Exploring the East Coast: A Dog-Friendly Road Trip Guide

You can customize the length of this road trip to suit your needs, but here’s my four-day East Coast adventure with a dog, covering three states. It’s important to note that Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia are not particularly dog-friendly during the summer months.

For a more enjoyable experience, I recommend planning your visit either before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. However, if you are traveling during the summer, remember that Ocean City and Virginia Beach are especially busy, so expect large crowds and book accommodations well in advance.

Our journey began at Cape Henlopen State Park and took us to Virginia Beach.

Day 1. Delaware

Cape Henlopen State Park

Begin your East Coast road trip at Cape Henlopen State Park, where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Point is an excellent spot for viewing birds, dolphins, seals, and more. You’ll also have the chance to see the East End Breakwater and the Harbor of Refuge lighthouses. Cape Henlopen has a rich history, serving as a World War II coastal defense site. Don’t miss the opportunity to tour Battery 519.

Entrance fee for out-of-state vehicles: $10 daily.

While in the park, you can hike with your dog year-round if kept on a leash. However, pets are not allowed in picnic areas, bird nesting areas, or park buildings. Dogs can go to the swimming area only before May 1st and after September 30th.

James Farm Ecological Preserve

I highly recommend spending time at James Farm Ecological Preserve in Ocean View, Delaware. This 150-acre preserve offers over three miles of trails featuring diverse habitats like forests, meadows, wetlands, and beaches. The 1.6-mile James Farm Ecological Preserve Loop Trail takes you through seven distinct habitats, offering beautiful views of Indian River Bay and opportunities to spot deer, foxes, ospreys, and turtles. Birdwatchers will enjoy the preserve, an eBird hotspot with over 176 species reported. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times.​

Rehoboth Beach has several spots for dining options, including Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, where dogs are welcome on the patio and in the taproom. The menu is slightly smaller than at other locations, but the food is fresh, the beer is delicious, and it’s a great spot to relax with your furry friend.

Day 2. Ocean City, MD

Continue your East Coast road trip by driving along Route 1 from Delaware, enjoying the scenic views as you pass through various towns and rural areas. Once you enter Maryland, you’ll eventually reach the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This iconic bridge spans the Chesapeake Bay, offering stunning water views and surrounding landscapes. From there, follow Route 50 towards Ocean City.

The Ocean City boardwalk, with a history dating back to 1902, has evolved over the years while maintaining its nostalgic charm. Many family-owned businesses and establishments along the boardwalk contribute to its unique heritage. Stretching over three miles along the beach, it is one of the longest boardwalks on the East Coast, providing ample space for visitors to explore and enjoy various attractions.

However, if you want to take your dog on the boardwalk or beach, you’ll need to come out of season. Dogs are allowed only between October 1st and April 30th.

I recommend dining at Macky’s Bayside Bar & Grill near the boardwalk. This open-air bar and restaurant features beachfront tables and modern American pub food. They also offer an excellent dog menu, ensuring you and your furry friend have a great time.

Northside Park is another option for stretching legs. It is located in the northern part of Ocean City and features walking trails, open spaces, and a dog playground. Dogs can explore the park on a leash and enjoy the fresh air.

Day 3. Assateague State Park, MD

Assateague State Park, Maryland’s only oceanfront park, is more dog-friendly than its Virginia counterpart. Situated on Assateague Island, the park borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Sinepuxent Bay to the west. With two miles of ocean beaches, it offers swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing, surfing, and fishing opportunities. The marsh areas are home to diverse wildlife, including deer, waterfowl, and feral horses.

There is much disinformation about pet policy; the following information is from the National Park Service.

Pet Policies at Assateague State Park

General Rules:

• Pets are allowed only in specific areas of the Maryland portion of the National Seashore.
• Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
• Always pick up after your pet.
• Be mindful that hot sand and sun can be harder on your pet than on you.
• Unattended and unrestrained animals can disturb and harm island wildlife and other park visitors.

Prohibited Areas:

• The entire Virginia portion of Assateague Island, even inside vehicles.
• All backcountry campsites.
• Nature trails.
• Lifeguard-protected beach.
• Portions of Assateague State Park.
• Area north of the State Park to the Ocean City inlet.

Day Use Areas:

• Pets are allowed from after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day weekend.
• Pets are allowed on the Rackliffe Trail on the mainland.

Campground:

• During camping season (last week of April to November 1), you can bring pets only to camp loops G, H, and I and the adjacent beaches.
• Pets can accompany you on the hiker/biker path on the west side of Campground Road.
• When the campground is closed (November 1 to the third week of April), pets are welcome in all campground loops and on the beach.

Marina:

• Pets are allowed in marina areas.

Berlin

Berlin, often called “America’s Coolest Small Town,” is a picturesque and historic dog-friendly community on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. With its well-preserved architecture, charming downtown area, and vibrant arts scene, Berlin offers a delightful blend of small-town charm and cultural richness.

Founded in 1790, Berlin boasts a rich history, evident in its beautifully maintained Victorian-era buildings. Strolling through the town’s streets is like stepping back in time, with its tree-lined avenues, brick sidewalks, and ornate storefronts. In addition, the town’s dedication to historic preservation has earned it recognition on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dining recommendation: Blacksmith Bar & Restaurant, located in the heart of downtown Berlin, Blacksmith Bar & Restaurant has a dog-friendly outdoor patio where you can dine with your dog. They offer a diverse menu featuring American cuisine, craft beers, and cocktails.

Day 4. Virginia

Follow routes 113 and 13, and you will enter Virginia, the last state on your East Coast road trip.

Kiptopeke State Park is located on the eastern shore of Virginia, near Cape Charles. It occupies a picturesque setting along the Chesapeake Bay and offers a range of outdoor activities and natural beauty. The beach to the left of the fishing pier is dog-friendly. We hiked a short distance down the beach and felt like we had the whole place. The kids and the dog enjoyed swimming and playing in the sand while the adults read and watched the different birds.

If you’re staying the night, Kiptopeke State Park offers camping, family lodges, two- and three-bedroom cabins, and a camping lodge (bunkhouse). Pets are welcome in the campground, including in the cabins and lodges.

Cape Charles

If you want to visit another Historic Downtown, Cape Charles has a well-preserved historic downtown area that exudes small-town charm. The streets have colorful Victorian-era homes, boutique shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Take a stroll along Mason Avenue.

Beer enthusiasts can visit the Cape Charles Brewing Company, a local brewery known for its craft beers. Located in a renovated historic building, the brewery offers a selection of beers brewed on-site and a taproom where visitors can relax and enjoy their beverages. Dogs are welcome outdoors.

As you continue your journey, you and your dog will encounter the impressive Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, a 23-mile engineering marvel connecting the Eastern Shore to Virginia Beach. Enjoy the scenic drive across the bridge tunnel and admire the vast expanse of the Chesapeake Bay.

Virginia Beach

First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach is a popular destination for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. It features over 19 miles of trails that wind through diverse ecosystems, including maritime forests, dunes, and salt marshes. These trails are ideal for hiking, walking, running, and biking. The Bald Cypress Trail is famous, leading visitors through a swampy area with impressive cypress trees.

One mile north of Virginia Beach, False Cape State Park welcomes pups to play in the water and on the beach all year. However, it does get cold in the winter. Ensure your canine companion always has his leash and rabies tags on. The massive park is dog-friendly, with many historical sites like the first landing in 1607. You and your pup can also hike, bike, or run along any of the 20 miles of trails. One is a fitness trail where you can get a real workout. 

Pets are allowed at False Cape State Park. However, they are not permitted access through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Beaches

Like all East Coast beaches, many lovely beaches near Virginia Beach allow dogs. However, they all have the same strict summer policy.

From the Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day, you can bring dogs to the beach and boardwalk only before 10 AM and after 6 PM. From Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day, dogs are permitted on the beach and boardwalk anytime.

So, if you are coming out of the summer season, Sandbridge Little Island Beach is an excellent option. Head south down the beach from Croatan Beach, and you will find the dog-friendly Sandbridge Little Island Park Beach just past Sandbridge Beach. Pack your cooler full of drinks and bring your fishing pole because the fishing pier here is a popular place to catch flounder, mackerel, and bass. Your fur puppy can play in the sand or the ocean, but you must always keep him on a leash. 

My favorite place to eat is Buoy 44 Seafood Grill, a waterfront restaurant overlooking the Chesapeake Bay

Also, you can check

PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS IN VIRGINIA BEACH

for more dining options.

We hope you liked our road trip on the East Coast.

You can also check OBX, North Carolina, or other DESTINATIONS for more coastal destinations.