Best Dog Friendly Beaches North of Boston, Massachusetts
If you’re searching for the best dog friendly beaches north of Boston, Massachusetts, you’re in the right place, and the timing is good. Most of these beaches start welcoming dogs back sometime between mid and late September, once the summer season winds down. That means now’s the time to start planning where you and your dog are headed first.
I’ve spent years exploring this coastline with dogs, both my own and the ones I photograph for clients. Some of these spots are well known, some are tucked away, but all of them are worth the drive. Below are my five favorites — the season each one opens back up to dogs, and why I keep going back.
These are in no particular order, just five spots I keep coming back to.
Forest River Park (Salem)
Dog Policy: October 1st to March 31st, dogs are allowed on the beach at all hours and can be off-leash if under voice command. April 1st to September 30th, dogs are permitted only before 9am and after 5pm.
Why we love it: Forest River is a mix of sandy shoreline and grass parkland overlooking Salem Harbor. It’s an easy spot for an afternoon walk or a swim, with benches, picnic tables, and a playground nearby. The rocks along one of the two beaches make for a beautiful sunset over the harbor.
Long Beach / Pebble Beach (Rockport)
Dog Policy: September 16th to May 31st, dogs are allowed on Long Beach and other public beaches on a leash or under voice control. June 1st to September 15th, dogs are not permitted.
Why we love it: Long Beach is a mile of soft sand with sweeping views of Thatcher Island’s twin lighthouses. At its southern end it flows into Pebble Beach, giving you two different shorelines — one classic sand, one rugged stone. Go at low tide, since the beach narrows considerably at high tide.
Winter Island (Salem)
Dog Policy: Seasonal restrictions run April 1st to September 15th. September 16th to March 31st, dogs are welcome on both beaches on leash.
Why we love it: Winter Island is a tucked-away gem — short trails, sandy coves, rocky shoreline, two beaches, and a lighthouse at the point. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down.
Wingaersheek Beach (Gloucester)
Dog Policy: Dogs are prohibited from May 1st to September 30th. During the off-season, October 1st to April 30th, unleashed dogs are permitted on odd-numbered days.
Why we love it: At low tide, the sand at Wingaersheek stretches out so far it feels like it goes on for miles, with shallow water and rocky outcrops for dogs to explore along the way. The sunsets here are incredible — the kind that make you stop walking just to watch.
Good Harbor Beach (Gloucester)
Dog Policy: Dogs are prohibited from April 1st through September 30th. During the off-season, October 1st to March 31st, dogs are allowed, but off-leash only applies on even-numbered days.
Why we love it: Good Harbor is one of my favorites to shoot. If you go in and head all the way to the left, you’ll find fewer people and a stretch of rocks dogs love to climb and explore. It’s a great mix of wide open sand for running and rocky terrain for more posed, moody shots. We brought the Danes here and got for some of my favorite images to date, both playing in the shallows and perched up on the rocks.
Want photos like these of your own dog?
Exploring dog friendly beaches north of Boston with your pup is one of my favorite ways to spend a New England evening. If you’re picturing something like this for your own dog, I’d love to talk about it.
[Let’s plan your session]
