Portland's Dog-Friendly Beaches - The Scoop on Summer Hours For Happy Maine Beach Dogs
You and your beach rover might want to plan a beach marathon this week to the Greater Portland dog-friendly beaches. I don't want to be a doggie-downer but off-season beach hours have already begun to roll-over into the peak season where doggie beach play is more limited. Here's my scoop on the Greater Portland dog-friendly beaches, summer hours and a reminder of where off-season beach dog hours are still in play.
If off-leash play is permitted your dog must be in your sight, not impact the enjoyment of other beach-goers and close enough to adhere to commands and for you to pick-up after. I find that having a ball and plenty of cookies is a good way to keep my Ted's focus on me.
East End Beach, Portland
Off the Eastern Promenade. | Designated Parking areas down the hill towards the water. | Off-Season Dog-Friendly Beach Hours: Day after Labor Day to day before Memorial Day, 5am to 10pm - off-leash play permitted (with voice control). | Summer Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day - before 9am and after 5pm. See Eastern Promenade map and regulations.
A walk along the Eastern Prom Trail to dog-friendly East End beach will deliver views to Fort Gorges. This is a popular hangout for dog-lovers and a good spot for social dogs to play off-leash together in a natural yet somewhat contained beach setting. Before or after beach play you can stroll the Eastern Trail and maybe pop-by the dog-friendly Ocean Gateway Visit Portland information center.
If you are visiting from out of town, the dog-friendly Residence Inn Downtown Portland has luxurious suites and is a two minute stroll from Ocean Gateway and the Eastern Trail. If you walk into Portland's Old Port, you can stock-up on canine gear and treats at The Fish and Bone and salty dogs can take a shower.
Mackworth Island, Falmouth
Access via St Andrews Avenue, Falmouth | Open sunrise to sunset | Limited parking across the causeway | Portland Trails | Dogs allowed all day - on-leash.
Mackworth Island, accessed via a causeway off the coast of Falmouth, is a favorite year-round destination for us. Mackworth was deeded to the State of Maine in 1943 by Governor Baxter. He was a lover of horses and dogs which makes it apt that this idyllic island is a dog-friendly paradise. We love to walk-around the island beach flats at mid to low-tide and Ted is always in search of the new-found toy of the day - a washed up lobster buoy is always great for some impromptu water fetch.
When visiting the island at high tide, we take advantage of the different spots to leave the coastal trail and go swimming or at least get our paws wet. Some of the paths and stairs are easy to find and others require a little intuition and some four-paw drive.
When you leave Mackworth, take a right on Route 1 and head up to Super Scoops, next to Waldos General Store, for their dog-friendly sundae - low-fat soft serve with a canine cookie topping.
Willard Beach, South Portland
Take Route 77, left on Pillsbury, left on Preble, right on Willow. | Willow St has a beach parking lot and extra parking can also be found at SMCC. | Off-Season Dog-Friendly Hours: October 1 to April 30 - (off-leash with voice control). | Summer Hours: May 1 - September 30 - (off-leash permitted) - 7am - 9am and 7pm - 9pm. No dogs permitted on beach 9am to 7pm. Follow all posted rules and updates.
Willard Beach is tucked away in a quiet South Portland neighborhood between Fisherman's Point and the campus of Southern Maine Community College. Locals and visitors love hanging out at this dog-friendly, off-leash beach haven with views towards Cushings Island and Ram Island Light. After beach play, you can re-stock on treats and dog supplies at the nearby and locally owned, Whole Dog Market - Sopo.
Scarborough Beaches
As you're probably aware, there has been some controversy over maintaining the endangered Piping Plover population in the Scarborough Beach region, which has lead to some restrictive beach rules over the warmer months.
In the off-season, the day after Labor Day to May 15, the rules are more relaxed. Dogs can be off -leash on the Scarborough town beaches from dawn to dusk, except between 1-3pm when they must be leashed. From April 1 to Labor Day there are restricted areas, that you must respect, for the protection of Piping Plovers. From May 15 to Labor Day non-restricted Scarborough town beach areas allow off-leash play, with voice control, from dawn to 9am and on-leash beach time - 5pm to dusk. For up-to-date details on the finer details of the official rules and expectations, please review the Scarborough Beaches - Animal-Control-Ordinance and read the beach signs. The town of Scarborough also has additional beach information.
Scarborough Beach is owned by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Land and operated by an independent contractor. No dogs are allowed on Scarborough Beach from April 1 to November 1; dogs are required to be leashed at all other times. See Scarborough State Park rules.
Higgins Beach, Scarborough
From Route 207 / Black Point Rd head south to the intersection of Route 77 and turn left. Turn left on to Ocean and follow signs.| Municipal parking located on Ocean Ave and limited street parking on Bayview Ave. | Off-season hours - after Labor Day to May 14th, sunrise to sunset, off-leash all day; excluding 1 to 3pm when all dogs must be leashed. | Summer Hours - May 15 to Labor Day - Non-Restricted areas - dawn to 9am - off-leash (with voice control), after 5pm to dusk - on-leash only.
April 1 to Labor Day: Restricted Areas for Piping Plovers: No dogs allowed - Champion Street to the Spurwink River. Follow restricted area signs.
Higgins Beach is a half mile sandy stretch near to the mouth of the Spurwink River. If your dog likes to body surf, then this might a great spot to ride the breakers with the surfies. The road does run parallel to the beach so be aware of this if you are ready for an off-leash play session.
Ferry Beach/ Western Beach, Scarborough
Take Route 207/Black Point Rd, past Scarborough beach on left and then turn right to Ferry Beach. | Municipal parking lot is on Ferry Rd. | Off Season Hours - after Labor Day to May 14, sunrise to sunset, off-leash all day; excluding 1 to 3pm when all dogs must be leashed. | Summer Hours: May 15 to Labor Day - Non-Restricted areas - dawn to 9am - off-leash (with voice control), after 5pm to dusk - on-leash only.
April 1 to Labor Day - Restricted Areas for Piping Plovers - no dogs allowed on the area of Ferry Beach starting at the south end of municipal parking lot and extending south to Ferry Rock and to the southeast for the full length of Western Beach. Follow restricted area signs.
In the off-season, Ferry Beach is a popular off-leash beach where dogs can kick-up their heels along the sandy shores of the Scarborough River channel, which has views across the channel to Pine Point Beach. Ferry Beach joins Western Beach, which continues all the way to the south side of Prout's Neck; together the two beaches extend for about a mile.
Pine Point Beach, Scarborough
From the Scarborough Connector, continue onto Route 9W/ US Route 1 South.
Turn left onto Route 9 East, right onto Pine Point Rd, left onto King
St. | Municipal
parking is located on Avenue 5 (off King St). | Off-season
hours - after Labor Day to May 14, sunrise to sunset,
off-leash all day; excluding 1 to 3pm when all dogs must be
leashed. | Summer Hours: May 15 to
Labor Day - Non-Restricted areas - dawn to 9am -
off-leash (with voice control), after 5pm to dusk -
on-leash only.
April 1 to Labor Day - Restricted Areas for Piping Plovers - from main beach access path at Hurd Park north to the Scarborough River (dogs on leash only). Follow posted signs.
Pine Point Beach is a stunning long stretch of beach that runs from the jetty at Pine Point to Orchard Beach. There's plenty of room for ball play, frisbee fun and wave breaking action for four-paw surfers. At the Pine Point end of the beach, you'll have views across the Scarborough River towards Ferry and Western Beaches.
Saco Town Beaches - Bay View and Kinney Shores
Bay View Beach - Location: Bay View Rd, Saco | Parking: Designated parking lot on Bay View Rd/ Seaside Ave.
Kinney Shores Beach - Location: Seaside Avenue - between cross streets Shore Avenue and Dune Avenue, Saco. | Parking: On-street parking as per signs.
Summer Dog-friendly Hours/Rules: For Saco Town Beaches - July to August - on-leash 9am to 5pm. All other times - off-leash with voice control and leash on-hand. Dog bags are provided at different beach access points.
The dog-friendly town of Saco allows dogs on their town beaches all day in the summer. Kinney Shores and Bay View Beaches connect making for a great beach walk. There is a rolling surf but be aware of the riptide if you or your dog venture in. Unfortunately Ferry State Park's beach which connects to Saco's town beaches is not dog-friendly during the summer season.
Remember to be good dog ambassador and only leave happy paw prints, we all want to be invited back every season.
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