Looking for a Pet Friendly Outer Banks vacation home?
We have 150+ options for you! Up to two well-behaved dogs are welcome at our Pet Friendly homes for a fee.
Bringing a trained service animal, emotional support, or psychiatric service animal along on your vacation?
Please review our Service and Support Animal Policy for these important working animals and submit any requested forms.
Leash Laws On The Outer Banks of North Carolina
Town of Corolla
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round but must be on a leash at all times. Heritage Park at the Whalehead Club also welcomes leashed dogs. Always clean up after your pet.
Town of Duck
All dogs must be vaccinated for rabies, wear a collar with identification, and must be on a 10-ft or less leash when not at the beach. A leash is not necessary at Duck beaches year-round, but you must keep watch and control over your dog. Always clean up after your pet. Burying waste in the sand or disposing of it in the water is strictly prohibited. Dogs are allowed at town events as long as they are well-behaved and properly restrained. The Town Park offers a dog-friendly water fountain, dog waste receptacles, and bags. Please remember that a leash is required at the Town Park, boardwalk, Duck Trail, and throughout town (the beach is the only exception).
Town of Southern Shores
Dogs are only allowed on the beach after 6:00PM and before 9:00AM from May 15th-September 15th. The rest of the year, dogs are allowed on Southern Shores beaches at any time. Year-round, all dogs must be on a 10-ft or less leash at all times — this applies to the beach and the rest of the town. Always clean up after your pet.
Town of Kitty Hawk
From the Friday before Memorial Day through the day after Labor Day, dogs must be on a 6-ft or less leash between the hours of 10AM and 6PM. From 6PM to 10AM, a 12-ft or shorter leash is allowed. The rest of the year, leashes are not required as long as your dog will not disturb other people, is within your control, stays within 30 feet of you, and returns to you when called. Always clean up after your pet. All dogs on public property in Kitty Hawk must display a current rabies tag. Kitty Hawk has a dog park, located at 856 Midgett Road. You must complete an application and submit it to the Northern Beach Division Office at 602 Mustian Street in Kill Devil Hills in order to receive a keycode to enter/exit the dog park. Learn more and view the application on the county’s website.
Town of Kill Devil Hills
Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, dogs are not allowed on the beach between the hours of 9AM and 6PM (unless being used to aid a handicapped person). The rest of the year, dogs are allowed at the beach with a leash at any time as long as they are under your control. Kill Devil Hills has a dog park, located at 103 Veterans Drive. Dogs are allowed off-leash within the confines of the park, but dog owners are responsible for the behavior of their dogs, and must have a leash ready, in-hand.
Town of Nags Head
As long as dogs are on an 8-ft or less leash at all times, dogs are welcome on the beach. Always clean up after your pet. Nags Head has a dog park, located at 227 West Satterfield Landing Road. Check out the town of Nags Head’s website to view the dog park rules. Dogs are allowed off-leash within the confines of the park, but dog owners are responsible for the behavior of their dogs, and must have a leash ready, in-hand. Please note that the water is turned off at the dog park in the winter months.
Help Ensure Your Dog Has A Safe Outer Banks Vacation
Protect those paws from hot sand and asphalt.
On hot days, it’s best to take your dog for walks in the early morning and late evening and keep them in shaded grass as much as possible when outside. If it’s too hot for you to go barefoot, it’s too hot for dog paws too. It can take less than one minute for dog paws to blister. If it’s 77 degrees outside, asphalt and sand is 125 degrees. If it’s 87 degrees outside, asphalt and sand is 143 degrees.
Keep your dog cool.
Whether hanging out poolside, at the beach, or exploring everything the Outer Banks has to offer, make sure your pet has access to shade on warmer days. Never leave pets alone in your vehicle due to the risk of heatstroke; temperatures can rise rapidly.
Keep fresh water handy.
Bring water in your beach bag for the four-legged friends in your group, and help to keep them hydrated throughout the day. Monitor your pet to make sure they aren’t drinking saltwater or ingesting too much sand during play. Connect with your veterinarian before your visit to discuss any concerns about how much saltwater and sand can be inadvertently ingested by your pet before it becomes an impact on their health.
Monitor ocean conditions.
Rough surf and rip currents are dangerous for people and pets. Check conditions before you go to the beach. The National Weather Service provides a beach forecast which includes rip current risk, and Dare County provides daily text alerts for ocean conditions. To sign up, simply text OBXBEACHCONDITIONS to 77295. (It’s easy to unsubscribe after your stay, simply text STOP to the same number.) If red flags are flying on the beach, no one should enter the water.
Visiting for the 4th of July?
More pets go missing on Independence Day than any other day of the year. Make sure you’re aware of the timing of scheduled fireworks shows nearby and ensure your beach homes’ windows and doors are secured. Double check that your contact information is updated and readable on your pet’s collar.