Make Waves at These 8 Beachfront Dog Parks

Posted by Lauren Barker

There are many amazing dog beaches and epic dog parks around the country, but finding the “pawfect” combination of the two is a doggy dream come true. For those who prefer the safety and amenities of a dog park, but would rather spend their outdoor time with Fido near the sand and surf, we’ve got you covered. At these eight beachfront dog parks, you and your pooch can have the best of both worlds.

1. Wildwood Dog Park and Beach

Wildwood, NJ
All this and a dog beach, too! Photo by Facebook.com/wwdogpark

Wildwood Dog Park and Beach stands out not just for its 30-foot tall fire hydrant, but also because it includes one of the largest dog beaches in the world. Begin your visit by allowing Fido to make friends in the fenced, off-leash park complete with agility and climbing equipment, fresh drinking water and separate areas for large and small dogs. If your pooch is hankering for more time in the sand, take him down to the water, where leashed pups are allowed to frolic in the surf. Wildwood Dog Park and Beach is open daily from dawn to dusk and is free to visit.

Beach bums on two legs and four can rest up at the Island Breeze Motel. Two dogs of any size are welcome for no additional fee.

2. Haulover Beach Park

Miami Beach, FL
“Excuse me. Can you please toss this ball for me?” Photo by @donatello.cavalier

No trip to Miami Beach with Fido would be complete without visiting the bark park at Haulover Beach Park. Let your pup run leash free in one of the two size-divided areas. Each side includes drinking fountains for humans and canines as well as shade trees, picnic tables and convenient waste bag dispensers. The seaside location provides easy access to the dog-friendly beach. The bark park is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset, and dogs are welcome on the beach from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but there is a $2 fee to park.

Top off your Miami vacation by pampering yourself and your pooch with a stay at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel. Two dogs of any size are welcome for no additional fee.

3. Vishal Bhagat Dog Park

Corpus Christi, TX
“Just taking a break to enjoy the view.” Photo by @tillamook_barker

The view alone is worth a visit to Vishal Bhagat Dog Park, but your playful pooch will also enjoy running off leash in this beautifully manicured grass and gravel park on Corpus Christi Bay. An iron fence surrounds the park and divides it into two sections, one for dogs under 35 lbs and one for larger pups. On each side, Fido will have access to a freshwater fountain, and humans will appreciate the shaded picnic tables and waste stations. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. and is lighted during evening hours. There is no fee to enter.

Visiting pups can stay right on the bay at Best Western Marina Grand Hotel and continue enjoying breathtaking marina views. Two pets up to 80 lbs are accepted for an additional fee of $30 per night.

4. Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park

Richmond, CA
“There’s nothing like the feeling of a sea breeze in your ears.” Photo by BringFido/Erik

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park isn’t your average beachfront dog park. While it is a leash-free zone, the area is not fenced, allowing Fido to explore an incredible 23 acres. Beautiful views span San Francisco Bay and, on a clear day, you can spot the Golden Gate Bridge and Brooks Island. After your pup has exhausted all of his energy, get him cleaned up at Mudpuppy’s Tub and Scrub, located within the park. Then grab a bite to eat at the on-site Sit & Stay Cafe. Point Isabel Regional Shoreline is open daily from 5 a.m. to sunset and is free to visit.

Catch some well-earned shuteye at Double Tree by Hilton Berkeley Marina. Two dogs up to 70 lbs are permitted for an additional fee of $50 per stay.

5. Fort De Soto Dog Beach Park

St. Petersburg, FL
“Beach hair, don’t care.” Photo by @thegrumpygolden

The Paw Playground at Fort De Soto Dog Beach Park is a coastal canine’s nirvana. Let Fido run loose and make friends in the large, grassy fenced dog park, separated into size-appropriate spaces with freshwater fountains and dog showers to cool off or clean up. Then, walk your pooch down to the designated dog-friendly area of the beach, where he can run off-leash. Fort De Soto is the only dog park in St. Petersburg with access to a dog beach, however the beach area is not fenced. Fort De Soto is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset, and charges a $5 parking fee.

Continue admiring coastal views with a balcony room overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at The Hotel Zamora. Two dogs of any size are allowed for an additional fee of $75 per stay.

6. Edmonds Marina Beach Off Leash Dog Park

Edmonds, WA
“We promise we won’t get dirty.” Photo by @cedar_and_luna_adventure

At Edmonds Marina Beach Off-Leash Dog Park, just 20 minutes north of Seattle, you’ll not only get marvelous views of Puget Sound, but also the Olympic Mountains. The fenced beach park allows Fido to venture out into the water and features agility equipment, a rinse station, water bowls and waste bags. The water serves as one side of the fence perimeter, so keep an eye on your pup at low tide. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is free to visit. However, it is maintained by volunteers and funded by donations, so contributions are encouraged.

Enjoy more of the Seattle area, including nearby Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, with a stay at La Quinta Inn Lynnwood. Two pets of any size are accepted for an additional fee of $20 per pet, per night, not to exceed $40 per stay.

7. Montrose Dog Beach

Chicago, IL
"Don’t underestimate the power of little legs." Photo by @brian_buckler

Escape the commotion of downtown Chicago and relax with Fido at Montrose Dog Beach. This fenced beach dog park on the shores of Lake Michigan provides skyline views of the Windy City. Your pooch can run in the water and dig his paws in the sand, then get cleaned up at the rinse station before leaving. After all that fun, enjoy more lakefront views during lunch at the nearby Waterfront Cafe. Montrose Dog Beach is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is free to visit, but all dogs must have Dog Friendly Area (DFA) tags.

Explore more of Chicago with a few nights at Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace Hotel, located in the bustling Lakeview neighborhood. Two dogs up to 80 lbs are permitted for an additional fee of $25 per pet, per night.

8. Davis Island Dog Park

Tampa, FL
Best buds by the beach. Photo by Facebook.com/Friends-of-Davis-Islands-Dog-Parks

As one of the pet-friendliest cities in the country, it's no surprise that Tampa boasts a dog park next to a dog beach. Davis Island is a small but well maintained, leash-free park with water fountains and a wash station. When Fido wants to play in the bay, the dog beach awaits!

After a day on the bay, spend the night by the river at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel. Canine guests receive pet goodie bags at check-in, and a park with a waste station is adjacent to the hotel. Two dogs up to 80 lbs are accepted for an additional fee of $100 per stay.

Have you visited a beachfront dog park? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by @pabu_the_doge.