Bringing Your Dog To The Outer Banks

Planning a vacation to the Outer Banks, NC, and want to bring your furry friend along? You're in luck! The Outer Banks is a pet-friendly paradise, offering miles of dog-friendly beaches, scenic trails, and plenty of outdoor adventures for you and your pup to enjoy together. At Outer Banks Blue, we make it easy to include your dog in the fun with a wide selection of

If you're bringing your dog with you to the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks, you'll want to make sure you're prepared and know everything you can to keep them happy and healthy. To make your life a little simpler, we've compiled a list of dog-friendly activities in the Outer Banks, as well as laws/ordinances, emergency phone numbers, and other pet safety information.

Many Outer Banks beaches allow dogs, so your pup can dig, splash, and run to their heart’s content! Popular spots like Nags Head and Kitty Hawk have dog-friendly policies, though leash rules vary by location and season, so check ahead. View the pet regulations for each town below, as each beach town has different rules as to when dogs can be on the beach, if they must remain leashed, etc. Make sure you know the laws for the area your OBX vacation rental is in.

• 4x4 Beaches and Corolla - Dogs are permitted on both beaches all year, but they must remain on a leash at all times.

• Duck - Dogs are allowed on the beach unleashed, but as a matter of public safety and courtesy, they should be under the watchful eye and contact of their owner. Duck beach accesses are privately owned by individual Home Owners Associations, and access is limited to Homeowner group residents and guests.

• Southern Shores - Dogs are allowed on the beach before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. from May 15 - September 15. Year-round leash law. Dogs must be on leashes no longer than 10 feet. All pet waste must be collected immediately and deposited in appropriate containers. The same rules apply during all hours in the off-season.

• Kitty Hawk - Dogs are allowed on the beach and must display a current rabies tag. The owner/handler must remove feces and possess a bag/container for waste removal at all times. From the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., dogs must be on a leash not exceeding 12 feet. Dogs may be taken off the leash only if they will not disturb other people on the beach and must be controlled by the handler, who must remain within 30 feet of the dog at all times. Leash must be with the owner/handler at all times.

• Kill Devil Hills - Between Memorial Day and Labor Day of each year, no dogs shall be permitted on the public beach between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. unless being used to aid a handicapped person. At all other times, no dogs shall be permitted on the public beaches except upon a leash and under the control of the owner or handler.

• Nags Head - Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round as long as they are restrained by a leash not exceeding 10 feet.

• Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras and Ocracoke - Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round if they are restrained with a leash 6 feet or less at all times.

Explore the natural beauty of the OBX with your dog on one of its many scenic trails. The Nags Head Woods Preserve offers shaded paths perfect for a leisurely hike, while Kitty Hawk Park and Kitty Hawk Reserve features a sprawling maritime forest that spans over 1,800 acres, as well as a covered picnic shelter, a playground, a dog park, and restrooms.

Need a space for your pup to run off some energy off-leash? Visit one of the Outer Banks dog parks on along the beach, where dogs can play freely in a safe, fenced-in environment.

Many Outer Banks restaurants offer outdoor patios that gladly welcome dogs, so you can enjoy fresh seafood and ocean breezes without leaving your pup behind. Popular spots like The Corolla Cantina, The Roadside Bar and Grille, and Mulligan’s Grille even provides water bowls and treats for four-legged guests. View our full blog post on dog-friendly restaurants in the Outer Banks here.

• Good Dog Retreat: Located in Manteo, Good Dog Retreat offers both overnight boarding and daily doggie daycare. Your pup can make new friends during scheduled outdoor playtime while you enjoy peace of mind on vacation.
• Ocean Sands K-9 Resort: Check-in starting at 6:30 a.m. and check-out as late as 11:00 p.m., seven days a week. Check your pet in and out multiple times a day, or come by and play with your pet whenever you choose.
• Martin's Point Veterinary Hospital: A newly designed boarding kennel in glass and stainless, scheduled outdoor play sessions and more. Martin's Point also allows you to check your pets in and out at will, with the added advantage of veterinarians on site should you need them.

With more than 100 dog-friendly homes, booking your vacation rental with Outer Banks Blue makes traveling with your pup easy. Dogs stay at no additional cost, a dog bowl is provided in your home, and you might even spot our Blue Dog Car cruising around town!