Description

If you are staying at one of our pet-friendly homes and have a canine family member along with you, there are many great things to do together in the Lowcountry.

Each island has its own rules for dogs on the beach. For the Isle of Palms, if you are just visiting with a dog, it does not need a license. Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach during certain hours, certain times of the year. (Dog owners must have a leash in-hand, have their dog under voice command and must clean up after their pet). Off-leash hours on the beach are: April 1st - September 14th: from 5:00am - 8:00am; September 15th - March 31st: 4:00pm - 10:00am. At all other times, dogs must be on a leash and under complete control, even in the water. Please clean up after your dog. Doggie clean-up bags are located at many beach access paths.

On Folly Beach, dogs must be leashed at all times and you are required to clean up after your pet. No dogs are allowed on the beach from 10am till 6pm during the hot times of the year, from May 1st through September 30th.

Several area parks have a “bark park” where dogs can play and socialize off-leash. On the Isle of Palms behind the Rec Center is a large bark park with separate fenced in areas for small and large dogs; enter along 29th Avenue. In Mt. Pleasant, the Palmetto Islands County Park has a huge “bark park” with a large exercise area as well as a practice agility course. Every spring (April 14th -15th, 2012) Palmetto Islands County Park is the site of a great event called Pet Fest, with loads of exhibits, demos, vendors, entertainment, contests and fun things for people and their pets. Location: 444 Needlerush Parkway Mt. Pleasant, near Boone Hall Plantation.

Between Folly Beach and Charleston, the James Island County Park has a very large fenced-in bark park with lakes where dogs can swim as well. The park is located at 871 Riverland Drive in Charleston.

Downtown Charleston, the Hazel Parker Park Dog Run is a fenced-in off-leash bark park, located in the historic district at 70 East Bay Street. The peninsula in general is a great place to walk your leashed dog, through the historic neighborhoods and in the parks (White Point Gardens/the Battery, Waterfront Park, Marion Square and Colonial Lake are all popular dog-walking areas). The Farmer’s Market in Marion Square on Saturday mornings has almost as many four-legged visitors as two-legged ones. Second Sundays on King, a special day each month when King Street (from Calhoun to Queen) is closed to vehicles but open to people and pets from 1pm - 5pm, is a fun and popular event.

Red's Ice House in Mount Pleasant has a great outdoor patio and extensive deck overlooking the shrimp trawlers on Shem Creek. Pets are welcome to sit with you to enjoy libations or a meal as you take in the people-, pooch- and boat-watching. 98 Church Street, Mount Pleasant.

Please note: dogs are not allowed to be walked on the Ravenel (Cooper River) Bridge.