14 Amazing Dog-Friendly Beaches in Georgia 2024: Off-Leash & On-Leash Places to Go

Although Georgia only has about 100 miles of coastline, it boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. It can sometimes be a little frustrating if you love the beach and go to the beach with your dog, as only some beaches in Georgia allow dogs. Several do, however, and all of them are lovely. In fact, 14 beaches in Georgia allow dogs, and we’ve listed them below, with their location, dog-related rules and regulations, and more valuable information. Read on to discover all 14 of these fantastic dog-friendly Georgia beaches, and make plans today to go and visit them with your furry friend sometime soon.

The Top 14 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Georgia

1. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island

• Gnarled pine and oak trees litter the beach and can be used for playing fetch
• During the week, the beach is almost deserted
• There is a nearby pier that’s open for fishing
• Your dog must be on a leash at all times
• Voted one of America’s “10 Most Romantic Beaches”

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2. Tidwell Park Beach on Lake Lanier

• Located an hour from downtown Atlanta, GA
• Small beach with a beautiful view of Lake Lanier
• Dogs can swim in the lake!
• Free parking, boat launch, and dock nearby
• A very popular beach for dogs and their humans. You will see other dogs.

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3. East Beach, St. Simons Island

• Access to the island is free, and there is free parking
• Your dog can be off-leash if they obey commands
• Hard sand is perfect for bike riding on the beach
• Neptune Park Fun Zone is nearby
• Great beach for sea shell collecting and kiteboarding

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4. Massengale Park, St. Simons Island

• Shaded picnic area with grills and picnic tables
• Free public restrooms and showers
• Dogs can be off-leash if they obey commands. If not, a 10-foot leash (maximum) is required.
• Free public parking is available
• A very relaxed beach that’s perfect for senior dogs

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5. Morningside Nature Preserve Dog Beach

• Located in the heart of Atlanta’s Midtown
• Known by the locals as “Dog Beach” as it’s very popular with dogs and their humans
• Water is clean but too shallow for humans to swim. Dogs, however, can go in and cool off.
• Really cool suspension bridge located in the preserve and many beautiful nature trails
• Dogs should be on a leash when walking the trails, as there are many critters around, including foxes and raccoons

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6. St. Andrews Beach, Jekyll Island

• Dolphins are frequently seen swimming by
• Beautiful walking paths to explore with your dog
• Picnic area with grills, tables, and public restrooms
• Great place to see migratory birds of all varieties
• Many people have their weddings on this beach

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7. Sapelo Island Beach

• Dogs can swim off-leash but must be leashed otherwise
• Access to Sapelo Island is by ferry or plane only
• Reservations need to be made before visiting the island
• Biking, hiking, birdwatching, and several other activities are available
• The cost to visit varies based on how you get there and with whom

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8. Little Tybee Island Beach

• Barrier island with no facilities but also very few people
• The only way to visit is by boat
• A very popular spot for kayaking and fishing
• Camping overnight is allowed with your dog.
• A very secluded beach that’s wonderful for walking, exploring, and relaxing
• One of the best beaches for finding shells on the east coast

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9. Herbert Taylor Park Beach

• Very small beach but surrounded by magnificent natural beauty
• A popular beach for dog owners, so you’ll likely see several other dogs
• Water is shallow, so older dogs will be able to wade in and cool off
• There are often stray dogs running around the park
• Many people let their dogs off-leash, but it’s not actually allowed

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10. Gould’s Inlet Beach

• Features a dog station with community water bowls
• Free parking, but it’s limited, so get there early
• Not great for swimming but excellent for fishing, walking, and shelling
• Public showers and restrooms are available
• Large fishing pier available and open to the public

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11. Great Dunes Beach, Jekyll Island

• Many activities are available, including volleyball and others
• Free parking, showers, and restrooms are available
• Lots of tidal pools for your pup to explore and sniff around
• Hard-packed sand is excellent for biking
• There are several restaurants and other amenities close by

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12. Whitewater Creek Trail Beach

• Located 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta
• There’s a 20-minute hike to get to the beach
• Known as Atlanta’s “Dog Beach,” you’re very likely to see other dogs and their humans
• Shallow water makes it easy for dogs to cool off without needing to swim
• Beautiful trails all around if you want to explore with your dog

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13. Burkes Beach

• Located just over the Georgia border in South Carolina
• Memorial Day through Labor Day, dogs are allowed between 5 pm and 10 am
• Free parking at Chaplin Community Park with trails to the beach
• Free trolley service takes you all over the area
• Be careful to park correctly and in the right spot, as police are ticket happy

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14. Dungeness Beach

• Super-secluded beach with few tourists
• Hard-packed sand is perfect for bike riding
• Plenty of room to throw balls or frisbees with your dog.
• Ruins, a museum, and camping are close by for a fantastic day
• Very few amenities nearby so bring food and water

Final Thoughts

After reading about Georgia’s amazing, dog-friendly beaches, are you now excited to bring your favorite canine to the beach? We sure hope so, as all of the beaches on today’s list would be a perfect place to play frisbee or fetch with your dog, go for long walks, or just relax in the cool sand.

One piece of advice is to bring plenty of water for yourself and your dog because Georgia gets incredibly hot from May through September. Also, bring bags to pick up after your pooch, as most Georgia beaches don’t provide them. Other than that, all the beaches we’ve listed today are ready and waiting for you and your canine companion to go and have a fantastic time!

See also:

• 6 Amazing Dog Friendly Beaches in the Florida Keys
• 10 Amazing Dog Friendly Beaches in Florida

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Featured Image Credit: Pauline Loroy, Unsplash