Now that Labor Day Weekend has come and gone, the best is yet to come for dogs! Here is a list of Dog Friendly Beaches in New Hampshire and Maine, with the dates and times dogs are allowed during the fall off-season. For more details including parking information, best time to visit, photos and more, please click on the highlighted name. And please always pick up after your dog, and respect the other beachgoers so that dogs will continue to be allowed to enjoy these beaches.
Tired of beaches, and want great hikes to view the foliage? Visit LivingwithaGolden.com for our reviews of Dog Friendly Places including Dog Hiking Trails and Scenic Dog Walks. We visit each location to write our reviews, and new dog friendly adventures are added throughout the year. Also be sure to check back every Thursday for our featured Dog Friendly Events in New England!
DAY AFTER LABOR DAY:
Gooch’s Beach, Kennebunk, ME: Dogs permitted the day after Labor Day through June 14. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. Of the Kennebunk beaches, Gooch’s Beach has more room to play on busy fall days.
Mother’s Beach, Kennebunk, ME: Dogs permitted the day after Labor Day through June 14. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control.
East End Beach, Portland, ME: Dogs allowed The day after Labor Day through the day before Memorial Day. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. To extend your visit, take a scenic stroll along the Eastern Promenade.
Pine Point Beach, Scarborough, ME: From the day after Labor Day through March 31, dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. But in the spring please be aware that restrictions may start earlier to protect the endangered Pipping Plover Shorebirds who may be nesting.
Higgins Beach, Scarborough, ME: From the day after Labor Day through March 31, dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. But in the spring please be aware that restrictions may start earlier to protect the endangered Pipping Plover Shorebirds who may be nesting.
Ferry Beach, Scarborough, ME: From the day after Labor Day through March 31, dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. But in the spring please be aware that restrictions may start earlier to protect the endangered Pipping Plover Shorebirds who may be nesting. 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. This is not to be confused with Ferry State Beach in Saco, where dogs are not allowed until October 1st.
Old Orchard Beach, ME: Dogs permitted the day after Labor Day through May 14th. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. NO dogs allowed at anytime in the area known as “The Square.” Also no dogs allowed within 100 feet of the restricted Plover nesting areas.
Hampton, NH: Dogs are allowed on TOWN owned beaches the day after Labor Day to the day before Memorial Day. Dogs must be leashed. However, finding these town owned areas is a mystery. We were told by a Hampton Police Officer that all beaches in Hampton are state owned and therefore NO dogs allowed until October 1st.
SUNDAY AFTER LABOR DAY:
Foss Beach, Rye, NH: Dogs permitted the Sunday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day. Dogs allowed off-leash under voice control. Please note: there are steep fines for not picking up after your dog in Rye.
Jenness Beach, Rye, NH: There are town owned sections where dogs are allowed. Dogs are NOT allowed on Jenness State Beach until October 1st. Click on the highlighted name for details on specific access points where dog are allowed on Jenness Beach. Dogs permitted the Sunday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day. Dogs allowed off-leash under voice control. Please note: there are steep fines for not picking up after your dog in Rye.
SEPTEMBER 16:
Seabrook Beach, NH: Dogs permitted all day the day after Labor Day until Memorial Day. Dogs must be leashed. Please note: parking is for residents only to September 15, so it is best to wait until September 16 when the parking restrictions are lifted.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation, MA: Allows dogs on-leash on the beach side September 16 through April 30. However, from May 1 through September 15 no dogs are allowed on the beach and must remain on the river side of the park.
New Castle, NH: Dogs allowed September 16 through May 14. Dogs must be leashed. Dogs allowed at the New Castle Town Landing off-leash under voice control.
Wells Beach, ME: Dogs permitted September 16 through June 15. Dogs must be leashed.
Drakes Island Beach, Wells, ME: Dogs permitted September 16 through June 15. Dogs must be leashed.
Crescent Beach, Wells, ME: Dogs permitted September 16 through June 15. Dogs must be leashed. Please note: this is a low tide only beach, that disappears during high tide.
Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, ME: Dogs are permitted September 16 through March 31. Dogs must be leashed.
Arundel Beach, Kennebunkport, ME: Also known as Colony Beach, dogs are permitted September 16 through March 31. Dogs must be leashed. To extend your visit, take a scenic stroll along Parsons Way.
Fortunes Rocks, Biddeford, ME: Dogs permitted September 16 through May 24. Dogs must be leashed.
SEPTEMBER 21:
Long Sands Beach, York, ME: Dogs permitted September 21 through May 19. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. Of the York Beaches, Long Sands Beach offers the most room for dogs to play on busy fall days.
Short Sands Beach, York, ME: Dogs permitted September 21 through May 19. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. Please note: dogs must be leashed in the park and are not allowed in playground area.
York Harbor Beach, ME: Dogs permitted September 21 through May 19. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. Please note: dogs must be leashed in Hartley Mason Park, and are NOT allowed on the Cliff Walk.
Cape Neddick Beach, ME: Dogs permitted September 21 through May 19. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control. Please note: From May 15 through October 15, it is resident only permit parking, but there are some privately owned parking areas available for a fee.
OCTOBER 1:
NH State Beaches: Dogs are allowed on-leash on New Hampshire State Beaches October 1 through April 30. NO Dogs allowed on New Hampshire State Beaches May 1 through September 30. Please note that dogs are NOT allowed year round at North Hampton State Beach.
ME State Beaches: Dogs are allowed on Maine State Beaches October 1 through March 31. Dogs must be on-leash.
North Hampton, NH: NO Dogs allowed on North Hampton State Beach. Dogs are allowed on town owned beaches October 1 through May 29.
Seapoint Beach, Kittery, ME: Dogs are allowed October 1 through May 14 on Seapoint and Crescent Beaches. Dogs must be leashed.
Ogunquit Beach. ME: Dogs are allowed October 1 through March 31. Dogs are allowed off-leash, under voice control.
Willard Beach, South Portland, ME: Dogs permitted October 1 through April 30. Dogs are allowed off-leash under voice control.
Birch Point Beach, Owls Head, ME: Dogs are not allowed on the beach October 1 through March 31. Between April 1 and September 30 they are allowed to enjoy the park but only on the rocky areas on either side of the beach. Dogs must be on-leash.
Year Round:
Mitchell Field, Harpswell, ME: This 120 acre park that offers trails, open fields and a small rocky beach. Dogs are allowed all day, and must be under owner’s control.
Sandy Point Beach, Stockton Springs, ME: Dogs are welcome at Sandy Point Beach Park and Trails, but should be leashed or otherwise under their owner’s control.
Lamoine Beach Park, ME: 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.
Fort Foster, Kittery, ME: Dogs are allowed at Fort Foster year round dawn to dusk. Dogs must be leashed, and as always pick up after your dog.
Bay View, Saco, ME: Dogs allowed all day, off-leash under voice and sight control, October through March. April 1st through September 30th, dogs must be on-leash at all times.
Kinney Shores, Saco, ME: Dogs allowed all day, off-leash under voice and sight control, October through March. April 1st through September 30th, dogs must be leashed at all times.
