Dog Friendly Beaches in South Carolina

Dog friendly beaches are heaven on earth for Fido. And since sandy paws equal happy dogs, we’ve sniffed out the best beaches in South Carolina where dogs can run, swim, and frolic in the sand. Use the links/map below to find a dog-friendly beach in South Carolina.

Pet Friendly Burkes Beach
Burkes Beach Burkes Beach in Hilton Head Island, SC is dog friendly before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM from April 1st through late September. It's within walking distance of the Chaplain Community Park, which includes the Best Friends Dog Park. If you don't like to walk, there is free parking at the Community Park and metered parking at the beach access point. See Details
Pet Friendly Hunting Island State Park
Hunting Island State Park Visit the dog-friendly Hunting Island State Park located in Saint Helena Island, SC. This recreation area is South Carolina’s single most popular state park, attracting more than a million visitors a year, as well as a vast array of land and marine wildlife. It offers five miles of pet-friendly beaches, thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon and an ocean inlet. Please keep your well-behaved pup on a leash no longer than six feet and clean up after him. See Details
Myrtle Beach State Park The popular dog-friendly Myrtle Beach State Park is in the heart of the Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach, SC. Leashed dogs are permitted on the trails and in most of the outdoor areas of the park. However, dogs are not allowed on any beaches in the park from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, May 1 through Labor Day. Dogs must always be leashed, and humans must always clean up after their pets. See Details
Alder Lane Beach Access The dog-friendly Alder Lane Beach Access in Hilton Head Island, SC is a great, quiet getaway from the typical beach scene. Amenities include beach matting, restrooms, outdoor showers, 22 metered parking spaces and seasonal lifeguards. Animals are permitted on the beach during the official beach season, April 1st through September 30th before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM, or anytime in the off-season. They must be on a leash or under positive voice control at all times. Owners are also required to remove and properly dispose of the animal's excrement. See Details
Fish Haul Beach Park Fish Haul Beach Park in Hilton Head Island, SC, is dog friendly from October until March. During this season, Fido is welcome on the beach at any time if leashed or under voice control. From the Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day, Fido is not allowed on the beach between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Outside of these hours, dogs are permitted but must be under voice control. Please clean up all pet waste and do not allow pets to disturb or chase wildlife. See Details
Isle of Palms Beaches Isle of Palms Beaches in South Carolina boasts seven miles of pristine coasts that you can access via 57 public paths. These beaches are pet-friendly and allow dogs to visit off-leash from 5:00 AM until 9:00 AM April 1st through September 14th and from 4:00 PM until 10:00 AM September 15th through March 31st. At all other times, dogs must be on a leash and under complete control, even in the water. See Details
Myrtle Beach Public Beaches Public Beaches in Myrtle Beach, SC, are pet friendly during certain times of the day throughout the year. Dogs are permitted on the beach anytime from Labor Day through April 30. No dogs are allowed on the beach from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM May 1- Labor Day. Pets must be on a leash seven feet or shorter at all times. Owners are responsible for picking up and disposing of waste. See Details
Hilton Head Island Beaches Bring Fido to get some exercise on the dog-friendly Hilton Head Island Beaches in Hilton Head Island, SC. Leashed pups are allowed between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM from April 1 through the Thursday before Memorial Day. Dogs not permitted between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. See their website for more information. See Details
Huntington Beach State Park Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, SC, is pet friendly in some areas. Leashed pups are welcome in the park year-round and at the south end of the beach. Dogs are prohibited in buildings, including Atalaya and on the north end of the beach. The north end extends from the beach access at the north parking lot to the jetty. See Details
Morris Island Morris Island is an undeveloped island at the mouth of Charleston Harbor that's only accessible by private boats. This dog-friendly area is a fantastic place for long, off-leash beach strolls, dolphin-watching and hunting for shells with Fido. Put on sunscreen and bring plenty of water for you and your pup. No boat? Check out Adventure Harbor Tours for information on tours. See Details
Clarks Hill Park Dog Beach Let Fido join you for a day at dog-friendly Clarks Hill Park Dog Beach, located in Clarks Hill, IN. Dogs are allowed to swim and be off leash at Elijah Beach Cove and accompany you for a beachside walk. Lakeside picnic tables are available. See Details
Kiawah Beachwalker Park Kiawah Beachwalker Park is a dog-friendly beach in Kiawah Island, SC. Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times within this area of the park. The recreation area is located on the island's west end and offers ocean frontage and river views along with the only public beach access on the island. See Details
Folly Beach Bring Fido to unwind in the sun at Folly Beach, one of Charleston, SC's more pet-friendly beaches. Dogs are allowed on the beach any time from October 1 to April 30. Between May 1 and September 30, dogs are not permitted on the beach from 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Dogs must be leashed at all times, no matter the time of year. See Details
Coligny Beach Park Coligny Beach Park is pet-friendly. Take a stroll with your pooch along landscaped walking and biking paths, chill on a swing and feel the sand under your feet and paws at this Hilton Head hangout. Dogs are welcome from Memorial Day through Labor Day until 10am and then after 5pm, as long as they are leashed and cleaned up after. See Details
Sands Beach Sands Beach in Port Royal, SC is pet friendly. You and your pooch can drive almost directly onto the beach, ideal for accessibility. While you're exploring, check the floor for shark teeth and shells. There's a nice boardwalk and a tower, too. To preserve the cleanliness of the beach, make sure you clean up any mess that your pooch leaves behind. See Details
Edisto Island Beaches in Edisto Island, SC, are dog friendly! Leashed pets are welcome on the beach from May 1st through Oct 31st. From November 1st through April 30th, Fido must be under verbal command of his owner, on a leash, or in a secure area within the town limits. It is also important to make sure you and your pets are familiar with the beach, as there are significant drop-offs on either side of the groins lining the shore. Note that the above laws pertain to the beach in Edisto. If you are on State Park property, state law differs. See Details
Fripp Island Beaches Dogs are welcome on the pet-friendly Fripp Island Beaches in Saint Helena Island, SC. Fripp Island is a barrier island off the coast of South Carolina, just down the road from Beaufort. The island itself is a wildlife sanctuary, with 3.5 miles of uncrowded beaches. As long as Fido is on a leash and all mess is cleaned up after them, pups are allowed to join their owners for a walk on the sand. See Details
Surfside Beach Bark Park Surfside Beach Bark Park in Surfside Beach, SC, is great for Fido to explore and play off-leash. This recreation area features separate spaces for small and large dogs. All dogs must have current rabies vaccinations and wear recent license tags. The park is closed Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to noon for cleaning. See Details
Sullivan's Island Beach Sullivan's Island Beach in Sullivan's Island, SC, is pet friendly. All pups, including day visitors and vacation renters, must have a town-issued dog permit to visit the island, including the beach. Details about paperwork and cost of permits can be found at the town hall. Summer hours for dogs on the beach run from May 1st to September 30th. During that time, dogs can be off-leash from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM and on leash from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM. No dogs are permitted on the beach between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Winter hours for dogs on the beach run from October 1st to April 30th. During that time, dogs can be off leash from 5:00 AM to noon and on leash from noon to 5:00 AM. See Details
Public Beaches at Folly Beach Public beach access points can be found at the end of every Folly Beach, SC block. This means you and Fido can easily head to the pet-friendly beach for some fun in the sun, sand and water! Dogs are allowed on the beach anytime during the off-season; however, between May 1 and September 30, they are not permitted on the beach between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Dogs must be leashed while visiting, and waste must be picked up immediately. See Details
South Carolina