A dog may start as a pet, but their playful companionship and unconditional love soon make them a cherished family member. As you prepare to head out, your heart melts as their tender puppy eyes look up at you and silently beg to come along! Don’t shut the door on your pooch’s adventures any longer! Hilton Head Island’s sub-tropical oasis is the ultimate destination for dogs and their families. Your canine companion will leap at the chance to visit the places listed below, so prepare to spend more coastal time with your best friend.
BEACHES
In Hilton Head, your tail-wagger can jump the waves, dig in the sand, and explore the shore with you every day before 10 AM or after 5 PM. You can even unleash and use voice commands before 10 AM or after 5 PM during the spectacular mornings and evenings throughout the year. Th
is is ideal for meeting fellow dog lovers who often gather at Burkes Beach and Alder Lane beach access near Forest Beach.
From Labor Day to Friday before Memorial Day, Hilton Head beaches permit dogs any time of day. Keep your dog on a leash from 10 AM to 5 PM from April 1 – Thursday before Memorial Day and the Tuesday after Labor Day until September 30.
For a “pawfect” day, the beach entrances provide bags and trash bins for easy removal and disposal of pet waste. The natural wildlife on the beach may be of interest to your pet, but please do not disturb it. Always be mindful of your canine’s fur coat and protect them from overheating with plenty of shade and freshwater. The loyal pawprints in the sand are a treasure!
RESTAURANTS
Dining with your best friend is a treat at almost all Hilton Head and Bluffton restaurants that offer outdoor seating. Leashed by your side, you can enjoy a delicious meal together at Old Oyster Factory, Black Marlins, San Miguel’s, Hogshead, Hudson’s Seafood, Main Street Café, Frosty Frog Café, One Hot Mama’s, The Crazy Crab, Skillet’s Café and more. Many servers often speak “doggo lingo” and happily bring fresh ice water to your furry friend.
DOG PARKS
Bring your doggo, pupper, or woofer to Chaplain Best Friends Dog Park to release their energy, play, and enjoy fresh water in the larger, gated arena. Remarkable live oaks and palms offer shade and scenic landscaping at Chaplain’s natural island environment, where friendly dogs and like-minded pet owners gather to socialize!
Bluffton Dog Park is in the Oscar Frazier Park Area and offers free play for similar-sized dogs within a large, fenced area. The wooded location lined with benches provides a tail-wagging dog’s day out! Moss Creek, Palmetto Hall, Sea Pines, Long Cove, and other communities also have charming dog parks that give residents and dogs lasting friendships!
WALKING PATHS and PARKS
One hundred seventeen miles of shared-use paths line Hilton Head Island with pawsitively tremendous dog-walking options! The breath-taking landscape is a habitat for local wildlife; therefore, dogs should always be kept on a leash and avoid reptiles. Jarvis Creek Park, Shelter Cove Park, Lowcountry Celebration Park, Compass Rose Park, and more offer excellent dog walking trails.
Pet-friendly living in Hilton Head Island unites dog families and creates the best dog-gone memories!
Contributed by Janice Magnin
Posted by Christina Galbreath-Gonzalez on
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