South Carolina – Dog-Friendly Travel Guide

Off-leash Dog Parks in South Carolina

• Canine Corner of Cleveland Park - Greenville
  
• Six Wags of Greer
  

• Barking Lot Dog Park - Saluda Shoals Park - Columbia
  
• Sesquicentennial State Park - Columbia
  

• Charleston County Dog Parks | Rules
  – James Island County Park
  – Kiawah Beachwalker Park
  – Palmetto Islands County Park - Mt Pleasant
  – Wannamaker County Park - North Charleston
  
• Hampton Park - downtown Charleston
  
• Isle of Palms Bark Park
  
• Myrtle Beach Bark Park - 11+ acre dog park with lake - located on former Air Force Base site in Seagate Village - free - no puppies under 4 months
  

City and State Parks and Gardens Allowing Dogs

• South Carolina's state parks allow dogs but require they be on leashes per state law. Visit the State Parks web site for info on SC's 45 individual state parks, or click to view SC State Park locations.

• Falls Park - downtown Greenville
• Sumter National Forest | Rules for dogs
  –   Andrew Pickens Ranger District - includes King Creek Falls and Ellicott Rock
  –   Enoree Ranger District
  –   Long Cane Ranger District
  

• Congaree Riverwalk - West Columbia
• Harbison State Forest - Columbia

• ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge - Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton counties
• Fort Moultrie - Sullivan's Island - dogs allowed on the grounds but not in the fort
• Francis Marion National Forest - Berkeley and Charleston | Rules for dogs
  
• Magnolia Plantation and Gardens - Charleston - they even put water dishes out for the dogs!

SC Beach Regulations for Dog Owners

• Edisto Beach
• Folly Beach - scroll down to "dogs"
  
• Hilton Head - scroll down to "animals on the beach"
  
• Hunting Island - Beaufort County - leashed dogs allowed year-round
• Huntington Beach
• Isle of Palms
• Kiawah Island
  – Kiawah Beachwalker Park
  
• Myrtle Beach - scroll down to Section 4-8
• Myrtle Beach state park
• North Myrtle Beach
• Pawleys Island - scroll down to "Georgetown County"
• Sullivan's Island - scroll down to Section 3-7 and 3-8 dogs must have a permit from town clerk to be on public property
• Surfside Beach
  

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, 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."

Dog Friendly Bed and Breakfasts in SC

• Aiken
  – Town and Country Inn
  – The Willcox
  
  
• Beaufort
  – Beaulieu House
  
  
• Camden
  – Colony Inn
  
  
• Charleston
  – Middleton Place
  – Palmer Home
  
  
• Georgetown
  – Mansfield Plantation Bed and Breakfast
  
  
• Myrtle Beach
  – Myrtle Beach pet-friendly accommodations - hotels and motels
  
  
• Spartanburg
  – Barking Fox Farm - Landrum
  – Red Horse Inn - Landrum
  

Related Resources

• Pet-friendly restaurants in SC
• Pet Fest - Mt Pleasant - Palmetto Islands County Park