Nothing beats playing a game of fetch with your best friend on the beach, or watching your dog enjoy the freedom of crashing through the waves.  The following are our favorite off-leash beaches in New Hampshire and southern Maine.  For more details to plan your visit, including directions and parking information, click on the highlighted name.  To learn more about additional dog friendly beaches in Maine and New Hampshire, as well as hiking trails, and scenic walks, visit our Living with a Golden Dog Friendly Places page.

Jenness Beach, Rye, NH: Dogs are not allowed on the Jenness State Beach.  However, they are allowed off-leash on the town owned portions of Jenness Beach before 9:00 AM and after 7:00 PM the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Saturday after Labor Day.  Yes, it is a hassle differentiating between the state and locally owned sections, but this beach is one of the very few in New Hampshire that allows dogs to run free under voice control.  For public access points to the town owned sections, click here.  This long sandy beach offers plenty of space to run even during high tide.

Foss Beach, Rye, NH: This no-frills beach allows dogs off-leash before 9:00 AM and after 7:00 PM, the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Saturday after Labor Day.  Foss Beach is a long stretch of rocky beach that tends to be less crowded than the more popular Jenness Beach, making it a great place to run and play with your dog.  But be aware that during high tide Foss Beach disappears.

Long Sands Beach, York, ME: From May 20 through September 20, dogs are allowed off-leash before 8:00 AM.  Please note, dogs are allowed after 6:00 PM, but must be leashed.  Long Sands Beach is a great place to burn off puppy energy before heading off  for a day of sightseeing.  As with other local beaches, the sandy portion of this beach disappears during high tide, leaving only rocky areas accessible.  Nearby Short Sands Beach is a good place for small dogs to run off-leash before 8:00 AM.  But as the name indicates there isn’t a lot of room to run, especially during the popular tourist season.

York Harbor Beach, York, ME: Tucked away from the more crowded tourist destinations of Long and Short Sands Beaches, York Harbor Beach is popular with local residents.  This small crescent shaped beach, protected by the harbor, is a good place for swimming. York Harbor Beach allows dogs May 20 through September 20, off-leash before 8:00 AM.  Please note, dogs are allowed after 6:00 PM, but must be leashed.  Space to run is limited during high tide.

Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard, 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. Dogs are not allowed in the area known as The Square.  With seven miles of long sandy beach, Old Orchard Beach is a great place to run and play even during high tide.

Willard Beach, South Portland, ME: This small beach with rocky outcroppings is bursting with dogs during the summer months.  A popular dog beach for locals and tourists, Willard Beach allows dogs off-leash from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, May 1 through September 30.  Although space is limited, there is room for dogs to run during high tide, and it is a great place to socialize with other dogs.

Gooch’s Beach, Kennebunk, ME: This long sandy beach is popular with dog walkers.  Dogs are allowed off-leash June 15 through Labor Day, before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.  During high tide, space is limited at this popular tourist destination.

Mother’s Beach, Kennebunk, ME: Although much smaller than nearby Gooch’s Beach, Mother’s Beach offers more opportunity to play in the sand at high tide.  The rocky outcroppings that line Mother’s Beach create plenty of tide pools to explore, especially for dogs who may be intimidated by the crashing surf.  Dogs are allowed off-leash June 15 through Labor Day, before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.

For more information on dog beaches, hiking trails, and scenic walks, visit our Living with a Golden Dog Friendly Places page.