Alexander Thomas
Latest Reviews
Matapeake Park
I am rating the dog beach portion of Matapeake - it’s 5 stars and I would give it 10 if possible!
We live in DC, but our dog loves to swim. There’s not anywhere to swim by our place or in VA, but this beach is just a 45 minute drive from DC - but be aware you HAVE to leave early (before 10 am) to beat Bay Bridge traffic.
That said - our dog has absolutely loved this beach all summer, and we’re there pretty much every Sunday. It’s become our Sunday morning routine. The things I love about this beach:
• The dog portion has very large trees leaning over it, so anytime before noon you basically get free shade without having to bring an umbrella
• Every time I have been here, there’s been anywhere from like 2-3 up to maybe 20 or so dogs; the dogs have always been well behaved and very attentive owners to nip any confrontations in the bud
• The water is super shallow up to several hundred feet out, so I don’t really worry much about my dog getting caught in a current or boats/jet skis etc creating big waves
• I have been to many many dog beaches in my day (grew up on the gulf coast of Florida). Most dog beaches are kinda gross by human standards (not nice water, out of the way location, not good sand). But this beach is equally as awesome for humans as for my dog! I have no issues going out and swimming along with him while he splashes and does his thing.
• The view is really nice, wide open across the bay and including a perfect panorama of the Bay Bridge. It’s a great backdrop for a day of swimming.
• The walk to to beach is relatively short (maybe 5 mins walking at a normal pace), and through a really nice forested trail. It makes for a nice calm walk down to the sand and back.
The only possible downside is there is no washing station to wash your dog off when done. But we end up giving our dog a bath when he gets home anyway, so not a big deal to us.
Overall I would say this is my favorite dog beach within driving distance of DC - and we have tried about 5 or 6 others. A great spot for humans to sit on the beach with their toes in the sand, along with their canine companions. Enzo (my dog) would give it 5 paws if he could!!
We live in DC, but our dog loves to swim. There’s not anywhere to swim by our place or in VA, but this beach is just a 45 minute drive from DC - but be aware you HAVE to leave early (before 10 am) to beat Bay Bridge traffic.
That said - our dog has absolutely loved this beach all summer, and we’re there pretty much every Sunday. It’s become our Sunday morning routine. The things I love about this beach:
• The dog portion has very large trees leaning over it, so anytime before noon you basically get free shade without having to bring an umbrella
• Every time I have been here, there’s been anywhere from like 2-3 up to maybe 20 or so dogs; the dogs have always been well behaved and very attentive owners to nip any confrontations in the bud
• The water is super shallow up to several hundred feet out, so I don’t really worry much about my dog getting caught in a current or boats/jet skis etc creating big waves
• I have been to many many dog beaches in my day (grew up on the gulf coast of Florida). Most dog beaches are kinda gross by human standards (not nice water, out of the way location, not good sand). But this beach is equally as awesome for humans as for my dog! I have no issues going out and swimming along with him while he splashes and does his thing.
• The view is really nice, wide open across the bay and including a perfect panorama of the Bay Bridge. It’s a great backdrop for a day of swimming.
• The walk to to beach is relatively short (maybe 5 mins walking at a normal pace), and through a really nice forested trail. It makes for a nice calm walk down to the sand and back.
The only possible downside is there is no washing station to wash your dog off when done. But we end up giving our dog a bath when he gets home anyway, so not a big deal to us.
Overall I would say this is my favorite dog beach within driving distance of DC - and we have tried about 5 or 6 others. A great spot for humans to sit on the beach with their toes in the sand, along with their canine companions. Enzo (my dog) would give it 5 paws if he could!!