Off-Season Dog-Friendly Beaches in Gloucester

March 08, 2023 / Uncategorized

Owning a pet is an amazing experience filled with lasting memories and companionship for years. A dog especially can become a best friend, a confidant, a cuddle partner, and an exercise buddy all rolled into one. 

One activity that many dog owners enjoy with their playful pups is walking or playing on the beach during the fall, winter, and early spring months. Whether the game is playing catch with a favorite ball, digging in the sand, or playing keep away with the surf, the activity is not only great exercise but also good for the soul too! 

Gloucester, Massachusetts, and the Cape Ann region offer many options for pet owners to explore the surf and sand during the off-season months when tourists are less likely to want the beaches for sunbathing and swimming. 

Here are five of our favorites. 

Good Harbor Beach

Located at 99 Thatcher Road in Gloucester, Good Harbor Beach is a stunning white sand beach that boasts beautiful views and the ability to walk out to Salt Island during low tides. Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach from October to March. The beach is closed to dogs from April 1st to October 1st. (Please note that the previous date of April 30th has been changed per a City ordinance and state and federal laws protecting nesting areas for piping plovers.)

Good Harbor Beach is handicapped accessible and during the peak season offers concessions, restrooms, showers, and more. Parking is available for visitors and it’s a great place to meet up with friends and their canine companions for a good romp in the sand. 

Wingaersheek Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches in this corner of Massachusetts is Wingaersheek Beach. Located at 1 Wauketa Road in West Gloucester, Wingaersheek Beach is a 0.6-mile-long beach on the Annisquam River where pet owners can enjoy time with their pups exploring the outcropping of rocks or walking along the water’s edge. 

Unleashed dogs are allowed on Wingaersheek Beach from October 1st to April 30th annually, only on odd-numbered days. Dogs are prohibited from May 1st to September 30th. Parking is plentiful and families are known to meet up for pup playdates and socialization. 

Plum Cove Beach & Cressy’s Beach 

Plum Cove is a quiet beach located at 1000 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA, and has long been enjoyed by Gloucester residents, especially those who live in the Lanesville section of town. Cressy’s Beach is located at 24 Hough Avenue at the lower end of Historic Stage Fort Park. This particular beach is a bit rocky, but a fun place to explore with a curious pup during the cooler months. 

According to the City of Gloucester website, both beaches allow unleashed dogs in the off-season from October 1st to April 30th annually.

Crab Beach 

Located on Western Avenue in Gloucester, Crab Beach is a dog-friendly beach. This popular beach permits off-leash play year-round, as long as dogs are cleaned up after and well-behaved. After your dog has had fun on the sand, take them for a walk on the pet-friendly pathways that surround the coastline.

After you’ve had a little fun with your pooch, take the time to order a snack or lunch at one of the area’s delicious restaurants and support the amazing small businesses that are the lifeblood of our Cape Ann community.