Top Dog Beaches near Washington DC

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Top Dog Beaches near Washington DC

Introduction

Washington, DC, draws in hoards of tourists every year for it's national monuments, memorials, and museums. If you're planning a trip to the nation's capitol with your canine companion during the summer, you'll likely be looking for somewhere nearby you can both beat the heat! After a day of exploring the city's eclectic neighborhoods, your pupper can escape the pavement and cool their paws at a beach. Washington is situated along the Potomac River, with Chesapeake Bay just to the east. These nearby sources of water offer refreshing places to enjoy nature, take a swim, and spend some quality time with your best pal. Here are the top dog-friendly beaches near Washington, DC.

#4 Brownie's Beach in Bayfront Park

Bayfront Park, lovingly nicknamed Brownie's Beach, can be found in the town of Chesapeake Beach, under an hour's drive northeast of Washington. This beach welcomes doggo's to join in on the fun with their humans as long as they stay leashed and picked up after. During the summer months, there is an entrance fee for non-town residents. The beach offers tranquil and shallow waters, with scenic views to top it off.

#3 Downs Memorial Park Beach

This beach is about an hour northeast of Washington in Pasadena, Maryland, but the drive is worth it! This very pawpular park has a beach dedicated to the dogs located on the lovely Chesapeake Bay. In certain areas of the beach, puppers can splash and play off-leash. It's easily accessible for puppies learning to swim, or older pals who want to wade around. Leashed pups are welcome to enjoy the surrounding trails in Downs Park as well.

#2 Terrapin Nature Park Beach

Just across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the town of Stevensville, you can find another cool treat for your pup! The Terrapin Nature Park offers a more secluded dog friendly beach, for those seeking solitude in nature. After an enjoyable walk down the trail that leads to the water, you'll find the small and intimate beach. Keep in mind that doggo's need to stay leashed on this beach!

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#1 Matapeake Park Dog Beach

The nearby town of Stevensville is also home to the woofderful Matapeake State Park. This park features it's very own dog beach. Here you'll find wide open sandy spaces perfect for a good game of fetch. Your pupper is allowed off-leash in and around the water. The surrounding area also offers some trails to explore. At this dog beach, your doggo can run, rinse and repeat all day!