Have you ever thought about whether your dog has experienced the beach? Bringing your dog on a beach vacation can be a lot of fun, as long as you know the right places to go and the right times for them to explore. There are plenty of NC Cottages rentals that are pet-friendly, making fido’s dreams of going on a weekend getaway come true. Below are the rules in Carolina Beach for dogs, followed by our recommendations on where to bring your dog off the sand as well.
Carolina Beach Dog Policy
In Carolina Beach, dogs are only allowed on the beach before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm between April 1st through September 30th. Dogs are not allowed to go on the beach between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. This is peak season so the beaches are more packed and it’s often too hot for dogs to be comfortable.
If you are looking to bring your dog out on the sand for a beach day, October 1st through March 31st dogs are allowed on the beach at any time. This is also shoulder season and can offer fewer crowds, less expensive accommodations, and more ease getting into restaurants. Keep in mind that dogs must be on a leash at all times when on Carolina Beach and that owners must have means of picking up waste. Remember that these are the rules for Carolina Beach only, surrounding beaches may have different rules so it’s important to check before showing up to avoid a fine.
NC Cottages Top 5 Recommendations in Carolina Beach with Dogs:
1. CB State Park provides 9 miles of trails that are an easy walk in the woods and by the water. Dogs must be on a leash but are free to roam around the trails with their owners year-round. The most famous hike to do here is Sugarloaf, aptly named because of a large white sand hill you’ll come across. Sugarloaf is a 3 mile trail that will bring you to the riverfront as well.
2. Good Hops Brewing is a woman-owned brewery on the island complete with a pet friendly patio and disc golf course. Breweries and dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly and Good Hops provides just the place for a cold beer, a little fetch, and hanging out with friends.
3. Mike Chappell Park offers a great deal of afternoon sports and activities. There is an off leash dog park as well as a playground for little kids, tennis and pickleball courts, a skate park, baseball diamond, and sports fields. The dog park is in the middle of all the action, making it a great place for the whole family to enjoy time outdoors.
4. Gurney Hood Barking Lot, located in Joe Eakes Park, is at the corner of K and 7th Avenue. This park is the only place where dogs are allowed off leash in Kure Beach. The park boasts an 18 hole disc golf course, two bocce ball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, a basketball court, and playground for the kiddos. This sounds like a recipe for an awesome birthday celebration, family reunion, or Saturday afternoon with your loved ones.
5. Basin Trail in Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is a 1.1 mile trail (one way) that winds along the ocean through the trees. This is an easy walk that offers beautiful views, shade from the sun, and historical relics. Some parts of the trail are a wooden pathway while other parts are sand. This is a great shoulder season walk as this trail gets especially hot in the summertime because the trees can block the ocean breeze that usually cools it off. Enjoy those live oaks with your dog!
We hope you have a wonderful beach vacation with your pup! If you have any other suggestions on where to bring dogs in Carolina Beach, please reach out and let us know and we can update this list.
