What beaches in Suffolk allow dogs?
Napeague Harbor & Napeague State Park
Napeague Harbor is a popular spot for kite boarding, kite surfing, paddleboarding and kayaking. The State Park stretches from the Atlantic Ocean across the neck of the South Fork to Gardiners Bay.
The area is pretty undeveloped, so don’t expect much. Just lots of space to hike, take a dip and let your dog run wild.
Public parking is available alongside the Napeague Harbor access road.
Location: Lazy Point Rd, Amagansett, NY 11930
While it’s technically on Fire Island, Smith Point County Park is just a hop, skip, and a jump from the town of Shirley.
The Smith Point County park extends from the east end of the Fire Island Wilderness to the tip of the island at Moriches Inlet. It was named for William “Tangier” Smith, who owned 50 miles of Long Island oceanfront in the 1600s.
Most beachgoers walk to the beach through a tunnel under the dunes but dog owners need to walk past the campground entrance to the east. Wooden staircases lead over the dunes and you can take your dog all the way to Moriches Inlet.
The beach has white sand and rolling Atlantic surf, as well as extras like a Tiki Bar and camping sites. Reservations are required for all the sites in the campground.
Location: 1 William Floyd Pkwy, Shirley, NY 11967
This quiet, pristine and secluded beach is a great place to kick back and get away from it all. The gorgeous beachfront area is right off of Dune Road. There are beautiful sunsets, no large crowds, and salty sea air.
Head here in the off season when no resident parking permit is required and dogs are allowed to roam the beach off-leash.
Location: 172 Dune Rd Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
What beaches allow dogs on Long Island?
5 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Long Island
A Day at Jones Beach Dogs Plugs & Robins
Let’s state the obvious about Long Island: it’s long, and it’s an island, which means its surrounded by beaches! This strip of land east of New York City is home to an estimated 1,600 miles of shoreline. Thats roughly the distance from Portland, Maine to Miami, Florida! It’s the 11th-largest island in the United States, and is the most populated island in any U.S. state or territory. That means there’s plenty of sandy ocean waves and salty sea breezes for you and your dog to enjoy. Here are the best dog-friendly beaches on Long Island.
Be aware that due to the Coronavirus, certain beaches on Long Island have been opened to residents only. If you’re not a local, check the status before making the trip.
We’ve compiled a list of helpful tips for taking your dog to the beach here. On to the dog-friendly beaches!
If you had to choose just one dog beach to visit on Long Island, Port Jefferson should be it.
This nice stretch of shore allows dogs to play and swim off-leash all year round. There’s beautiful clean water, epic views, paddle boarding and kayaking, small boats at sail and plenty of space for a walk on the harbor. There are bars and restaurants for food and drinks nearby, and free parking is available.
Port Jefferson is a pebble beach with some sand mixed in, so be prepared for rocks and seashells. Swimming is allowed for both humans and canines.
Mud Creek Dog Park is an 11-acre Park that borders Mud Creek and the Great South Bay in Suffolk County. The secluded area is bordered by sand dunes, and there is a designated off-leash space for swimming and running on the 300-foot beach.
Gardiner County Park was originally owned by the Gardiner family, Suffolk’s first non-native landowners. Today, it’s a 231 acre nature-oriented public park on the Great South Bay.
This park is an all in one – they have great trails, two fenced dog runs, for both large and small dogs, shoreline, picnic tables, and beautiful views of Fire Island Light House and Robert Moses Bridge.
The beach trail leads directly to the beach, where dogs can play and splash in the water. Leash laws are enforced on the trails, but they’re looser on the shore.