Top 12 Dog-friendly Beaches in Delaware
More than 12 gorgeous beaches are found in Delaware, USA, and several welcome pets. These South Carolina beaches allow dogs and provide a variety of fun activities, including rafting, surfing, fishing, camping, etc.
Pet owners need to be aware of pet laws to prevent pointless headaches. Many dog-friendly beaches only let dogs during certain hours, and they must always be on a leash. Some beaches have modern amenities like toilets, travel necessities, lifeguards, and safety gear to make the vacation more fun and secure.
Discover dog-friendly beaches in Delaware, such as Cape Henlopen State Park, Bowers Beach, etc. where dogs are allowed and welcome. Enjoy additional dog-friendly spots for a fun day out with your pets.
12 Best Dog-friendly Beaches in Delaware
1. Rehoboth Beach Delaware
Rehoboth Beach is a popular tourist destination on the Atlantic Ocean in Sussex County, Delaware. The beach is famous among tourists for its top-rated hotels, award-winning boardwalks, beautiful homes, and tax-free shopping area. It has 30 miles of pristine coastline and a wide parking area.
Tourists enjoy kayaking, ferry riding, skimboarding, paddle boarding, and surfing. The beach authority hosts many unique programs year-round, like Scarecrow Trail & Show, the Sea Witch Festival, 5k races, and Jazz festivals.
- Timings: The beach is open from 6 am to 10 pm.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee is required. The parking fee usually remains $3/ hour; however, it may change over time.
- Nearby Visiting Places: Funland amusement park, Jungle Jim’s Seasonal water park
- Rehoboth Beach Rentals: Rehoboth Beach Vacation Rentals, Seachange Vacation Rentals, etc.
- Address: Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971-2143
2. Bethany Beach
Bethany is a beach town in Sussex, Delaware, with a population of around 1000. The expansive, never-ending length of sand beaches and boardwalks is well-known among tourists. Bethany Beach trip is a perfect weekend vacation, a 5-hour journey from New York.
This seaside community provides easy access to beach concerts and movies. Professional guards secure the beach.
- Timings: The beach remains open from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Entry Fee: The beach is free to visit. Free parking is available for 15 minutes only from May 15 to September 15. For the rest of the month, parking is free.
- Nearby Visiting Places: Captain Jack’s Pirate Golf, Garfield Parkway, DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum
- Bethany Beach Rentals: Long & Foster Vacation Rentals, Crowley Associations, etc.
- Address: Bethany Beach, Delaware, United States
3. Dewey Beach
Dewey Beach is one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Southern Delaware. With a scenic view of the Atlantic Ocean, it’s a famous tourist spot for locals and international visitors. The authority requires a pet license to allow dogs.
Tourists delight in movie nights near the beach, which has modern restaurants, amusements, specialty stores, nightclubs, a tax-free shopping complex, etc.
- Timings: The beach is usually accessible from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Entry Fee: Parking is free from September 16 to May 14. Pay to park in Dewey Beach from May 15 through September 15. However, every Monday through Wednesday from 5 pm to 11 pm, all metered and permitted spaces provide free parking during the summer!
- Nearby Visiting Places: The Starboard, Woody’s Dewey Beach shop, Starboard,
- Dewey Beach Rentals: Seachange Vacation Rentals, Canalside Inn, and Hyatt Place
- Address: Dewey Beach, Delaware 19971, USA
4. Lewes Beach
Lewes Beach offers an excellent spot for swimming, fishing, water sports, and boating in Delaware. Miles of gorgeous beaches, nature paths, and bird sanctuaries are found in this area. There are places on the beach where beach chairs and umbrellas are hired. The beach also keeps hosting interesting events like Lewes Lights.
Many fine restaurants are available on the beach, such as Green Turtle, 1776 Restaurant, Agave Restaurant & Bar, and Arenas Daily.
- Timings: Lewes Beach remains open from 6 am to midnight.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee is required. Parking charges may vary from $2 to $3 per hour.
- Nearby Visiting Places: Cape Henlopen State Park, Zwaanendael Museum, The Lewes Historical Society Main Campus
- Lewes Beach Rentals: Red Mill Inn, Sleep Inn & Suits, The Hampton Inn, the Inn at Canal Square, etc.
- Address: 206 Bay Ave, Lewes, Delaware 19958, US
5. Fenwick Island
Fenwick Island is famous for its dog-friendly beaches. The resort town is in Delaware, USA, and has around 400 residents. Fenwick Island is excellent for kayaking, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, and sunbathing.
The beach is lovely and uncrowded for most of the months. A fire control tower from World War II that assisted in defending the shoreline is located in the park.
- Timings: The beach remains open from 8 am to 7 pm.
- Entry Fee: For Delaware citizens, the entry fee is $6, while for outsiders, it is $4.
- Nearby Visiting Places: Golf Down Under, Fenwick Island Lighthouse, Papa Grande’s Coastal Taquería
- Fenwick Island Rentals: Pointe Vacation Rentals, John F Kleinstuber & Associates Inc, Indian Home, etc.
- Address: Fenwick Island, DE 19944, USA
6. Woodland Beach
Woodland Beach is a dog-friendly beach in Kent County, Delaware. This beach rarely becomes overcrowded. Beautiful sea glasses are found in abundance at the beach. This Delaware dog-friendly beach allows a 24-hour fishing pier and a boat ramp access.
There are ample of crabs, but check the crab-catching rules and regulations beforehand. Dogs are allowed on the beach, but owners must abide by the beach regulations.
- Timings: Dogs are allowed from Early morning to evening in the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area.
- Entry Fee: Varies on the season.
- Nearby Visiting Places: Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC), Pickering Beach, Pickering Beach, Constitution Park,
- Woodland Beach Rentals: Woodland Beach Resort Lakeside Smoke, Eastern Shore Get Away, Bowers Beach Townhome
- Address: 100 Beach Ave, Smyrna, DE 19977, United States
7. Fowler Beach
Fowler Beach is an excellent dog-friendly beach near Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. It is roughly 0.8 miles long. A trash barrel is on the beach, but permanent toilets and drinking water sources are not there.
Blue water and grey sand are available; no special footwear is required. Few wildlife animals are seen on the beach, which remains less crowded. Pet owners find it easy to take their pups here for a walk and other activities.
- Timings: The beach remains open all day, and lifeguards are unavailable.
- Entry Fee: The entry fee is free.
- Nearby Visiting Places: Cape Henlopen State Park, Nassau Valley Vineyards-Winery, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
- Fowler Beach Rentals: Hampton Inn Rehoboth Beach, Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, etc.
- Address: Fowler Beach, Delaware 19963, United States
8. Broadkill Beach
Broadkill Beach is located in Sussex County, Delaware, USA. The beach has direct waterfront access, and numerous activities like kayaking, surf fishing, paddle boarding, and swimming are enjoyed here. Paddleboards and kayak rentals are arranged at the shop. Summer is the best time to visit Broadkill Beach as it gives the best scenic view.
The beach is rich with species, like horseshoe crabs. Broadkill Beach, Delaware, became the first Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary in 2000.
- Timings: Early morning to evening.
- Entry Fee: The beach is free to enter. However, parking fees are required in some areas.
- Nearby Visiting Places: Georgetown Speedway, Rookery Golf Course, Milton Memorial Park
- Broadkill Beach Rentals: Hotel Blue, Mansion Farm Inn, Inn at Canal Square, Hotel Rodney, etc.
- Address: Broadkill Beach, Sussex County, DE 19968, USA
9. Bowers Beach
Bowers Beach is located in the Kate County of Delaware, USA. The beach is a perfect place for those who love water sports. Some Popular beach attractions are the Maritime Museum, Delaware Bayshore Byway, Little Creek Wildlife Area, etc. Tourists can enjoy beach activities like kayaking, shore fishing, cycling, bird watching, paddle boarding, and charter fishing here.
Dogs are allowed on the beach but only in selected months. A good number of fine restaurants near the beach offer delectable local cuisines.
- Timings: Early morning to evening.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee is required.
- Nearby Visiting Places: DE Turf Sports Complex, Captain’s Lady Charters, Bowers Beach Maritime Museum, etc.
- Bowers Beach Rentals: Dovers Down Hotel & Casino, Home2Suites, Residence Inn Dover
- Address: Bowers, DE, United States
10. Prime Hook Beach
Prime Hook Beach is a place of National Wildlife Refuge. The area is full of wildlife and foxes, shorebirds, and ospreys. It is a dog-friendly beach that is free from crowds. Pet owners find it easy to take their pups here. Visitors can do Fishing, Wildlife watching, Photography, and Ranger-led programs here.
The national refugee is also close to the beach and is completely free to visit.
- Timings: Early morning to evening.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee is required.
- Nearby Visiting Places: Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Lewes Beach, Cape Henlopen State Park, etc.
- Prime Hook Beach Rentals: Buoy House, The Lookout, Water Front, Bayside Retreat, etc.
- Address: Prime Hook Beach, Delaware, USA
11. Cape Henlopen State Park Beach
Cape Henlopen State Park Beach is famous among dog owners. For a few selected months, lifeguards are available on the beach.
Basic amenities like restrooms, food outlets, wheelchairs, and showers are available. Mats and umbrellas can be rented on the beach. However, some areas of the beach need better network connectivity.
- Timings: It is open from 9 am to 4 pm from Wednesday to Monday.
- Entry Fee: $5 is required for residents of DE and $10 for outsiders.
- Nearby Visiting Places: Nature Center, Touch Tank, Fort Miles Historic Area, etc.
- Cape Henlopen State Park Beach Rentals: Hyatt Place Dewey Beach 3-star hotel, Summer Place Hotel 2-star hotel, etc.
- Address: Pretty Man Ln, Lewes, DE 19958, United States
12. Slaughter Beach
Slaughter Beach is in Sussex County, Delaware. Due to its stunning, peaceful natural location and scenic beauty, it’s called the “Jewel of the Delaware Bay.” The beach is home to Mispillion Lighthouse and Milford Neck Wildlife Area. It is also known as a horseshoe crab sanctuary for its vast numbers.
The beach authority regularly hosts creative and unique events. A good number of dining and lodging options are available near the beach. Top-rated restaurants near the beach are The Backyard, My Sister’s Fault, Irish Eyes, etc. Dogs are allowed on the beach but only in some selected months.
- Timings: Early morning to evening
- Entry Fee: As of now, no entry fee or parking fee is required.
- Nearby Visiting Places: DuPont Nature Center, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
- Slaughter Beach Rentals: Rodeway Inn & Suites is a 2-star hotel, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Milford is a 2-star hotel, etc.
- Address: Slaughter Beach, Delaware 19963, USA
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Conclusion
Some of these Delaware dog beaches may require a minimal fee, but most are free to tourists. Dog owners must carry dog food and disposal packets along with other necessities. All pet owners must comply with pet restrictions on the beaches. Before making any plans, tourists must check the weather forecast. The same policies apply to international travelers.
