshaped the Chesapeake Bay shoreline of Flag Ponds Nature Park, creating a remarkable variety of natural environments--from the sandy beach to freshwater ponds, to the forested heights of Calvert Cliffs. Today, nature continues to play with the sand, changing the park’s landscape with each tide, each storm, each season.

The park is open Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-8pm. Admission fees cost $5 in-county, or $8 out of county residents per vehicle.
See Details
Assateague State Park Assateague State Park is a dog-friendly outdoor recreation area in Berlin, MD, where two and four-legged friends can explore together. Located along the Assateague National Seashore, this park welcomes pets in day-use areas, campgrounds and the marina throughout different times of the year. Whether you're visiting to sit by the ocean or spend some time fishing, this is a great spot to check out with Fido. Refer to the official website for a complete pet policy. See Details
Elk Neck State Park North East, MD is home to the dog-friendly Elk Neck State Park. This outdoor recreation area invites owners and their canine companions to adventure together and enjoy the waterview. While pets are welcome in the campgrounds, they aren't permitted in the Bohemia, Chester, Tred Avon, Sassafras loops, rustic cabins, or the youth group camping area. Dogs are allowed in all day-use areas as well as the beach area, except for the sandy portion of the swimming beach area from Memorial Day weekend to after Labor Day. See Details
Dog Beach at Myrtle Point Park In addition to hiking trails, Fido can enjoy the pet-friendly dog beach at Myrtle Point Park in California, MD. This designated dog beach welcomes leashed dogs to enjoy the beach area, but they must remain on a leash unless they are in the water. See Details
Maryland