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9 Great Dog-Friendly Beaches in South Carolina (2026)
South Carolina is well known for its foods, southern hospitality, and rich history. However, you might not know that South Carolina has some pretty fine beaches as well. From Folly Beach to Myrtle Beach, you can find plenty to do when you visit the beaches in this fair state.
However, what if you want to take your dog to the beach with you? Whether you’re a resident or just passing through, we have plenty of dog-friendly beaches. All we ask is that you pick up after your pooch and keep him on a leash on the beaches that require you to do so.
If you’re looking for a dog-friendly beach to take your pooch to, we’ll give you some of our favorites and a little bit about them in the blog below.
The 9 Dog-Friendly Beaches in South Carolina
1. Burkes Beach
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍60 Burkes Beach Rd, Hilton Head, SC, 29928 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | Before 10 am and after 5 pm from April 1 to late September |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Off-leash allowed in the off season |
- Within walking distance of Chaplain Community Park and Best Friends Dog Park
- Parking available for both areas
- Dogs must be on a leash during peak season
- Five-minute walk to the water
2. Hunting Island State Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 255 Sea Island Parkway, Saint Helena Island, SC, 29920 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 6 am to 6 pm |
| 💲 Cost: | $8 adults, $4 children, under five free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- South Carolina's most popular state park
- Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than six feet
- 5 miles of beaches
- Has a saltwater lagoon
- Dogs are allowed in most outdoor areas
3. Myrtle Beach State Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍4401 S. Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC, 29577 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | Pets are not allowed on the beaches from 10 am to 5 pm, May 1 through Labor Day |
| 💲 Cost: | $8 adults, $5 children, under five free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- Located in the heart of the Grand Strand
- One of the most popular public beaches on the coast
- Humans must always clean up after their pets
- Cabins located 200 yards from the beach
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times of no more than six feet in length
4. Isle of Palms Beaches
| 🗺️ Address: | 810 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 5 am to 8 am April 1 to September 14; 4 pm to 10 am September 15 through March 31 |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- Must have leash in hand
- Must clean up after dog
- Must be under control even in the water
- Water fountain nearby
- Easy to park and play
5. Beach at Sullivan’s Island
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍2256 Atlantic Ave, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 5 am to 10 pm for off-leash, on-leash from 6 pm to 5 am |
| 💲 Cost: | $35 per dog, $50 for non-residents |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Must have a time-issued dog permit
- Dogs are allowed all winter, all day, every day
- Close to the water
- Great place to watch the sunset and sunrise
6. Folly Beach
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍1 Center St, Folly Beach, SC 29439 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | October 1 to April 1 |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- Dogs not allowed on the pier
- Gorgeous beach
- Schedule is restricted
- Close to the County Park
- Most restaurants have patios and decks, so pets are allowed
7. Surfside Beach Dog Park
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍412 1st Ave N, Surfside Beach, SC 29575 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | Sunrise to sunset |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- All dogs must have current rabies shots and vaccines
- No more than two dogs per visit
- Need Surfside Beach license tags that are $10
- Great spot to exercise and socialize with other dogs
8. Edisto Island Beach
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍1201 Palmetto Blvd, Edisto Island, SC 29438 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | Sunrise to sunset |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- Great sunsets and sunrises
- Dogs must be leashed
- Clean up after your pooch
- Near many restaurants
9. Fripps Island Beach
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍225 Tarpon Blvd, St Helena Island, SC 29920 |
| 🕐 Open Times: | Sunrise to sunset |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- Close to Beaufort
- Island is a wildlife sanctuary
- 5 miles of beaches that are uncrowded
- Clean up your dog’s messes
- Gorgeous views
Conclusion
If you’ve ever been to the beach in South Carolina, then you already know how gorgeous they can be. However, the last thing we want is people bringing their dogs and letting them destroy or mess up the beaches, so the beaches themselves have restrictions.
If you’re taking your dog to a dog-friendly beach in South Carolina, make sure that you follow all the rules and clean up after your dog as well. We want the beaches to stay pristine and gorgeous for everyone, you, your family, and your dog included. Enjoy your time on South Carolina’s beaches!
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: Tom Morales, Unsplash
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Patricia is a pet and coffee writer and a published author under the pen name Skylar McKinzie. When she isn’t writing, Patricia enjoys spending time with her two cats and dog. Since she was a young child, she has been a pet lover and enjoys nothing more than cuddling with her pets, Mystery, and her two cats, Binx and Link. Mystery has been with her family since the day she was born, as has Link. Binx was found under the house as a kitten, taken inside, and has been a part of the family ever since. Patricia loves sharing her knowledge of animals and finds joy in helping out at the local rescue shelter whenever she can.
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