The Wildwoods, NJ – April 2, 2025 – As visitors get ready for another year of making memories at the Jersey Shore, pet-owners know that no trip is complete without bringing their furry friends along.Whether it’s a day at the beach, or a week-long vacation, the Wildwoods welcome all four-legged friends with a bounty of dog beaches, dog parks, and dozens of businesses and accommodations that are pet friendly.
Dog-Friendly Beach and Recreational Attractions
From May through October, four-legged friends have a special, designated beach area to call their own at Glenwood Avenue in Wildwood. Just to be safe, all dogs must be licensed, must always be leashed, except when inside the enclosed beach dog park, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. North Wildwood beaches allow dogs during the summer season, anytime when lifeguards are off duty (lifeguard hours 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.).
The Wildwoods Dog Beach has been named one of the Top 10 ‘Best Dog Friendly Beaches in the US’ in the 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest sponsored by USA TODAY. USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with BringFido.com to nominate the 20 most dog-friendly beaches in the nation. The Wildwoods’ Dog Beach received the second highest number of votes, ranking it #2 overall in the nation.
Tails wag as dogs make their way across the Boardwalk and onto the sand as they approach the 25-foot-tall red Fire Hydrant Sculpture at the beach Dog Park – right at the entrance to the Dog Beach. The Dog Park is completely fenced in, so there is enough room for dogs to run, play, and stretch their legs. It is separated into two sections – one for large breed dogs and the other for small breed dogs. As with the Dog Beach, all dogs entering the Dog Park must be licensed, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
Picture your four-legged pal dashing on the beach with ears flapping in the ocean breeze, and the pure joy radiating from their playful antics. With designated dog-friendly beaches and a commitment to cleanliness, The Wildwoods offer endless fun under the sun, where splashing, digging, and fetching become the order of the day. The block-and-a-half-long, 190-yard-wide area is open from 6 a.m. until dusk, and this section of the beach is well equipped with pet amenities including drinking water stations, doggie play stations, shade structures, and signs reminding doggy owners to clean up after their loved ones with free plastic bags provided.
Additional dog-friendly recreational attractions throughout the Wildwoods include Sunset Lake, the Sea Wall in North Wildwood, and the Wildwoods Bike Path.
Dog-Friendly Businesses
Several Wildwoods establishments welcome four-legged patrons to dine outdoors with their families. Morey’s Mariner’s Pier is home to the PigDog Beach Bar, a laidback atmosphere accessible via Raging Waters Water Park, the beach, and the Boardwalk. Both family and dog-friendly, this new breed of beach bar and outdoor restaurant serves tasty barbecue classics, cocktails and a mix of domestic options and warm weather chilled imports. For more information, visit www.moreyspiers.com/food/pigdog.
MudHen Brewing Company is another Wildwoods eatery accommodating four-legged travelers. Big or small, short or tall, all dogs are welcome to dine, while on a leash of course, with their owners in its spacious outdoor dining area.
In addition to PigDog Beach Bar and MudHen Brewing Company, a number of other Wildwoods restaurants and eateries allow dogs to dine outdoors with their owners. Please call ahead to the establishments to inquire about their dog policy before dining.
Dog-Friendly Activities and Events
The Wildwoods love dogs, and we’ve picked four summertime national dog holidays to celebrate here with your furry friend:
- National Pet Week – May 4-10, 2025
- Pet Appreciation Week – June 1-8, 2025
- All-American Pet Photo Day – July 11, 2025
- National Dog Day – August 26, 2025
- National Dog Week – September 24-30, 2025
If you’re someone who loves the open sea and everything it has to offer – fishing, crabbing, whale, and dolphin watching – but you don’t want to leave your best friend behind on dry land, you need not worry. Several Wildwoods sightseeing charter boats and fishing/crabbing boats allow you to bring your dog on board. Please remember to outfit your pet with an appropriate life jacket to keep them safe during your day at sea.
Your pup can show their pride too when the July 4th Patriotic Pooch Parade joins in the march of the Independence Day Parade in North Wildwood. Dogs of all shapes and sizes parade along the streets of North Wildwood dressed in patriotic garb alongside decorated bicycles. Prizes are awarded for the best-dressed pooches.
Your dog can enjoy a walk on the beach followed by a paddle in the pools of Raging Waters Water Park at Morey’s Piers during the Morey’s PigDog PuppaPalooza annual event in September. The day starts with a Doggie Dash 1-mile or 5k beach walk/run with your favorite canine – followed by a day frolicking at Raging Waters waterpark on Mariner’s Pier. Throughout the day, the famously dog-friendly PigDog Beach Bar will host “Yappy Hour” specials for you and your “fur”iends. Also, in attendance at PigDog will be Beacon Animal Shelter with items to auction and pups to adopt. Visit www.MoreysPiers.com/events for more information.
Dog-Friendly Accommodations
When you’re on vacation, it’s often hard to find accommodations to suit the entire family. In the Wildwoods however, there are numerous places to stay with your pet pals. Please call to confirm that the hotel/motel of interest welcomes dogs. Also visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com/plan-a-vacation/places-to-stay and select the ‘pet-friendly’ option in the amenities tab to see all the pet-friendly places to stay.
In addition, an online hotel reservation system on the Wildwoods official tourism website, WildwoodsNJ.com, allows visitors to conveniently book accommodations at a range of Wildwoods hotels and motels via the Book Your Stay webpage. Just click on the ‘Pet-Friendly’ button on the left tab to see a list of pet-friendly hotels and vacation rentals.
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