Updated 03/13/2024: Whether you are just visiting dog friendly Cape Cod or you live here, if you have a dog you know that all dogs love to run around off-leash to burn off some energy.
But if you are visiting Cape Cod, you may be staying at a dog friendly hotel or motel without a place to for them to run loose.
Even if you are renting a dog friendly vacation rental, most homes that are near the beach are close together and only offer a small yard. Many are not fully fenced in.
So, the alternative is to go to an off-leash dog park to let them run around.
Unfortunately, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, does not have many off-leash dog parks. But, we have scoped out the few off-leash Dog Parks that are on the Cape.
Plus, we have found a couple of privately owned parks that allow off-leash dogs to walk along the trails and even a dog friendly beach that allow dogs to be off-leash at times.
First time traveling with your dog?
If you have never traveled with a dog before, you might not know where to start or what to bring. To help you, we have put together a couple of posts with our best tips for traveling with a dog and also tips on hotel stays with a dog.
Off-Leash Dog Parks on Cape Cod, MA
Information in this post is subject to change without notice. While we strive to insure accuracy on Happyoodles.com, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Having a dog park where dogs can run off-leash is a great benefit for people and their dogs. As you read through this list of off-leash dog parks on Cape Cod you will notice that most parks are maintained by volunteers.
While they are often built on town owned property, the cost of creation and upkeep comes from other sources.
Much of the required upkeep to keep the park nice and a place you would want to take your dog too is done by volunteers. So, when you visit these dog parks, please consider making a small donation to keep the park looking great.
1. Pilgrim Bark Park, Provincetown, MA
Located on the Outer Cape, the Pilgrim Bark Park may be one of the nicest looking dog parks in the USA. While the dogs will love the opportunity to run around off-leash with fellow canines. Their people will enjoy admiring the beautiful sculptures and structures that have been created by local artists.
Unlike most dog parks that are owned by the local town, this one is owned and operated by the Provincetown Dog Park Association, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. So, while there is not a fee to use this dog park they do ask for donations on their website to support the park. You can find out more on their Facebook page: Pilgrim Dog Park
They do have an extensive set of rules for the dog park which you should read before going.
The park is a combination of sand, gravel and concrete which can be an issue during the hot summers. Plus, there is very little shade at the park. If you plan to go during the summer, make sure to go early in the day or in the evening. And remember to check the ground to make sure it’s not too hot for your pup’s paws.
There are two sections of the Pilgrim Dog Park. One is a general dog section and the other is exclusively for small dogs under 25 pounds. There are a couple of water fountains, but they are not in operation in the off-season.
You will find the Pilgrim Dog Park on the corner of Route 6 and Shank Painter Road in Provincetown, MA. It’s open from dawn to dusk, year-round. Access to parking and the main entrance is on Route 6 heading east.
Located at: 227 US-6, Provincetown, MA 02657
For more things to do with your dog in Provincetown, visit our post on Dog Friendly Guide to Provincetown, MA
2. Brewster Dog Park, Brewster, MA
The Brewster Dog Park is located in the lower cape region of Cape Cod. This new dog park just opened in May 2022.
The park features a 1-acre large dog area and ½-acre small dog area. The small dog area is for dogs under 30 pounds. Both areas have a double-gated entryway.
The park features include a paved handicap-accessible asphalt walking path and 5 different surfaces; a huge concrete apron, expansive mulched and wooded areas, stone, and sand play mounds.
It also offers dog watering stations, play and agility fixtures, misting fire hydrants, dog waste bag dispensers, and an emergency air horn. Watering stations may be shut off in the winter months.
Before visiting the park make sure to read the Brewster Dog Park rules.
The Friends to Brewster Dog Park provides stewardship and fundraising for the maintenance and improvement of the dog park. They also have a group of volunteers that help out at the park. You can check out their Facebook page for additional information.
The park is open daily from dawn to dusk, but is closed the last Thursday or the month for park maintenance.
Located at: 631 Harwich Road, Brewster, MA 02631
3. Fresh Pond Dog Park, Dennis, MA
The Cheryl Malone Fresh Pond Dog Park is the first dog park that was created on Cape Cod. As such, it’s also older than all the other dog parks on the cape. So, don’t expect anything fancy here.
But, it has something the others don’t and that is a dog friendly beach on Fresh Pond and walking trails around the pond.
The Fresh Pond Dog Park features 2 enclosed areas; One for large dogs and one for smaller dogs. The fenced-in areas are a mixture of sand and dirt. This park offers a doubled gated entryway and some benches to sit at. There are plenty of trees that provide shade on hot days. The parking lot can fit about eight cars.
While dogs are allowed in the pond you need to use your best judgment to decide what is best for your dog.
There is not an official website for this park, but the Fresh Pond Dog Park Rules are posted as the entrance. The park also has a Facebook page where you can find pictures of park.
Located at: Route 134 South, look for the parking lots between Upper County Road and Route 28 South Dennis, MA
4. Yarmouth Dog Park
You can find the Yarmouth Dog Park located inside the Sandy Pond Recreation Area in West Yarmouth. The park consists of three separate areas; one for large dogs, one for small dogs and one for shy or young dogs. Each area is fenced in with a double gate.
The park also features picnic tables, water fountains and shade. The ground surface is small stones. Water is generally shut off in the winter.
Like most of the other parks on this list, it has a “friends” group. The Friends of Yarmouth Dog Park holds fund raisers and other events at the park throughout the year. They also have a Facebook page.
You can find the rules for the park listed on the Friends of Yarmouth Dog Park website. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Located at: 474 Buck Island Rd, West Yarmouth, MA 02673
5. Barnstable Dog Park
The Barnstable Dog Park was opened in 2018 and is located inside the Hathaways Pond Recreation Center.
The park features three separate areas. The largest of the three is for general use by all dogs. Then there is a training area and a small dog area. All three have double gates and rice stone covering. There are also water fountains, waste disposal stations and benches.
You can find the parks rules and regulations on the Town Of Barnstable’s website. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The water is shut off in the winter.
This park also has a Friends group. You can find additional information about the park and park related events on their Facebook page.
Located at: 1431 Phinneys Ln, Hyannis, MA 02601
6. Mashpee Dog Park
The Mashpee Dog Park is located across the street from Heritage Park in Mashpee. The park consists of three fenced in areas. The general use area, a small dog area and one for older dogs or for training. The small dog area is for dogs under 18 months old or 30 pounds.
This dog park has a small pebble type turf and features a waterspout for dogs and humans, waste disposal stations and benches. The general dog area has some trees for shade, but the other areas do not.
There is a Friends of Mashpee Dog Park group that helps maintain the park and holds fundraising events to benefit the park. You can find additional information about them and the park at Friends of Mashpee Dog Park or their Facebook page.
The park is open daily from dawn to dusk, however according to the Friends website the park is limited to Mashpee residents only. This appears to have started with the Covid restrictions. Water is turned off in the winter.
Located at: 180 Ashumet Road, Mashpee, Massachusetts, 02649
7. Falmouth Dog Park
The Falmouth Dog Park is a fairly large standalone dog park, that is operated and maintained by volunteers of Falmouth Dog Park Inc. The parks only funding is through donations and fundraising activities.
Located on a 1.6-acre property, this dog park features an all dogs area, a small dogs area and an acclimation and time out area. All areas are covered in pea stone and sand. There is also a paved walkway.
You will find benches, water bubblers, waste disposal cans and an emergency horn here. The park is also handicap accessible and includes a wheelchair-accessible picnic table.
The dog park is open daily from dawn until dusk. There are solar lights at the park which turn off at 8:00pm. During the winter water is turned off at the park, so you will need to bring your own.
For more information on the park and the rules visit the Falmouth Dog Park website. They also have a Facebook page.
Located at: 257 Brick Kiln Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536
Off-leash Dog Friendly Trails on Cape Cod, Ma
While most public town owned parks require dogs to be on leash at all times unless in a dog park enclosure, private conservation lands can make their own rules for the land that they manage. At least one of them on Cape Cod allow dogs to be under voice control when walking along their paths.
Bourne Conservation Trust
Please make sure to follow all posted rules and regulations at this property. Rules can be changes without our knowledge.
Bourne Sisters Woodland
Located in Bourne, between route 28 and the shores of Buzzard Bay sits the Bourne Sisters Woodland. A 22-acre track of land with an assortment of short trails.
- Dogs are allowed if either leashed or under voice control
- Location: 221 County Rd., Bourne, MA 02532
- Open: Dawn to dusk
- Trail Difficulty: Intermediate
- Facilities: None
Parking: Small parking area on the east side of County Road; additional parking across the road at the Leary Property.
Little Bay Conservation Area
Another Bourne Conservation Trust property is the Little Bay Conservation Area. This 21-acre park offers the ability to stroll through rolling pine forests and explore the sandy shoreline of Little Bay all along a single trail network.
- Dogs are allowed if either leashed or under voice control
- Location: Valley Bars Circle, Bourne, MA 02559
- Open: Dawn to dusk
- Trail difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
- Facilities: None
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas off Shore Road and at the end of Valley Bars Circle
Off-Leash Dog Beaches on Cape Cod, MA
Provincetown Beaches, MA
Provincetown allows leashed dogs on their town beaches year round unless there are signs that state they cannot be on the beach. Beaches can be closed temporarily or permanently based on town needs.
Most of the town beaches can be accessed through small paths between the homes and business that line Commercial Street. Make sure you are on a town beach and not one of the Cape Cod National Seashore Beaches.
While the Cape Cod National Seashore is one of the few beaches on Cape Cod that allows dogs, it does require that dogs are on a leash at all times. Not all areas of the National Seashore allow dogs.
Off-leash hours
Town beaches are open to unleashed dogs under voice control during the off-season, from Nov. 2 to Memorial Day Weekend.
In season, starting on Memorial Day weekend and going until November 1, dogs are only allowed on the beach without a leash (but under voice control) during the early morning hours of 6:00 am to 9:00 am and again in the evening from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
From 9:00 am to 6:00 pm dogs must be on a leash between Memorial Day Weekend and November 1.
Dog Beach
The most popular dog friendly beach in Provincetown is Dog Beach. This is probably due to its name and also since it has an attached parking lot. A parking fee is required to park here.
This fairly small beach is located on the west side of Provincetown along the Cape Cod Bay.
This beach is not very wide, but when the tide is out there is plenty of room to run around. However, when the tide is in there is not much space for dogs to run.
Located at: 55 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657
If your dog gets dirty on their walks you can take them down to the local self-serve dog wash station. You can find them with our post “Self Serve Dog Wash Station: Where to find One“
Thank you for visiting “Cape Cod Off-leash Dog Parks, Trails and Beaches”
If you know of other off-leash dog friendly places on the Cape please let us know about them in the comments.