Dog Friendly Activities in South Carolina

Don’t leave Fido in the hotel room when you’re on vacation. Get out and play! No matter where you’re headed in South Carolina, we can point you towards the nearest off-leash dog park, the most popular dog beach, a really great hiking trail, and lots of other places to play with Fido.

Pet Friendly James Island County Park
James Island County Park A visit to dog-friendly James Island County Park is a great way to spend an afternoon in Charleston, SC, with your pup. This park features a dog beach, four acres of open grassy space, a cleaning station, fenced play area for small dogs, and waste stations. A nominal fee is charged to enter the park. See Details
Pet Friendly Burkes Beach
Burkes Beach Burkes Beach in Hilton Head Island is dog-friendly before 10am and after 5pm from April 1st through late September. It's walking distance to the Chaplain Community Park, which includes the Best Friends Dog Park; if you don't like to walk, there are parking spaces in both areas. Parking is free at the Community Park, and metered at the beach access point. See Details
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens Magnolia Plantation & Gardens in Charleston, SC, has beautiful gardens you can explore with Fido, but please note that dogs are not permitted on the tours or the tram. In addition to the garden, there are many dog-friendly nature trails on the property. See Details
Hunting Island State Park Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. Pets are not allowed in or around lodging facilities.

Hunting Island 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. Five miles of pristine South Carolina beaches, thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon, and ocean inlet are all part of the park’s natural allure.
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Myrtle Beach State Park Located in the heart of the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach State Park is one of the most popular public beaches along the South Carolina coast. Leashed dogs are permitted on the trails and in most of the outdoor areas of the park. However, dogs are not permitted on any beaches in the park from 10:00 am-5:00 pm, May 1-Labor Day. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and humans must always clean up after their pets. See Details
Old Charleston Ghost Tours Bring Fido along on a dog-friendly Old Charleston Ghost Tour in Charleston, SC! This walking tour starts in Washington Park and lasts about 90 minutes. You and your pooch may even hear a story about a ghost dog that roams the streets of Charleston. See Details
Paris Mountain State Park Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. Pets are not allowed in or around lodging facilities.

One of the oldest protected areas in the state is gaining popularity as a beautiful retreat in a metropolitan area.

Formerly a watershed for the city of Greenville, the 1,275-acre Paris Mountain features large stands of old growth hardwood forests that canopy over hiking and biking trails, a family campground, picnic areas and Camp Buckhorn, a group-camp complex.
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Adventure Harbor Tours Adventure Harbor Tours offers a wide range of dog-friendly boat tours in Mount Pleasant. Their tours include a trip around Morris Island, a Charleston Harbor Cruise, and Sunset Boat Cruises. Private charters are also available. Check their website for current schedule. See Details
Charleston Water Taxi The dog-friendly Charleston Water Taxi provides ferry service for five different locations in Charleston, SC. See the beauty of Charleston from the water on your way to your next stop! Dolphins also often make an appearance. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome to accompany you on the water taxi. See Details
Charleston Carriage Works Charleston Carriage Works offers narrated tours of Charleston's residential historic district in covered, horse-drawn carriages. Tours load and depart approximately every 30 minutes from their stable at 20 Anson Street. Small dogs are welcome to join their humans on these tours. There is no charge for dogs on the tour provided they can sit on your lap or your party includes four humans, too. The price of a child's ticket will be charged for dogs not fitting these criteria. Call ahead for reservations. See Details
Captain Mark's Dolphin Cruise Captain Mark's Dolphin Cruise in Hilton Head, SC, is a family-owned and operated tour company that welcomes your well-behaved, leashed pet to join the fun as you enjoy one of its many tour options. Cruises include a daytime dolphin watch, a sunset cruise and dolphin watch, and a crabbing adventure. See Details
Alder Lane Beach Access The dog-friendly Alder Lane Beach in Hilton Head is a great, quiet getaway from the typical beach scene since its crowd size is much smaller than that of the surrounding area beaches. It's located off of South Forest Beach drive, next to the Marriott Grande Ocean Resort, and 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 a.m. and after 5 p.m, or anytime in the off season. They must be on a leash or under positive voice control at all times. Owner's are also required to remove and properly dispose of the animal's excrement as well. 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 April to the Thursday before Memorial day, dogs must be leashed from 10am until 5pm, and under voice control at all other times. From the Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day, Fido is not allowed on the beach between 10am & 5pm. Outside of these hours, dogs are permitted but must be under voice control. From the Tuesday after Labor Day until September, dogs must be leashed from 10am until 5pm, and under voice control at all other times. Please clean up all pet waste and do not allow pets to disturb or chase wildlife. See Details
R.J. Rockers Brewing Company Located in Downtown Spartanburg, R.J. Rockers Brewing Company is dog-friendly! While dogs are not allowed in The Silo, they are allowed both inside and outside of R.J.'s Taproom. Dogs must be on a leash during their visit. R.J. Rockers boasts a selection of handcrafted beers, as well as live music and special events, dogs on staff, and a water dish for thirsty canines. The Taproom is open Tuesday through Friday from 3pm to 10pm and Saturday from 11am to 10pm. See Details
Kiawah Beachwalker Park Kiawah Beachwalker Park is a dog-friendly beach in Kiawah Island. Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times within this area of the park. The park is located on the west end of Kiawah Island, and offers ocean frontage and a river views along with the only public beach access on the island. See Details
Falls Park on the Reedy Dog-friendly Falls Park on the Reedy is located in the center of downtown Greenville, SC, and is the perfect spot for a morning walk, an afternoon picnic, or an evening stroll with your favorite four-legged friend. The park has plenty of open space for Fido to roam, but dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pets. Poop bag dispensers are located throughout the park. On warm weekends, your dog will meet plenty of furry friends. See Details
Croft State Park Once an army training base, Croft State Park covers more than 7,000 acres of rolling, wooded terrain just a few miles from downtown Spartanburg. The park offers 12 miles of biking and hiking trails, a playground, picnicking and camping, as well as fishing and boating in one of two lakes.

Horseback riding in South Carolina state parks is widely popular, and Croft is known around the region for its equestrian facilities.

Dogs are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.
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South Carolina Botanical Gardens South Carolina Botanical Gardens is a pet-friendly attraction in Clemson, SC. This diverse garden has 295 acres of natural landscapes, display gardens, and miles of streams and nature trails. The vast majority of Botanical Gardens in the U.S. do not allow dogs. The South Carolina Botanical Garden welcomes your pets as visitors. Dogs must be leashed, are not allowed on the Natural Heritage Garden Trail, must stay out of flower beds and stick to the trails. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that their pups leave behind. See Details
Old Santee Canal Park Dogs are welcome at Old Santee Canal Park during daylight hours. Opened in 1989, the 195-acre park commemorates the area's rich history and habitat. Among its attractions are the Stony Landing House, built in 1843, and four miles of boardwalks that meander through the quiet backwaters of Biggin Creek and its surrounding swamp. The park's centerpiece is its Interpretive Center that chronicles the area's history as far back as 4000 B.C., including the 1863 construction of the Little David, a semisubmersible Confederate torpedo boat used in the Civil War. Beyond its historical offerings, the park has become a popular destination for bird watchers, hikers, paddlers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Dogs are not allowed at events. See Details
River Rat Brewery River Rat Brewery is a dog-friendly craft brewery in Columbia, SC. Stop by and relax outside on the deck as beautiful weather brings a great green space for you, your friends and Fido. Dogs are not allowed on the rooftop deck. See Details
Myrtle Beach (Dogs on Beach Policy) Most public beaches in the Myrtle Beach area are pet friendly during early morning hours or during late evenings year-round. From May 1 through Labor Day, dogs are allowed on the beach only before 10 am and after 5 pm. Dogs and bicycles are allowed on the boardwalk only between 5am to 10am from May 1 through Labor Day. From the day after Labor Day to April 30 each year, dogs are allowed on the beach at any time of day. At all times when dogs are allowed on the beach, they must be on a leash that is seven feet or shorter, and dog owners must pick up and properly dispose of the droppings. See Details
Isle of Palm Beaches Isle of Palm Beaches in Isle of Palms, SC, allow dogs from 5:00AM until 8:00AM April 1st through September 14th and 4:00PM until 10:00AM September 15th through March 31st. Dog owners must have leash in hand, have their dog under voice command and must clean up excrement. At all other times, dogs must be on leash and under complete control, even in the water. See Details
Hilton Head Island Beaches Dogs are allowed on Hilton Head beaches and must be on a leash between 10 am and 5 pm from April 1 through the Thursday before Memorial Day, and must be leashed between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm the Tuesday after Labor Day through September 30. Dogs must be on a leash or under positive voice control at all other times. Dogs must be leashed at all times on Fish Haul and Mitchelville beaches. Dogs not permitted between 10 am and 5 pm from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Persons in control of animals on the beach are required to remove and properly dispose of the animal's excrement. Please note that the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department patrols the beaches and enforces all regulations. Violators of beach regulations are subject to fines up to $500 per each offense. Call (843) 341-4600 for more information. See Details
Conestee Dog Park Greenville's Conestee Dog Park features fully-fenced play areas, with separate sections for large and small dogs, benches, a water station, and dog play features. See Details