Dog beach on the Rhine

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Published On: 24. July 2025

Looking for a dog beach on the Rhine? Good news: between Cologne, Bonn and Koblenz, there are surprisingly many stretches of riverbank and designated off-leash areas where your four-legged friend can jump into the water without stress. This guide shows you the best spots, including park tips, rules and a handy map. Your vacation in our dog-friendly vacation apartment in Oberwinter will be a splashing highlight.

1. why the Middle Rhine is a dog paradise

The Rhine between Bonn and Koblenz meanders through shallow floodplains, broad gravel banks and wide meadows. This natural topography ensures that there are always shallow inlets and quiet bays – ideal for water-shy beginner paws. Unlike on North Sea dog beaches, there are hardly any tides or strong currents here. According to the current water level report from the Bonn Waterways and Shipping Office, the flow speed is usually less than 1 m/s in the summer months. In addition, the NRW State Environment Agency checks the bathing water quality on a monthly basis: in 2025, 93% of the samples in the Bonn-Remagen section received the top rating of “excellent”.

2. official dog beaches & off-leash areas (with map)

So that you don’t have to search for long, we have bundled all the legal run-off areas in a Google My Maps map. The seven most important spots within a 40-kilometer radius:

– Rheinaue dog meadow (Bonn) – 20 ha fenced area, drinking fountain, free parking on Charles-de-Gaulle-Straße.
– Hitdorfer See (Leverkusen) – designated south bay especially for dogs; free entry, parking machines €2.50. Bathing season 01.04.-31.10., after that the leash requirement is lifted.
– Niederkasseler Uferwiesen – flat sandy beach, garbage stations, please keep a leash handy as the cycle path crosses.
– Rolandseck gravel bank (Remagen) – insider tip before the Remagen bridge; low current, view of the island of Nonnenwerth.
– Bad Breisig Römer-Thermen-Wiese – official free-running zone behind the thermal baths, barbecue area, shady spots.
– Koblenz Neuendorf-Aue – wide pebble beach near Deutsches Eck; dog shower at the campsite.
– Urmitzer Werth – peninsula with forest paths, ideal for long walks.

All locations were confirmed by local regulatory authorities in spring 2025 and are therefore currently open.

3rd rule check: Leash obligation & nature conservation

The following also applies on the Rhine: fun only with consideration. In NRW, the state dog law stipulates that dogs must be kept on a lead all year round in nature conservation areas (§2 LHundG NRW). Along our list, this mainly applies to the Rheinaue Bonn section and the Neuendorfer Aue in Koblenz. The legal situation is more relaxed in Rhineland-Palatinate, where each local authority decides. Remagen and Bad Breisig allow off-leash walking in clearly designated areas – observe the signs! Important for water rats: jetties used by commercial shipping are taboo; Rhine levels can change within hours after heavy rain. Tip: Check the “Meine Pegel” app in advance, push warning at >6 m.

5. dog beach FAQ – what our guests ask

Can my puppy go into the Rhine yet?
Vets recommend swimming only after basic immunization (≈16 weeks). Also make sure the current is low.

Are SUP boards allowed with dogs?
Yes, you can hire boards at the Hitdorfer See and Bad Breisig spots; life jackets are compulsory.

Conclusion

Whether it’s splashing around in the shallow gravel bed, sprinting across soft meadows or a relaxed SUP adventure: the Middle Rhine offers more dog-friendly stretches of shore than many coastal regions. Our map gives you all the spots at a glance – and the Oberwinter vacation apartment is right in the middle of it all. **Book now** and secure your dog-friendly apartment before the summer dates are sold out!