Grab your furry friend and get ready to hit the beach because it’s officially summer…and it’s time for your little one to frolic and cool off! Many dog owners can struggle to find permitted beaches to bring their dogs in NYC, since many of the city’s public beaches prohibits dogs during the summer months (can go on them September – May). However, we’ve put together a list of sandy spots just outside of city limits where you can take your dog off-leash, splash around in the water, and grab some waterfront views.
Here’s our favorite dog-friendly beaches near NYC you should bookmark for this summer.
1. Prospect Park Dog Beach
While this one isn’t really a coastal-type beach, Prospect Park Dog Beach’s is one of our favorites thanks to its dog-friendly swimming area right in the middle of the park. During the summer, pups can splash around during special off-leash hours from 6 am – 9 am and 9 pm – 1 am. Of course there’s plenty of green acres to walk them around before or after the “beach” as well as the beautiful Kensington Dog Run at the Prospect Park Parade Ground.
Where: Prospect Park (by Long Meadow Ballfield)
2. Bayshore Waterfront Park
Just across the waters in Port Monmouth, New Jersey is Bayshore Waterfront Park, a scenic little waterfront park and beach that you can bring your dog to on-leash. It never seems to be crowded (which is why we love it so much) and it even has free parking and pretty nice public bathrooms. It’s the perfect little spot to pack a lunch, bring your pup and enjoy some sunshine. Hours are typically 7 am – around 8:30/9:30 based on the date.
Where: 719 Port Monmouth Rd, Port Monmouth, NJ
3. Asbury Park Dog Beach
If you’re sourcing out which Jersey Shore beach town can accommodate your dog on vacation this summer, look no further than Asbury Park. Our love for this beach is quite evident by now, and it’s amplified even more by their special Asbury Park Dog Beach. Pups are welcomed to play off-leash at their special location (during the summer) before 8:30 am and after 6 pm.
During the off-season (September – May), you can bring your dogs on the main beach as well as the boardwalk.
Where: 1738 Ocean Ave N, Asbury Park, NJ
4. Sandy Hook Beach
Sandy Hook Beach’s unique location allows dog owners to have two different options when it comes to bringing their pup to the beach. On the bay side, dogs are allowed to run and splash around on-leash all year long. However on the beach side, dogs are only permitted during the off-season from September 15 – March 15.
Where: 100 Hartshorne Dr, Middletown, NJ
5. Larchmont Dog Beach
Larchmont Manor Park is located just a little north of the city in Westchester County, but it’s one of our favorite spots to take a little day trip with the furry one. The cute secluded beach welcomes dogs on leashes at all times, allowing them to splash around in the Long Island Sound to their heart’s content. It’s open all year round too which makes it convenient. Be sure to go during low tide.
Where: 118 Park Ave, Larchmont, NY
6. Montauk & East Hampton Main Beach
If you’re heading out east to The Hamptons this summer bookmark these two dog-friendly beaches you can stop on during your travels. Montauk Beach is accessible pretty much all the way up the Old Montauk Highway or right in the center of town. You can stroll with your dog before 9 am and after 6 pm on or off-leash. Similarly at East Hampton Main Beach, dogs can be off-leash before 9 am and after 6 pm during the summer, and can be off-leash as much as they want the rest of the year.
Where:
Montauk Beach – 629 Old Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY
East Hampton Main Beach – 101 Ocean Ave, East Hampton, NY
7. Little Stony Point Beach
Little Stony Point Beach is one of our favorite off-the-beaten-path dog-friendly beaches and it sits along the Hudson River up near Cold Spring, NY. The local spot not only has a fairly new dog park nearby, but plenty of shaded trees, sticks to play with, and shallow waters to splash around in.
They also host lots of events too like “Spring Cleanup Days,” “Maple Syrup Day,” and more which you can bring your pet to, as well as tons of walking trails you can conquer (on-leash).
Where: 3011 Route 9D, Cold Spring, NY
8. Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach is about 20ish miles from Manhattan on Long Island, and there a bit more restrictive on the dog limitations. You can bring them from October – March, or opt for nearby Nickerson Beach Park or Point Lookout Dog Park which have designated off-leash dog runs.
Where: 65 The Plz, Atlantic Beach, NY
9. Port Jefferson Beach
This quaint, narrow strip of shoreline on Long Island is the perfect place to bring your dog, especially when there’s low tide. There’s plenty of rocks to climb, sand to play in, and shallow waters to splash around. It’s on the harbor side so dogs can be unleashed at the owner’s discretion, and it’s always kept pretty clean. There’s even some vendors selling goodies sometimes and it’s pretty close to the village of Port Jefferson too to walk around.
Where: Bell Circle, Port Jefferson, NY
10. Plumb Beach
Rounding out our list another spot in Brooklyn that has some decent dog-friendly access that you can get without having to leave NYC! Dogs are allowed at Plumb Beach as long as they are kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet! This beach is often synonymous for wind sports, kite surfing, and walking paths which are fun to enjoy while you stroll along with your pup.
Where: Belt Parkway, Brooklyn