Please see 2022 post for 2022 UPDATED DOG RULES.
Updated May 2021: Before heading out for a day of sand and surf, be sure to know the dog beach rules! Here is a list of Dog Friendly Beaches, with the dates and times dogs are allowed on beaches in New Hampshire and Maine during the 2021 Summer Season. For more information please click on the highlighted name.
Also please remember your Dog Etiquette when enjoying these beaches so that dogs will continued to be welcomed! (*Denotes where rules have changed since 2019. Please note that current rules are subject to change.)
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NH State Beaches: NO Dogs allowed on New Hampshire State Beaches at any time.
Seabrook, NH
Seabrook Beach: Dogs permittedMemorial Day through Labor Day before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Dogs must be leashed. Please note: parking is for residents only from Memorial Day to September 15.
Hampton, NH: No Dogs on state owned beach. Dogs are permitted on Hampton town owned beaches Memorial Day through Labor Day before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Dogs must be leashed. However, finding these town owned areas is difficult.
Rye, NH
Foss Beach: Dogs permitted on the Saturday before Memorial Day through the Saturday after Labor Day before 9:00 AM and after 7:00 PM. Except on Saturdays, when dogs are prohibited from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Dogs allowed off-leash under voice control. Please note: there are steep fines for not picking up after your dog in Rye.
Jenness Beach: Dogs are NOT allowed on Jenness State Beach. There are town owned sections where dogs are allowed. Click on the highlighted name for details on specific access points where dog are allowed on Jenness Beach. Dogs permitted the Saturday before Memorial Day through the Saturday after Labor Day before 9:00 AM and after 7:00 PM. Except on Saturdays, when dogs are prohibited from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Dogs allowed off-leash under voice control. Please note: there are steep fines for not picking up after your dog in Rye.
Wallis Sands: Dogs are NOT allowed at this state beach.
North Hampton, NH: NO Dogs allowed on North Hampton State Beach. NO Dogs allowed on town owned beaches May 30 through October 1.
New Castle, NH: NO Dogs allowed on New Castle Beach or Great Island Common May 15 through September 15. Dogs allowed at the New Castle Town Landing before 8:00 AM and after 8:00 PM, off-leash under voice control.
MAINE
ME State Beaches: NO Dogs allowed on Maine State Beaches April 1 through September 30.
Kittery, ME
Fort Foster: Dogs are allowed at Fort Foster year round dawn to dusk. Dogs must be leashed between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, and as always pick up after your dog.
Seapoint Beach: Only dogs licensed to Kittery residents permitted on Seapoint and Crescent Beaches from May 15 though September 30. From June 15 through September 10 residents’ dogs are restricted to before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM. Dogs must be leashed. Permit parking for residents only during the summer season.
York, ME
Long Sands Beach: Dogs permitted May 20 through September 20 before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control between Sunrise and 8:00 AM. Dogs must be leashed after 6:00 PM.
Short Sands Beach: Dogs permitted May 20 through September 20 before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control between Sunrise and 8:00 AM. Dogs must be leashed after 6:00 PM. Please note: dogs must be leashed in the park and are not allowed in playground area.
York Harbor Beach: Dogs permitted May 20 through September 20 before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control between Sunrise and 8:00 AM. Dogs must be leashed after 6:00 PM. Please note: dogs must be leashed in Hartley Mason Park. Please note parking is limited.
Cape Neddick Beach: Dogs permitted May 20 through September 20 before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control between Sunrise and 8:00 AM. Dogs must be leashed after 6:00 PM. From May 15 through October 15, it is resident only permit parking.
Ogunquit, ME
Ogunquit Beach: NO Dogs allowed on Ogunquit Beach or Marginal Way April 1 through September 30.
Wells, ME
Wells Beach: Dogs permitted June 16 through September 15 before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Dogs must be leashed.
Drakes Island Beach: Dogs permitted June 16 through September 15 before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Dogs must be leashed.
Crescent Beach: Dogs permitted June 16 through September 15 before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Dogs must be leashed. Please note: this is a low tide only beach, that disappears during high tide.
Kennebunk, ME
*Gooch’s Beach: Dogs permitted June 15 through Labor Day before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control before 9:00 AM. Dogs must be leashed after 5:00 PM. NO retractable leashes allowed.
*Mother’s Beach: Dogs permitted June 15 through Labor Day before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control before 9:00 AM. Dogs must be leashed after 5:00 PM. NO retractable leashes allowed.
Kennebunkport, ME
Goose Rocks Beach: From April 1 to June 14, dogs are allowed off-leash between 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM, and must be leashed at all other times. From June 15 through September 30 dogs are allowed before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Dogs can be off-leash under voice control between 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM. Dogs must be leashed after 6:00 PM. Dogs must always be on-leash when within 200 feet of nesting areas. Please click on the highlighted name for more detailed information on the restrictions.
Arundel Beach: Also known as Colony Beach, from April 1 to June 14, dogs are allowed off-leash between 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM, and must be leashed at all other times. From June 15 through September 30 dogs are allowed before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM. Dogs can be off-leash under voice control between 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM. Dogs must be leashed after 6:00 PM. Dogs must always be on-leash when within 200 feet of nesting areas. To extend your visit, take a scenic stroll along Parsons Way.
Biddeford, ME
Fortunes Rocks: Dogs permitted May 25 through September 15 before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM. Dogs must be leashed. Parking is limited.
South Portland, ME
*Willard Beach: Dogs permitted May 1 through September 30 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. Dogs must be within 100 feet of owner, and are prohibited from dunes area.
Portland, ME
East End Beach: Dogs allowed Memorial Day through Labor Day before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. Please note on the Eastern Promenade dogs are also allowed off-leash under voice control from Memorial Day to Labor Day, before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.
Saco, ME
*Bay View: Dogs allowed all day. April 1st through September 30th, dogs must be leashed at all times.
*Kinney Shores: Dogs allowed all day. April 1st through September 30, dogs must be leashed at all times.
Ferry State Beach: No Dogs allowed on Maine State Beaches April 1 through September 30. Please note on similarly named Ferry Beach in Scarborough, dogs are allowed at certain times and in specific areas.
Scarborough, ME
Pine Point Beach: Scarborough has very specific rules as to where dogs are allowed during the spring and summer in order to protect the endangered Pipping Plover Shorebirds. From April 1 through Labor Day there are restricted areas. In addition, no dogs allowed on entire beach between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. From sunrise to 9:00 AM Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control, with leash in hand in the nonrestricted area. In the evening from 5:00 PM to sunset Dogs must be on-leash in the nonrestricted area. Please click highlighted name for specific details on dog restricted areas at for Pine Point Beach.
Higgins Beach: Scarborough has very specific rules as to where dogs are allowed during the spring and summer in order to protect the endangered Pipping Plover Shorebirds. From April 1 through Labor Day there are restricted areas. In addition, no dogs allowed on entire beach between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. From sunrise to 9:00 AM Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control, with leash in hand in the nonrestricted area. In the evening from 5:00 PM to sunset Dogs must be on-leash in the nonrestricted area. Please click highlighted name for specific details on dog restricted areas at Higgins Beach.
Ferry Beach: Scarborough has very specific rules as to where dogs are allowed during the spring and summer in order to protect the endangered Pipping Plover Shorebirds. From April 1 through Labor Day there are restricted areas. In addition, no dogs allowed on entire beach between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. From sunrise to 9:00 AM Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control, with leash in hand in the nonrestricted area. In the evening from 5:00 PM to sunset Dogs must be on-leash in the nonrestricted area. Please click highlighted name for specific details on dog restricted areas at Ferry Beach. Of the three dog beaches in Scarborough, Ferry Beach offers dogs a very limited nonrestricted area to play, especially during high tide and due to the extremely fragile dunes. Please note: similarly named Ferry State Beach in nearby Saco does NOT allow dogs.
Old Orchard Beach, ME
*Old Orchard Beach: Between May 15 through Labor Day dogs are permitted off-leash 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM. NO dogs allowed on the beach between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Dogs must be on-leash from 5:00 PM to Dusk. More importantly, dogs MUST stay 100 feet away from the restricted Plover areas. There will be fines for dog owners breaking these rules. No dogs allowed in the area known as “The Square.” Please check with official town website before visiting for updates.
Harpswell, ME
*Mitchell Field: This 120 acre park that offers trails, open fields and a small rocky beach. Dogs are allowed all day, and must be on leash except when swimming.
Stockton Springs, ME
Sandy Point Beach: Dogs are welcome at Sandy Point Beach Park and Trails, but should be leashed or otherwise under their owner’s control.
Lamoine, ME
Lamoine Beach Park: Dogs are allowed all day on-leash at this small town owned beach with views of Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island. Please note Lamoine Beach Park is different than Lamoine State Park, located right up the road.
*Denotes where rules have changed since 2019. Please note that current rules are subject to change.
