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, a 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, 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
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens The pet-friendly Magnolia Plantation & Gardens in Charleston, SC, has beautiful gardens you can explore with Fido. 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
Paris Mountain State Park Paris Mountain State Park is a pet-friendly recreation area in Greenville, SC. It's one of the oldest protected areas in the state is gaining popularity as a beautiful retreat in a metropolitan area. The 1,275-acre park features large stands of old growth hardwood forests that canopy over hiking and biking trails, a family campground, and several picnic areas. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas as long as they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. See Details
Charles Towne Landing The Charles Towne Landing is a dog-friendly, state historical site in Charleston, SC, where you and your family can learn about the oldest South Carolina Colony. Well-mannered pets are welcomed on a 6-foot leash. Please note that dogs are not permitted in the Animal Forest or the museum. 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
Charleston Water Taxi The dog-friendly Charleston Water Taxi provides ferry service for four 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
Vagabond Cruise Your pup will love the chance to see dolphins aboard a pet-friendly Vagabond Cruise in Hilton Head Island, SC in the company of his favorite human. Well-behaved, small dogs (under 20 pounds) are welcome on all dolphin cruises and the Savannah Day Cruise. 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
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
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
Adventure Harbor Tours Adventure Harbor Tours offers a wide range of dog-friendly boat tours in Charleston, SC. Their excursions include a trip around Morris Island, a Charleston Harbor Cruise and Sunset Boat Cruises. Private charters are also available. Check their website for the current schedule. See Details
Charleston Carriage Works Charleston Carriage Works offers dog-friendly, 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 and there is no charge provided they can sit on your lap. The price of a child's ticket will be charged for dogs not fitting these criteria. Please call ahead for reservations. 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
Captain Mark's Dolphin Cruise Captain Mark's Dolphin Cruise in Hilton Head Island, SC, is a family-owned and operated dog-friendly 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
Pitt Street Railroad Bridge Pitt Street Railroad Bridge in Mount Pleasant, SC, is an old railroad causeway that used to connect Mount Pleasant to Sullivan's Island. The city planted grass and palm trees, and it is a beautiful pet-friendly place to walk your dog and watch the sunset. There are pet waste stations and a water fountain for people and dogs. A must-do when in Charleston! See Details
Exclusive Fishing Charter Exclusive Fishing Charter offers dog-friendly fishing and sunset tours in Charleston, SC. They specialize in year-round catching both native inshore and nearshore species. Every skill level and age is welcome. They guarantee that they will put you in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing and using the right bait! See Details
Congaree National Park Bring Fido to the dog-friendly Congaree National Park in Hopkins, SC. This picturesque recreation area allows pets to wander all trails, including the boardwalk. The trails vary between easy short trails and a couple of longer trails that are over 10 miles in a loop. All pets must be on a leash under six feet and under their owner's control at all times. Pets may not be left unattended for any period of time. Check out the pet-friendly campsites if you want to tackle more than one trail together. 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, pet-friendly Croft State Park covers more than 7,000 acres of rolling, wooded terrain just a few miles from downtown Spartanburg, SC. The recreation space offers 12 miles of biking and hiking trails, a playground, picnicking and camping, as well as fishing and boating in one of two lakes. Well-behaved dogs are allowed but must remain on a leash no longer than six feet and be cleaned up after. See Details
South Carolina