Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in South Carolina

If your dog likes to ruff it, bring Fido hiking in South Carolina. Our dog friendly hiking section includes everything from easy one-hour walks to fantastic overnight trips in South Carolina that won’t be soon forgotten. Seriously, go take a hike!

Pet Friendly Paris Mountain State Park
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
Pet Friendly Pitt Street Railroad Bridge
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
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
Swamp Rabbit Trail Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 22-mile walking/biking greenway trail that passes through the heart of downtown Greenville, SC, and Falls Park on the Reedy. Popular with humans of all sizes and their four-legged friends, the trail runs along the beautiful, meandering Reedy River, which features multiple waterfalls and is home to several of Greenville's finest ducks. Whether you and you pooch are traveling to Greenville, reside here, or are just passing through, you must not leave without walking the dog-friendly Swamp Rabbit Trail. See Details
Charleston Waterfront Park Charleston Waterfront Park is dog friendly and attracts many visitors who come to admire the impressive multi-tiered Pineapple Fountain. Dozens of benches are stationed within the park, both along the river and in the well-tended green spaces just offshore. Tall palmetto trees create a slightly shaded barrier just yards away from the water's edge. Dogs must remain leashed during your visit. See Details
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
Oconee State Park Oconee State Park is a dog-friendly recreation site in Mountain Rest, SC. The 1,165 acres include two mountain lakes and a variety of recreational facilities for visitors to enjoy, including campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas and hiking trails. The park also serves as the western terminus for the 85-mile Foothills Trail, which crosses the state's crown and ends at Jones Gap State Park. Leashed pets are allowed in most outdoor areas. Pets are not allowed in or around lodging facilities. See Details
Hitchcock Woods Aiken, SC's Hitchcock Woods is one of the largest urban areas of forest in America and it's dog friendly. Bring Fido to this beautiful pine leaf forest with 65 miles of sandy trails to enjoy over 2100 acres. Nature lovers will be captivated by the huge variety of ecosystems on display throughout. Hitchcock Woods is also home to the rustic Aiken Horse Show in the spring, one of the oldest annual horse shows in the country. Although it is open to the public, the nonprofit organization that owns it, Hitchcock Woods Foundation, suggests passive use so that it maintains its natural beauty for generations to come. See Details
Riverfront Park & Historic Columbia Canal Bring Fido to explore the pet-friendly Riverfront Park & Historic Columbia Canal in Columbia, SC. This completely paved walk goes along Columbia Canal as it meets with Broad River. The walk is 2.5 miles long each way and ends at the dam. Leashed dogs are welcome. See Details
Edisto Beach State Park Edisto Beach State Park in Edisto Island, SC, is pet friendly! Leashed dogs are allowed in most outdoor areas, provided they are kept under physical restraint but are not permitted in or around lodging facilities. This 1,255-acre park offers a day-use area for beach access and a four-mile nature trail that winds through the maritime forest with beautiful vistas overlooking the salt marsh. See Details
Little Pee Dee State Park Little Pee Dee State Park is an 835-acre park that includes a campground, nature trail and picnic area. This dog-friendly recreation area in Dillon, SC, welcomes leashed pets in most outdoor areas, although they are not allowed in or around lodging facilities. The park's 54-acre Lake Norton offers anglers the opportunity to try their luck, and the Little Pee Dee River provides a tranquil setting for guests to enjoy. See Details
Kings Mountain State Park Kings Mountain State Park rests in a picturesque setting adjacent to Kings Mountain National Military Park, a prominent Revolutionary War battle site in Blacksburg, SC. This traditional state park, which encompasses 6,883-acres, offers outdoor recreation activities such as hiking trails, picnicking, fishing from a rental jon boat, seasonal canoe rentals, equestrian trails and more. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. See Details
Sadlers Creek State Park Sadlers Creek State Park is a dog-friendly recreation area in Anderson, SC. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Features include a lakeside campground, fishing, picnicking, hiking, a meeting facility and boat access for those who wish to explore the 56,000 acres of Hartwell Lake. 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. See Details
Dreher Island State Park The pet-friendly Dreher Island State Park, located on Lake Murray in Prosperity, SC, is made up of three islands linked to the mainland by a causeway and two bridges. Twelve miles of shoreline offer opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking and camping. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas, provided they are on a leash under six feet and cleaned up after. See Details
Aiken State Park Four spring-fed lakes and the meandering South Edisto River make the pet-friendly Aiken State Park a popular destination in Windsor, SC. The park is a combination of a river swamp, bottomland hardwood forest and dry sandhill pine forest. The latter provides evidence of an era when the sea reached so far inland. Your leashed pup is welcome to join you in walking the two trails, but please remember to clean up after him. See Details
Harbison State Forest Harbison State Forest is pet-friendly. Encompassing over 2,000-acres of forestland only nine miles from downtown Columbia, the unique urban location makes Harbison one of the largest public greenspaces inside the city limits of a metropolitan area in the country. Dogs are welcome on a number of trails throughout the natural area, including the 4.4-mile Firebreak trail and shorter trails for novice hikers. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout. See Details
Lake Wateree State Park Bring Fido to the pet-friendly Lake Wateree State Park, one of Winnsboro, SC's premier fishing and boating destinations. Your leashed pup is welcome to join you in exploring the mile-long nature trail through the quiet woods and the numerous picnic tables. Pets are not allowed in or around lodging facilities. See Details
Yellow Branch Falls Hiking Trail Bring Fido for an adventurous hike along Yellow Branch Falls Hiking Trail near Walhalla, SC. This 3-mile out-and-back trail is moderately difficult and should take 1hr 30 mins to complete. Beginning at a picnic area off of SC-28, hikers should follow a short nature trail which connects to Yellow Branch Falls Hiking Trail. Meander across several small streams before reaching Yellow Branch Falls, a beautiful 50-foot vertical waterfall. The trail is open year-round and is a popular route to explore. Dogs are allowed to be off-leash in some areas. See Details
South Carolina