Dog-Friendly Hikes in South Carolina: Leash Rules by Trail

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16 South Carolina trails where dogs are welcome on a leash, with the leash length and any no-dog areas the managing agency sets. Rules differ by agency, so read the row for your trail.

Trails16on this page
Regions4Upstate, Midlands, Lowcountry…
Free0as the operator states
CheckedOct 262026

The Short Answer

SC State Parks require pets to be crated, caged, on a leash no longer than six feet or otherwise under physical control at all times (SC Code Title 51, Chapter 3, Section 145). source
Congaree National Park allows pets on all trails, including the boardwalk, on a leash 6 feet long maximum. source
Table Rock State Park: pets must stay leashed on hiking trails and are not allowed in the lake or on the swim beach. source

Every Trails on Our List

Search this list16 of 16

Name	Where	What	When	Cost	Good to know	Source
Cherry Hill Recreation Area	Walhalla area (SC 107) Upstate	29-site Forest Service campground north of Walhalla, open April 1 through October 31.	April 1 – October 31; closed for winter.	$15 per site per night.	Dogs: 'Leashed pets are welcome.'	source
Jones Gap State Park trails (Rainbow Falls, Jones Gap Trail)	Marietta Upstate	Advanced trails in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness, including the Rainbow Falls hike.	Not listed	Not listed	Dogs: Leash no longer than six feet (park page, ).	source
Kings Mountain National Military Park trails	Blacksburg Upstate	Battlefield Trail (1.5 mi, paved) and longer woods trails at the 1780 battlefield.	Not listed	No fees.	Dogs: Leash not longer than six feet, under physical control; never off leash.	source
Oconee State Park trails (Hidden Falls, Lake Trail)	Mountain Rest Upstate	Six trails including the 4.6-mile Hidden Falls out-and-back and the easy 1.2-mile Lake Trail loop.	Not listed	Not listed	Dogs: Leash not longer than six feet or physical restraint; 'Pets are not to be left unattended.'	source
Palmetto Trail: Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage	Pickens Upstate	12.6-mile Moderate passage from Table Rock State Park into the Jocassee Gorges.	Not listed	Not listed	Dogs: Allowed, leashed at all times.	source
Paris Mountain State Park trails	Greenville Upstate	About 17 miles of trails, from the 0.75-mile Lake Placid loop to the 3.8-mile Sulphur Springs loop.	Not listed	$6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors; $3.50 children 6-15.	Dogs: Leash not longer than six feet or physical restraint in most outdoor areas.	source
Raven Cliff Falls and Caesars Head trails	Cleveland Upstate	Advanced wilderness trails including the Raven Cliff Falls hike.	Not listed	Trail access $3 adults.	Dogs: Leash not longer than six feet or physical restraint in most outdoor areas.	source
Station Cove Falls Trail	Walhalla Upstate	Easy 0.5-mile hike to a waterfall; also reached by a 1.5-mile nature trail from Oconee Station State Historic Site.	Not listed	Not listed	Dogs: Forest Service: 'leashed pets welcome.' State historic site: leash no longer than six feet.	source
Swamp Rabbit Trail	Greenville / Travelers Rest / Fountain Inn Upstate	Greenville County's '32 mile and growing' trail network.	Not listed	Not listed	Dogs: County page: keep dogs on a short leash and clean up after them.	source
Table Rock State Park trails	Pickens Upstate	Table Rock (3.6 mi one way), Pinnacle Mountain (4.2 mi one way), Carrick Creek (2-mile loop) and Lakeside (1.9-mile loop).	Not listed	$6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors; $3.50 children 6-15.	Dogs: 'All pets must remain leashed while in the park; this includes any pets on hiking trails.' 6-ft maximum leash.	source
Yellow Branch Falls Trail	Walhalla Upstate	Moderate 1.5-mile (one way) trail to a 50-foot cascade.	Not listed	Not listed	Dogs: 'Leashed pets are welcome.' Leash length not stated.	source
Congaree National Park Boardwalk and trails	Hopkins Midlands	Pets are welcome on all Congaree trails, including the 2.6-mile boardwalk, and in the campgrounds.	Not listed	No entrance fee.	Dogs: Leash 6 feet long maximum, under control at all times; never left unattended; bag waste (bags outside the visitor center).	source
Palmetto Trail: Fort Jackson Passage	Columbia (Fort Jackson) Midlands	16.2-mile Moderate passage through the Army's largest basic training center.	Not listed	Not listed	Dogs: Pets: Yes. Access: Fort Jackson allows pedestrian traffic at its discretion; ID usually required at the Fort Jackson Boulevard entrance; online Visitor Pass application.	source
Hunting Island State Park trails	Hunting Island Lowcountry	Maritime forest, lagoon and marsh boardwalk trails.	Not listed	Not listed	Dogs: Leash no longer than six feet elsewhere.	source
Palmetto Trail: Awendaw Passage	Awendaw Lowcountry	7.1-mile Easy passage from Buck Hall Recreation Area along Awendaw Creek.	Not listed	Not listed	Dogs: Pets: Yes. Access: On hunting grounds.	source
Huntington Beach State Park (south beach and trails)	Murrells Inlet Grand Strand	State park the page calls 'dog friendly year round'.	Not listed	Not listed	Dogs: Leash no longer than six feet at all times; clean up after your pet.	source

Hours, dates and prices are copied from each operator’s own page on the date shown; check before you go.

Where Dogs Are Not Allowed

Myrtle Beach State Park: pets are not allowed on the beaches from 10am until 5pm May 1 through Labor Day (Horry County ordinance on all public beaches). source
Aiken State Park: dogs are prohibited in and around the swimming area. source
Paris Mountain State Park: no dogs in the roped-off swimming area. source
Kings Mountain National Military Park: pets are not permitted in the visitor center except service animals. source
Eagle Mountain Winery (Travelers Rest): 'Pets and bikes are not allowed on the property.' source

Pet-Friendly State Park Cabins

Pets allowed only in listed units, e.g. Devils Fork Villas 1-5, Oconee Cabins 14-20, Table Rock Cabins 4, 9, 10 and 11, Barnwell Cabin 2. source

FAQ

How long can my dog's leash be in a South Carolina state park?

No longer than six feet, or the pet must be under physical restraint. source

Are dogs allowed on the Congaree boardwalk?

Yes, on a leash 6 feet maximum; pets may not be left unattended. source

Can I bring my dog to Myrtle Beach State Park's beach in summer?

Not from 10am to 5pm, May 1 through Labor Day, under a Horry County ordinance; other outdoor areas allow leashed pets year round. source

What We Could Not Confirm

Not confirmed: we looked for these on official pages and did not find them. Check with the town or operator before you rely on them.

Palmetto Trail passage pages give 'Pets: Yes' without a leash length for some passages; Lake Marion and Swamp Fox passage pet fields conflict with their alerts and were left out.
Sassafras Mountain: SCDNR says pets must be on a leash; length not stated.
Forest Service pages say 'leashed pets welcome' without a length.
Swamp Rabbit Trail dog rule and length come in our earlier park check; our fetch rendered no content.

Sources

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Dog-Friendly Hikes in South Carolina”, itssouthcarolina.com/things-to-do/outdoors-and-hiking/dog-friendly-hikes-in-south-carolina/ (updated 2026-10-26). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.