Dog Park Locations

In Fairfield, Connecticut, there is a lovely dog-friendly recreation area. On land granted by the G.E. firm, the pathways surround a lake and waterfall/creek known as the cascades. Bring your baggies because there are waste bins for doggie cleanups.

Pets are welcome at the Wildwood Dog Park and Beach. This dog-friendly beach, formerly known as Poplar Avenue Beach, is a great place to play in the sand and waves. To get to the beach, owners can stroll their dogs under the Maple Avenue boardwalk. There's plenty of room for you and your dog to sunbathe and swim in the pool. On the beach, dogs must be leashed, however the adjoining dog park is leash-free. The only place to get fresh water is inside the park, not on the beach. The beach has no set hours of operation, however the city suggests swimming while a lifeguard is on duty.

In all Virginia State Parks, pets are welcome. Pets are not allowed in designated swim areas, and they must be caged or kept on a leash no more than 6 feet long and supervised while in the park. In addition, pets are not permitted in public places (bathhouses, visitor centers, park offices, restaurants, etc.) Pets are welcome at False Cape State Park, however they are not allowed at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. We ask that you bring proof of current rabies vaccination to avoid any difficulty. In Virginia Beach, where a rabies alert is in effect, this is strongly advised. An actual Indian village, 20 miles of walking paths, and a year-round dog-friendly beach are all part of this huge historical park.The park is where the Jamestown colony made their initial arrival in 1607. It's now Virginia's most-visited state park, a natural refuge in the heart of Virginia Beach's metropolitan coastline. The park features 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy beach along the Chesapeake Bay. It's a terrific area to discover exotic environments including bald cypress trees, lagoons, rare flora and wildlife, and maritime forest ecology, and it offers a variety of recreational and educational activities. Cabins, campsites with water and electricity, picnic spaces, boat ramps, and a camp store with bicycle rentals are all accessible.

Gulfside City Park welcomes pets. Gulfside City Park is one of Sanibel Island's several pet-friendly beaches, and it's close to a City of Sanibel and a Federal nature preserve. During much of the year, the beach is also home to threatened and endangered breeding shorebirds and sea turtles. Dogs must be kept on a leash (maximum 8 feet) at all times, and owners must clean up after their pets as required by law. Picnic tables, wash stations, and restrooms are available, and parking is charged hourly between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (free after 7 pm).

Along the edge of Lover's Key State Park is Lee County Dog Beach, popularly known as Bonita Beach Dog Park. It's an off-leash beach where you can let your dog run about and play in the Gulf of Mexico's shallow, calm water. There are no barriers, no leashes, and no concerns. There are numerous dogs of various sizes to play with. Many visitors do not own dogs but enjoy seeing them run and play with their canine companions on land and in the water. You can't see it from the main road, but if you follow the signs around the woods, you'll find Dog Beach in a clearing. You may have to wade through some water to get to there during high tide, so be prepared.

The Biltmore Estate welcomes pets! Dogs are welcome to explore the grounds and roam the more than 250 acres of beautifully designed gardens. Petzooie is also invited to join the humans at various eateries in Antler Hill Village that have outside dining. Please be aware that dogs are not allowed inside any structures. Throughout the year, it is open every day.

On-leash dogs are welcome at this picturesque inlet, which also has showers, restrooms, and lots of parking. There are five ecosystems represented in this park, as well as raised boardwalks, picnic pavilions, nature paths, an observation tower, and other amenities.

One of Florida's nicest off-leash beaches is located in Jupiter Beach. Dogs are allowed to explore a specific portion of the beach near Ocean Cay Park, which runs along A1A. Free parking is available in the lot at the intersection of Ocean Blvd and Marcinski Rd, as well as along A1A. Friends of Jupiter Beach (FJB) promotes beach bylaws and ongoing beach cleanup initiatives in order to maintain the beach clean and dog-friendly. In lifeguard zones and Town of Jupiter parks, dogs are not permitted (Carlin Park).

Between specified dates, Sandy Hook/Gateway National Park is pet-friendly. Due to the piping plover season, dogs are not allowed on the ocean-side beaches at Sandy Hook Unit from March 15 to Labor Day. Pets are allowed on the bay-side beaches of Plum Island and Horseshoe Cove all year, but they must be kept on a leash at all times. Dog owners must dispose of all trash and make plans for disposing of dog waste. During the summer season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, parking costs $20.

Dogs are allowed on the beach in the Maryland section of Assateague National Seashore, but not on the nature trails or anyplace else on Assateague Island in Virginia. At all times, dogs must be kept on a six-foot leash.