Dog Friendly Beaches in Monmouth and Ocean Counties

If you have a dog (dogs), it can be tough to find a dog friendly place to take them, especially a beach!  This article offers some suggestions on ocean beaches that might allow your dog in southern Monmouth and northern Ocean counties.  Regulations often change seasonally, but most towns (and private beaches) are good about posting signs about their dog policies.  The information below has been gleaned from the websites of the towns listed - if a town is not listed, there is little or no information provided on their website, or, they did not respond in a timely manner to our inquiry requesting information.

Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, located by the inlet in Manasquan (a Monmouth County Park) is one of the easiest places in the area to get your dog on the beach - the eastern portion of this beach is clearly marked as a dog beach - dogs are permitted in this area, but only on leash.  The Monmouth County Park System provides an off-leash dog area at Thompson Park in Lincroft and at the Wolf Hill Recreation Area in Oceanport.

Dogs on Sea Girt Beaches:

Permitted but Leashed: September 16 to May 14

Prohibited: May 15 to September 15 (Summer)

Dogs are permitted on the beach from October 1st- April 15th, under the control of a leash. Dogs are not allowed on the boardwa

No dogs shall be permitted in or upon the boardwalks, beaches, recreation areas, play areas or public parks of the Borough whether the dog be on a leash or otherwise.

Leashed dogs allowed in off season, dogs not allowed during BHIA operating hours (when the beaches are open in the summer). 

Leashed dogs when accompanied by a responsible person shall be permitted on beaches between May 15th and October 1st, only between sunrise and 8:00 a.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to sunset with the following exceptions…From October 2nd to May 14th dogs and other animals shall be permitted upon beaches and access ways unleashed, but only when under the direct and immediate control of a responsible person…Dogs may be permitted to swim unleashed under the direct and immediate control of a responsible person. 

Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time.  Dogs are permitted on the boardwalk outside of regular bathing hours.

Dogs are not permitted on the ocean beaches, but are permitted at the bay beach.

Dogs are permitted in the park and on beaches, but not at the swimming beach in the summer season.  They must be on leash (no more than six feet), and are not allowed on some trails.  

This information is current per the respective towns’ websites as of posting in March 2023, and is subject to change.  Please check each location’s website for further details, and to confirm current information. Note that some beaches are privately managed, and regulations may be different from the towns that they are actually in.

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