Adventure Awaits: Dog-Friendly Explorations in Upper Cape Cod

Cape Cod has long been a cherished summer destination, attracting visitors with its charming towns, stunning beaches, dog friendly trails and laid-back atmosphere. For many families, a trip to the Cape is a beloved tradition, with families returning to the same place year after year. If you are unfamiliar with the Cape, it’s divided into four main sections: the Upper Cape, Mid-Cape, Lower Cape, and the Outer Cape, each offering its own unique attractions and character.

Our first trip to the Cape brought us to the Upper Cape, an ideal location for a family with young children and a dog. We rented a small home right on Cape Cod Bay, complete with a private beach. This setup allowed us to stay close to our dog while also enjoying beach time with the kids. Beachfront properties can be pricey, but booking during the shoulder seasons—like we did in early June—can significantly reduce costs before summer rates take effect.

Since then, we have explored much of the Cape, staying in different locations each time, but the upper cape will always be our favorite spot.

Title "Upper Cape Cod - A dog lover's guide to the best spots" Picture of sandy beach with ocean in the background.

Best Time to Visit the Upper Cape

When planning a trip to Cape Cod, timing can make all the difference in your experience. Here’s a look at the best times to visit

Summer: Peak Season (Late June to August)

Summer is the most popular time to visit Cape Cod. The weather is warm, perfect for beach days, boating, and outdoor dining. However, with the influx of visitors, Cape Cod can get quite crowded. Popular spots fill up quickly, and traffic can be heavy, especially on weekends.

Finding parking at beaches and attractions can be challenging, and accommodation prices are at their highest.

Shoulder Seasons: Spring (April to Early June) and Fall (September to October)

For those who are lucky enough to enjoy Cape Cod in the shoulder seasons, the weather is still pleasant and there are still plenty of activities to enjoy.

Traveling during the shoulder seasons also has practical benefits. Accommodations are more affordable, and you’ll find fewer crowds at popular attractions. Traffic is significantly lighter, making it easier and quicker to get around and enjoy the sights.

Winter: Off-Season (November to March)

Winter in Cape Cod is quiet and serene. While many attractions and restaurants close, the natural beauty remains, offering a peaceful retreat. Winter is also the best time to find great deals on accommodations. However, expect cold weather.

Title "Cape Cod Canal" Picture of the canal with sail boat.

Getting to the Upper Cape Cod with a Dog

Driving is the most common and convenient way to reach upper Cape Cod, especially when traveling with a dog. However, if you are planning on going during the high season, be prepared for a potentially long journey due to heavy traffic.

For tips on how to manage the Cape Cod Traffic, visit our post on Cape Cod: Best Ways to Get There With A Dog.

For even more beach vacation ideas, check out our post on Dog Friendly Beach Vacations.

Upper Cape Cod Dog-Friendly -Picture of an old home in Sandwich, Cape Cod

Dog Friendly Things to Do in The Upper Cape

The Upper Cape Cod region includes the towns of Sandwich, Bourne, Falmouth, and Mashpee. Each town offers unique attractions and a variety of dog-friendly activities.

Sandwich, Ma

Sandwich, the oldest town on Cape Cod, is known for its historic charm, with many 17th-century buildings and museums.

Dog-Friendly Activities:

Visit the Historic Town of Sandwich; Founded in 1637, the town is a lovely place to stroll the streets looking at classic New England homes.

Rent a home on the beach or on a pond: There are plenty of dog-friendly rental homes on the Cape Cod Bay with access to a private beach, so your pup can enjoy the surf and sand with you.

Shawme-Crowell State Forest: Located at 42 Main Street Sandwich, Ma. The park offers 15 miles of trails through a pitch pine and scrub oak forest, making it a perfect spot to get outside and go for a hike. Leashed dogs are allowed.

Green Briar Nature Center: Located at 6 Discovery Hill Road in East Sandwich this is another great place to get out and walk with your dog. The center is located on the shores of Smiling Pool and adjacent to the famous Briar Patch of Thornton Burgess’s stories featuring Peter Rabbit. The Old Briar Patch Trail is a 2.1 loop that offers peeks of the Smiling Pool Pond along the way.

Tree House Brewing Company: Located on the beach in Sandwich, MA, the Tree House Brewing Company has a dog-friendly outdoor beer garden and deck seating. Timed reservations are required.
- Address: 98 Town Neck Road, Sandwich, MA 02563
- Contact phone: 412-523-2367

Upper Cape Cod Dog-Friendly - Title "Quissett Harbor" Picture of sailboats moored in the water.

Bourne, Ma

Bourne, located along the Cape Cod Canal, is the gateway to the Cape with a mix of maritime history and outdoor activities.

Dog-Friendly Activities:

Cape Cod Canal Bikeway: A picturesque trail along the canal where dogs are allowed on leash. It’s perfect for walking, biking, and enjoying the waterway.

Bourne Conservation Trust:
- Bourne Sisters Woodland: 22-acre tract 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
- Little Bay Conservation Area: 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

Title "The Knob" Picture of a inlet with rocks

Falmouth, Ma

Falmouth is a bustling town, with numerous shops, restaurants, and beaches. It also includes the charming village of Woods Hole, known for its scientific community.

Dog-Friendly Activities:

Bourne Farm: Located at 6 North Falmouth Highway. This historic farm offers 49 acres of fields, trails and woodlands that overlook Crocker Pond. It is a favorite among dog walkers looking for a peaceful but beautiful trail. Leashed dogs are allowed only when there is not a private event going on.

Falmouth Dog Park: Located at 257 Brick Kiln Road in East Falmouth, Ma. This park offers “All dogs” and “Small Dogs” sections. One of the things I love about this park is that it has an emergency horn. A quick blow of the horn will hopefully stun fighting dogs to separate them. They also have a water feature located in each section.

Visit The Knob in Falmouth, Ma near the Quissett harbor. The Knob is a small jut out that shelters the Quissett Harbor from fierce winter storms. The land was donated to the Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries. There are trails and a few small beaches. A few parking spots are available on Quissett Harbor Rd near the Quissett Yacht Club. Dogs are welcome on leash but must stay on the trails and you must clean up after them.

Shining Sea Bikeway: This scenic trail runs from North Falmouth to Woods Hole, providing beautiful views of the ocean and a great path for walking your dog.

Ride the Ferry to Martha’s Vineyard: The Steamship Authority offers daily round trips to Martha’s Vineyard. Leashed dogs (or dogs in a carrier) are allowed to ride with their owners for free.

Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery: Offers a dog-friendly beer garden with outdoor seating. Visitors can order samples of beers and also buy brews by the glass or flight paddle.
- Dog Policy: Well-behaved, friendly dogs allowed. They even hold special dog related events at times during the year.
- Address: 876 E Falmouth HWY, East Falmouth, MA 02536

Aquatic Brewing: The Aquatic Brewing Company only offers inside seating, but it’s dog-friendly. This small brewery offers a varied selection of beers that are available in full and half pours.
- Dog Policy: Friendly, well-behaved, quiet, on-leash dogs will be allowed in the taproom.
- Address: 661 Main St, Falmouth, MA 02540

Woods Hole: This charming village in Falmouth, is renowned for its marine science institutions, including the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Marine Biological Laboratory. It features picturesque harbors, and waterfront dining making it a lovely place to explore with a dog.

Title "Upper Cape Cod" Picture of tide pools and rocks.

Mashpee, MA

Mashpee offers a blend of natural beauty and modern amenities, including the popular Mashpee Commons shopping area.

Mashpee Dog Park: 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.
- Address: 180 Ashumet Road, Mashpee, Massachusetts, 02649

Mashpee River Reservation: This area has several trails along the Mashpee River where dogs can enjoy a walk on a leash.
- Address: Quinaquisset Avenue and Meetinghouse Road, Mashpee, MA 02649

Dog Friendly Places to Stay in the Upper-Cape Region

The Upper Cape offers numerous dog-friendly rentals, including bayside options with private beaches and homes with fenced-in yards. You can find vacation rentals through platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, or We Need a Vacation. We’ve used We Need a Vacation a few times for our Cape visits and had great experiences.

You can also find pet-friendly inns and hotels in the area:

Palmer House Inn, Falmouth, MA

The Palmer House Inn is a romantic Victorian inn, located close to downtown Falmouth. It’s just a short walk to the main street and village green. Pets are not allowed at the Palmer House Inn main rooms, but they are welcomed at some of the guest house rooms and private cottage.

Pet Policy Highlights:

Per day pet fees apply
One dog per room allowed
Pets are not allowed in any part of the Main Inn.
Guests can arrange to have breakfast brought to your room.
All dogs must be registered guests of the inn.
Dogs are not allowed to be unattended on the Inn’s grounds or rooms.
For full details please refer to their pet policy or call them directly

Contact Information:

Address: 81 Palmer Ave Falmouth, MA 02540
Phone Number: 508-548-1230

Sea Crest Hotel, North Falmouth, Ma

The Sea Crest Hotel is a private beachfront hotel located just 15 minutes from the Bourne Bridge. In addition to its private beach, amenities include both indoor and outdoor pools, onsite water sports rentals, an on-site restaurant, and kid-friendly activities during the season.

They do charge a “resort fee” in addition to the room fees.