Crescent Beach – Kittery

Kittery, Maine, has faced a contentious battle for more than two decades about dog accessibility to parks and beaches. In 2021, new rules went into effect; right at a time Maine tourism was reaching all-time highs.

NOTE: This beach is not be confused with the much more dog-friendly Crescent Beach in Wells.

Crescent Beach in Kittery Dog-Friendly Beach Details

Crescent Beach in Kittery has the isolated benefits of a beach with smaller crowds and more space. Guests will need to access the beach from Seapoint Beach, as Tower Road nearby is home to multimillion-dollar mansions on a private road. Around 7 Goodwin Drive, you'll see a turnaround spot with a sign warning of no trespassing.

Previous rules banned non-resident dogs during certain times of year that meant unless a dog was licensed in Kittery, it didn't have a legal space in any sand at Crescent Beach. Now the rules have changed slightly.

Memorial Day to Labor Day

Dogs are prohibited from being on the beach between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. While not expressly noted, the new 2021 ordinance does suggest that dogs are allowed before 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Labor Day to Memorial Day

Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm during these shoulder seasons and off-season, but it's important to note that the shoulder season is becoming increasingly popular for tourists. The ordinance also implies that dogs are allowed off-leash before 10:00 am and after 3:00 pm.

Crescent Beach Access: Residents vs. Non-Residents

One of the sticking points in the many civic dog fights involved if non-residents (aka tourists) could bring their dogs to the beaches.

“My personal opinion is we shouldn’t change any of this access to residents,” Kittery Councilor Cyrus Clark said in 2020. “We should be working on ways to stop non-residents from using our parks with their dogs.”

The previous ordinance banned all but licensed town dogs from the beach. Residents who support that feel local pet owners are more responsible and accountable for loose or poorly trained dogs and more likely to pick up after pets. That notion brought up a lot of constitutional and privacy issues, not to mention the time-consuming effort it would entail.

Parking at Crescent Beach in Kittery

The roundabout way to solve the problems comes with a parking lot to Seapoint Beach, which is the main public access point to Crescent Beach. The few parking spots that are available are only open to people who live in Kittery and display a Solid Waste Sticker (another elaborate way to avoid tourists being able to trick their way into the parking lot.) Violators face a $50 fine.

Unless you're up for a heck of a walk to these beaches or know someone with appropriate parking stickers, this isn't the best dog-friendly beach option in Kittery.

Crescent Beach in Kittery Dog-Friendly Beach Amenities

This is a remote beach with no amenities like water, shade, or poop disposal bags. Mobile service might be limited, and property owners won't take kindly to loud noises coming from the beach.

Is Crescent Beach in Kittery Safe for Dogs?

Assuming you have jumped through all the hoops to be there legally, you'll find a mix of rocks and sand with open access to the sea which could lead to rip tides. High tide will also eat away at the beach access, pushing you closer to the rocky shoreline.

Always check the Maine Health Beaches Dashboard before visiting any beach between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

What’s Near Crescent Beach in Kittery

Here's another challenge. You're not within walking distance of downtown Kittery, which is more than four miles away. You'll be better served to explore Fort Foster, with much more lenient dog rules.

Crescent Beach Kittery Dog-Friendly Beach Rating: D