Dog-Friendly Activities in Charleston

If you’re looking to spend some QT with your best furry friend, Charleston is the place for you. Besides having dog-friendly restaurant patios all over town and dog-friendly beaches (with rules, of course), we have lots of other places to have fun with your pooch!

James Island County Park Dog Park

Charleston is home to great weather almost year-round, and there are so many places to go to enjoy! James Island County Park is a local favorite, with miles of trails, campgrounds, unique activities, a winter wonderland of holiday lights, and a dog park! The park consists of two separate gated areas, one for all dogs and the other as a “small dog only” section to ensure safety for the little ones. The all-dogs section is four acres that is perfect for throwing a tennis ball around or playing with new doggy friends. You will find two beaches leading into the surrounding ponds of the park, perfect for cooling off on those hotter days!  

 

Riverdogs “Dog Day”

Charleston may not be home to any professional sports teams, but it is home to the Bill Murray-owned minor league baseball team the Riverdogs. The Riverdogs are located conveniently at Joseph P. Riley Jr. park, with a stunning river view. 

The draw of this minor league team isn’t always watching the game, over the years they have drawn attention based on their unusual promotional nights. The most popular always seems to be their dog days. Dogs are encouraged at the stadium, and you can enjoy $2 hotdogs for you or your favorite furry friends!    

 

West Ashley Greenway

A well-kept, local secret in West Ashley and Johns Island is the West Ashley Greenway. This trail is a total of 7.8 miles and is a favorite for bikers and walkers alike. This trail is so dog-friendly that it might be hard to find someone without a dog! 

 

You can enter or exit in West Ashley behind the South Windermere Shopping Center, located a short distance from downtown on Folly Road. On the other end, you can enter/exit through Johns Island where you will see a different side. The trail immediately gives way to the beautiful and quiet wetlands, giving you access to wildlife and spectacular sunrises and sunsets! 

 

Pitt Street Bridge 

Pitt Street Bridge is an interesting fixture in the history of Mount Pleasant and has long since been one of our favorite dog-friendly activities in Charleston. Back in the day, this used to be the trolley bridge that connected Sullivan’s Island and Mount Pleasant, but today it is a site for only recreation and relaxation! 

 

Your journey to Pitt Street Bridge begins through the Old Village of Mount Pleasant, a historic district preserved throughout the years. You’ll find golf carts and people wandering the streets at ease which is sometimes hard to find in Charleston. The Pitt Street Bridge is always open and welcomes dogs. You can take your dog on a nice long walk, or pack a blanket and find a spot to bask in the sun as you watch the sunrise or sunset. The bridge no longer makes the full span to Sullivans due to hurricane damage, but you can now fish from the end or catch the pelicans and other wildlife. 

 

White Point Garden

In the heart of Charleston’s historic district lies a prominent landmark that gives views of Fort Sumter and the Charleston Harbor. White Point Garden was established as a public garden in 1837 and now displays historic mortars and cannons used in the Civil War. It has become a place for people to visit when they come to Charleston, but is also very dog-friendly!

 

Every day from dawn until 9 am and 5 pm to 11 pm, the 5.7-acre park turns into off-leash dog heaven. You’ll find locals with their dogs before and after work enjoying the harbor breeze in this historic garden. The garden is surrounded by mature trees perfect for some much-needed shade and squirrels in need of chasing by the dogs! You’ll also be right around the corner from the Charleston Battery, the best way to get a walk-in but still enjoy the breeze!  

 

Dog Day Afternoon – Whirlin’ Waters Waterpark

Lastly, if your pup loves to play in the water, Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark at North Charleston Wannamaker County Park hosts a Dog Day Afternoon every year at the end of the season before they drain the pools. You can spend the afternoon frolicking in the pools with your four-legged mate!

Got more dog-friendly activities in Charleston? Leave them for us below in the comments or contact us today for more information!