Can my dog be off-leash at Isle of Palms Dog Beach?

Off-leash is allowed only during posted hours: Off-leash: summer 5–9 AM (Apr 1–Sep 14); off-season 4 PM–10 AM (Sep 15–Mar 31).

Is Isle of Palms Dog Beach fenced?

No — Isle of Palms Dog Beach is open/unfenced, so reliable recall is recommended.

Can my dog swim at Isle of Palms Dog Beach?

Yes — Isle of Palms Dog Beach has ocean surf to swim in.

Is Isle of Palms Dog Beach free?

Yes — Isle of Palms Dog Beach is free to access. Beach-access lots and metered parking off Ocean Blvd.

Off-leash beach · Front Beach · Ocean Blvd public beach accesses, Isle of Palms, SC 29451

Isle of Palms Dog Beach

Isle of Palms is the Charleston area's premier off-leash dog beach, with miles of hard-packed Atlantic sand. Dogs run leash-free during early-morning summer hours and a long overnight window in the off-season.

Off-leash · set hours

Off-leash right now?

Off-leash during set hours

Off-leash: summer 5–9 AM (Apr 1–Sep 14); off-season 4 PM–10 AM (Sep 15–Mar 31).

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The facts

Off-leash
Off-leash · set hours
Fenced
No — open
Water
Ocean
Size
Several miles of Atlantic beachfront
Hours
Off-leash: summer 5–9 AM (Apr 1–Sep 14); off-season 4 PM–10 AM (Sep 15–Mar 31)
Surface
Sand

Parking & access

Beach-access lots and metered parking off Ocean Blvd.

Good to know

Off-leash windows change seasonally: early mornings only (5–9 AM) Apr 1–Sep 14; overnight 4 PM–10 AM Sep 15–Mar 31. Outside those windows dogs must be leashed.
Keep the leash in hand, the dog under voice command, and clean up. A free annual dog permit is available (and encouraged) from IOP Police.
Rinse off salt and sand afterward and bring water — Lowcountry summer heat is intense, so the early off-leash hours are also the cool part of the day.

Verified off-leash rules

Rules verified · source: City of Isle of Palms