South Carolina – Dog-Friendly Travel Guide

South Carolina SC Tourism SC Dog-Friendly Travel

A Palmetto State Pooch! Traveling with your four-legged friend is fun, but it does require some extra planning. This guide can help you plan both a day-trip or a longer stay in South Carolina with dog-friendly destinations and tips. On this page you will find information on beach regulations, dog-friendly parks, and off-leash dog parks around the state. For overnight trips with your dog, we also have links to SC hotels and SC bed and breakfasts that welcome pets.  Additions? Corrections? If you have a favorite South Carolina nature trail, restaurant, or park that happens to be your dog's favorite too, please email us at service@sciway.net so we can add it here.

Dog Friendly Accommodations in South Carolina

• Dog-friendly Bed and Breakfasts in South Carolina
  
  
• Hotels in South Carolina
  – Free SC pet-check service - We'll give you know the pet policy for any hotel in South Carolina. Just ask!

Dog Friendly Parks and Beaches in South Carolina

• Aiken Dog Park - off-leash dog park

• Hunting Island

• Charleston beaches
  – Edisto Beach regulations
  – Folly Beach regulations - You must use a leash unless you are a member of FIDO.
  – Isle of Palms regulations
  – Kiawah Island regulations
  – Sullivan's Island regulations
  
• Charleston County dog parks and rules
  – James Island County Park - off-leash dog park
  – Palmetto Islands County Park - Mt Pleasant - off-leash dog park
  – Wannamaker County Park - North Charleston - off-leash dog park
  
• Ackerman Park - West Ashley - off-leash dog park
• Francis Marion National Forest - Berkeley and Charleston counties
• Hampton Park - Downtown Charleston - off-leash dog park
  
• Hazel Parker Park - Downtown Charleston - off-leash dog park
• Isle of Palms Bark Park - off-leash dog park
• Magnolia Plantation and Gardens - West Ashley
• Riverfront Park - North Charleston - off-leash dog park
• Wassamassaw Community Park - Summerville - off-leash dog park

• Dog Park at W.C. Nettles Park - click, then scroll down for info - off-leash dog park

• Barking Lot Dog Park at Saluda Shoals - Irmo - off-leash dog park
• Congaree Riverwalk - West Columbia
• Harbison State Forest - Irmo
• Noma Bark Park - Downtown Columbia - off-leash dog park
• Sesqui Dog Park at Sesquicentennial State Park - Northeast Columbia - off-leash dog park

• McLeod Park - there is a fenced, dog area at the rear of the park; when using the W. Palmetto Street entrance, continue through the park to the cul-de-sac at the end of road - off-leash dog park
  

• Grand Strand beach regulations
• Huntington Beach

• Canine Corner of Cleveland Park - PDF - off-leash dog park
• Falls Park
• Six Wags of Greer - off-leash dog park

• Dog Park at Chaplin Community Park - off-leash dog park
• Hilton Head Island beach regulations
  

• Myrtle Beach Barc Parcs - off-leash dog park
  
• Myrtle Beach beach regulations
• Myrtle Beach State Park

• Central Bark - Tega Cay - off-leash dog park

• ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge - PDF - Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton counties - see page 12
  
• South Carolina State Parks - dogs must be on leashes per state law. Click here to view park locations.
  
• Sumter National Forest - Chester, Fairfield, Laurens, Newberry, and Union counties

Know of a dog park we don't have? Tell us here

Fido Fare: Dog-friendly Restaurants in South Carolina

• Fuel Charleston
• Sugar BakeShop - sells gourmet dog treats!
• Tabbuli Grill

Know of a dog-friendly restaurant we're missing? Let us know!

Books on SC Outdoor Destinations for You and Your Dog

• Best Hikes With Dogs: Georgia and South Carolina - includes directions to trails, difficulty ratings, notable trail features, and tips for hiking with your dog, including the following "canine essentials":
  
  
  1. Insect repellent - like humans, some dogs are allergic to DEET, so DEET-free formulas may be best
     
  2. Dog food, trail treats, water, and water bowl - remember you'll both be burning more calories than normal, and don't count on stream availability - streams may be dry, and surface water often carries Giardia, which can give your dog diarrhea
  3. Roll of plastic bags and trowel - either bag your pet's waste or bury it
  4. Leash and collar - make sure your current contact information is on your dog's collar
  5. Basic first-aid kit - including antibiotic ointment, gauze pads, adhesive tape, baking soda for bee stings, canine eyewash, toenail clippers, and your veterinarian's phone number

• Doggin' The Carolina Coasts: The 50 Best Places To Hike With Your Dog - guidelines for hiking with canines plus info on NC and SC trails, parks, and beaches that allow dogs - includes info on swimming availability, trail length, and potential hazards for your pet, including the following excerpt:
  
  "Alligators are found in marshes, swamps, rivers, and lakes as well as neighborhood drainage ditches and canals. Use common sense and do not allow your dog in waters where alligators may be lurking ... If you see an alligator on land, just walk your dog away – alligators do not run down prey on land."