Dog-Friendly Activities in North Carolina

Leashed dogs are welcome year-round at dog-friendly Fort Fisher State Park in Kure Beach, NC. This very wide beach is ideal for Fido to run and swim with other dogs. Explore the one-mile trail that traverses the salt marsh and ends at an observation deck with views of Zeke's Island and the Cape Fear River. Pet waste cleanup laws are strict, and bags are provided for this purpose.

The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre natural treasure with 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of dog-friendly hiking and biking trails adjacent to the Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Asheville, NC. The trails are rated easy to difficult, and leashed dogs are allowed on all of them. Dogs are not, however, allowed in any of the buildings and some of the gardens. An entry fee does apply to visitors.

The Oak Island, NC beaches (Caswell, Yaupon, & Long Beach) are very family and pet friendly. Bring Fido for a run through the sand and water! From March 16th through October 15th, dogs must be leashed at all times in the public beach areas.

Grandad’s Apples ‘N Such is a family-owned apple orchard and farm in Hendersonville, NC, offering seasonal apple picking and lavender farm, a pumpkin patch, corn maze, apple cannon, bakery, and country store on more than 120 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Open seasonally spring through fall (and special holiday hours), leashed dogs and visitors can enjoy fresh-picked apples, hot cider donuts, pies, cookies, fresh cider, and apple cider slushies while taking part in family-friendly farm activities. Whether you choose to pick your own apples from the orchard or select your favorite variety of pre-picked apples, your dog is welcome to join in on the fun! There's a bakery on site and a farm store that also welcome Fido inside.

The U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC) is a dog-friendly non-profit on 400 acres of woodlands along the Catawba River in Charlotte, NC. Visitors can enjoy mountain biking, running trails, a climbing center, zip lines, high rope courses, and the multiple-channel, customized whitewater river. Leashed dogs are allowed on the grounds, outdoor restaurants, hiking trails, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards, but they cannot join you on the zip line, ropes courses or whitewater rafts.

Burntshirt Vineyards is a pet-friendly winery in Hendersonville, NC. Dogs are welcome on Burntshirt’s walking trails, gardens, and in the tasting room but not on tours or in the vineyard. All of their wine is made from local, Blue Ridge Appalachian Mountain fruit and the high elevation produces grapes perfect for varietals not typically grown in the United States, like Gruner Veltliner. Enjoy a wine tasting, glass or bottle of wine on their verandah overlooking the vineyards. The Vintner’s Table next to the tasting room. features specialty menus for lunch and dinner.

Historic Gray Line Asheville Trolley Tours is a pet-friendly transportation service and attraction in Asheville, NC. Dogs up to 25 lbs are welcome on the tours provided they remain in the owner’s lap. Please note that passengers with pet dogs can only get off at the Omni Grove Park Inn stop (Stop 2) if they are overnight guests at the Inn.

Leashed dogs can join their humans at the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, NC. Tour the various beautiful gardens, relax with a picnic and enjoy the statues scattered throughout the property. Dogs must be leashed at all times. Only one dog per adult is permitted in the garden. First-time visitors with dogs must fill out paperwork and show proof of vaccinations.

Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head, NC, welcomes leashed dogs. Some trails will take you into multiple environments, including wetlands, sandy beaches and grassy dunes. While this pet-friendly park also allows dogs on the sand dunes, note that sand spurs are present (ouch!). The sand can also reach temperatures 30 degrees higher than the air temperature, so ensure that Fido's paws are protected and water is always available during hotter months.

Justus Orchard in Hendersonville, NC, is pet friendly. It's been a great spot for picking apples for over 100 years. The orchard offers you and Fido the chance to meet the owner's dog, too, while you're picking your own fruit. They're not only known for their apples, but blackberries Asian pears and blueberries, too! There's also a bakery and taproom on site. Keep in mind, they operate seasonally; check their website for hours of operation.

Triple Falls and High Falls Trails in Pisgah Forest, NC, is dog friendly. It's a moderately easy, 2.6-mile hike that will take about 1.5 hours to complete with Fido. Although this trail may be short, it will certainly take you past some of the most beautiful areas on the way to the waterfalls. Color is plentiful in spring when the flowers are blooming and fall when the leaves are changing. Please note that dogs must be on a leash and under control of the owner. Hunting allowed by permit on certain days.

New Hanover County Arboretum is a dog-friendly attraction in Wilmington, NC. The Arboretum features a variety of plants that grow in coastal areas as well as emerging trends in plant material. Leashed pets are welcome to visit the grounds.

North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, NC, is pet friendly! There are 2.2 miles of trails that weave around the hilly park. Along the way, you and your leashed pup will come across a number of interesting sculptures. In addition, there are several doggie waste stations and water fountains along the trails.

The Blowing Rock is the state's oldest travel attraction in Blowing Rock, NC. The 1/4-mile loop trail is dog-friendly with breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains. Be sure to keep Fido leashed at all times as there are several cliffs throughout the trail.

Saint Paul Mountain Farms in Hendersonville, NC is dog friendly! It's a family-owned winery located on acreage that has been farmed by their family for more than nine generations. Dogs are welcome in the tasting room with both indoor and outdoor seating with spectacular views of the vines. Be sure to try the hard apple cider named after the vineyard dog, Wallace.

Point Lookout Vineyards is a pet-friendly winery in Hendersonville, NC, with 30-mile views. Visit the Tasting Room, tour the Vineyard, and check out the Wine Cellar. Dogs are welcome inside and out, year-round. Small plates available as well as food truck on site some days.

Lazy Hiker Brewing Company is a dog-friendly craft brewery in Franklin, NC, known for its mountain-town atmosphere, rotating lineup of craft beers, and community-focused events. Fido is welcome inside the taproom and on the patio! The brewery is host to food trucks and special events throughout the week; just check their website for a schedule.

Bodie Island Light Station in Nags Head is pet-friendly. Dogs are welcome to join their owners in the grounds of this historic lighthouse. Dogs are not allowed inside anymore, despite the lighthouse once being the stomping ground of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Chess who used to climb the tower every day with his owner, the last civilian-era keeper of the lighthouse.

Outer Banks Distilling is the first legal distillery on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, making their mark by distilling small-batch rum from the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome inside this pet-friendly distillery, located in historic downtown Manteo. They offer Kill Devil Rum tastings and tours on site, where you can purchase your own bottle of our award-winning rum.

The dog-friendly Freeman Park on Carolina Beach, NC, welcomes dogs on a leash from April 1 to September 30. From October 1 to March 31, dogs are allowed off-leash as long as they are under voice command and their owner is near. Owners must carry a minimum of two suitable plastic or paper waste containers until it can be disposed of in an appropriate receptacle. The bags must be produced and shown upon request.