DOG FRIENDLY GETAWAY IN MONTAUK, NEW YORK

Long Island, New York is well known for it's beautiful beaches and great schools.  One thing it isn't known for is being very dog friendly.  That doesn't mean there aren't some great places around Long Island you can enjoy with your dog.  But there's a great Dog Friendly getaway in Montauk New York, at the Eastern end of Long Island.  It's one of the few places on Long Island where you'll find some beautiful, fun spots to hang out in with your dog. 

My dog Icy, observes the ocean at Gosman's Dock

Grab your pooch and take a trip with us to a hidden gem of Long Island, Montauk Point!

DOG FRIENDLY MONTAUK, LONG ISLAND NY

Montauk is at the Eastern end of Long Island, and I mean the very end.  You'll see t-shirts, bumper stickers, and other items sporting the phrase "MONTAUK.  THE END" because Montauk Point marks the very end of Long Island.  Step off Montauk Point and you're in the open Atlantic ocean, miles away from land.

My dog Icy along the bluffs in Montauk, Montauk Lighthouse in the background

One of the main attractions on Montauk Point is the 200 year old historic Lighthouse.  For a fee, visitors can go up to the top of the lighthouse and look out over the Atlantic ocean and all of Montauk.

As you travel East to Montauk, you'll pass through the posh area known as The Hamptons.  If you're interested in this "playground to the rich and famous" check out my blog post 100 Places To See With Your Dog: The Hamptons, New York.

My dog Icy on the beach

Summer fun on Long Island is all about the beach!  Sunbathing, surfing, jetskiing, boating, or hiking the sand dunes and bluffs are a favorite past time of Long Islanders.  Having grown up on Long Island, I can attest to the fact that Long Islanders love their beaches and waterways! 

Sadly, there are few beaches around "The Island" that allow dogs.  Montauk, however, has at least two great beaches that are open to dogs all year round, at any time of the day!  Unlike the beaches of Montauk's next door neighbor The Hamptons, where stringent rules restrict dogs' access to beaches.

CAMP HERO STATE PARK , Montauk Long Island, NY

Camp Hero was a military base until it was given to New York's Office of Parks, Recreation, and historic Preservation in the 1980's.  It was even used as a cannon practice site during the Revolutionary War! No we didn't find any cannonballs - other than those in nearby pools - LOL!   Camp Hero lies along the beautiful Montauk coastline and is dog friendly!  We had a great time romping in the ocean, taking in the beauty of the coastline and the bluffs.

My dog frolicking in the waves on a beach in Montauk

In the photo below, you can see the historic Montauk Lighthouse in the distance.  We had to hike down a steep narrow trail to get from the bluffs down to the beach, but is was so worth it!

My dog on the beach near Montauk Lighthouse

The steep bluffs at Camp Hero are eroding and can be dangerous if you get too close.  We enjoyed their beauty from a safe distance.

My dog overlooking the bluffs along Montauk Point, NY

MONTAUK POINT STATE PARK & HISTORIC LIGHTHOUSE

Montauk Point State Park is the very Eastern tip of Montauk, just down the road from Camp Hero State Park. The Lighthouse at Montauk Point is the big tourist attraction out there.  Camp Hero is free IF you've already paid the $8 parking fee at Montauk Point State Park, so keep your receipt!



Dogs aren't allowed at the Lighthouse, but they're allowed on the beach! 

During the American Revolution, Montauk Point was the scene of many marine disasters.  After the revolution, the newly formed American Government wanted to stimulate trade with other nations.  In order to do that, they needed to make the waters off Montauk Point a less treacherous area for sea vessels and create safer passage to key ports in New York and Baltimore.  

In 1796 the Montauk Lighthouse, the first lighthouse built in New York state, was born out of this necessity.  It's the 4th oldest active lighthouse in America, still safely guiding mariners through the thick fog that often blankets the ocean off the coast of Eastern Long Island. It's a huge source of pride for native Long Islanders!

My dog Icy exploring the shores of Montauk State Park

The beach at Montauk Point State Park has a lot more seaweed and large rocks than Camp Hero's beach, but it's still fun!




I'm telling you, I see a MERMAID out there!  I'll bet she helps guide the boats to safety in the fog by singing to the Sailors!

Look Ma, a crabby!  Can we have him for dinner? Oh wait, no, looks like someone already ate him.

GOSMAN'S DOCK, Montauk, Long Island, NY

Gosman's Dock is a waterfront area in Montauk that started out in the 1940's as a small chowder stand.   It has grown into a popular little entertainment area with several shops, an ice cream stand, a clam bar, and a few waterfront restaurant's including the main eatery, Gosman's Dock restaurant.  Most of the restaurants aren't dog friendly on outdoor patios, but the one in this photo allows dogs on this casual outdoor "clam bar patio".

My dog Icy and I at Gosman's dock, Montauk NY

After a super fun and exhausting day in Montauk, we head West and drive back home.  Of course, we're starved after all that fun in the sun so we stop at one of the many dog friendly restaurants along the way!

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DOG FRIENDLY IN THE HAMPTONS, LONG ISLAND NY