Beaches on My Radar
A lot of people don’t realize that New England has dog-friendly beaches. I’m determined to find out which ones are worth the drive.
Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA – Dogs are allowed October through March. Off-season beach time sounds perfect to me. Fewer people, cooler sand, and I can run without worrying about accidentally stealing someone’s sandwich. Not that I would do that. Probably.
Horseneck Beach, Westport, MA – Another off-season option. I’ve heard the waves are bigger here. More dramatic photo opportunities of me looking majestic. Mom would love that.
Wallis Sands Beach, Rye, NH – Small but supposedly beautiful. Dogs allowed before 9 AM and after 6 PM during summer, anytime in the off-season. This one’s on my list for sure.
Pro tip I keep seeing: Always check specific beach rules before you go. Policies change seasonally, and nothing ruins a road trip like getting turned away at the entrance.
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Hiking Trails I Want to Explore
I’ve camped in the White Mountains, but there’s so much more to explore. New England hiking is legendary, and most trails welcome dogs.
White Mountain National Forest, NH – Over 1,200 miles of trails, and dogs are allowed on almost all of them. I’ve barely scratched the surface here. Some of these hikes are serious business though, so my humans will need to bring extra water and watch for signs that I’m getting tired.
Acadia National Park, ME – This one’s high on my bucket list. Over 100 miles of dog-friendly trails, including the famous carriage roads. I’ve heard the views are incredible. I’ve also heard there are a lot of squirrels. Both are important factors.
Blue Hills Reservation, MA – This one’s close to home, which makes it perfect for a day trip. The Skyline Trail supposedly has amazing views of Boston. No excuse not to check this one out.
Mount Tom State Reservation, MA – Moderate trails with views of the Connecticut River Valley. Good for dogs who want adventure but not extreme adventure. That’s me. I like adventure with reasonable effort levels.
Important note: I’ll always wear a leash on trails, even when I don’t want to. It’s not about me being a good boy (which I am). It’s about protecting wildlife and respecting other hikers. Plus there are porcupines out there and I don’t need that kind of drama.
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Water Activities to Try
I’m part Lab. Water is my thing. New England apparently has no shortage of swimming opportunities.
Kayaking – My mom already takes me kayaking and it’s one of my favorite things. I wear a life vest and sit in the front like the co-captain I am. I want to try more lakes and rivers. Lake Winnipesaukee in NH is on the list.
Swimming holes – Vermont and New Hampshire supposedly have amazing swimming holes. Warren Falls in VT keeps coming up in my research. Dogs are usually welcome as long as they’re well-behaved. Which I always am. Usually.
Lake beaches – Walden Pond allows dogs in the off-season. Yes, THAT Walden Pond. Thoreau would have liked me, I think. This one’s definitely happening.
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Breweries and Wineries (For the Humans)
This might surprise you, but a lot of New England breweries are dog-friendly. My humans got excited when I told them about this research.
Treehouse Brewing, Charlton, MA – Dogs allowed in the outdoor areas. Great beer apparently. I would get water and sniffs. Fair trade.
Smuttynose Brewing, Hampton, NH – Dog-friendly patio with a nice view. I’ve heard they sometimes have dog treats.
Trillium Brewing, Canton, MA – Outdoor seating where dogs are welcome. Adding this to the list.
Various wineries in Connecticut and Rhode Island – Many have outdoor tastings and welcome well-behaved dogs. My humans say they want to “research” these thoroughly.
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Seasonal Ideas
Fall foliage drives – New England fall is famous for a reason. The Kancamagus Highway in NH is supposed to be stunning, with lots of pull-offs for sniffing the autumn air. This is happening.
Winter adventures – Snow is my favorite thing. Many cross-country skiing trails allow dogs. Snowshoeing could be fun too. I would just follow along and stick my face in snowbanks.
Spring waterfall chasing – After the snow melts, the waterfalls are incredible. Bash Bish Falls on the MA/NY border is supposedly spectacular with dog-friendly trails.
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My Planning Notes
Call ahead. Policies change. What was dog-friendly last year might not be this year. A quick phone call saves disappointment.
Pack the essentials. Water, bowl, poop bags, leash, and snacks. Always snacks. This is non-negotiable.
Go early. Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, better parking. Early bird gets the best sniffs.
Know my limits. I want to do everything, but sometimes my body might disagree. My humans will need to watch for signs I’m tired and make the call to turn back. I’ll pretend to be annoyed but secretly appreciate it.
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The Bottom Line
New England has so much to offer dogs and their humans. Beaches, mountains, lakes, breweries – it’s all here. And I’ve barely explored any of it.
That changes now. I’ve got my list. I’ve done my research. Adventure is waiting.
Where should we start? 🐾
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