Dog-friendly beaches in Orleans, MA

find the best beaches that allow dogs in Orleans, Mass.

There are some awesome beaches in Orleans!

Nauset Beach has rugged surf, cold water, and miles of endless dunes. Skaket Beach is located on Cape Cod Bay and has warmer water and gentle tidal flats.

  • Learn dog rules for Orleans beaches 
  • Find out where to get a beach sticker
  • Find nearby beaches open to dogs in the summer

See below for a full list of public beaches in Orleans, MA, and to learn about other fun activities for pets nearby.

Puppy on dog-friendly beach in Orleans, Mass.
Nugget the puggle at Nauset Beach, one of the dog-friendly beaches in Orleans, Massachusetts.
Sunset on the beach grass at nauset beach in orleans, mass. on cape cod.

Dog rules for Beaches in Orleans, Mass.

Orleans public beaches

  • The dog rules for beaches in Orleans prohibit pets from April 1 – Labor Day.

  • Dogs are allowed in the offseason only, from the day after Labor day through March 31st.

Nauset Beach’s ORV trails

  • Dogs are allowed all summer long after exit 1, unless prohibited for nesting piping plovers
  • Dogs must be on leash of not more than 30 ft. at all times from April 1st through Labor Day

Rock Harbor

  • Dogs are only allowed only after Columbus Day through the Thursday before Memorial Day each year

How to get a beach sticker in Orleans, Mass.

Beach parking stickers (seasonal or weekly) or daily parking passes are required to park during the summer at Nauset Beach and Skaket Beach.

  • how to get Orleans Beach stickers: click here
  • More information on beach rules, oversand driving, & more: click here
Dog on nauset beach's oversand driving trails in Orleans and Chatham.
Sunset at Skaket Beach, overlooking Cape Cod Bay

Orleans beaches that allow dogs

Orleans is known for some of the best beaches in Massachusetts.

Nauset Beach

250 Beach Road in Orleans MA

Nauset Beach is a must-visit spot known for its rugged surf and many miles of beaches and sand dunes. Lots of seals and sharks. Amazing sunrises.

Rock Harbor

Rock Harbor Road in Orleans MA

Rock Harbor Beach is a really small beach area next to a Jetty. At low tide the beach expands, and you can walk very far out to explore tidal pools and sandy shores. Great sunsets.

Skaket Beach

192 Skaket Beach Road in Orleans, MA

Skaket Beach has some killer sunsets and at low tide the tidal flats expose soft white-sand beaches perfect for families.

Learn more about beaches in Orleans, Massachusetts

Nauset Beach: A visitor’s guide

Learn everything you need to know to enjoy a fun-filled day at Nauset Beach.

Nauset beach offers pounding Atlantic surf on a rugged coastline framed by grass-covered dunes. Surfing, fishing, and many miles of sandy shorelines perfect for long beach walks.

Monty the Boston Terrier seems to prefer a sunny Orleans beach over a dog-friendly hotel.

Skaket Beach: A visitor’s guide

plan a trip to skaket beach on Cape Cod bay.

Known for warm, gentle waters and large sand flats that appear at low tide. Perfect for families with small children. Amazing sunsets.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any off-leash dog beaches in Orleans, MA?

Dogs are allowed off leash at Nauset Beach oversand driving trails in the offseason only, from the day after Labor Day through March 31st. They must be on leashes no longer than 30 feet starting April 1st.

Are dogs allowed on Orleans beaches in the summertime?

Public beaches in orleans, ma don’t allow dogs during the summer, but they are allowed on the oversand drivings trails at Nauset starting at exit 1.

How do I get an oversand driving permit for Nauset Beach?

Learn everything you need to know about Nauset Beach’s ORV trails, including equipment needed and how to get a sticker: guide to oversand driving trails on cape cod

What is the nearest beach where dogs are allowed in the summertime?

Some beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore allow dogs all summer long. For a full list of pet-friendly beaches in the summer, check out our guide to dog-friendly beaches on cape cod.

Do Orleans beaches sell daily parking passes?

You can buy daily passes at Nauset Beach and Skaket Beach.

Parking at town landings in Orleans

The following parking areas are for residents only from June 15th – September 15th:

  • Cove Road Landing
  • Doane Road Landing and 26 Doane Road
  • 141 Portanimicut Road
  • Mill Pond Landing
  • Priscilla Landing
  • River Road Landing
  • Snow Shore Landing
  • Tonset Landing
  • 17 Wildflower Lane
nugget about to pounce on a bad cuz at the beach in Harwich Port, MA

Looking for beaches that allow dogs in the summer?

Find dog-friendly beaches on cape cod

Check out our full guide to all of Cape Cod’s beaches to find towns and beaches where dogs are allowed during the summer, including an off-leash dog beach.

Dog at the Beach in Brewster, MA
Nugget standing under a windmill in Orleans, MA

Other pet-friendly activities in Orleans, Mass.

Orleans has lots of cool things to do with your dog after the beach: restaurants, dog walks and hiking trails, and so much more!

Restaurants in Orleans that allow dogs

Orleans has a bunch of pet-friendly dining options, perfect for when you get hungry after a long day throwing tennis balls at the beach.

Nugget drools while smelling burgers at The Knack in Orleans which allows dogs in their outdoor dining area.
Nugget kayaking at Muddy Creek at Jackknife Beach in Pleasant Bay in Harwich.

Kayaking in Orleans and on Cape Cod

There are a bunch of fun places to kayak in Orleans and nearby towns. They’re a fun way to explore the waterways of cape cod with your pet.

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More fun things to do with your dog

Dog friendly restaurants on cape cod where you can find pet friendly dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Pick a town to find fun dog-friendly activities:

Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, and Yarmouth

find cool spots to take your dog for a walk including hiking trails and rail trails, scenic day trips, and remote paths that are perfect to explore with pets.
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find fun dog parks on cape cod where your pup can let off some steam and meet some new friends.
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explore campgrounds that allow dogs on cape cod
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Visit the cape cod national seashore

The cape cod national seashore beaches are regularly voted among the best beaches in the U.S.  Some national seashore beaches are open to dogs all summer long, but make sure you check out the NPS site to check for beach closures due to nesting shorebirds before you plan to visit. 

The cape cod national seashore beaches are regularly voted among the best beaches in the U.S.  Most national seashore beaches are open to dogs all summer long, but make sure you check out the NPS site to check for beach closures due to nesting shorebirds before you plan to visit. 

Cape cod national seashore dog rules apply for all of the seashore beaches: Stay Leashed, Clean up waste, and stay off of closed areas.

dog-friendly guide to the cape cod national seashore beaches

The Cape Cod National Seashore are the most dog-friendly beaches on Cape Cod. The National Seashore’s dog rules allow pets throughout the summer, although access frequently gets restricted due to nesting shorebirds. The National Seashore’s sprawling sand dunes frame endless stretches of white sand under the crashing power of the Atlantic ocean. The beaches are perfect for long dog walks,

Read More »
Cape cod national seashore dog rules apply for all of the seashore beaches: Stay Leashed, Clean up waste, and stay off of closed areas.

dog-friendly guide to the cape cod national seashore beaches

The Cape Cod National Seashore are the most dog-friendly beaches on Cape Cod. The National Seashore’s dog rules allow pets throughout the summer, although access frequently gets restricted due to nesting shorebirds. The National Seashore’s sprawling sand dunes frame endless stretches of white sand under the crashing power of the Atlantic ocean. The beaches are perfect for long dog walks, sunbathing, surfing, fishing for striped bass, and endless rounds of fetching a tennis ball from the surf. In this article we’ll discuss the cape cod national seashore dog rules and show you the best places to go to plan your vacation.

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