Moving Your Pet to the Beach

Looking for a dog-friendly community? Lewes, Rehoboth and surrounding areas are slowly becoming more and more "pet-friendly" as hotel and summer house rentals catch on to the fact that many people now consider their pets to be family members and can't imagine leaving Fluffy home alone while the rest of the family members enjoy the surt and sand.

If you are planning to bring your dog to the beach for a vacation or a permanent move to Rehoboth, Lewes or surrounding beach areas, here are some useful tidbits.

We, being pet owners ourselves know that all responsible dog owners always clean up after their dogs ...so we're not going to bore you with repeated reminders that EVERY CITY and COUNTY in Delaware has stringently enforced laws about cleaning up after your pet. Please be considerate and always carry several bags with you when you walk your dog.

Lewes City Beach

Your dogs are welcome on the Lewes city beach year-round, but in the summer they are only allowed before 8:30 am and after 6:30 and they must be on a leash at all times.

Cape Henlopen

Dogs are restricted to certain sections of the park. They are allowed on any of the roads or paved bike trails and parking lots. They are allowed on the beach at Herring Point. They must be on leash at all times. This is a carry-in/carry out park, meaning that they want you to take everything with you that you brought into the park when you leave, and that includes poop.

Rehoboth

Dogs are not allowed on the beach or the boardwalk at anytime between April 1st and October 31st and must be leashed all other times.

Dewey Beach

Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round but are restricted to before 9:30 AM and after 5:30 PM in the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Dogs do not have to be leashed, but must be under the owner's control.

Other Dog Friendly Areas

The Junction and Breakwater Junction Trail

The Junction and Breakwater Trail is a wonderful place to take your dog on off-peak times - lots of shady trees and plenty of interesting objects to sniff. On weekdays in the in off seasons you might have the trail to yourself or pass someone every 15 minutes. On weekends in the summer, well, you might want to keep that leash shortened so Fido doesn't get run over by a speeding bicyclist. Note: Keep Fido on the marked trail to avoid bringing home ticks and especially during hunting season - he might look like a deer to someone.
Getting There - There are several entrances to the trail where you can park your car. One is behind Tanger Outlet Mall #2. You can see the beginning of the trail from the rear parking lot and there is a large sign/bulletin board at the point where the trail meets the parking lot. Another is at the official state park parking lot near the end of Wolfe Neck Road off Route One. Go here for more information: Delaware State Park - Junction and Breakwater Trail.

View from the Breakwater Trail.