Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in South Carolina

Dog-friendly Falls Park on the Reedy is located in the center of downtown Greenville, SC, and is the perfect spot for a morning walk, an afternoon picnic, or an evening stroll with your favorite four-legged friend. The park has plenty of open space for Fido to roam, but dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pets. Poop bag dispensers are located throughout the park. On warm weekends, your dog will meet plenty of furry friends.

Paris Mountain State Park is a pet-friendly recreation area in Greenville, SC. It's one of the oldest protected areas in the state is gaining popularity as a beautiful retreat in a metropolitan area. The 1,275-acre park features large stands of old growth hardwood forests that canopy over hiking and biking trails, a family campground, and several picnic areas. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas as long as they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet.

Pitt Street Railroad Bridge in Mount Pleasant, SC, is an old railroad causeway that used to connect Mount Pleasant to Sullivan's Island. The city planted grass and palm trees, and it is a beautiful pet-friendly place to walk your dog and watch the sunset. There are pet waste stations and a water fountain for people and dogs. A must-do when in Charleston!

Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 22-mile walking/biking greenway trail that passes through the heart of downtown Greenville, SC, and Falls Park on the Reedy. Popular with humans of all sizes and their four-legged friends, the trail runs along the beautiful, meandering Reedy River, which features multiple waterfalls and is home to several of Greenville's finest ducks. Whether you and you pooch are traveling to Greenville, reside here, or are just passing through, you must not leave without walking the dog-friendly Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Anne Springs Close Greenway is a great place to spend an afternoon with Fido in Fort Mills, SC. Walk with your pup on one of the many pet-friendly trails. The nature preserve is 2,100 acres serve as a natural buffer from urban development and provides a wide-open space for countless activities. Keep your dog leashed while there.

Charleston Waterfront Park is a dog-friendly destination in Charleston, SC, that draws visitors to its iconic multi-tiered Pineapple Fountain. Leashed dogs are welcome to explore the park alongside their owners, making it a great spot for a leisurely stroll. The park features well-maintained green spaces and scenic riverfront views, with plenty of benches for relaxation. Towering palmetto trees provide a touch of shade near the water’s edge, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Bring Fido to the dog-friendly Congaree National Park in Hopkins, SC. This picturesque recreation area allows pets to wander all trails, including the boardwalk. The trails vary between easy short trails and a couple of longer trails that are over 10 miles in a loop. All pets must be on a leash under six feet and under their owner's control at all times. Pets may not be left unattended for any period of time. Check out the pet-friendly campsites if you want to tackle more than one trail together.

South Carolina Botanical Gardens is a pet-friendly attraction in Clemson, SC. This diverse garden has 295 acres of natural landscapes, display gardens, and miles of streams and nature trails. The vast majority of Botanical Gardens in the U.S. do not allow dogs. The South Carolina Botanical Garden welcomes your pets as visitors. Dogs must be leashed, are not allowed on the Natural Heritage Garden Trail, must stay out of flower beds and stick to the trails. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that their pups leave behind.

Oconee State Park is a dog-friendly recreation site in Mountain Rest, SC. The 1,165 acres include two mountain lakes and a variety of recreational facilities for visitors to enjoy, including campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas and hiking trails. The park also serves as the western terminus for the 85-mile Foothills Trail, which crosses the state's crown and ends at Jones Gap State Park. Leashed pets are allowed in most outdoor areas. Pets aren't permitted in or around lodging facilities.

Edisto Beach State Park in Edisto Island, SC, is pet friendly! Leashed dogs are allowed in most outdoor areas, provided they are kept under physical restraint but are not permitted in or around lodging facilities. This 1,255-acre park offers a day-use area for beach access and a four-mile nature trail that winds through the maritime forest with beautiful vistas overlooking the salt marsh.

Check out the Coastal Discovery Museum in Hilton Head Island, SC! There are tons of dog-friendly trails with lookout points for you and Fido to explore. Come by and see the various labeled trees and plants along the way, and stop by the butterfly enclosure! Leashed dogs are allowed in all outside areas, but not inside the building.

Florence Veterans Park is a dog-friendly park in adjacent to the Florence Civic Center in Florence, SC. Leashed dogs are welcome to stroll through the park with you, which is dedicated to honoring members of the military. Along with the Wall of Honor, the park features an amphitheater, a water wall with pool, a steel wall with the oath of enlistment, and a landscaped circular trellis area.

Ninety Six National Historic Site presents a captivating blend of history and nature in South Carolina. You can walk the one-mile, pet-friendly paved trail, tracing the 1781 siege and colonial town, leading to the Stockade Fort from the 1775 battle. Or engage in fishing at Star Fort Pond. Here, Fido can also become a BARK Ranger, adhering to park rules and embracing the park's ethos.

Nestled in the heart of Spartanburg, SC, Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve welcomes leashed dogs to stroll quiet pathways through plants, trees, and beautiful flower gardens. During your visit, you may meet Major, the garden pup. But if she's not there, you can stop by her statue for a photo op and to let your pooch drink from her fountain. Hatcher is a free, pet-friendly public garden and nature preserve for the community to enjoy, study, and be inspired.

Once an army training base, pet-friendly Croft State Park covers more than 7,000 acres of rolling, wooded terrain just a few miles from downtown Spartanburg, SC. The recreation space offers 12 miles of biking and hiking trails, a playground, picnicking and camping, as well as fishing and boating in one of two lakes. Well-behaved dogs are allowed but must remain on a leash no longer than six feet and be cleaned up after.

Leashed dogs are welcome at this beautiful park in Greenville, SC. Pet-friendly Legacy Park offers 20 acres of green space with paved trails and water features. The park has ample parking, picnic tables, and a playground for children. Remember to always clean up after your dog.

Aiken, SC's Hitchcock Woods is one of the largest urban areas of forest in America and it's dog friendly. Bring Fido to this beautiful pine leaf forest with 65 miles of sandy trails to enjoy over 2100 acres. Nature lovers will be captivated by the huge variety of ecosystems on display throughout. Hitchcock Woods is also home to the rustic Aiken Horse Show in the spring, one of the oldest annual horse shows in the country. Although it is open to the public, the nonprofit organization that owns it, Hitchcock Woods Foundation, suggests passive use so that it maintains its natural beauty for generations to come.

Sadlers Creek State Park is a dog-friendly recreation area in Anderson, SC. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Features include a lakeside campground, fishing, picnicking, hiking, a meeting facility and boat access for those who wish to explore the 56,000 acres of Hartwell Lake. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. Pets are not allowed in or around lodging facilities.

Stono River County Park in Johns Island, SC, is pet friendly. Located at the foot of the Limehouse Bridge, this recreation area offers river views from 1.5 miles of wooded trails and marsh boardwalks for walkers, runners and cyclists. The park spans 85.5 acres, which includes highland, marsh island and 48 acres of marsh adjoining the Stono River. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails as long as they are cleaned up after.

Rocky River Nature Park is a pet-friendly place in Anderson, SC. This tree-topped nature park offers short walks and wildlife viewing in a tranquil setting. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners on the wildlife trails, as long as they are cleaned up after.