Looking for the best places to walk your dog on cape cod? Check out these great dog-friendly cape cod hiking trails. there are many miles of trails and paths that travel through unspoiled cape cod forests, beaches, and state parks.
Please remember all dogs should remain leashed unless otherwise noted, and clean up after your dog – don’t give the rest of us dogs a bad name! Working together we can keep these great trails open to dogs while preserving the beauty of Cape Cod’s hiking trials.
Also remember to check yourself and your dogs for ticks when you’re done – they’re everywhere on these trails! Learn more about ticks on Cape Cod.
Barnstable
Barnstable has a list of trail guides for all of their dog-friendly hiking trails. Or click on the ones listed below to see them.
Bridge Creek
Crocker Neck
Hathaway Pond trail
Long pond trail
Old Jail Lane Conservation Area
Otis Atwood
Sandy Neck
Santuit trail reserve
West Barnstable conservation area
view map | note that there’s a shooting range in part of this conservation area. nearby trails are closed for hiking for some reason.
Wheelan conservation area
Brewster
Cape Cod Rail Trail
The cape cod rail trail allows dogs all summer long, and is a great place to walk on a smooth surface with easily accessible parking. There’s lots of variety depending on the town and the section of trail you’re walking.
be aware of keeping a short leash when bikers come zooming past. It can get busy during the summer season.
Eagle Point
Nickerson State Park
There are some great long dog walks within nickerson state park, including paths around Big Cliff Pond, Little Cliff Pond, Flax Pond, and the remote Higgins Pond. Lots of wooded trails for exploring as well.
Great fishing, camping, boating, kayaking, picnicking, and bicycling too! Great for families, although ponds can get busy on hot summer days.
There is a daily fee for entry into the park. dogs not allowed on large beaches. learn more in our guide to Nickerson State Park.
John Wing Trail
Seasonal access for leashed dogs in a really nice setting. View details on John Wing Trail. This trail is located next to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. Please note dogs not allowed on museum property year round.
Chatham
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
view pamphlet and map from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
monomoy island is 2750 acre wildlife refuge off the coast of Chatham that makes a very rewarding day trip by boat. it is perhaps one of the best ways to experience the natural environment of the cape shoreline.
The pristine shorelines are muddied somewhat by the overpopulation of seals. Swimming should be done cautiously as the waters around monomoy are prized hunting grounds for great whites. Learn how to avoid getting bitten by sharks.
Monomoy Island has evolved from a series of smaller sand-spit barrier island in the late 1800’s to become connected to the mainland in the last century. The island split in two during the 1978 blizzard, and continue to evolve today.
Noth Monomoy is about 2.5 miles long, and South Monomoy is 6 miles. There is a great diversity of species, so it is essential that your dog stays under your control and doesn’t disturb nesting birds or other wildlife. Clean up all pet waste, and leave no trace.
Morris Island Trail
view pamphlet and map from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Morris Island is a much easier way to experience the natural wonder of the Monomoy Wildlife refuge.
Connected to the mainland, this 50 acre area offers a 3/4 mile walk highlighting the different habitats of the cape cod shoreline:
- beach
- sand dunes
- forest
- salt marsh
- tidal flats
Old Colony Rail Trail
Dogs are allow on the old colony rail trail, but keep a close eye and a short leash to avoid getting tangled up with bikers in the busy summer season.
Dennis
Cape Cod Rail Trail
view cape cod rail trail rules
This cape cod trail is a former railroad track beginning Dennis that stretches throughout several towns on the cape. The paved bicycle trail has dirt sides, and is great place to walk your dog for people with difficulty walking more primitive wooded hiking trails.
The cape cod rail trail gets very busy in the summertime, so be wary of bicyclists and keep a short leash on your dog when things are busy to avoid accidental collisions.
Chapin Beach Conservation Area
Chapin beach doesn’t allow dogs during the summer season, but pet owners may follow the 4-wheel drive oversand vehicle tracks to the left of the public beach and walk the conservation area of the beach and sand flats year round.
Dogs must be on leash at all times. Beach parking sticker required during summer beach hours.
Crowe’s Pasture Conservation Area and Beach
Crowe’s Pasture’s trails showcase wildlife in a series of nature-rich cape cod habitats. dogs must remain leashed at all times.
Dirt roads allow access, but the trails are rough. As you walk the dirt trails, make sure to watch for approaching vehicles. Easier parking can be had near the cemetary.
Indian Lands Conservation Area
Indian lands conservation area has a dirt road and wooded path. There is access to Bass River with scenic views of the river and marsh.
Note: there is private land to the left of the power lines, please stay on the marked paths.
Eastham
Cape Cod Rail Trail
Cottontail Acres
Cottontail Acres is conservation land in Eastham with hiking trails through wildflower meadows situated alongside Herring and Jemina Ponds.
view map of cottontail acres trail
Nickerson Conservation Area
25 acres of conservation area with trails by several ponds. Nickerson conservation area in Eastham is located on Herringbrook Road, with parking at the Cole Road Herring run.
view map of nickerson conservation area trail
Sandy Meadow Open Space Land
view map of Sandy Meadow Open Space Land trail
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.
View map of lady slipper hiking trail at wiley park and surrounding trails
Falmouth
Beebe Woods Trails
Beebe woods is a 383 acre property with lots of great hiking trails.
The Knob
The Knob in Woods hole is a beautiful conservation area with great harbor views. Dogs must be leashed at all times. Limited parking.
Due to the popularity of the knob with visitors, this area has a very fragile ecosystem. Please help preserve this area by staying on trails, and please pick up all dog waste. View website for the knob
Long Pond conservation area
Harwich
Cape Cod Rail Trail
Hawks Nest State Park
Dogs are allowed at hawk’s nest, there’s some nice wooded areas and a small kettle pond that await you after a somewhat bumpy trail ride in.
Be nice to hawks nest. The natural beauty of this place is suffering due to visitors. Take an extra piece of trash with you when you leave. wear sandals, going barefoot not recommeded. there’s broken glass in the parking area as well as the trails to the water and, occasionally, in the sand near the water. 🙁
There’s two tiny sections of water access with limited beach area. there’s usually lots of kids and people in the summertime, and only a few feet of shoreline to sit on depending on water level. let your dog have fun splashing around. but be considerate, not everyone loves a big wet dog jumping on them.
please dilligently clean up all dog waste, even in the parking area and trails located away from beach. The rain runoff pushes bacteria back towards the water. gross. erosion of the parking area is an ongoing issue.
Herring Rive trail/ Bells Neck Road Conservation Area
Old Colony Rail Trail
Thompson’s Field Conservation Area
Dogs are no longer allowed off-leash at Thompson’s Field, but it’s still a great place to walk your dog in Harwich. Watch out for ticks!
Mashpee
Lowell Holly Reservation
Mashpee River Woodlands
South Mashpee Pine Barrens Conservation Area
Orleans
Cape Cod Rail Trail
Kent’s Point Conservation Area
Paw Wah Pond Conservation Area
Provincetown
Long Point Trail
Long point trail is one of the best nature walks in america. You’ll pass by two historic lighthouses on your way to the far tip of cape cod.
Beginning off commercial street in provincetown, long point trail passes over a dike that becomes submerged at high tide. Be sure to time your journey, plan to pass at low tide. bring lots of water in hot weather, and extra poop bags.
learn more about long point trail
Sandwich
Scorton Creek Marsh – Murkwood Conservation Area
Truro
BearBerry Hill and Bog House
Kettle Pond Trail | Cape Cod National Seashore
dogs not allowed in pond
North Pamet and Truro Hills
Wellfleet
Cape Cod Rail Trail
Kettle Pond Trail | Cape Cod National Seashore
Dogs not allowed in pond. View map
Yarmouth
Historical Society of Old Yarmouth trail
more info | view map | view map showing old golf course holes
Know of any great dog walks or dog-friendly hiking trails on cape cod that we can add to this list?
We’re always looking to find new places to walk dogs on the cape – please let us know.
