Eastham is filled with great activities for dogs. You can find dog-friendly eastham beaches, restaurants, hotels, and hiking trails.
Dog Friendly Beaches in Eastham
There are two categories of beaches in Eastham that allow dogs: Cape Cod National Seashore beaches and town-managed beaches.
Cape Cod National Seashore Beaches
Coast Guard Beach
Coast Guard is open to dogs all year long. It is a very beautiful beach that regularly ranks as one of the top 10 beaches in the U.S.
Coast Guard’s large parking lot has a shuttle bus to bring passengers to the beach. Note that pets aren’t allowed on the bus, so you and your furry friend will need to walk instead.
- Read our guide to coast guard beach
- See other dog-friendly beaches on cape cod
- view our dog-friendly guide to the beaches of the cape cod national seashore
Nauset Light Beach
Nauset light beach is also open to dogs all year long, pending closings for nesting shorebirds.
The parking lot at nauset light tends to fill up by mid-morning in the summer as there isn’t a lot of room, so plan to arrive early to get a good space.
The National seashore dog rules for Nauset Light beach are the same ones shared by coast guard beach.
- Read more about nauset light beach
- view our dog-friendly guide to the beaches of the cape cod national seashore
National seashore beach dog rules in Eastham
- Dogs must be on a leash up to 6 feet long
- No pets allowed on protected (lifeguarded) areas of beach during summer. Dog access allowed on each side of the protected areas.
- Dogs not allowed where there are nesting shore birds
- pets not allowed on shuttle bus, so plan on a hike from parking lot
Eastham Public Beaches (town-managed)
Most public beaches in Eastham are dog-friendly only in the offseason. To find an Eastham beach that allows dogs in the summertimes you’ll need to hit the National Seashore instead.
Here’s a list of all the public beaches in Eastham that allow dogs in the offseason only:
- Bayberry Lane Beach
- Campground Beach
- Cooks Brook Beach
- First Encounter Beach
- Great Pond Beach
- Herring Pond Beach
- Sunken Meadow Beach
- Thumpertown Beach
- Wiley Park Beach
Town of Eastham Beaches: Dog Rules
- Eastham town bylaws prohibit dogs on public beaches from June 15 through Labor day.
There is one dog-friendly beach in Eastham that does allow dogs during the summer, but only in the mornings and evenings:
Rock Harbor Beach
Rock Harbor offers one of the greatest sunsets on cape cod.
Rock Harbor beach at Dyer Prince Road is closed to dogs during the day in the summertime between June 15th – Labor Day. But pets are allowed in the morning before 9am and in the evening after 5pm during the summer, so you can get in a nice dog walk in the off-hours.
Dog rules for Rock Harbor Beach in Eastham:
- All Pets must be leashed
- Please clean up after your dog! The ecosystem at rock harbor is very fragile, please help preserve the beauty of this wonderful place!
- Cars in parking lot must have Town of Eastham beach sticker
Restaurants that allow dogs
Looking to find a place to eat that allows pets in Eastham or nearby towns?
Check out our updates lists:
Hotels that Allow dogs in Eastham
There are lots of places to stay with your dog in the Eastham area. Check our our updated guides:
Dog walks and pet-friendly hiking trails in Eastham
Cape Cod Rail Trail
The Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through 6 Cape Cod town. In Eastham you can park at the Salt Pond Visitors Center of the Cape Cod National Seashore. The lot is located 1/2 mile from the Locust Road intersection with the rail trail.
Cottontail Acres
Cottontail Acres is conservation land in Eastham with hiking trails through wildflower meadows situated alongside Herring and Jemina Ponds.
Nickerson Conservation Area
Sandy Meadow Open Space Land
Upper Boat Meadow Conservation Land and Shouth Eastham Conservation Area (SECA)
Wiley Park: Lady Slipper Trail
The Lady Slipper Trail can be found in the Wiley Park Conservation Area. Lady slipper trail provides a walking path through the woods near Great Pond and Bridge Pond.
There is also a beach at Wiley Park with parking and restroom facilities. Be aware dogs are not allowed on town beaches from June 15-Labor Day.
Did we miss any dog-friendly activities in Eastham, MA on Cape Cod? Let us know.
