Top 7 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Maryland (2024 Update): Off- & On-Leash Places to Visit
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A day at the beach with friends is fantastic. But a day at the beach with your dog? Magical. If you live in Maryland and want to make a trip to the Chesapeake Bay with your dog, this article is for you. You do not want to drive a long distance only to find out that dogs and other pets are prohibited from the beach.
With that said, let’s go over some of the best dog-friendly beaches in Maryland!
Top 7 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Maryland:
1. Downs Park Dog Beach
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 8311 John Downs Loop, Pasadena, MD |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to dusk |
| 💲 Cost: | $6.00 entrance fee per vehicle (military members no charge) |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes, enclosed area |
- Fenced-in area allowing dogs to run around the beach
- Lots of maintained shaded walking trails and paths near the beach
- Water easily accessible, safe swimming area
2. Quiet Waters Dog Beach
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 1701-1799 Quiet Waters Park Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | $6.00 entrance fee per vehicle |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes, but area not all enclosed |
- Well-maintained with washing station for dogs after swimming
- Very scenic and secluded area
- Half a mile walk from parking lot to the beach
- Not a lot of shaded area
3. Dog Beach at Matapeake Clubhouse
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 1112 Romancoke Rd, Stevensville, MD, US, 21666 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 7 days a week from dawn until dusk. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- 5–7 minute walk from parking area to the beach
- Lovely wooded trail, perfect for walking with your dog
- Fenced in area, dogs can go off-leash
4. Assateague National Seashore
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 7206 National Seashore Lane Berlin, MD 21811 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 7 days a week, 24 hours a day |
| 💲 Cost: | 7-day pass $20.00, annual pass $50.00 |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- Plenty of beach space for dogs to swim and play
- Lots of nature trails and paths to walk with your dog
- Chance to see wild horses on the beach
- Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash
- Dogs are not allowed on the Virginia side of the beach
5. Homer Gudelsky Park (Ocean City)
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 13055 Old Bridge Rd, Ocean City, MD, US, 21842 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | October 1st to April 30th, sunrise to sunset |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- One park on a 10-mile stretch of beach
- Excellent place for both dogs and humans to swim
- Plenty of room to walk around
- Beach closed during the summer due to crowds
6. Terrapin Beach Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 191 Log Canoe Circle, Stevensville, MD 21666 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 7 days a week, sunrise to sunset |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- Small beach surrounded by over 270 acres of wilderness
- Excellent spot to see birds and other wildlife
- Short walking distance from the parking lot
7. Calvert Cliffs
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 10540 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 7 days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Suggested donation of $5.00 per vehicle |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- 2-mile hike from the main parking area to the beach
- Fantastic views of the cliffs and water
- Safe place for the dog to swim
- Dogs may find fossils of sharks or whales
Final Thoughts Before Going to the Beach
Now that you have a choice of beaches to take your dog to, there are a few things to remember before you jump in the car:
- Clean up after your dog (and yourself). Although some of these beaches require a fee, these fees are not enough to pay for someone to clean the beach every hour for dog feces. Always clean up after your dog. All responsible dog owners know that picking up poop is not pleasant but it helps keep fantastic places, like the aforementioned beaches, clean and sanitary.
- Bring water. “Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink!” This saying might come to mind when you bring your dog to the beach on a hot day. Assume that there will not be easy access to water fountains, so bring plenty of fresh water for you and your dog. They will appreciate a cool drink after splashing in the waves!
- On leash or off leash? You know your dog better than anyone. Even if you head to a fence-in beach, ask yourself whether your dog responds quickly to being recalled. There might be other dogs in the area and if your dog is shy or nervous, it is a better option to keep them on a leash. This is for their safety and the safety of other dogs around. Plus, you can still have fun!
Featured Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock
