Dog-Friendly Beaches in NH & Northern MA
Seacoast Science Center | Rye, New Hampshire
Looking to spend quality time outdoors with your pup? Check out our map of dog-friendly beaches and tips to help reduce your pet's impact on local wildlife!
Safely share the shore with your pups and help protect our marine ecosystem.
Share the Shore Responsibly
Canine activities can make the beach a less than ideal habitat for protected seals and other wildlife. Seals haul out on land to thermoregulate, rest, escape predators, and more. Shorebirds, including endangered species, migrate North to breed on New England's beaches. Dogs can physically injure and stress-out seals, and force shorebirds to abandon their nests. Dogs may even transmit diseases to seals, and vice versa, if they get too close. Plus, dog poop and littered dog-poop-bags can pollute coastal habitat.
When bringing your pup to any of the following beaches, Know Before You Go:
- Many beaches require you to keep your dog on-leash, so make sure you follow leash laws.
- Be respectful to the community and properly dispose of your dog’s waste.
- If you see a seal on the beach, make sure your dog is leashed and you stay at least 150 feet away. Be sure to respect the space of any other wildlife you come across.
If you spot a seal or any other marine mammal (dead or alive) on the beach, from Essex, MA to the Maine border, please call the Seacoast Science Center Marine Mammal Rescue hotline at 603-997-9448.
Learn more about our Marine Mammal Rescue work.
Region serviced by Seacoast Science Center Marine Mammal Rescue (click and drag to view entire region).
New Hampshire Beaches
Select a beach from the menu to view hours, seasonality, leash laws, and other information. Continue scrolling down for Massachusetts Beaches.
New Castle Town Landing, New Castle, NH
New Castle Town Landing, New Castle, NH. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are allowed from 8 AM - 8 PM year round.
New Castle Beach, New Castle, NH
New Castle Beach, New Castle, NH. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at all times from May 15th to September 15th. Dogs are permitted from sunrise - 9 PM September 16th to May 14th.
Great Island Common, New Castle, NH
Great Island Common, New Castle, NH. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at all times from May 15th to September 15th. Dogs are permitted from 9 AM - 9 PM September 16th to May 14th.
Wallis Sands State Park
Wallis Sands State Park. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at Wallis Sands State Beach from May 1 to September 30. Leashed pets are permitted from October 1 to April 30.
Wallis Road Extension, Rye, NH
Wallis Road Extension, Rye, NH. Click to expand.
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Foss Beach, Rye, NH
Foss Beach, Rye, NH. Click to expand.
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Rye Harbor State Park
Rye Harbor State Park. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at Rye Harbor State Park from May 1 to September 30. Leashed pets are permitted from October 1 to April 30.
Public Beach Access Point, Rye, NH
Public Beach Access Point, Rye, NH. Click to expand.
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Public Beach Access Point, Rye, NH
Public Beach Access Point, Rye, NH. Click to expand.
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Cable Road, Rye, NH
Cable Road, Rye, NH. Click to expand.
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Jenness State Beach
Jenness State Beach. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at Jenness Beach State Park from May 1 to September 30. Leashed pets are permitted from October 1 to April 30.
Sawyers Beach, Rye, NH
Sawyers Beach, Rye, NH. Click to expand.
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Bass Beach, Rye, NH
Bass Beach, Rye, NH. Click to expand.
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
North Beach
North Beach. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at North Beach from May 1 to September 30. Leashed pets are permitted from October 1 to April 30.
Hampton Beach State Park (South Beach), Hampton, NH
Hampton Beach State Park (South Beach), Hampton, NH. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at Hampton Beach State Park from May 1 to September 30. Leashed pets are allowed from October 1 to April 30.
Seabrook Dunes and Beach, Seabrook, NH
Seabrook Dunes and Beach, Seabrook, NH. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are permitted from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 6 PM - 8 AM. Dogs are permitted on the beach at all times during the off-season.
New Castle Town Landing, New Castle, NH
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are allowed from 8 AM - 8 PM year round.
Additional Details: Dogs are allowed to be off leash at the New Castle Town Landing. The Town of New Castle requires all dog waste to be picked up and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town rules . Please adhere to all local parking rules.
Address: 25 Wentworth Rd, New Castle, NH 03854
New Castle Beach, New Castle, NH
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at all times from May 15th to September 15th. Dogs are permitted from sunrise - 9 PM September 16th to May 14th.
Additional Details: The Town of New Castle requires all dog waste to be picked up and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town rules . Please adhere to all local parking rules.
Great Island Common, New Castle, NH
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at all times from May 15th to September 15th. Dogs are permitted from 9 AM - 9 PM September 16th to May 14th.
Additional Details: Dogs must be leashed. The Town of New Castle requires all dog waste to be picked up and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town rules . Please adhere to all local parking rules.
Address: 301 Wentworth Rd, New Castle, NH 03854
Wallis Sands State Park
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at Wallis Sands State Beach from May 1 to September 30. Leashed pets are permitted from October 1 to April 30.
Additional Details : All animals must be on a standard or retractable leash not greater than 6 feet in length. Animal owners shall clean up any waste eliminated by their animals and place it in a trash can or remove it off-site. Animals must not be left unattended at any time, including at campsite, or in vehicle or camper.
Address: 1050 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870
Wallis Road Extension, Rye, NH
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Seasonality: Dogs are allowed during the above hours from the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Saturday after Labor Day. Dogs are allowed at all times from the Sunday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day.
Additional Details: Dogs must be under control at all times. The Town of Rye requires all dog waste to be picked up, carried and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town dog rules.
Foss Beach, Rye, NH
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Seasonality: Dogs are allowed during the above hours from the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Saturday after Labor Day. Dogs are allowed at all times from the Sunday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day.
Additional Details: Dogs must be under control at all times. The Town of Rye requires all dog waste to be picked up, carried and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town dog rules.
Rye Harbor State Park
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at Rye Harbor State Park from May 1 to September 30. Leashed pets are permitted from October 1 to April 30.
Additional Details : All animals must be on a standard or retractable leash not greater than 6 feet in length. Animal owners shall clean up any waste eliminated by their animals and place it in a trash can or remove it off-site. Animals must not be left unattended at any time, including at campsite, or in vehicle or camper.
Address: 1730 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870
Public Beach Access Point, Rye, NH
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Seasonality: Dogs are allowed during the above hours from the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Saturday after Labor Day. Dogs are allowed at all times from the Sunday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day.
Additional Details: Dogs must be under control at all times. The Town of Rye requires all dog waste to be picked up, carried and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town dog rules.
Public Beach Access Point, Rye, NH
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Seasonality: Dogs are allowed during the above hours from the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Saturday after Labor Day. Dogs are allowed at all times from the Sunday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day.
Additional Details: Dogs must be under control at all times. The Town of Rye requires all dog waste to be picked up, carried and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town dog rules.
Cable Road, Rye, NH
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Seasonality: Dogs are allowed during the above hours from the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Saturday after Labor Day. Dogs are allowed at all times from the Sunday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day.
Additional Details: Dogs must be under control at all times. The Town of Rye requires all dog waste to be picked up, carried and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town dog rules.
Address: 1 Cable Rd, Rye, NH 03870
Jenness State Beach
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at Jenness Beach State Park from May 1 to September 30. Leashed pets are permitted from October 1 to April 30.
Additional Details : All animals must be on a standard or retractable leash not greater than 6 feet in length. Animal owners shall clean up any waste eliminated by their animals and place it in a trash can or remove it off-site. Animals must not be left unattended at any time, including at campsite, or in vehicle or camper.
Address: 2280 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870
Sawyers Beach, Rye, NH
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Seasonality: Dogs are allowed during the above hours from the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Saturday after Labor Day. Dogs are allowed at all times from the Sunday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day.
Additional Details: Dogs must be under control at all times. The Town of Rye requires all dog waste to be picked up, carried and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town dog rules.
Bass Beach, Rye, NH
Hours In-season: Dogs are allowed after 9 PM on Saturdays, after 7 PM Sunday - Friday and before 9 AM daily.
Seasonality: Dogs are allowed during the above hours from the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Saturday after Labor Day. Dogs are allowed at all times from the Sunday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day.
Additional Details: Dogs must be under control at all times. The Town of Rye requires all dog waste to be picked up, carried and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town dog rules.
North Beach
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at North Beach from May 1 to September 30. Leashed pets are permitted from October 1 to April 30.
Additional Details : All animals must be on a standard or retractable leash not greater than 6 feet in length. Animal owners shall clean up any waste eliminated by their animals and place it in a trash can or remove it off-site. Animals must not be left unattended at any time, including at campsite, or in vehicle or camper.
Address: 920 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842
Hampton Beach State Park (South Beach), Hampton, NH
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited at Hampton Beach State Park from May 1 to September 30. Leashed pets are allowed from October 1 to April 30.
Additional Details : Dogs must be leashed at all times with a standard or retractable leash, no greater than 6 feet in length. All dog waste is required to be picked up and properly disposed of.
Address: NH-1A, Hampton, NH 03842
Seabrook Dunes and Beach, Seabrook, NH
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are permitted from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 6 PM - 8 AM. Dogs are permitted on the beach at all times during the off-season.
Additional Details: Dogs are prohibited from the dunes at all times. Dogs must be leashed at all times at Seabrook Beach, and all dog waste to be picked up and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town rules . Please adhere to all local parking rules.
Massachusetts Beaches
Select a beach from the menu to view hours, seasonality, leash laws, and other information. Scroll up for New Hampshire Beaches.
Salisbury Beach, Salisbury, MA
Salisbury Beach, Salisbury, MA. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited on Salisbury Beach from April 1 through September 15. Dogs are permitted on Salisbury Beach from September 16 to March 31.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury, MA
Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury, MA. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Sunrise - sunset. Dogs are permitted on the Merrimack River side of the beach year-round. Dogs are also permitted on the ocean-side from September 15th - April 1st (no access during beach season).
Plum Island Beach, Newburyport, MA
Plum Island Beach, Newburyport, MA. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited from May 15 to September 15. Dogs are permitted at all times from September 16 to May 14.
Newbury Beach, Newbury, MA
Newbury Beach, Newbury, MA. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: From May 15 to September 15, dogs are prohibited between the hours of 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM. Dogs are allowed at all other times.
Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA
Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA. Click to expand.
Hours/Seasonality: From April 1 to September 30 dogs are prohibited from all of Crane Beach. From October 1 to March 30, Dogs are allowed at select locations, see The Trustees' map for more details.
Salisbury Beach, Salisbury, MA
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited on Salisbury Beach from April 1 through September 15. Dogs are permitted on Salisbury Beach from September 16 to March 31.
Additional Details: Dogs must be leashed at all times at Salisbury Beach. Salisbury Beach requires all dog waste to be picked up and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town rules . Please adhere to all local parking rules.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury, MA
Hours/Seasonality: Sunrise - sunset. Dogs are permitted on the Merrimack River side of the beach year-round. Dogs are also permitted on the ocean-side from September 15th - April 1st (no access during beach season).
Additional Details: Click here for park rules . Please adhere to all local parking rules.
Address: 1 Beach Rd, Salisbury, MA 01952
Plum Island Beach, Newburyport, MA
Hours/Seasonality: Dogs are prohibited from May 15 to September 15. Dogs are permitted at all times from September 16 to May 14.
Additional Details: Dogs must be leashed at all times at Plum Island Beach. Plum Island Beach requires all dog waste to be picked up and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town rules . Please adhere to all local parking rules. Dogs are never allowed at the neighboring Parker River Wildlife Refuge - including the entire beach and intertidal zone.
Address: N Reservation Terrace, Newburyport, MA 01950
Newbury Beach, Newbury, MA
Hours/Seasonality: From May 15 to September 15, dogs are prohibited between the hours of 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM. Dogs are allowed at all other times.
Additional Details: Dogs are never allowed at the neighboring Parker River Wildlife Refuge - including the entire beach and intertidal zone. Newbury Beach requires all dog waste to be picked up and properly disposed of. Click here for town rules . Please adhere to all local parking rules.
Address: Plum Island Turnpike, Newbury, MA 01951
Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA
Hours/Seasonality: From April 1 to September 30 dogs are prohibited from all of Crane Beach. From October 1 to March 30, Dogs are allowed at select locations, see The Trustees' map for more details.
Additional Details: Dogs are not allowed on the dunes at Crane Beach or on Steep Hill Beach. Dogs must be leashed on most of Crane Beach, however there is a small off-leash area toward the western end of Crane Beach. Please refer to the map ( click here ) for more details. Crane Beach requires all dog waste to be picked up and properly disposed of immediately. Click here for town rules . Please adhere to all local parking rules.
Address: Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938
Dogs are prohibited at all times from the following beaches:
- Odiorne Point State Park - Rye, NH
- North Hampton State Beach - Hampton, NH
- Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
**Dogs are prohibited from the entire coastline at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, including the intertidal zone**
Thank you for being a responsible dog owner!
By adhering to local leash and dog waste laws, we can all preserve and protect valuable marine ecosystems and some of our ocean’s most iconic species. The Seacoast Science Center Marine Mammal Rescue team actively responds to marine mammals (alive and dead) that haul out or strand on beaches from Essex, MA to Portsmouth, NH. If you come across one of these animals on the beach, stay at least 150 feet away and call the SSC Marine Mammal Rescue Hotline at: 603-997-9448.
Please share this map on social media and with your family, friends and fellow dog-lovers to show your support for SSC Marine Mammal Rescue!
