There’s nothing quite like enjoying the beauty of the shoreline alongside your four-legged best friend. Texas is home to over 350 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline and features both tourist hotspots and quieter, more relaxed beachfront access.
If you are looking to enjoy a sunny beach day with your pup, you have to make sure the area you are visiting is dog friendly, and that’s where we come in. We’ve taken a close look at the most popular beaches along the Texas coast that will welcome your pooch with open arms.
Dogs are permitted nearly everywhere in the park, including camping areas as long as they are on a leash at all times.
Dogs are not allowed on the deck of Malaquite Pavilion or in any of its facilities. They are also not permitted on the boardwalk or the short stretch of beach directly in front of the pavilion.
There is a convenient pet-access trail that leads from the parking area to the beach with accessible restrooms and showers nearby.
The nearest amenities to the park are about 12 miles away, so be prepared before your visit.
Pets should never be left unattended, and owners are responsible for picking up after them.
There are plenty of things to do at Surfside Beach. You can visit the local surf shop to get some gear and even rent surfboards, jet skis, kayaks, and paddle boards.
You can either hike or bike the Surfside Bird & Butterfly Trail to catch a glimpse of various birds, butterflies, and other local wildlife.
There are plenty of delicious food options in Surfside Beach, which includes eight local restaurants that serve a variety of food ranging from burgers to seafood.
Make sure your dog is leashed at all times when visiting Surfside Beach and make sure to clean up after them.
There are no glass containers permitted on the beach and the city asks that you please not litter.
Adults and Children 13 and Older: $5 per day, Children 12 and Under: Free
🐕 Off-Leash:
No
Mustang Island State Park is located south of Port Aransas, TX, and features 5 miles of shoreline.
You can pick which activities suit you best at Mustang Island State Park. You can swim, surf, kayak, camp, fish, have a picnic, bird watch, or just hang out in the sand.
The entrance fee to the park is $5 each for adults and children 13 years of age or older. Children 12 and under can enter for free. Texas State Parks Passes are available for $70 per year.
Dogs are permitted throughout the park but are not allowed in any buildings. They must be leashed at all times and the leash must be no longer than 6 ft. in length.
Quintana Beach is part of the 52-acre beachfront Quintana Park located along Texas’ upper Gulf Coast.
The park features full-service RV campsites, self-contained cabins, restrooms and showers, picnic tables, grills, a playground, a volleyball court, hiking trails, and a wooden lighted fishing pier.
This area is pet-friendly as long as you keep your dog on a leash wherever you go.
Quintana Beach is considered a natural beach and is maintained by the tides and the weather. It may contain large amounts of seaweed and the occasional driftwood.
The park is open daily from 8:00 am through dusk. A $5 parking fee applies from Memorial Day through Labor Day per vehicle.
Magnolia Beach features 1.5 miles of shoreline located 11 miles from Port Lavaca, TX.
This beach is free of charge and offers a much quieter and more relaxed environment; just be sure to keep your dog on a leash.
There are convenient public showers, restrooms, and grills available for visitors to use as needed.
Magnolia Beach is RV-friendly with ample parking space available.
The sand is hard-packed and full of crushed shells and while it is easy to drive along, you may not want to go barefoot and should be cautious of those paw pads.
Conclusion
Texas has plenty of coastline to explore from South Padre Island up to the Galveston area. There is certainly no shortage of dog-friendly beaches to visit, and while most of them require your dog to be on a leash, there is plenty of fun to be had. Make sure you get all packed up and prepared before setting off on your sunny adventure. Don’t forget to load up on poop bags and keep that leash nearby!
