In this article, we’re going to tell you about some of the best dog friendly beaches in Massachusetts.
Located in the New England region of the northeastern United States, Massachusetts is the 7th-smallest state in the US.
With a population hovering around 7 million, it is in fact the most populated state in New England.
The state of Massachusetts has a long history, being one of the original 13 states that started out as British colonies.
With its mainly humid, continental climate, Massachusetts enjoys hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters – and tons of rain!
For such a small state, Massachusetts has an absolutely massive coastline. In fact, the state’s coastline is about 1,500 miles in length!
And with a coastline as long and varied as that, there are plenty of dog beaches in Massachusetts for you and your pooch to explore!
So come with us on a journey to find some of the best dog friendly beaches in the state of Massachusetts!
We also have a guide all about the best dog friendly beaches in Cape Cod – you might want to check that one out as well!
Or perhaps you’re interested in dog friendly beaches in the neighboring state of Connecticut? If you are, then we’ve got loads of information for you!
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
#1 Corn Hill Beach
Located on the west coast of Cape Cod, in the small town of Truro, dogs are allowed on Corn Hill Beach before 9am and after 6pm from June through Labor Day.
In the busy season, you used to have to obtain a Truro Beach Parking Sticker for the parking lot. However, this is no longer a requirement. You can check the most up-to-date parking information at the following link: The Beaches of Truro in Massachusetts
Corn Hill Beach is handicap accessible, as it has a boardwalk that leads from the parking lot down to the beach.
Please note that there are no lifeguards at this beach, so as always around water, be aware of your surroundings and of the prevailing weather and water conditions.
Leashed dogs are welcome on Corn Hill Beach during the off season.
Beach address: Corn Hill Road, Truro, MA 02666
Official website: Corn Hill Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
#2 Herring Cove Beach
A short 20-minute drive north from Corn Hill Beach on Route 6 brings you to Herring Cove Beach. Located at the far western end of Provincetown, this huge stretch of coastline is one of the most beautiful dog friendly beaches in Massachusetts.
Believe us, there is PLENTY of space for your furry friend to run around in and enjoy the cool, calm, clear water!
Herring Cove Beach is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It is managed by the National Park Service.
Being westward-facing, this is one of the best places in Cape Cod to watch the sunset.
No Charge To Park Here In The Off Season
There is plenty of parking here and in the off season, there is no charge to park.
There are good facilities by the entrance of the parking lot.
Note that parts of Herring Cove Beach are quite rocky.
Most of the beach is dog-friendly, but certain restrictions apply in the summer on a designated stretch. This is where the lifeguards are situated and no pets are allowed in this area from late June through Labor Day weekend.
Beach address: Cape Cod National Seashore, Provincetown, MA 02657
Official website: Herring Cove Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
#3 Singing Beach
This delightfully-named beach gets its name from the noise that the dry sand makes when you walk on it!
Singing Beach is about a 45-minute drive from central Boston, in the pretty town of Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Dogs can only be taken on to the beach in the off season, from October 15th through April 14th.
Singing Beach Dog Rules
Singing Beach dog rules state that your pooch must wear an ID collar at all times and be properly licensed and vaccinated. And it’s a maximum of 2 dogs per person on Singing Beach.
For beach visitors over the age of 12 (and under 65), there is a daily walk-on fee of $10 per person. And a season pass is $35 per person. (Summer 2023 rates.) This is between the hours of 9am and 5pm when staff is on duty, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
There’s even a great local ice cream store just a 2-minute drive from Singing Beach. You’ll find Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream at 60 Beach Street, on the way back in to the town centre. Captain Dusty’s is open from 12pm to 9pm, 7 days a week.
Beach address: 121 Beach Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944
Official website: Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
#4 Good Harbor Beach
A short 20-minute drive from Singing Beach along the Yankee Division Highway (Route 128) brings you to the gorgeous white sands of Good Harbor Beach.
This picturesque curved beach is part of the city of Gloucester, a small city in Essex County in northeastern Massachusetts.
Along with several other beautiful beaches that hug the Gloucester coastline, Good Harbor Beach is known as one of the city’s “crown jewels”.
If You’re Looking For Great Dog Beaches, Massachusetts Has Plenty Of Them!
Good Harbor Beach is a fabulous dog friendly beach in Massachusetts.
At low tide, you can walk on a narrow sandbar from the beach out to Salt Island. The small 5-acre island has a wealth of history. Over the years, it has played host to a Hollywood production, a lobstering hermit and even a major salt theft!
Parking at Good Harbor Beach is fairly limited, so you’ll need to get there early to find a parking spot.
For up-to-date information on beach parking availability, visit their helpful Facebook page.
The Facebook page also has information regarding beach operating hours, rules and regulations, daily tide reports, surf conditions, and other useful information.
Good Harbor Beach Dog Rules
Good Harbor Beach dog rules state that dogs on a leash are permitted on the beach in the quiet season, from October 1st through March 31st.
Your canine companions are not allowed on the beach in the spring and summer months, from April 1st through September 30th.
Beach address: 99 Thatcher Road, Gloucester, MA 01930
Official website: Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts
#5 Plymouth Long Beach
You’ll find Plymouth Long Beach an hour south of Boston, close to an intersection of Routes 3 and 3A.
The beach is actually a narrow 3-mile-long peninsula that juts out into Plymouth Bay. It’s a great place for swimming and is also a breeding ground for terns and plovers.
Divided Into Two Sections
As far as access for dogs is concerned, Plymouth Long Beach is divided into 2 sections.
The southern section of the beach runs from the beach entrance and Plymouth Beach Parking Lot up to 3rd Cottage and the Day Parking Area.
Dogs are allowed on-leash at any time of the day, all year round, in this southern section. The only exceptions here are the areas that are closed for shorebird nesting and protection of fragile areas.
Seasonal Dog Access North Of The Day Parking Area
Anywhere north of the Day Parking Area is seasonal dog access. No dogs are allowed in this area from April 1st through September 30th. Leashed dogs are permitted in the quiet season, from October 1st through March 31st.
Beach address: 1 Ryder Way, Plymouth, MA 02360
Official website: Plymouth Long Beach in Plymouth, Massachusetts
#6 Marshfield Beaches
The pretty town of Marshfield, Massachusetts, is just 16 miles north of Plymouth Long Beach.
The pet-friendly beaches in Marshfield welcome leashed dogs throughout the year.
Two of the most popular dog friendly beaches in Marshfield are Green Harbor Beach and Rexhame Beach.
Check on the websites for up-to-date information on beach parking costs.
Green Harbor Beach
Green Harbor Beach is a beautiful sandy beach on the Atlantic Ocean. At its southern end, it leads straight into Duxbury Beach, which also permits dogs.
This makes Green Harbor Beach the perfect place for a lovely long walk with your pup!
There are seasonal lifeguards, portable restrooms and a jetty at this pretty little beach.
Just be aware that, at the southern end of Green Harbor Beach, access is very limited during higher tides.
And remember that dogs must remain on a leash at all times.
Beach address: Marshfield, MA 02050
Official website: Green Harbor Beach in Marshfield, Massachusetts
Rexhame Beach
Rexhame Beach in Marshfield is just 5 miles north of Green Harbor Beach.
It is one of the many beautiful beaches that allow dogs in Massachusetts. Rexhame is a very pretty beach, with lots of amazing sand dunes.
The dunes separate the South River from the Atlantic Ocean.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, facilities at Rexhame are very good. There are restrooms that are open from 7am to 7pm. Lifeguards patrol the beach from 9am to 7pm and the snack bar is open from 11am to 5pm.
Rexhame Beach is a great place to go for a stroll on the beach with your pup!
Beach address: Marshfield, MA 02050
Official website: Rexhame Beach in Marshfield, Massachusetts
#7 Horseneck Beach
Horseneck Beach is on the south coast of Massachusetts, at the western end of Buzzards Bay. It’s at the southern tip of the town of Westport, in Bristol County.
This beautiful 2-mile long beach is part of Horseneck Beach State Reservation, a 600-acre state-owned recreational paradise.
Due to its combination of both ocean beach and estuary habitat, Horseneck is one of the top bird-watching locations in New England.
Leashed dogs are permitted on Horseneck Beach during the off season, from September 16th through March 31st.
With the exception of service animals, no dogs or other pets are permitted on the beach from April 1st through September 15th.
If you’re looking for dog friendly beaches in Massachusetts, then you can’t go wrong with Horseneck Beach.
Beach address: 5 John Reed Road, Westport, MA 02791
Official website: Horseneck Beach in Westport, Massachusetts
Conclusion About Dog Friendly Beaches in Massachusetts
So if you’re looking for some fabulous dog friendly beaches, Massachusetts is a great place to visit.
There are plenty of beaches in MA that allow dogs and we’ve shown you just a few of them in this article.
From Corn Hill Beach to Singing Beach, dog friendly Gloucester MA to dog friendly Plymouth MA, you’re sure to find a dog beach that you and your pup truly love in this fabulous New England state!
Just be sure to drop us a line and let us know which one is your favorite.
If you’ve enjoyed finding out all about the amazing dog friendly beaches in Massachusetts, then take a look at our comprehensive round-up of some of the best dog beaches in the US
So what do YOU think? Which is YOUR favorite dog beach in Massachusetts? Let us know by leaving a comment – we’d love to hear from you.
Things change all the time, so if any of the information in this article is incorrect or out-of-date, please let us know – just leave us a comment below. Many thanks!
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Friendly Beaches in Massachusetts
Yes, there are several dog friendly beaches near Boston. One of the best of these is Singing Beach, in the pretty town of Manchester-by-the-Sea. It’s about a 45-minute drive from central Boston. Good Harbor Beach is another beautiful dog friendly beach. It’s just under an hour’s drive from Boston. And Plymouth Long Beach is roughly an hour south of Boston.
Yes, there are some dog friendly beaches on Cape Cod. Herring Cove Beach is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Being westward-facing, this is one of the best places in Cape Cod to watch the sunset. Corn Hill Beach in the small town of Truro is another fabulous beach to take your dog. Leashed dogs are welcome on Corn Hill Beach during the off season.
Dogs are allowed on-leash at any time of the day, all year round, in the southern section of Plymouth Beach, also called Plymouth Long Beach or The Point. Anywhere north of the Day Parking Area is seasonal dog access.
