The Definitive List of Dog Friendly Beaches Near NYC
A long day at the beach is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and a perfect way to spend your weekend working on a tan. A great addition to this relaxing day is spending some quality time with your dog while they too enjoy the surf and sand.
Unfortunately, the list of dog friendly beaches near NYC is somewhat short and you certainly don’t want to show up ready for a day of fun, only to be turned away because of your four-legged friend.
So without further ado, here is the best of the best, the dog friendly beaches you need to visit near New York City.
Prospect Park Dog Beach
Located in Brooklyn, Prospect Park is a great destination for dog owners and is arguably the best dog friendly beach near NYC. In fact, they allow off-leash play between the hours of 5-9am and 9pm-1am daily.
All of Prospect Park is very dog friendly, but Dog Beach itself allows your pup to cool off from the summer heat. Dog Beach itself underwent an extensive renovation in 2016 and is fully suited to a dog owner’s needs!
Brighton Beach
Right next door to Coney Island, Brighton Beach is a popular summer spot for locals and tourists alike. The surrounding area known as “Little Odessa” has been traditionally made up of Eastern European immigrants and boasts interesting shops and authentic restaurants.
While dogs are not allowed on the beach between May 1 and October 1, they are welcome during the offseason. They can also walk the boardwalk (with a leash) any time of the year.
Larchmont Dog Beach
A bit of a drive for NYC residents, Larchmont Dog Beach is the only dog friendly beach in Westchester. Overlooking the Long Island Sound and protected by barriers, Larchmont is a quiet getaway with ample space for your pup.
One quick tip, if you head there during low tide, the space for your dog to run around increases dramatically.
Montauk Beaches
Montauk offers a solid collection of beaches that are all dog friendly during certain hours and seasons. Dogs are not allowed on the beaches between 10am – 6pm from May 15 through September 15. No restrictions apply for the remainder of the year.
So if you are looking for a long day at the beach with your dog, this is not the best choice, but for off-season or off-hours Montauk is a great option, especially since there are no leash laws during the allowed dates and times.
Nassau County
Several years ago, Nassau county began introducing dog runs in their parks to allow dog owners and other park goers to coexist. The result is several areas within reach of NYC and the water where your dog can have a wonderful day.
Bay Park has a dog run located on the east side of this waterfront park and has separate large and small dog runs.
Nickerson Beach Park also has a dog run located on the southwest corner of the main parking lot, across from the “Fun Zone,” and has separate large and small dog areas. However, dogs are prohibited from the environmentally protected dune areas and from entering the beach.
Get Out and Enjoy!
So there you have it, the definitive list of dog friendly beaches near NYC. With summer fully upon us, now is the time to take advantage of these great areas and enjoy some fun in the sun with your pooch.
