Here are some of the best pet friendly beaches in NC. We have brought our dog Pyper to many of these dog friendly beaches over the last five years and always had a great time.
- Carova, Outer Banks
- Corolla, Outer Banks
- Duck, Outer Banks
- Kitty Hawk, Outer Banks
- Nags Head, Outer Banks
- Rodanthe, Waves & Salvo, Outer Banks
- Avon, Outer Banks
- Buxton, Outer Banks
- Frisco, Outer Banks
- Hatteras, Outer Banks
Most beaches in North Carolina have regulations on leash length and time of year when dogs are permitted. So I have searched through the different County and Town regulations and have listed all of the pet friendly beaches for you.
I have also highlighted the access locations for the beaches and the regulations for beach driving if permitted.
We really hope your dog enjoys the pet friendly beaches in North Carolina as much as Pyper does!
Carova Beach, Currituck County, OBX
Carova Beach is the most northerly beach in the Outer Banks and is only accessed by the unpaved beach by 4×4 vehicles, so please don’t try this in a standard vehicle.
Is the Beach Pet Friendly?
YES – Pets are allowed on the Carova beaches and the 4WD areas but should be kept on a leash due to vehicular traffic along the shoreline.
Beach Access
Corova Beach is found at the Northern end of the NC12, keep driving till the pavement ends and the sand begins!
Vehicles MUST have a county-issued Beach Parking Permit properly displayed to drive or park on the beach from the last Saturday of April through the first Saturday in October.
You can obtain a Beach Parking Permit online through the Currituck County website. Parking permits are limited to 300 per week and cost $50 each. Once purchased, the permits can then be picked up at the Currituck Outer Banks Visitor Center in Corolla (500 Hunt Club Drive, Corolla).
Activities and Attractions
Everyone visits this area for the wild horses, they are a must-see! But please remember there are rules about how close you can approach the horses and KEEP YOUR DOG LEASHED!
Shopping and Restaurants
There are no shops or restaurants in Carova, the nearest are in Corolla.
Accommodation
There are no hotels or motels only vacation rental homes with 4×4 access only.
Corolla Beach, Currituck County, OBX
Carrola Beach is adjacent to Carova Beach. It is a small vacation spot but with more options and a choice of shops and restaurants. I believe it is better suited to families than Carova as there is much more to do here and more space on the beach.
Is the Beach Pet Friendly?
YES – Dogs are allowed on all Currituck County beaches (Coarova & Corolla) all year round. They must remain on a leash, but there is no leash length requirement.
Beach Access
If you want to visit the beach in Corolla you have two main options:
- Park in one of the many public parking areas
- Drive on the beach in a 4×4
Vehicles MUST have a county-issued Beach Parking Permit properly displayed to drive or park on the beach from the last Saturday of April through the first Saturday in October.
You can obtain a Beach Parking Permit online through the Currituck County website. Parking permits are limited to 300 per week and cost $50 each. Once purchased, the permits can then be picked up at the Currituck Outer Banks Visitor Center in Corolla (500 Hunt Club Drive, Corolla).
Activities and Attractions
The activities in Corolla are the same as neighboring Corova:
Shopping and Restaurants
There is a choice of amazing dining options in Corolla, but my two favorites are:
There are a number of shopping options including beachwear, books, fashion and souvenirs:
Accomodation
There are a number of companies offering pet friendly vacation rentals in Corolla including:
Duck, OBX
The little town of Duck has one of the best beaches in the Outer Banks, with water access on both the ocean and soundside. But only for residents.
Duck is also home to one of the only dedicated pet stores in the Outer Banks so please try to visit Outer Barks the owners Robin & Kevin Carey will look after you! They have an onsite bakery and bake nutritious and delicious treats daily. They are located at the Waterfront Shoppes (1240 Duck Rd.)
Is the Beach Pet Friendly?
YES – Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round, unleashed (although leashes are recommended). Owners must keep their dogs under control at all times.
Pets must be on a leash in the town park and boardwalk.
Beach Access
Sadly there are no public beach access points for non residents. Most rental homes and communities offer private access, so if you are staying in Duck, beach access shouldn’t be a problem.
There is no public 4×4 access in Duck. Private access allows vehicles on the beach between October 1 – April 30.
Activities and Attractions
Apart from the beach the #1 attraction in Duck has to be:
Shopping and Restaurants
If you are driving all the way to Duck then it would be rude not to visit:
But I guess if you want something fancy you could try:
For shops you can spend your money at:
There is also a collection of shops on the soundside aptly named the “Waterfront Shoppes”
If you look out to the ocean and then make 2 right turns and walk straight ahead you can’t miss them. Or if you are left handed make 2 left turns! Or head North from the Duck Town Park and Boardwalk.
Accomodation
Accomodation in Duck is much like the other small northern beach areas and you can rent through the usual vacation companies:
Southern Shores, OBX
No dogs are not permitted on the beach during the summer season from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Kitty Hawk, OBX
A funny name for a famous place. Everyone has heard of Kitty Hawk but most don’t know where it is and fewer get the pleasure to visit. This is one of the larger towns in OBX with plenty of choice for shops, dining and accomodation.
Is the Beach Pet Friendly?
YES – Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round. From the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day, they must be on a (maximum) 6ft leash between 10am and 6pm.
All other times of the year, dogs must be on a (maximum) 12ft leash.
Dogs may be taken off the leash during the off-season only if they are controlled by their owners and do not disturb others. Owners must be within 30 feet of an unleashed dog and have a leash with them at all times.
Beach Access
On the oceanside there are 7 public beach accesses, including three that are lifeguarded from Memorial Day to Labor Day, along with a roving lifeguard ATV patrol that covers the town in the busy summer season.
4×4 Driving on the Beach is not permitted in Kitty Hawk
Activities and Attractions
The #1 attraction in Kitty Hawk has to to be:
If you have kids and want to see some turtles then take the easy stroll along the half mile nature loop of. The turtles are friendly, but please don’t feed!
For other ideas please call into the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
Shopping and Restaurants
For dining let me suggest you try:
If you are a serious knitter (and who these days isn’t?) then try out:
If knitting your own clothes just seems like too much effort then drive down to Super Wings and buy some (if you must!)
Accomodation
Kitty Hawk has a range of hotels, motels and high quality vacation rentals. The ones I have listed below have pet friendly options. Unfortunately the majority of the hotels have a no pet policy, even the Adventure Bound Campground does not allow pets. The only hotel I could find which allows pets is the Hitlon Garden Inn.
Kill Devil Hills, OBX
Sadly no dogs are permitted on the beach from May 15 to September 15, between the houses of 9am to 6pm, apart from service animals. Dogs are permitted on the beach at any time outside these dates, controlled by a handler with a leash.
Nags Head, OBX
Nags Head is one of the most developed tourism destinations in the Outer Banks. The town has everything you could want from dog-friendly beaches to a large selection of shopping, dining and watersport activities.
Is the Beach Pet Friendly?
YES – Dogs are allowed on the beaches year-round in Nags Head, but must be on a leash that is 10 ft. long or less.
Beach Access
Nags Head has more than 40 public beach accesses which may include parking, restrooms and showers, and handicapped accessible facilities. It is free to park at all of the Nags Head beach accesses.
You can drive on the beach at Nags Head from October through April. You need to obtain a beach permit from the Town of Nags Head, which can be obtained at the Nags Head Town Hall, the Kill Devil Hills Town Hall, and at local Nags Head tackle shops. The permit is seasonal and the cost is currently $50 for residents and $100 for everyone else!
Activities and Attractions
Two of the largest sand dunes on the east coast are in the Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Pets are permitted in all state parks, as long as they are on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet.
There are also amazing sunsets, ATV tours, hang gliding and sandboarding available.
Other attractions I recommend nearby are:
Shopping and Restaurants
For shopping the largest choice of fashion shops is at the Outlet Center. I can personally vouch for this place – my wife has spent both time and money here. Maybe I also got picked up a few tee shirts from Salt Coast Outfitters, but keep that quiet!
You really are spoilt for choice in Nags Head with dining, so tick your pick from any of these well loved choices:
Accomodation
There are a number of hotels chains in Nags Head, I checked and the following are pet friendly.
If you want pet-friendly then you have a much better choice of vacation rentals:
Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo, Hatteras Island, OBX
This is our number one vacation spot in the Outer Banks. We have been staying in Rodanthe with our Springer Spaniel “Pyper” every year for the past five. We just LOVE it here – but please don’t tell anyone as we want to keep it to ourselves!
Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo run north to south and are called the “tri-villages”, one village runs into the next and the shopping and activities are shared between them.
Is the Beach Pet Friendly?
YES – Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than 6ft, year-round. Pets are prohibited on designated swimming beaches. Service animals are allowed at all times.
Beach Access
Rodanthe is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, all the beaches in the community are open to the public. Multiple beach accesses are located at the end of oceanfront streets in town, and at community landmarks like the Rodanthe Pier. Just be aware that parking at the end of many of the streets is for residents only. You can go to the ocean for waves or chill out on the shallow soundside.
To drive on any of the beaches on Hatteras Island you will need an Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Use Permit. These are very easy to obtain online from the recreation.gov website.
Activities and Attractions
The main attractions in Rodanthe are the beach and watersports. The tri-villages of Rodanthe,Waves and Salvo are a mecca for kiteboarding.
- Rodanthe Pier
- Hatteras Island Surf & Sail – My son learned to kiteboard here.
- Chicamacomico Life Saving Station
Shopping and Restaurants
There are a number of water sports-related and beach shops in the area:
For a great pizza I always eat in or take-away from:
- Lisa’s Pizzeria – Open Wednesday to Sunday.
- Waves Market & Deli
Accommodation
We always camp in Rodanthe in one of two small family-run, pet-friendly campsites. Both of these have amazing soundside sites. Sit down, have a cocktail, pet your dog and watch the sunset!
For rental accommodations try VRBO or the local agents:
Avon, Hatteras Island, OBX
Avon is about half way down (or up?) Hatteras Island. It is a small town but has a decent sized grocery, a great hardware store and a good pharmacy (I know I had to visit for my son).
Is the Beach Pet Friendly?
YES – Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than 6ft, year-round. Pets are prohibited on designated swimming beaches. Service animals are allowed at all times.
Beach Access
Avon has multiple beach accesses throughout the town, which include boardwalks at the end of every oceanside street. In addition, there are a number of ORV ramps on the town’s borders for 4 wheel drive vehicles.
To drive on any of the beaches on Hatteras Island you will need an Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Use Permit. These are very easy to obtain online from the recreation.gov website.
Activities and Attractions
Shopping and Restaurants
- Ocean Atlantic Rentals
- Hatteras Island Plaza
- Ace Hardware – seriously this has to be one of the best Ace Hardware stores I have ever been to. I guarantee you will leave with something you never thought you needed!
- The Froggy Dog Restaurant & Pub
- Burger Burger Avon
- Oceanas Bistro
Accommodation
Your best dog friendly option is a vacation rental property:
Buxton, Hatteras Island, OBX
Buxton’s main attraction are water sports, the amazing beaches and the Cape Hatteras Light Station, one million visitors a year can’t be wrong!
Is the Beach Pet Friendly?
YES – Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than 6ft, year-round. Pets are prohibited on designated swimming beaches. Service animals are allowed at all times.
Beach Access
Buxton is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, so all beaches are open to the public, barring seasonal bird or turtle nest closures.
4WD access – Buxton has two off road vehicle access ramps – Ramp 43 and Ramp 44, which are both located just past the Cape Hatteras Light Station.
To drive on any of the beaches on Hatteras Island you will need an Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Use Permit. These are very easy to obtain online from the recreation.gov website.
Activities and Attractions
Shopping and Restaurants
For groceries, drink, and nearly everything else you can think of then we always shop at Conner’s Supermarket in Buxton.
- Conner’s Supermarket
- Buxton Munch Company
- Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe
- Uncle Eddy’s Frozen Custard & 18-Hole Mini Golf
Accommodation
There is a small, family owned, pet friendly motel in Buxton called the Cape Pines Motel. It is a basic 2 star motel but gets really decent reviews. Other than that your best option is a house rental.
Frisco, Hatteras Island, OBX
Frisco is towards the southern end of Hatteras island and the main attractions are the Buxton Woods to the North and the barrier island beaches to the south.
Is the Beach Pet Friendly?
YES – Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than 6ft, year-round. Pets are prohibited on designated swimming beaches. Service animals are allowed at all times.
Beach Access
Frisco is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, many oceanside streets in the southern part of the village have beach boardwalks that lead to the public shoreline.
There is also an ORV ramp in the heart of town, Ramp 49, which leads to the undeveloped 4WD accessible shoreline. Frisco is also located just north of the Bathhouse, which is a public parking area and beach access that features seasonal restrooms and showers.
To drive on any of the beaches on Hatteras Island you will need an Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Use Permit. These are very easy to obtain online from the recreation.gov website.
Activities and Attractions
Shopping and Restaurants
- The Blue Lagoon gift shop, art gallery and chocolate shop.
- Coastal Cottage Outfitters
Accommodation
Frisco has two campsites which cater for tents, RVs and trailers.
Frisco Woods Camground – we have not stayed here but we did drive around one afternoon to “check it out” it looked well cared for with a pool and cabins and we would stay in the future if we can ever drag ourselves away from our beloved Rodanthe!
Frisco National Park Service Campground – a back to basics campground but with some ocean view sites near the dunes.
If you want a proper bed (and toilet, shower, AC etc…) then try a vacation home:
Hatteras, Hatteras Island, OBX
If Forest Gump had come to the Other Banks then Hatteras would have been the end of his run, you need either a boat or be a strong swimmer to head any further south.
Is the Beach Pet Friendly?
YES – Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than 6ft, year-round. Pets are prohibited on designated swimming beaches. Service animals are allowed at all times.
Beach Access
There are a number of beach accesses along the outskirts of town, which include a large public parking areas next to the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. This is the ramp I often use and the Graveyard of the Atlantic is well worth a visit – our kids really enjoyed it.
Hatteras village also has an ORV Ramp – Ramp 55 – on the southern edge of the island. Most oceanside streets features paths or boardwalks that lead to the shore. But please check as sometimes parking is for residents only.
To drive on any of the beaches on Hatteras Island you will need an Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Use Permit. These are very easy to obtain online from the recreation.gov website.
Activities and Attractions
Shopping and Restaurants
Accomodation
All of the following are pet friendly
