Pets & Parks
Is My Pet Allowed in the Park?
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
No pets are allowed due to the sensitive wildlife habitat.
Folly Beach County Park
Pets must be leashed at all times. No pets are allowed during the hours of 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. from May 1 - September 30.
Folly Beach Pier
Pets are not allowed on the pier. Pets on the beach must be leashed at all times. No pets are allowed on the beach during the hours of 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. from May 1 - September 30.
Isle of Palms County Park
Behind the beachfront, pets must be leashed at all times. On the beach, pets may be off-leash April 1 - September 14 from 5 a.m. - 9 a.m.; September 15 - March 31 before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Pets must be leashed at all other times, but are still allowed on the beach.
James Island County Park
Pets must be leashed unless inside of the designated dog park.
Johns Island County Park
Dogs must remain on non-retractable leashes at all times.
Kiawah Beachwalker Park
Pets must be kept on a leash, cleaned up after, and under control at all times. A Town of Kiawah Ordinance identifies specific regulations for the remainder of the island.
Laurel Hill County Park
Pets are to be leashed at all times.
Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve
No pets are allowed due to the sensitive nesting habitat.
McLeod Plantation Historic Site
Pets are not allowed.
Meggett County Park
Pets must be kept on a leash, cleaned up after and under control at all times.
Mount Pleasant Pier
Pets are not allowed on the pier.
North Charleston Wannamaker County Park
Pets must be leashed unless inside of the designated dog park.
Palmetto Islands County Park
Pets must be leashed unless inside of the designated dog park.
SK8 Charleston
Pets are not allowed.
Service Animals
Service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are allowed in your Charleston County Parks. Service animals are defined as "dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA."
"Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls."
For the full definition of a service animal, please see the full Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Taking Your Furry Friend on an Outdoor Adventure?
Remember these tips to help you and your pet have a safe and enjoyable time while helping to protect our local green spaces and waterways!
Know Before You Go!
Research your destination and its local pet/leash laws.
Check local forecast for severe weather and/or heat.
Bring a leash, pet waste bags and plenty of water for you and your pet.
Stay on the Right Path!
When hiking, keep your pet on the trail to minimize the impact on natural areas and to avoid contact with potentially harmful bites or stings.
Biting animals like fleas, ticks, chiggers and snakes are much more likely to be found in tall grasses and leaf litter than on a maintained trail.
Keep it Legal!
Local pet and leash laws are designed help protect pets and the local environment.
Be aware of and respect these laws to help avoid damage to the ecosystem, conflicts with wildlife or other people, and hefty fines by law enforcement
In designated off-leash areas, be mindful of your pet and have a leash handy just in case.
Trash It!
Always pick up after your pet, and dispose of the pet waste bag properly. Pet waste that is not disposed of properly washes directly into our local waterways through storm drains and groundwater, causing contamination, algal blooms and fish die-off.
Carry an extra bag to use as a back-up or lend to someone who is in need.
Be a Good Guest!
Remember that when you are exploring the great outdoors with your pet, you are a guest of the thousands of wild plants and animals that call this green space home.
Help prevent unwanted interactions between your pet and wildlife by never encouraging your pet to chase or harass wildlife and by always paying attention to signs that designate sensitive natural areas that may shelter migrating or nesting animals.