13 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Connecticut 2024

The pet-friendly beaches in Connecticut are the perfect holiday destinations for pet parents. The state has given access to domesticated animals on some coasts throughout its 300-mile-long coastline. They can run on the sandy coasts, sniff, and dig out as much dirt as possible. 

Dogs must be leashed in most of these shorelines, while some, like Jennings Beach, offer leash-free access. So plan our holiday accordingly. After visiting the largest Native American Museum or the Mystic Seaport Museum, it’s time to visit the sandy coasts. 

Pet owners must follow safety precautions while visiting these shores, like cleaning after their pets, keeping dog life jackets handy, bringing doggy snacks, keeping domesticated animals away from wild ones, keeping the dogs on leashes, or controlling them with voice commands. It’s best to stay safe and prepared to enjoy a perfect holiday with our munchkin on these pet-friendly coasts in Connecticut. 

1. Hammonasset Beach State Park – Madison, Connecticut

Hammonasset Beach State Park is always famous among pup owners as it’s one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Connecticut. The US Army was once deployed here during World War II. Entry is free throughout the year. Pets are allowed from 1st October til March 30th. 

Hiking, surfing, seasonal camping, and other beach activities are allowed on Hammonasset Beach. There are many entry points with changing rooms, restrooms, and picnic spots. The beach officers follow strict policies for cleanliness. Dogs should be 7 feet or less on a leash and follow the owners’ voice commands.

The wooden Broadwalk in Hammonasset Beach State Park covers nearly 2 miles of coastline. This is the largest coastline park in this state. It’s also a few minutes from the famous Long Island Sound shore. 

• Nearby Attractions: Meigs Point Nature Center, East Wharf Beach Park
• Address: 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443

2. Jennings Beach – Fairfield, Connecticut

Jennings Beach is the largest coast in Fairfield, with 27 acres of sandy coastline. It’s the perfect holiday destination for pet owners and their 4 legged friends during the off seasons from 1st October to 31st March. It’s the only seashore in Fairfield that allows pets to be off-leash as long as they follow the voice commands of their parents. Pets are prohibited during summertime. 

The nearby Jennings Dog Park is the perfect space for pets to have all the fun. Town Marina allows boat rental for pet parents. Dogs are prohibited from the pavilion, Broadwalk, and Sand Castle beach playground. The sand is open to all.

There’s a concession stand, changing rooms, bathrooms, sailboat racks, and volleyball poles besides handicapped accessibility. Parking is free during off-seasons. 

• Nearby Attractions: Fairfield Museum & History Center, CT Audubon Birdcraft Museum.
• Address:  880 S Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, United States

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3. Compo Beach – Westport, Connecticut

The 29-acre long sandy coastline of Compo Beach is situated along the Long Island Sound and neighbor to the Saugatuck River. Entry here is free during the off-season from October 1st to March 31st. Visitors need to pay $45- $70 for car parking during summertime from 04:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Pets are only allowed with a leash during the off-season. The beach has different facilities like a boardwalk, pavilion, multiple volleyball courts, wooden play space, concession stand, bathrooms, restrooms with lockers, etc. Alcoholic beverages are only allowed in the picnic area. There’s a skate park and Ned Dimes Marina Club House. The latter one is available on different occasions. Wheelchairs and floating beach wheelchairs are available at the entrance. 

• Nearby Attractions: Stepping Stones Museum for Children, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. 
• Address:  260 Compo Beach Rd. Westport, CT 06880

Read Dog-Friendly Compo Beach, CT

4. Southport Beach – Southport, Connecticut

Southport Beach is a 2.5-acre small shoreline near Pequot Avenue, just a mile from Southport Center. Locals need to have beach stickers to enjoy from Memorial Day to Labor Day; otherwise, this is an open shore. 

Pets are allowed on the sand from 1st October to 31st March during the off-season.  The view of passing ships from Southport Harbor to the Horizon through the Southport Pier is relaxing for tourists.

The Pier Pavilion is perfect for family picnics during weekends. Owners can bring toys for their pets to play around. The shallow water makes it perfect for pets to enjoy the waves on this seashore. Bathroom and lifeguard facilities are available.

• Nearby Attractions: Fairfield University Art Museum, Fairfield Museum & History Center. 
• Address: 4-1301 Sasco Point, Southport, CT 06890

5. Esker Point Beach – Groton, Connecticut

Esker Point Beach is one of the few coastal regions where pooches can roam freely off-leash. It’s just a 600 ft long small sandy coastline in New London county. It’s famous for its incredible view of the crescent coastline with warm sands.

Esker Point Beach is best for swimming, kayaking, picnics, and sunbathing. Parking and entry are free for everyone. The coast is less crowded compared to other coastlines in the state. Pets can enjoy waves and socialize freely here. Pets are only prohibited during planned events on the shore in summer times. Visitors can park near the sand area. Locals love to swim in the saltwater bay. 

• Nearby Attractions: Mystic Museum of Art, Msic Aquarium. 
• Address: 900 Groton Long Point Rd, Groton, CT

6. Bayley Beach – Norwalk, Connecticut

Bayley Beach is another popular dog-friendly seashore in southern Connecticut. 6TD maintains this small sandy region for the residents. They can freely stroll around the shore during summertime with a sticker or a walk-in pass. Non-residents need to pay for the pass. 

Lifeguard service is available on the beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Pets are allowed from 1st November till 31st March. Only service dogs are allowed around the year. 

There is a playground, basketball court, volleyball court, etc., besides outdoor showers, restrooms, changing rooms, picnic tables, and barbeques on Bayley Beach. This coast was once a part of the famous Roton Point Amusement Park.

• Nearby Attractions: Sheffield Island Lighthouse, Pinkney Park. 
• Address:  11 Pine Point Rd, Norwalk, CT 06853, United States

7. Penfield Beach – Fairfield, Connecticut

Penfield Beach is one of the five most popular Fairfield beaches after Jennings Beach, allowing pets. The munchkins should always be on a leash, except for the service animals.   It’s best to go during the off-season from October 1st to March 31st. The shoreline is less crowded during this time. 

This 3.5-acre sandy coast is perfect for swimming, picnics, sunbathing, and other water activities. Waterfront banquet areas cover the deck, handicap-accessible areas, bathrooms, changing rooms, sailboat racks, locker rooms, etc. The picnic area has tables, grills, and concessions. Entry is free for everyone in Penfield Beach during the summer season. Day trippers need stickers for their cars to park near the sand. Otherwise, they must pay $20 – $50 to park at the gate. 

• Nearby Attractions: Fairfield Museum & History Center, Penfield Reef Lighthouse. 
• Address: 323 Fairfield Beach Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, United States

8. Bluff Point State Park – Groton, Connecticut

Bluff Point State Park offers insight into the vast natural beauty of Connecticut. This 800-acre beach combines coastal woodlands with dune grassland, hiking trails, ponds, tidal wetlands, coastal bluffs, intertidal mud flats, and other marvels of nature. The hiking trail is best for wildlife sitting. 

Pets are allowed on the coast from 2nd September till March 31. They must be on a leash. To reach the sand, you need to hike through the forest. Beach activities like hiking, boating, biking, kayaking, fishing, and wildlife watching are popular at Bluff Point Beach.

This rugged shoreline is a popular picnic spot for many. In-state vehicles can park near the woodland for free. However, out-of-state cars need to pay parking fees.  Motorized vehicles are prohibited here. 

• Nearby Attractions: Haley Farm State Park, Poquonnock Plains Park. 
• Address:  55 Depot Rd, Groton, CT 06340

Read Dog-Friendly Bluff Point State Park, Connecticut

9. Railroad Beach / Amtrak Beach – Niantic, Connecticut

The Railroad Beach, also known as Amtrack Beach, was donated to the East Lyme by Amtrak. This little paradise is the perfect getaway for pet owners as it’s less crowded than nearby municipal-controlled shorelines. Pets are allowed throughout the year but must be leashed at all times. 

Amtrack Beach is famous for unsupervised swimming, fishing, crabbing, and shell fishing. Visitors need to be extra careful as the Lifeguard service is unavailable. Car parking is free for everyone. The occasional rattling of the Amtrak rail tracks for train passing is a site to behold. This thing slices off the sandy shore of the Niantic Bay and is best for sunbathing and other water sports. 

• Nearby Attractions: Niantic Children’s Museum,  Niantic Broadwalk. 
• Address: 4 Baptist Ln, Niantic, CT 06357

10. Anchor Beach – Milford, Connecticut

Anchor Beach is named after the famous Anchor Beach Hotel, once located near the coastline. This 0.4-mile-long white sand coast is a famous pet-friendly seashore in Milford. Dogs must be kept on a leash while walking on the sand. 

This small shoreline is famous for different water activities like swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, etc. The lifeguard service is available during the summertime. Amenities like changing rooms, bathrooms, picnic spots, and playgrounds are available here.

The Silver Sands State Park near Anchor Beach is famous for hiking and biking trails. Parking is free for all cars. It’s available first-come-first-served as it’s limited during summertime. 

• Nearby Attractions: Booth Memorial Park, Connecticut Air & Space Center. 
• Address: 136 Beach Ave, Milford, CT 06460, United States

11. Sasco Beach – Fairfield, Connecticut

Sasco Beach is a secluded coastal area in Fairfield, limited only to the natives. This small sandy shore is just 9.9-acres long. Like other famous Fairfield beaches, it’s also a pet-friendly one. The munchkins are allowed during the off-season from October 1st to March 31st. Owners must keep their pets on leash all the time. 

This shoreline is perfect for sand biking, sunbathing, and other activities. Citizens can enter freely from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Beach stickers are a must for bikers to get permitted here. 

• Nearby Attractions: Fairfield Museum & History Center, Stepping Stones Museum for Children. 
• Address: 1401 Sasco Hill Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

12. South Pine Creek Beach – Fairfield, Connecticut

The smallest beach in Fairfield is South Pine Creek Beach. This pet-friendly seashore has different amenities like bathrooms, a small parking space, changing rooms, and picnic spots. The lifeguard service is also available on this shoreline. Joggers and hikers like to swim here after going around the famous Carl Dickman Par 3 Golf Course.

Visiting the coast is free. A beach stickers are important for natives to park from Memorial Day to Labor Day. People can bring their pups to the shore if they are on a leash. Service dogs are exempted from the “on-leash” rules. Owners must clean off the waste of their pups and dispose of them properly before leaving the sand.

• Nearby Attractions: Fairfield Museum and History Center, Penfield Reef Lighthouse. 
• Address: 1424 S. Pine Creek Rd., Fairfield, Ct 06824

13. Peck Beach – West Haven, Connecticut

Peck Beach is a narrow sandy shoreline with a mile-long coastline. There are 2 staircases over the sandy dunes to access the coast. This white sand coast is perfect for enjoying the sun and different watersports. This is one of the many pet-friendly shores near West Haven. 

Amenities like Broadwalk, lifeguard service, handicapped access, fishing area, and supervised swimming areas are available in Peck Beach. Domesticated dogs must always be on a leash unless it’s a service animal.

Little Munchkins are allowed from October to March. Pets are allowed only in the boardwalk area. Residents can enter freely throughout the year. Beach stickers are important to park outside the seashore for locals. 

• Nearby Attractions: Savin Roc Park, Bradley Point Park. 
• Address: Peck Ave. West Haven, CT 06516, United States

Dog-Friendly Beaches Near You

Conclusion

The designated dog-friendly beaches in Connecticut cater to both dogs and their owners, ensuring a fun and safe experience for all. People can enjoy the sun, sand, and surf with their furry companions here. These pet-friendly coasts have something for everyone, like relaxing holidays by the water or fun in the sun with your pet.