Dog-Friendly Beaches in Maine
Maine beaches are pretty dog-friendly all year with many towns allowing dogs during certain hours even in season. Some listings we found don't mention off-season rules so always err on the side of caution and have your buddy on leash. And as always, observe the rules of petiquette - pick up the poop and don't let your dog off-leash unless you have complete voice control!
Bar Harbor - Dogs are allowed on Hadley Point Beach on leash.
Biddeford - Dogs are allowed on leash at Biddeford Pool and Hills Beach before 9 am and after 8 pm.
Kennebunk - Kennebunk has three beach areas (Gooch's, Middle, and Mother's) that allow dogs on leash before 9 am and after 5 pm from June 15 - Labor Day. They're allowed anytime otherwise.
Kennebunkport - Kennebunkport's two public beaches - Goose Rock and Colony - allow dogs on leash before 8 am and after 6 pm from June 15 to September 15 and anytime otherwise.
Kittery - Dogs are allowed from June 15 to September 10 on leash before 8 am and after 6 pm at Crescent Beach, Fort Foster Park, and Seapoint beach.
Ogunquit - Not so dog-friendly! Dogs are banned from April 1 to October 1.
Old Orchard Beach - Sleep in! Dogs are allowed before 10 am and after 5 pm.
Portland - East End Beach says no dogs from the day before Memorial day to the day after Labor day. Willard Beach allows dogs on leash from 6-9 am from May 1 to September 30.
Saco - We love Saco! Dogs are allowed on all Saco beaches (except for Ferry Beach State Park beach only) on leash ALL YEAR! The beaches are Bayview, Camp Ellis, and Kenney Shores. Dogs are also allowed at Diamond Riverside Boat Ramp which includes a picnic area.
Scarborough - Scarborough has some complex new rules (as of May 2014) for their beaches so I recommend reading about them before you go - Scarborough Beach Ordinance.
Stockton Springs - There's a lot to love about Sandy Point Beach - parking, trails, restrooms, and off-leash fun for dogs (Just keep them under voice control and don't forget the poop bags!).
South Portland - Willard Beach has off-leash hours 7-9AM and 7-9PM from May 1-October 1 and free-range in the off-season. It's also located near The Whole Dog Market.
Wells - Dogs are allowed on Wells beaches from April 1 - June 15 on leash and from June 16 - September 15 before 8 am and after 6 pm.
York - We may love York even more than Saco because it has even more dog-friendly beaches. From May 20 to September 20 dogs can run free (owner should be leash-ready) from sunrise 'til 8 am. No dogs allowed between 8 am and 6 pm. From 6 pm - sunset, dogs are allowed on leash. The rest of the year they can run amok! Beaches include Cape Neddick, York Harbor, Long Sands, Short Sands, and Steadman Woods.
Did we miss your favorite beach? Let us know! Send us your pictures of your dog at the beach in Maine! Find out about other fun activities and places to stay in Maine.
Bar Harbor - Dogs are allowed on Hadley Point Beach on leash.
Biddeford - Dogs are allowed on leash at Biddeford Pool and Hills Beach before 9 am and after 8 pm.
Kennebunk - Kennebunk has three beach areas (Gooch's, Middle, and Mother's) that allow dogs on leash before 9 am and after 5 pm from June 15 - Labor Day. They're allowed anytime otherwise.
Kennebunkport - Kennebunkport's two public beaches - Goose Rock and Colony - allow dogs on leash before 8 am and after 6 pm from June 15 to September 15 and anytime otherwise.
Kittery - Dogs are allowed from June 15 to September 10 on leash before 8 am and after 6 pm at Crescent Beach, Fort Foster Park, and Seapoint beach.
Ogunquit - Not so dog-friendly! Dogs are banned from April 1 to October 1.
Old Orchard Beach - Sleep in! Dogs are allowed before 10 am and after 5 pm.
Portland - East End Beach says no dogs from the day before Memorial day to the day after Labor day. Willard Beach allows dogs on leash from 6-9 am from May 1 to September 30.
Saco - We love Saco! Dogs are allowed on all Saco beaches (except for Ferry Beach State Park beach only) on leash ALL YEAR! The beaches are Bayview, Camp Ellis, and Kenney Shores. Dogs are also allowed at Diamond Riverside Boat Ramp which includes a picnic area.
Scarborough - Scarborough has some complex new rules (as of May 2014) for their beaches so I recommend reading about them before you go - Scarborough Beach Ordinance.
Stockton Springs - There's a lot to love about Sandy Point Beach - parking, trails, restrooms, and off-leash fun for dogs (Just keep them under voice control and don't forget the poop bags!).
South Portland - Willard Beach has off-leash hours 7-9AM and 7-9PM from May 1-October 1 and free-range in the off-season. It's also located near The Whole Dog Market.
Wells - Dogs are allowed on Wells beaches from April 1 - June 15 on leash and from June 16 - September 15 before 8 am and after 6 pm.
York - We may love York even more than Saco because it has even more dog-friendly beaches. From May 20 to September 20 dogs can run free (owner should be leash-ready) from sunrise 'til 8 am. No dogs allowed between 8 am and 6 pm. From 6 pm - sunset, dogs are allowed on leash. The rest of the year they can run amok! Beaches include Cape Neddick, York Harbor, Long Sands, Short Sands, and Steadman Woods.
Did we miss your favorite beach? Let us know! Send us your pictures of your dog at the beach in Maine! Find out about other fun activities and places to stay in Maine.
