Traveling with your dog can be a lot of fun, but it can also be really stressful if you don’t plan ahead. Without planning ahead and checking into the places you plan to stop, you can’t guarantee that they will all be dog-friendly. When traveling with your dog, you want to make sure that everywhere you go will welcome both you and your dog with open arms. Dog-friendly travel guides can be a great place to start your research. If you’re headed to “The Palmetto State”, use this South Carolina dog-friendly travel guide to start your research:

8 Dog-Friendly Activities in South Carolina

Adding dog-friendly attractions to your trip itinerary ensures you have fun things to do throughout the day where your dog can join you. Here are a few dog-friendly activities in South Carolina to consider adding to your trip plan:

1. Myrtle Beach State Park
2. Adventure Harbor Tours
3. Swamp Rabbit Trail
4. King Street
5. Charleston Carriage Works
6. Vagabond Cruise
7. Ghost City Tours
8. Frampton House Visitors Center & Museum

1. Myrtle Beach State Park

If you’re a nature fan and your travels bring you to Myrtle Beach, set aside some time to explore the Myrtle Beach State Park. Although your dog is not permitted on the beaches for most of the year, there are plenty of trails and outdoor areas to explore throughout this 312-acre oceanfront park.

Your dog just needs to be leashed, within your control at all times, and you need to make sure you clean up after them. When it comes to the beaches, dogs are not allowed on them between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. starting May 1st and running through Labor Day.

Outside of these peak beach times, you can bring your dog on the beach. Just make sure you check the weather, bring plenty of fresh water for you and your dog, and follow other beach safety tips for dogs while you’re there.

2. Adventure Harbor Tours

Adventure Harbor Tours is located in Mount Pleasant and offers several different boat tours. Private charters are available, and they also offer a Charleston Harbor Cruise, Sunset Boat Cruises, and a tour around Morris Island. Plus, their boat tours are dog-friendly!

Morris Island is a popular location for dog owners as it is an undeveloped island that is located at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. It’s only accessible by private boats. But if you plan a trip there, you can walk along the beach with your dog off-leash while you look for dolphins in the harbor, search for shells, and enjoy the sun.

3. Swamp Rabbit Trail

If your travels will take you through Greenville, the Swamp Rabbit Trail is a great place for you and your dog to stretch your legs and relax in nature. This trail is 22 miles long. Because it follows along the Reedy River, it passes through the Reedy River Park and downtown Greenville.

In addition to beautiful scenery, there are also several waterfalls to see and plenty of ducks. Your dog must be leashed at all times and well-behaved, but they are welcome to join you. The path is completely paved or has a rubber track. But there isn’t much in terms of water stations or food stations, so you’ll want to make sure you bring plenty of your own. This is a key tip for hiking safely with your dog.

4. King Street

King Street is a notable historic shopping district in downtown Charleston. Not only is it historically significant, but it also offers some beautiful architecture along with some of the area’s best shopping. Plus, it’s dog-friendly, and many of the shops are dog-friendly as well.

As long as your dog is leashed and well-behaved, many of the shops will welcome you and your dog inside. Several of them also leave out bowls of water for pooches passing by. There is also a dog bakery called Woof Gang Bakery in the middle that is a must-stop for all dog owners.

5. Charleston Carriage Works

If you’re a fan of history and you find yourself in Charleston, consider taking a horse-drawn carriage tour with Charleston Carriage Works. These carriage tours are narrated and travel throughout Charleston’s residential historic district.

They load and depart about every 30 minutes and include plenty of stories. And your dog is welcome to join you as long as they are leashed and well-behaved. Small dogs that sit in your lap are free, while larger dogs will need a child’s ticket in order to ride.

6. Vagabond Cruise

Vagabond Cruise is located on Hilton Head Island. They offer dolphin cruises and a Spirit of Harbour Town Dinner Cruise. Dogs are welcome on the dolphin cruises as long as they are leashed and well-behaved. Leashed, well-behaved dogs under 20 pounds can join you on the dinner cruise as long as you choose the outdoor dining option.

7. Ghost City Tours

For fans of the spooky and macabre, Ghost City Tours is a great attraction to add to your trip itinerary. They are located throughout several cities, including Charleston, and offer a variety of tours that range from family-friendly to adult-only. They happen seven nights a week and last about 90 minutes. Plus, tours are dog-friendly. Your dog just needs to stay leashed at all times and be well-behaved.

8. Frampton House Visitors Center & Museum

If history is your thing and your travels bring you near Yemassee, consider spending some time at the Frampton House Visitors Center & Museum. The 4-acre property dates back to the 1700s, while the plantation house dates back to 1868. It is now the location of the Lowcountry Museum, Visitors Center, and Gift Shop.

Also, your leashed dog is welcome to join you anywhere on the property, which makes it a great place for both of you to stretch your legs. On top of that, as long as your dog is well-behaved and under your control, they will also be allowed to join you inside the house.

3 Dog-Friendly Hotels in South Carolina

After a full day of fun, you’ll want to make sure you have a place to rest, relax, and recharge that will welcome your dog, too. Because not all hotels are dog-friendly and dog-friendly rooms tend to fill up fast, it’s important to do your research and book a room ahead of time to ensure you have a dog-friendly place to stay. Start your research with some of these dog-friendly hotels in South Carolina:

1. Wentworth Mansion
2. Holiday Inn Express
3. Hyatt Regency Greenville

1. Wentworth Mansion

Wentworth Mansion is a mansion-turned-historic-hotel located in Charleston. It’s a 5-star hotel that blends history, hospitality, and luxury. Plus, it’s dog-friendly. Two dogs of any size are welcome to join you for your stay. There is an additional pet fee, which is $40 per day.

They even have a two-night dog-friendly hotel package called A Dog’s World Package! Not only does this include breakfast, afternoon wine, and hors d’oeuvres at Circa 1886 Restaurant located on the property in the original carriage house, the pet package also includes welcome treats for your dog, a gift card to a local dog-friendly eatery, and a gift card to Woof Gang Bakery, which is a local bakery just for dogs.

There is a relief area for your dog located conveniently in the courtyard, and waste bags are available on-site. On top of that, your dog can be left unattended in your room as long as they are well-behaved and treats are available at the front desk. If you’re not sure how your dog will do if you need to leave them alone in your room, you can work with the hotel to arrange a pet sitter.

2. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bluffton at Hilton Head

If you’ll need a place to stay on Hilton Head Island, consider the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Bluffton. This hotel is dog-friendly. You can bring up to two dogs up to 50 pounds with you. There is an additional pet fee, which is $75 per night and a $50 pet deposit incidental hold in case of pet damage.

The front desk has treats available. There are two areas on-site for walking your dog, and waste bags are provided. Quiet, well-behaved dogs are permitted to be left unattended in your room. The hotel can also help you coordinate other pet amenities, like dog boarding or kenneling, doggy daycare visits, grooming, and more.

If your dogs are over the weight limit and you still want to try to stay here, give the hotel a call and ask. You may be able to work with the hotel manager for an exception. However, there is no guarantee that they will say yes, and it might be easier to just find accommodations somewhere else where the listed pet policy automatically includes your larger dog.

3. Hyatt Regency Greenville

If you’ll be staying overnight in Greenville, consider booking a room at the Hyatt Regency Greenville. Located in the heart of Greenville, this hotel offers great views, access to plenty of things to see and do, and is also dog-friendly.

You are welcome to bring up to two dogs up to 50 pounds, with a combined weight of 75 pounds, with you for your stay. There is an additional pet fee, which is $125 per stay for stays of 6 nights or fewer. If you’re planning to stay for 7-30 nights, there will be another $125 dollars plus a $100 deep-cleaning fee. You can’t leave your dog unattended in your room, but there is a grassy area on-site where you can walk your dog. You can also buy dog treats from the front desk if you happen to run out.

3 Dog-Friendly Restaurants in South Carolina

When you’re traveling, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of fast food and convenience stores in addition to whatever you’ve brought with you. Although this is often fast and easy, it also means you miss out on the local flavor and experience. If your travels bring you near these dog-friendly restaurants when you need to eat or grab a drink, consider stopping by:

1. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
2. FUEL Charleston
3. Lost Dog Cafe

1. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming

Woof Gang Bakery is a stop that is all about your dog. They offer exclusive gourmet treats, all-natural dog food and treats, pet supplies, and personalized grooming services. Plus, they have over 250 locations nationwide, so you’re bound to find one nearby when you travel. In South Carolina, they have locations in:

• Charleston
• Mt. Pleasant
• Moncks Corner
• Summerville

2. FUEL Charleston

FUEL Charleston is a great place to stop for some food and refreshment if your travels bring you downtown. Not only is it housed in a repurposed gas station and offers a great menu, but it’s also dog-friendly! This place is known for classic pub grub with a Caribbean flavor.

Local favorites include chorizo burgers, grilled shrimp, jerk chicken salad, and more. Plus, the outdoor seating area is shaded and has fans. So, in addition to a bowl of water, you and your dog will both be more comfortable while you eat.

3. Lost Dog Cafe

Lost Dog Cafe is located in Folly Beach, and it is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. The menu features breakfast and lunch options with a Southern twist. Between coffee, drinks, alcoholic drinks, soups, salads, breads, soups, in addition to daily specials, there is something for everyone at Lost Dog Cafe.

Plus, their outdoor seating is dog-friendly. But this is a popular place that doesn’t really have an “off” time. So, try to go outside of peak rush hours and be prepared to wait a little bit for a table. There isn’t a dedicated menu for dogs, but there are plenty of regular menu options that can be modified to be perfect for dogs. And when you’re done, you can pick up some Lost Dog merchandise as a memento of your trip.

Plan a Dog-Friendly Trip to South Carolina

This South Carolina dog-friendly travel guide is just a starting point for researching and planning your trip. It doesn’t cover everything, but it is a good place to start. If you find something else you want to see, just make sure it is dog-friendly, or you have a plan for your dog before it goes on your trip plan.

By doing your research and planning ahead, you can take a lot of stress out of traveling with your dog and make sure it’s a trip you can both enjoy together. If you’re headed somewhere else, check out some of the other dog-friendly travel guides available to help you plan your trip. Here’s to safe travels, happy trails, and wagging trails no matter where your adventures take you!