Cape Cod National Seashore beaches
Leashed dogs are welcome on the great outer beaches (Herring Cove, Coast Guard, Marconi, Great Island) outside lifeguarded areas and posted shorebird closures.
Season: No pets on lifeguard-protected beaches in summer; shorebird nesting closures posted seasonally
The rules, verified
- 6-foot leash at all times where pets are allowed — extended retractables prohibited
- Not permitted on lifeguard-protected beaches in summer (may pass through leashed)
- Pet beaches include Herring Cove, Coast Guard Beach, Nauset Light, Marconi and Great Island
- Shorebird nesting/staging closures posted seasonally — check before visiting
- Freshwater ponds open to leashed pets Oct 16 – May 14
- Pack out all pet waste
Set by National Park Service. Rules change — posted signage and the current ordinance always take precedence over this page.
More like this: winter dog beaches: the off-season payoff · seasonal dog beaches (know the dates)
Map & directions
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors — loads on demand.
Nearby & related beaches
-
Hampton Beach State Park
Seasonal access Seasonal — check dates✓ New Hampshire State Parks · verified 2026-08
-
Willard Beach
Timed off-leash Seasonal — check dates✓ City of South Portland · verified 2026-08
-
Jones Beach State Park
No dogs allowed Seasonal — check dates✓ NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation · verified 2026-06
-
Long Beach (City of Long Beach, NY)
No dogs allowed Seasonal — check dates✓ City of Long Beach, NY · verified 2026-06
Been here? Leave a post
First-hand reports are the most useful data on this page — surface conditions, how busy it gets, whether the rules match reality. Posts appear after a human check (usually within a week).
Posts are moderated before publishing; we don't publish personal attacks, links, or claims we can't stand behind. To amend or remove your post later, email [email protected].
Verified against: National Park Service — official source (checked 2026-08-30).
Rules change between checks. Spotted an update, or want this listing corrected or removed? Tell us — actioned within 7 days.