In this article, we’re looking at dog friendly beaches in Cape Cod.
Fortunately, there are lots of Cape Cod beaches that allow dogs. Though most beaches don’t allow dogs over the busy summer months.
Cape Cod is a hook-shaped peninsula and is part of the US state of Massachusetts.
The name Cape Cod was first coined by Bartholomew Gosnold, way back in 1602, and there’s lots of history in the area.
There are also lots of beautiful beaches on the peninsula.
So join us on an exploration of some of the best Cape Cod dog friendly beaches.
Oh, by the way, this guide focuses exclusively on Cape Cod, as the title suggests. If you live in, or are visiting other places in Massachusetts, then we’ve also got another guide that you might find useful.
Our other guide gives you information on other dog friendly beaches in the state of Massachusetts.
February 2024 update: Check out our brand new guide to the best dog friendly beaches in New England!
Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Table of contents
Falmouth Dog Friendly Beaches
The pretty town of Falmouth on the Cape Cod Peninsula is just a 75-minute drive from downtown Boston.
And from Providence, Rhode Island, to Falmouth, Massachusetts, is a little over an hour.
Falmouth is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound, which are warmed by the Gulf Stream.
This picturesque Cape Cod town has an incredible 68 miles of shoreline and boasts 10 beaches, many of which are dog-friendly.
Website: Falmouth Town Beach Department
Chapoquoit Beach
Beach address: 104 Chapoquoit Road, Falmouth, MA 02540, USA
Chapoquoit Beach is a favorite coastal spot for Falmouth locals.
It’s also a fabulous dog friendly beach on Cape Cod.
The sand at Chapoquoit Beach is very soft and the water here is usually warmer than in other parts of Cape Cod. This is thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.
Chapoquoit is the perfect location to enjoy a gorgeous sunset with your favorite pup!
As with all the other beaches in Falmouth, dogs are not allowed on Chapoquoit Beach from May 1 through October 1.
But come here in the off season, and you will enjoy a fantastically dog-friendly Cape Cod beach!
Bristol Beach
Beach address: 76 Menauhant Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536, USA
Often less crowded than neighboring Falmouth Heights, Bristol Beach is a quiet beach, ideal for children and families.
And of course dogs in the off season!
Bristol Beach begins where Grand Avenue meets Menauhant Road.
This tranquil stretch of sand is one of the many beaches that allow dogs in Cape Cod.
As with all the other beaches in Falmouth, dogs are not allowed on Bristol Beach from May 1 through October 1.
Surf Drive Beach
Beach address: Surf Drive, Falmouth, MA 02540, USA
Of Falmouth’s 10 beaches, Surf Drive Beach is the one that’s closest to the town center. You also get some stunning views across Vineyard Sound.
Across the sound is the quaint island of Martha’s Vineyard.
Looking south, the Nobska Lighthouse stands guard at the end of Nobska Point.
Surf Drive Beach has very good amenities – more than most of the other beaches in Falmouth.
It is a fantastic dog beach in Cape Cod and a great place to spend some time with your pooch in the off season.
As with all the other beaches in Falmouth, dogs are not allowed on Surf Drive Beach from May 1 through October 1.
Wood Neck Beach
Beach address: Woodneck Road, Falmouth, MA 02540, USA
Wood Neck Beach in Falmouth enjoys a beautiful, protected, natural setting.
The beach grass sways gently in the breeze and the sandy shores of the beach are home to tons of colorful rocks and shells.
Both swimming and snorkeling are popular activities at Wood Neck Beach.
This is a wonderful Cape Cod dog beach!
As with all the other beaches in Falmouth, dogs are not allowed on Wood Neck Beach from May 1 through October 1.
Dennis Dog Friendly Beaches
The historic town of Dennis, Massachusetts, is located near the center of Cape Cod.
It’s just a short 15-minute drive from Barnstable to Dennis.
And Brewster, Massachusetts, is just 7 miles to the east of Dennis.
Named after Josiah Dennis, a 17th-Century congregational minister, the town is home to several wonderful, calm Cape Cod Bay beaches.
Here are some great dog-friendly beaches in Dennis.
Website: Visit Dennis
Chapin Memorial Beach
Beach address: Chapin Memorial Beach, Massachusetts 02638, USA
Chapin Memorial Beach in Dennis is a gorgeous secluded beach.
It’s a perfect place for relaxing, as it features miles of undeveloped landscape.
The sand dunes here are amazing! And if you come here at sunset, you’ll catch the glimmering shine of the tide pools – truly spectacular!
If you and your dog want a peaceful beach to get away from it all, then Chapin Memorial Beach on Cape Cod is the place for you!
As with all the other beaches in Dennis, dogs are not allowed on Chapin Memorial Beach from the Friday prior to Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Corporation Beach
Beach address: 250 Corporation Rd, Dennis, MA 02638, USA
Corporation Beach is a horseshoe-shaped beach in Dennis, Massachusetts.
The calm waters of Corporation Beach are pleasantly warm and the waves are not too high. This makes it the perfect spot for children and families.
And of course also for dogs in the off season!
The tide goes out quite far here, and at low tide, there are lots of shallow tide pools to explore with your pooch.
As with all the other beaches in Dennis, dogs are not allowed on Corporation Beach from the Friday prior to Memorial Day through Labor Day.
West Dennis Beach
Beach address: Davis Beach Road, West Dennis, MA 02670, USA
West Dennis Beach is situated on the southern side of the Cape Cod Peninsula, looking out onto the beautiful Nantucket Sound.
This gorgeous sandy beach stretches for more than a mile, so there’s plenty of space for your furball to run around!
The parking lot at West Dennis runs parallel to the beach and is really close to the water. Very handy for anybody that has mobility issues.
Facilities here are excellent, with restrooms, showers, a playground and a snack bar.
As with all the other beaches in Dennis, dogs are not allowed on West Dennis Beach from the Friday prior to Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Mayflower Beach
Beach address: Dunes Road, Dennis, MA 02638, USA
Mayflower Beach in Dennis is situated just 2 miles west of Corporation Beach. It enjoys a wonderful location on Cape Cod Bay.
There’s a huge parking lot at Mayflower Beach, with a boardwalk that takes you directly onto the beach. Very convenient!
This delightful beach has restroom facilities and you’ll also find lifeguards on duty here.
Thanks to its pristine sand and clear, shallow water, if you’re traveling to Cape Cod with dogs, then Mayflower Beach is a must!
As with all the other beaches in Dennis, dogs are not allowed on Mayflower Beach from the Friday prior to Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Brewster Dog Friendly Beaches
The quaint coastal town of Brewster, Massachusetts, is a fabulous place to visit.
This pretty Cape Cod town of around 10,000 people has a rich history and was first settled in 1656.
There’s certainly plenty to see and do in Brewster. There are parks, historic structures, fantastic shops, great restaurants and some beautiful beaches.
So if you’re looking for dog friendly beaches in Cape Cod, you’ve come to the right place!
Dog-friendly Brewster beaches include Crosby Landing Beach, Breakwater Beach and Paines Creek Beach.
Website: Brewster Town Beach Department
Crosby Landing Beach
Beach address: Crosby Lane, Brewster, MA 02631, USA
Crosby Landing Beach is one of the largest beaches in Brewster.
It is a beautiful bay beach, located just off Route 6A (Old King’s Highway). If you’re on Crosby Landing, then you’ll be rewarded with some stunning views of Cape Cod Bay.
Parking here is plentiful.
As with all the public beaches in Brewster, dogs are not allowed on Crosby Landing Beach in the busy season, from May 15th through September 15th.
Breakwater Beach
Beach address: Breakwater Road, Brewster, MA 02631, USA
Breakwater Beach Brewster MA (not to be confused with Breakwater Beach Wellfleet MA) lies less than 4 miles west of Crosby Landing Beach. It takes just 10 minutes to drive between the two beaches.
This lovely family beach is bordered by lots of grassy sand dunes. The sand dunes are great fun for humans and dogs alike!
There aren’t many facilities at Breakwater Beach, but it does benefit from having plenty of parking.
As with many other Cape Cod Bay beaches, the calm waters at Breakwater are perfect for swimming.
As with all the public beaches in Brewster, dogs are not allowed on Breakwater Beach in the busy season, from May 15th through September 15th.
Paines Creek Beach
Beach address: 143 Cedar Hill Road, Brewster, MA 02631, USA
Paines Creek Landing and Beach is located just 2.5 miles west of Breakwater Beach. It takes a mere 6 minutes to drive between the two beaches.
Due to its relatively warm and very calm water, Paines Creek Beach is a real favorite with families and young children.
And as Cape Cod dog friendly beaches go, this one’s also a real favorite with in-the-know local dog owners. Bring Fido here and you’ll both be sure to have plenty of fun!
If you’re interested in natural history, then the small but excellent Cape Cod Museum of Natural History is less than a mile from Paines Creek Beach. It’s located at 869 Main Street (part of Route 6A), on the outskirts of the town of Brewster.
As with all the public beaches in Brewster, dogs are not allowed on Paines Creek Landing and Beach in the summer season, from May 15th through September 15th.
Conclusion About Dog Friendly Beaches In Cape Cod
Although most of them have restrictions, there are lots of beaches that allow dogs in Cape Cod.
Some have very basic facilities, while others have excellent amenities, including snack bars, playgrounds, showers and tons of parking.
However, it is undeniable that Cape Cod is a truly beautiful place and there are some genuinely stunning beaches on the peninsula.
And if you’re looking for a great place to go with your pup in the off-season, then Cape Cod offers some wonderful dog friendly beaches on the east coast of the US.
Take some time to explore this delightful area with your favorite furry friends.
We hope that our guide helps you to find some fantastic Cape Cod dog friendly beaches. Places that you’ll want to go back to, time and time again.
And don’t forget to let us know which one is your favorite, and why.
Have fun exploring Cape Cod with your dog!
If you’ve enjoyed finding out all about the fabulous beaches in Cape Cod that allow dogs, then take a look at our comprehensive round-up of some of the best dog beaches in the US
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Friendly Beaches In Cape Cod, MA
Yes, dogs are allowed on most Cape Cod beaches, but there are restrictions. For the majority of beaches on Cape Cod, you’re only allowed to take your dog on to them in the quieter off season. So do check the relevant beach regulations before you go.
Yes, Mayflower Beach in Dennis, MA, is dog friendly. However, please note that this beautiful Cape Cod Bay beach only permits dogs in the off season. Dogs are not allowed on Mayflower Beach from the Friday prior to Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Yes, there are plenty of dog friendly beaches on Cape Cod. However, most of the beaches only permit dogs in the quieter off season. So do check town websites for the relevant beach regulations before you go.
The historic town of Dennis, Massachusetts, has plenty of beaches to choose from. These include Chapin Memorial Beach, Corporation Beach, West Dennis Beach and Mayflower Beach. All of them allow dogs in the off season.
