Wisconsin has many dog-friendly beaches for you and your pup to explore. Several of the beaches on our list are in state parks, so the fun doesn’t have to end after you dry off! Stay for hiking, fishing, camping, or a picnic. We’ve also scouted out some of the top pet-friendly urban beaches. Here are 10 Wisconsin beaches to consider the next time you and your dog want to go for a waterfront walk.

The Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Wisconsin

  1. Big Foot Beach State Park

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🗺️ Address: 📍 1550 S Lake Shore Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. all year

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: No. Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 8 feet.

Designated pet-friendly picnic areas

Bring your hands-free leash: 5 miles of trails open all year for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing

Only 1 hour from Milwaukee and 90 minutes from Chicago via car

Great place to fish; bait sold on-site

Pet-friendly camping sites (additional fees)

  1. Brunet Island State Park

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🗺️ Address: 📍 23125 255th St, Cornell, WI 54732

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. all year

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: Only in designated pet swim areas

On-site canoe and kayak rentals

Wheelchair-accessible campsite and fishing pier

Abundance of quiet fishing spots at the confluence of the Chippewa and Fisher rivers

50-minutete drive from Eau Claire

Numerous riverside hiking trails

  1. Warner Park

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🗺️ Address: 📍 2930 N Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704

🕐 Open Times: 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. all year

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas

Quiet park tucked away in a residential area

Off-leash, fenced dog park

Beach and boat launch on Lake Mendota

Over 200 acres of trails and open areas to explore

Picnic shelters

  1. Kettle Moraine State Forest

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🗺️ Address: 📍 N1765 Co Rd G, Campbellsport, WI 53010

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. all year

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated locations

Plenty of trailside opportunities for a quick swim

One of the state’s largest state forest areas

Designated wet and dry dog training areas (may require a permit)

Be prepared for hilly terrain

Campground and remote camping sites available

  1. Newport State Park Beach

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🗺️ Address: 📍 407-381 Newport Park Rd, Ellison Bay, WI 54210

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. all year

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated locations

A quiet oasis in busy northern Door County

Over 10 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline for your dog to explore

Some of the best stargazing in the Upper Midwest; one of only 18 Dark Sky Parks in the country

Be mindful of strong wind conditions on the beach

Stay for a picnic, hiking, or fishing

  1. Bradford Beach

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🗺️ Address: 📍 2400 N Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53211

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Excellent bird watching right on the Lake Michigan Flyway

On-site concessions

Beach wheelchair rentals

Summer hotspot; expect crowds

A Blue Wave Certified Beach since 2009

  1. Whitefish Dunes State Park

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🗺️ Address: 📍 3275 Clarks Lake Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Access to the pet area is a 0.75 walk from the parking lot

The Nature Center has a bookstore and archaeological site

The site of one of Wisconsin’s few sand dunes

Trails open for skiing in the winter

Watch for rip currents

  1. Point Beach State Forest

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🗺️ Address: 📍 9400 County Highway O, Two Rivers, WI 54241

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Several hiking trails along the beach

Camping cabins and tent sites

On-site concessions available at the northern end of the beach

Rawley Point Lighthouse is a popular attraction

Expect strong winds

  1. North Beach

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🗺️ Address: 📍 100 Kewaunee St, Racine, WI 53403

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Has a reputation for being clean, family friendly, and relaxed

Approximately 1 mile of sandy beach

Unobstructed views of Lake Michigan

Quiet urban beach; no on-site concessions

Popular spot for nature photographers

  1. Kohler-Andrae State Park

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🗺️ Address: 📍 1020 Beach Park Lane, Sheboygan, WI 53081

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Surrounded by sand dunes and wetlands

Beach extends 1.5 miles along Lake Michigan

Accessible camping cabin for rent

Tent camping all year

Fishing pond off Old Park Road

Conclusion Wisconsin’s abundance of lakes and Lake Michigan’s shoreline offer plenty of recreational opportunities for you and your dog. Well-behaved pups that don’t mind crowds will enjoy Milwaukee’s Bradford Beach, and Door County’s Newport State Beach offers quiet opportunities for stargazing.  You’ll see from our list that off-leash beach areas are the exception, not the rule, in Wisconsin. When in doubt, keep your dog on a leash when visiting beaches.

See also: Top 14 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Georgia: Off-Leash & On-Leash Places to Go

Sources

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

 

Featured Image Credit: Ivonne Wierink, Shutterstock

Wisconsin has many dog-friendly beaches for you and your pup to explore. Several of the beaches on our list are in state parks, so the fun doesn’t have to end after you dry off! Stay for hiking, fishing, camping, or a picnic. We’ve also scouted out some of the top pet-friendly urban beaches. Here are 10 Wisconsin beaches to consider the next time you and your dog want to go for a waterfront walk.

The Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Wisconsin

1. Big Foot Beach State Park

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @yorkiebeachboyzs

🗺️ Address: 📍 1550 S Lake Shore Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. all year

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: No. Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 8 feet.

Designated pet-friendly picnic areas

Bring your hands-free leash: 5 miles of trails open all year for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing

Only 1 hour from Milwaukee and 90 minutes from Chicago via car

Great place to fish; bait sold on-site

Pet-friendly camping sites (additional fees)

2. Brunet Island State Park

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NellieThePrettyPittie (@nellietheprettypittie)

🗺️ Address: 📍 23125 255th St, Cornell, WI 54732

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. all year

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: Only in designated pet swim areas

On-site canoe and kayak rentals

Wheelchair-accessible campsite and fishing pier

Abundance of quiet fishing spots at the confluence of the Chippewa and Fisher rivers

50-minutete drive from Eau Claire

Numerous riverside hiking trails

3. Warner Park

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by VelvetKingFrenchieSmallsBubbs (@clutch_and_phife_and_bubbles)

🗺️ Address: 📍 2930 N Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704

🕐 Open Times: 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. all year

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas

Quiet park tucked away in a residential area

Off-leash, fenced dog park

Beach and boat launch on Lake Mendota

Over 200 acres of trails and open areas to explore

Picnic shelters

4. Kettle Moraine State Forest

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Luke Arthur George (@lukethegoldenduke)

🗺️ Address: 📍 N1765 Co Rd G, Campbellsport, WI 53010

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. all year

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated locations

Plenty of trailside opportunities for a quick swim

One of the state’s largest state forest areas

Designated wet and dry dog training areas (may require a permit)

Be prepared for hilly terrain

Campground and remote camping sites available

5. Newport State Park Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Noodle (@emeraldswontonnoodledelight)

🗺️ Address: 📍 407-381 Newport Park Rd, Ellison Bay, WI 54210

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. all year

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated locations

A quiet oasis in busy northern Door County

Over 10 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline for your dog to explore

Some of the best stargazing in the Upper Midwest; one of only 18 Dark Sky Parks in the country

Be mindful of strong wind conditions on the beach

Stay for a picnic, hiking, or fishing

6. Bradford Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Koda (@koda_thefox)

🗺️ Address: 📍 2400 N Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53211

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Excellent bird watching right on the Lake Michigan Flyway

On-site concessions

Beach wheelchair rentals

Summer hotspot; expect crowds

A Blue Wave Certified Beach since 2009

7. Whitefish Dunes State Park

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alexis Staniec (@alexisstaniec)

🗺️ Address: 📍 3275 Clarks Lake Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Access to the pet area is a 0.75 walk from the parking lot

The Nature Center has a bookstore and archaeological site

The site of one of Wisconsin’s few sand dunes

Trails open for skiing in the winter

Watch for rip currents

8. Point Beach State Forest

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Allison Krcma (@allisonwilde_)

🗺️ Address: 📍 9400 County Highway O, Two Rivers, WI 54241

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Several hiking trails along the beach

Camping cabins and tent sites

On-site concessions available at the northern end of the beach

Rawley Point Lighthouse is a popular attraction

Expect strong winds

9. North Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lincoln (@lincoln.the.blue.boy)

🗺️ Address: 📍 100 Kewaunee St, Racine, WI 53403

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Has a reputation for being clean, family friendly, and relaxed

Approximately 1 mile of sandy beach

Unobstructed views of Lake Michigan

Quiet urban beach; no on-site concessions

Popular spot for nature photographers

10. Kohler-Andrae State Park

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JourneymanJess (@littlepainterchick)

🗺️ Address: 📍 1020 Beach Park Lane, Sheboygan, WI 53081

🕐 Open Times: 6 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free, but you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Surrounded by sand dunes and wetlands

Beach extends 1.5 miles along Lake Michigan

Accessible camping cabin for rent

Tent camping all year

Fishing pond off Old Park Road

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @yorkiebeachboyzs

A post shared by @yorkiebeachboyzs

View this post on Instagram

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  • Designated pet-friendly picnic areas
  • Bring your hands-free leash: 5 miles of trails open all year for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing
  • Only 1 hour from Milwaukee and 90 minutes from Chicago via car
  • Great place to fish; bait sold on-site
  • Pet-friendly camping sites (additional fees)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NellieThePrettyPittie (@nellietheprettypittie)

A post shared by NellieThePrettyPittie (@nellietheprettypittie)

  • On-site canoe and kayak rentals
  • Wheelchair-accessible campsite and fishing pier
  • Abundance of quiet fishing spots at the confluence of the Chippewa and Fisher rivers
  • 50-minutete drive from Eau Claire
  • Numerous riverside hiking trails

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by VelvetKingFrenchieSmallsBubbs (@clutch_and_phife_and_bubbles)

A post shared by VelvetKingFrenchieSmallsBubbs (@clutch_and_phife_and_bubbles)

  • Quiet park tucked away in a residential area
  • Off-leash, fenced dog park
  • Beach and boat launch on Lake Mendota
  • Over 200 acres of trails and open areas to explore
  • Picnic shelters

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Luke Arthur George (@lukethegoldenduke)

A post shared by Luke Arthur George (@lukethegoldenduke)

  • Plenty of trailside opportunities for a quick swim
  • One of the state’s largest state forest areas
  • Designated wet and dry dog training areas (may require a permit)
  • Be prepared for hilly terrain
  • Campground and remote camping sites available

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Noodle (@emeraldswontonnoodledelight)

A post shared by Noodle (@emeraldswontonnoodledelight)

  • A quiet oasis in busy northern Door County
  • Over 10 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline for your dog to explore
  • Some of the best stargazing in the Upper Midwest; one of only 18 Dark Sky Parks in the country
  • Be mindful of strong wind conditions on the beach
  • Stay for a picnic, hiking, or fishing

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Koda (@koda_thefox)

A post shared by Koda (@koda_thefox)

  • Excellent bird watching right on the Lake Michigan Flyway
  • On-site concessions
  • Beach wheelchair rentals
  • Summer hotspot; expect crowds
  • A Blue Wave Certified Beach since 2009

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alexis Staniec (@alexisstaniec)

A post shared by Alexis Staniec (@alexisstaniec)

  • Access to the pet area is a 0.75 walk from the parking lot
  • The Nature Center has a bookstore and archaeological site
  • The site of one of Wisconsin’s few sand dunes
  • Trails open for skiing in the winter
  • Watch for rip currents

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Allison Krcma (@allisonwilde_)

A post shared by Allison Krcma (@allisonwilde_)

  • Several hiking trails along the beach
  • Camping cabins and tent sites
  • On-site concessions available at the northern end of the beach
  • Rawley Point Lighthouse is a popular attraction
  • Expect strong winds

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lincoln (@lincoln.the.blue.boy)

A post shared by Lincoln (@lincoln.the.blue.boy)

  • Has a reputation for being clean, family friendly, and relaxed
  • Approximately 1 mile of sandy beach
  • Unobstructed views of Lake Michigan
  • Quiet urban beach; no on-site concessions
  • Popular spot for nature photographers

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JourneymanJess (@littlepainterchick)

A post shared by JourneymanJess (@littlepainterchick)

  • Surrounded by sand dunes and wetlands
  • Beach extends 1.5 miles along Lake Michigan
  • Accessible camping cabin for rent
  • Tent camping all year
  • Fishing pond off Old Park Road

Conclusion

Wisconsin’s abundance of lakes and Lake Michigan’s shoreline offer plenty of recreational opportunities for you and your dog. Well-behaved pups that don’t mind crowds will enjoy Milwaukee’s Bradford Beach, and Door County’s Newport State Beach offers quiet opportunities for stargazing.  You’ll see from our list that off-leash beach areas are the exception, not the rule, in Wisconsin. When in doubt, keep your dog on a leash when visiting beaches.

  • See also: Top 14 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Georgia: Off-Leash & On-Leash Places to Go

Sources

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

 

Featured Image Credit: Ivonne Wierink, Shutterstock

Sources

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources