Many beaches in Alabama welcome the furry friends. Moreover, in some of the Alabama beaches you’ll find amazing amenities and facilities available for dogs. For example, Gulf Shores Dog Park is specially designed for dogs where dog owners bring their pets and give the fido open space to play and run.
Though you can take your pet to many dog friendly beaches in Alabama, make sure your furry friend is under leash at all times. And don’t forget to carry a waste bag to clean up after them to make the beach areas clean and inviting for everyone. Remember, there are few beaches that have strict regulations for dogs in Alabama. So, be aware about those rules. Otherwise, the owners will be charged a fine.
So, here is the list of some of the best dog friendly beaches in Alabama. Read on and explore those fine beaches that could easily be a paradise for your pets!
1. Pirates Cove
Located in Elberta, Alabama, Pirates Cove is a pirate-themed restaurant cum bar that has its own beach area. This beach area is considered some of the most popular dog-friendly beaches in Alabama.
Make sure your pet is on leash at all times. The interesting thing is there is the boat launch facility that allows for boating with your dog.
2. Dauphin Island Beach
Dauphin Island, located three miles south of the western edge of Mobile Bay, is the premier vacation destination among many hearts! The endless stretches of powdery sandy beaches, shimmering ocean water, tons of beach activities and attractions including watching incredible marine wildlife, make this barrier island a favorite spot to have a memorable beach vacation!
This beach town is home to two most popular beaches which are Dauphin Island Public Beach and Dauphin Island East End Beach. Both beaches allow dogs to come with their owners. But make sure your pet is leashed and well-behaved.
In Dauphin Island Public Beach, the crowd is usually lesser than other Alabama beaches. So, this beach is more suitable for your pet to play and enjoy in the open and fresh air and in ocean water. Remember, dogs are not allowed past the border of West End Beach Park.
Another popular Dauphin Island Beach that is the East End Beach is also a year-round popular beach vacation destination for groups and families that allow on-leashed dogs to come with their owners and enjoy the sandy beach only in the designated areas.
This is the closest dog-friendly beach to Dauphin Island ferry. This beach is home to many sea birds and sea turtles as well. So, make sure, your dog is not making any disturbances for those peaceful species.
3. River Sandbar Park
River Sandbar Park is located in Daleville, Alabama, and it is another popular beach among the dog owners. The nice beach area allows pets to hang out on the sands. Even, dogs are welcome to swim in the clear ocean water. It is a small beach but is well-maintained. So, make sure to carry a waste bag to clean up after your pets.
River Sandbar Park is open from dawn to dusk. Visitors need not to pay any admission charge. It’s totally free to the public. Also, you can make your leashed dog off-leash if there is no other dog.
For its less popularity and narrow beach area, this spot doesn’t get too crowded throughout the year. So, dog owners get the opportunity to make this place the favorite open area among their pets.
4. May Day Park
Opened in 1887, May Day Park is a renowned beach outdoor destination located on the eastern side of Mobile Bay in Daphne, Alabama. Lots of amenities and recreational activities, make this destination some of the best family friendly beaches in Alabama.
Leashed dogs are allowed to go along the beach area, the pier, the boardwalk, and in the grassy fields as well, but no female dogs are allowed in the beach area. Note that the area is popular with alligators and snakes. So, keep your dog close to you at all times.
May Day Park is again a free to visit park. No admission fee is charged here. The beach is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. The popular beach activities among the beach goers include sunbathing, relaxing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Boating with the dog is also permitted here.
Also, there are picnic areas and playgrounds that are quite popular among families, groups and little kids.
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5. Fort Morgan Historic Site Bayside Beach
Dogs are also allowed to come to Fort Morgan Historic Site Bayside Beach. The beach is located just past the ferry to Dauphin Island and before the entrance to the fort. The fort site doesn’t allow dogs to come. Pets are allowed in the designated areas only.
Dogs must be on-leash and make sure to clean up any waste. Also, leashed dogs are permitted to walk from the old Fort Morgan Pier all the way to the Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Beyond that, dogs are not permitted to go as there is a wildlife area. The dog owner will be instated the fine if the restriction is violated.
Related: Popular Dog Friendly Beaches in Maine.
6. Orange Beach Waterfront Park & Orange Beach Dog Park
Orange Beach Waterfront Park, one of the popular family-friendly parks in Orange Beach, AL, is a popular tourist destination. The year-round open Orange Beach Waterfront Park offers picturesque scenic beauty and pristine water of the Gulf of Mexico. Leashed dogs are welcome to play and run in the beach area. Moreover, pups are allowed to take dip in the water.
Nearby the Waterfront Park is the Orange Beach Dog Park. It is a more popular area among the dog owners because of the well-kept facilities. There are some restrictions to be fallowed when you’re taking your furry friend to the beach area. Dogs are permitted to come on the beach between 5 pm and 9 am. Also, there is a fence to keep small dogs separated from larger ones.
Just like other beaches, these two beach areas are also needed to be clean up after the pets to make the places inviting for others.
7. Graham Creek Nature Preserve
Graham Creek Nature Preserve is located in the city of Foley in Baldwin County, Alabama. This outdoor destination offers dozens of fun opportunities for humans and for dogs as well. Only leashed dogs are welcome in Graham Creek Nature Preserve. It is a fantastic destination for pets to enjoy both the sands and the water.
The nature preserve is popular with several hiking and biking trails. Also, there are canoe and kayak launches that lead to Wolf Bay at about one mile out. The sandy shores of Wolf Bay offer off-leash fun for your dog. Furthermore, there are creeks in the preserve where dogs love to play and soak in after a dip.
Graham Creek Nature Preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk. The 500-acre area offers numerous outdoor opportunities to explore among the hardcore lovers of nature. The land is home to multiple wildlife and plants. Humans can enjoy the 7.5-mile bicycle trail, 3-mile cross-country trails, and nice group picnicking in the picnic benches.
8. The Dog Pond at Lake Shelby
Located in Gulf State Park, the Dog Pond at Lake Shelby is one of the few beaches that allows unleashed dogs to roam freely. Make sure your dog is on leash until it reaches to the designated lakeside beach areas.
The Dog Pond is always open and it can be accessed freely. There is no entry charge. There are benches and picnic tables where your furry friend can accompany you. Also, there is grassy area with agility course available for dogs.
9. Gulf Shores Dog Park
Though dogs and any other pets are strictly prohibited on the public beaches of Gulf Shores, the Gulf Shores Dog Park offers plenty of space for dogs to play and run in the grass fields. It is a popular place among dog owners. The entire park is dedicated to dogs.
10. Gravine Island Beach
This is another great place to check out with your furry friend. Located in the Tensaw River, Gravine Island Beach is only accessible via boat. So, visit this fine and safe pet-friendly place and enjoy fun in the sun with your dog.
11. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Although Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is not a proper beach actually, still it can be a paradise for pets to play, run and walk under a safe and fun environment. You can explore multiple scenic trails and enjoy the outdoors with your leashed friend.
FAQs
1. Are dogs allowed on any Alabama beaches?
Many of the Alabama beaches are fully dog friendly. The best dog friendly beaches in Alabama are Pirates Cove, Dauphin Island Beach, Fort Morgan Historic Site Bayside Beach, May Day Park and many more. Make sure, your dog is on-leash at all times. Furthermore, many beaches are home to wildlife and birdlife. Make sure, your pet is not going to those areas. In most of the cases, these areas are not permitted for pets to go just to protect the wildlife.
2. Is Orange Beach dog-friendly?
Orange Beach welcomes pets as the rest of the family members. Also, there is a dog park and waterfront park in Orange Beach where dogs get larger open space to play and run. Also, taking a dip is a good opportunity for your pets in these nice dog friendly places.
3. Are Gulf Shore beaches dog friendly?
The only place where you can take your pet in the Gulf Shores for outdoor fun is the Gulf Shores Dog Park, but no other sand beaches in the Gulf Shores allow these furry friends to come and enjoy.
4. Is the Dauphin Island ferry dog friendly?
Only leashed dogs are allowed for on board. Otherwise, they must be inside any vehicle.
