10 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Georgia 2024

The dog-friendly beaches in Georgia offer lovely holiday destinations for humans and their pups. This state’s charming coastal towns and beautiful coasts have the perfect setting for a memorable day out with lots of sun, sand, and surf. 

Several pet-friendly shores in Georgia cater to pups and their owners, like Little Tybee Island’s golden shores, Jekyll Island’s serene coastline, etc. These places welcome them with a warm atmosphere to frolic in the waves, dig in or sniff around the sand, and run freely on the shore. Some of the best beaches are highlighted here, where you can enjoy a fun-filled day with canine friends. 

1. Driftwood Beach – Jekyll Island, Georgia

Driftwood Beach is the most beautiful coast on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The seashore is located at the top edge of Jekyll Island. The knotted and creased trees on the sand create a spectacular ambience out of this world. This is perfect for ocean photography. Pet dogs are allowed throughout the year. The weathered branches are the best spots to play with little kids and pets. The place is perfect for stargazing at night.

Driftwood Beach was once a thriving maritime forest. Years of decay have turned it into a sandy beach with weathered tree branches. The best time to visit the place is during the low tides, as it’s inaccessible during high tides. You can go fishing in the nearby pier and camp here. Parking is free, but visitors must pay $8 to enter the beach. 

• Nearby Attractions: Horton House, Georgia Sea Turtle Center. 
• Address: Jekyll Island, GA 31527, United States

2. Tidwell Park Beach – Lake Lanier, Georgia

Tidwell Park Beach is one of the many parks around Lake Lanier. It’s situated on the eastern side of the town of Cumming. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers controls and maintains all these recreational park beaches. The 700-mile park is perfect for enjoying time close to nature. 

The most popular activities here are hiking, picnics, swimming, etc. Fishing from a boat is a popular activity around the park. Tidwell Park Beach is a daytime park like others around Lake Lanier. Alcoholic Beverages are prohibited in the park. Visitors can face eviction if they possess such items.

Pet dogs are allowed in this park. Entry and parking are free. However, tourists must pay $5 to access the boat ramp here. The place is becoming a regular holiday spot among locals. 

• Nearby Attractions: Little Ridge Park, Buford Dam Park
• Address: Pilgrim Mill Rd, Cumming, GA 30041, United States

3. Sapelo Island Beach – Georgia

Sapelo Island Beach is a unique place to visit in Georgia. The history of this coast dates back to the prehistoric Native American Settlements. The name is derived from the Indian word for Zapelo, used by Spanish missionaries who settled here. Sapelo is a state-maintained barrier Island and the fourth largest between St. Mary’s River and Savannah. 

Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources maintains the Island, ferry services, and other utilities here. The famous R. J. Reynolds Mansion offers overnight stay facilities to tourists. The local community is the direct descendants of the slaves of Sapelo Plantation. 

The undeveloped white sand beaches with weathered branches are barricaded with maritime forests. The place is perfect for enjoying the cool breezes, walking on the sand, collecting sand dollars, and playing fetch with your pets. 

• Nearby Attractions: Sapelo Lighthouse, Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Address: 1766 Landing Road Southeast, Darien, GA 31305

4. St. Andrews Beach, Jekyll Island – Georgia

St. Andrews Beach is the most popular dog-friendly coastal area on Jekyll Island. The seashore is just a couple of minutes away from Jekyll Point. The white sand coast is famous for migratory bird sightings and the majestic dolphins. 

There is a 2-story watch tower in the beach park. It’s perfect to enjoy the flocks of migratory birds and other animals on the sand. The nearby habitats, such as the salt marshes and live oak forests, are also visible from here. The water is filled with various fishes, baby sharks, and dolphins, making it perfect for fishing.

The Wondered Memory Trail is an educational and historic journey for every tourist. It tells the journey of the 160-year-old African Slave Ship to America. 

• Nearby Attractions: Jekyll Island State Park, South Dunes Picnic Area, 
• Address:529 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522

5. Morningside Nature Preserve Dog Beach – Georgia 

The Morningside Nature Preserve is known as Atlanta’s “Dog Beach.” The South Fork Peachtree Creek bisects this 33.1 acres of preserved forest. There’s a 2-mile hiking trail in the preserve.

The 2 trailheads of this hiking trail are Welbourne Road and the Georgia Power Substation on Lenox Road. A suspension bridge over the creek secures the trail.  The shallow, cool water under the bridge and the sandy beach beside it are the most popular dog-friendly spots in the forest. 

This nature preserve is located in the northeastern region of Atlanta. The Wildwood Urban Forest Committee started this project to save the forest area from deforestation, negative vegetation, water resource preservation, etc. Now it’s used for picnics, hiking, running, biking, and pet-friendly activities besides educational tours. 

• Nearby Attractions: Sunken Garden Park, Piedmont Park.
• Address: 2020 Lenox Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, USA

6. Little Tybee Island Beach – Georgia

Little Tybee Island is a barrier Island on the south coast of Tybee Island. This uninhabited island is owned and maintained by the State of Georgia. It’s created by salt swamps scattered on wooden platforms with a frontal coast towards the Atlantic Ocean. Camping is allowed as hotels and resorts are unavailable here. Every type of outdoor activity is allowed on the shore. 

This is one of the famous dog-friendly beaches in Georgia. Owners must clean off all the trash to preserve the beauty of this coast. The island is the nesting ground for many migratory birds throughout the year. Kayaks, boats, and chartered services are the best ways to reach there.

Tourists can also rent boats or kayaks from Tybee Island. Little Tybee Island is almost twice the size of Tybee Island. The most popular activities here include fishing, bird watching, star gazing, picnics, hiking, etc.  

• Nearby Attractions: Tybee Island Light Station & Museum, Cockspur Island Lighthouse.
• Address: Tybee Island, GA 31328.

7. Herbert Taylor Park Beach – Georgia 

Herbert Taylor Park Beach is a hidden gem near Atlanta. This dog-friendly park beach is a secluded reserve forest, perfect for hiking, morning walks, and for your pups to splash. There are many free street parking available near the park. A creek bisects this 26 acres of green forest. The sandy beach and clear creek water are best for dogs to play around. 

The amenities are limited, so bring food, toys, and towels. Herbert Taylor Park is situated on Johnson Road. A nature hiking trail through the park follows the South Fork Peachtree Creek. Tourists generally go hiking through the trail to observe the wildlife and then settle beside the creek for picnics. The park is cleaned regularly and well-maintained for kids and pets to play around. 

• Nearby Attractions: Michael C. Carlos Museum, Atlanta Botanical Garden. 
• Address: 1795 Johnson Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States

8. Whitewater Creek Trail Beach – Georgia

Among the most popular hiking trails in Georgia, Whitewater Creek Trail is one of the most beautiful ones. This dog-friendly beach is in the East Palisades of the famous Chattahoochee River Recreational Area. The hiking trail is named after this river’s class 1 and 2 whitewater rapids.

Pups can splash around the flat beach near the slow water parts of the trail. Tourists can choose from either of the 2 hiking trails in the area. The nearest one goes through the southern part of the park to the Whitewater Creek Road Northwest. The next one is on Indian Trail Northwest. Paid parking is available near both trailheads for a $ 5-day pass.

After a short hike to the flat region on the river, pups can enjoy the cool water from the beach. The place is made of large rocks and sand. The river’s eastern bank is less crowded and perfect for pet owners to enjoy with their pups. Visitors can enjoy the historic ruins and green bamboo forests beside the hiking trails.

• Nearby Attractions: Marsh Creek Rain Garden Park, Chastain Memorial Park.
• Address: 40568 Whitewater Creek Rd NW Atlanta, GA- 30327

9. Burkes Beach – Georgia

Burkes Beach is one of the most popular dog-friendly beaches in Georgia. This pristine white sand coast is comparatively less crowded than others. Pups are allowed on the sand throughout the year. 

Other amenities like outdoor showers, changing rooms, food stalls, tennis courts, dog parks, etc. are available on the shore. Pups can roam freely inside the fenced dog park at times. Parking is limited and paid. Visitors need to pay $1 per hour to park here. People enjoy hiking, beach volleyball, and other activities.

The famous Hilton Head Resort is close to Burkes Beach. The Chaplin Community Park is situated right next to the shore. Beachgoers can easily rent umbrellas and beach chairs to settle down on the sand and enjoy picnics and sunbathing. 

• Nearby Attractions: Shelter Cove Community Park, Folly Field Beach Park.
• Address: 60 Burkes Beach Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

10. Dungeness Beach – Georgia

Dungeness Beach is one of the most popular dog-friendly beaches in Georgia. It’s situated at the border of Georgia and Florida, in the southeastern region of Cumberland Island.

The East River borders the shoreline to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The ruins of the Dungeness Mansion, owned by Lucy and Thomas Dungeness, are the most popular attractions here. Tourists can get help from local guides or take a self-guided tour of the place. 

This seashore has amenities like changing rooms, showers, food concessions, etc. Pet owners must carry enough carry bags to clean off after their munchkins. Visitors can take part in different activities like hiking, picnics, etc. After splashing around in the water, beachgoers like visiting the boardwalks to enjoy ocean views through the binocular stands. 

• Nearby Attractions: St. Mary’s History Walk, Ice House Museum.
• Address: Cumberland Island, St Marys, GA 31558, USA

Dog-Friendly Beaches Near You

Conclusion

The dog-friendly beaches in Georgia have the perfect setting to spend quality time with domesticated animals. Check local regulations and guidelines before heading out to ensure a safe and enjoyable day at the shore with your four-legged companion. Georgia has every type of shore suitable for every need, like a quiet spot for a stroll or an energetic beach for some fetch and frisbee fun. So pack up some treats, toys, and sunscreen, and get ready to create lasting memories with pups along Georgia’s scenic coastline.