Looking for a dog friendly beach?  Here is a quick reference on the dates and times dogs are allowed on town owned beaches in New Hampshire and Maine during the Summer Season.  Click on the highlighted names for more information on dog beaches that we recommend in that town, including directions, parking information, current weather, photos and more to help you plan your visit.  Also be sure to visit our Dog Friendly Places page for reviews on Dog Hiking Trails, Scenic Dog Walks, and more Dog Beaches in New Hampshire and Maine.

[Updated 2017]

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NH State Beaches: NO Dogs allowed on NH State Beaches at any time.  The following is a list of dog rules and regulations for Town Owned Beaches in New Hampshire.

Rye, NH: Dogs permitted on Town Owned Beaches the Saturday before Memorial Day through the Saturday after Labor Day before 9:00 AM and after 7:00 PM.  Dogs allowed off-leash under voice control.  These beaches include Foss Beach and specific sections of Jenness Beach.

Hampton, NH: Dogs permitted on Town Owned Beaches Memorial Day through Labor Day before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM.  Dogs must be leashed.  We were told by local police that ALL beaches in Hampton are State Beaches and do NOT allow dogs.  As a nearby alternative, Salisbury Beach State Reservation allows dogs all day on-leash on the river side of the park.

New Castle, NH: Dogs permitted at the New Castle Town Landing before 8:00 AM and after 8:00 PM, off-leash under voice control.  No Dogs allowed on New Castle Beach or Great Island Common May 15 through September 15.

Seabrook, NH: Dogs permitted Memorial Day through Labor Day before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM.  Dogs must be leashed.  Please note: parking is resident only from Memorial Day to September 15.

North Hampton, NH: No Dogs allowed May 30 through October 1.

MAINE

ME State Beaches: No Dogs allowed on Maine State Beaches April 1 through September 30.  The following is a list of dog rules and regulations for Town Owned Beaches in Maine.

Kittery, ME: Dogs permitted on-leash at Fort Foster year round dawn to dusk.  Dogs licensed to Kittery residents only permitted on Crescent and Seapoint Beaches June 15 through September 10 before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.  Dogs must be leashed.

York, ME: 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 between 6:00 PM and Sunrise.

Old Orchard Beach, ME: (updated 2021) 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.”

Wells, ME: Dogs permitted June 16 through September 15 before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM.  Dogs must be leashed.

Kennebunk, ME: Dogs permitted June 15 through Labor Day before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.  Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control.

Kennebunkport, ME: Dogs permitted June 15 through September 15 before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM.  Dogs must be leashed.

Saco, ME: Dogs allowed all day on-leash, April 1st through September 30th.

Biddeford, ME: Dogs permitted May 25 through September 15 before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.  Dogs must be leashed.

Portland, ME: Dogs allowed Memorial Day through Labor Day before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control at East End Beach.

South Portland, ME: 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.

Ogunquit, ME: No Dogs allowed on Ogunquit Beach or Marginal Way April 1 through September 30.

Please visit our Dog Friendly Places page for Reviews on specific beaches in each town.

More reviews added weekly!