Roux and Gracie's Guide to Local Pet-friendly Parks and Beaches! (updated 3/8/25) *
My dogs LOVE to explore! So much so that my Chief Executive Pawficer/Director of Barketing (Roux) and Chief Canine Officer (Gracie) said I should make a list to share, so here goes! (Gracie isn't a fan of dog parks, so she asked me to not include those here.)
Local Pet-friendly Hiking Trails (linked via CHS Today) | There are quite a few local parks that are happy to allow pets - just check their rules and make sure you stick with any leash restrictions please!
Charlestowne Landing allows LEASHED pets on the walking trails.
Cypress Gardens is open to LEASHED pets November through February only.
Hampton Park is dog-friendly but pets must be LEASHED at all times.
Old Santee Canal Park is dog-friendly with a nice back trail - LEASHED pets.
Ashley River Park - pet-friendly (LEASHED) but they do have a small and large dog park on-site for off-leash exercise too.
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site - LEASHED pets please.
North Charleston Riverfront Park - LEASHED pets please, but there is a dog park on-site for off-leash running too.
Visit the Charleston County Parks website for details on their locations, dog parks, etc.
BEACHES!
Edisto Beach | May 1 – October 31: LEASHED dogs are allowed on Edisto Beach. November 1 – April 30: Dogs are allowed off leash.
Folly Beach | Pets must be LEASHED at all times. No pets are allowed on the beach between 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. from May 1 - September 30.
Isle of Palms Beach | Off-leash hours: April 1-September 14 from 5-9 a.m. and September 15-March 31 before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Dogs must be LEASHED at all other times.
Kiawah Beachwalker Park | Dogs must be LEASHED at all times at this park.
Sullivan’s Island | Summer hours for dogs on the beach run from May 1st to September 30th. During that time dogs can be off leash from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., LEASHED from 6:00 p.m. to 5 a.m. No dogs are permitted on the beach between the hours of 10:00 a.m and 6:00 pm. Winter hours for dogs on the beach run from October 1st to April 30th - dogs can be off leash from 5:00 a.m. to noon and on leash from Noon to 5:00 a.m. Dog licenses are required.
** Remember, if there is a NO PETS ALLOWED sign, please respect that, especially in wildlife conservation areas; and when signage indicates pets must be LEASHED AT ALL TIMES, kindly abide so everyone can enjoy their time!
(Also, please keep these beach rules in mind if we are considering a beach session for your pet.)
Any links are third party; no liability is assumed for their web site activity. Inclusion here as a resource is not an endorsement of an organization, business or individual.*
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