Mount Pleasant's four off-leash dog parks, the town leash law, trails that allow dogs and the places that don't, and patios that welcome leashed dogs.

Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. Rules come from the Town of Mount Pleasant’s Leash Up MTP page and Charleston County Parks; patios and venues are listed from their own websites. Policies change; check before you go.

Dogs must be on a leash everywhere in Mount Pleasant, including parks, sidewalks and shopping centers, the town says, and a well-trained dog is no exception. The town’s Leash Up MTP campaign points owners to four places where dogs can run free.

Who to call

  • Loose dog: the town asks you to report it to animal control. Police non-emergency: 843-884-4176
  • Town Recreation Department (town dog parks): 843-884-8517
  • Palmetto Islands County Park: 843-406-6950

The leash law

  • Leashes everywhere. The town’s ordinances require pets to be leashed in any public area. Dogs may be off leash only in designated dog parks or where it is explicitly posted.
  • Rabies tag. Ordinance 90.54 requires dogs and cats over six months old to wear a collar or harness with a proof-of-rabies tag from a licensed veterinarian.
  • Nuisance animals. Under Ordinance 90.29, letting a dog run loose, or keeping one that repeatedly chases, snaps at or bites people, bikes, cars or other animals, is a public nuisance. The town says consequences can include fines and, in severe cases, removal of the animal.

Off-leash dog parks

Dog park Where Run by Notes
Memorial Waterfront Park Dog Park 99 Harry Hallman Jr. Blvd. Town At the base of the Ravenel Bridge
Marsh View Trail Dog Park Marsh View Trail Town Beside a quarter-mile marsh trail
Carolina Park Recreation Complex Carolina Park, off Recreation Way Town Inside the recreation complex
Palmetto Islands County Park Dog Park 444 Needlerush Parkway Charleston County Parks $2 park admission; separate large and small dog areas; closed until 9 a.m. Tuesdays

Trails and parks

Dogs welcome on a leash:

  • Patriots Point Nature Trail, a 0.9-mile round-trip stone trail between the ball fields and the golf course off Patriots Point Road, open dawn to dusk. SC Trails lists it as pet-friendly, with dog waste bags near both ends. Insect repellent helps in warm months.
  • Boone Hall Plantation, 1235 Long Point Road, allows leashed pets on the grounds, but not inside the house, on the tractor tours or in the cafe, its FAQ says. Pets are not allowed at Boone Hall’s special events, such as the pumpkin patch, or at Willie’s Roadside Market.

No dogs:

  • Wonders’ Way, the walkway over the Ravenel Bridge, and the Mount Pleasant Pier, the town’s trail guide says.
  • The town splash pad at Memorial Waterfront Park.

Patios and taprooms that welcome dogs

From each business’s own website:

Place Where What it says
Hobcaw Brewing Company 496 Long Point Road Leashed dogs welcome in its outdoor spaces and the warehouse
Dog and Duck, Belle Hall 624 Long Point Road, 843-881-3056 Four-legged family members welcome; says it was voted Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant
Dog and Duck, Park West 1117 Park West Blvd., 843-388-6127 Same family-owned pub group
Saltwater Cowboys 130 Mill St., Shem Creek Has a dog treat menu
Two Blokes Brewing 547 Long Point Road, Suite 101 The town’s tourism office calls its taproom dog-friendly

Ask the host before you sit down with a dog.

Events

  • Boone Hall’s pumpkin patch, Christmas Tree Festival and Strawberry Festival do not allow pets; only ADA-compliant service animals.
  • Charleston County Parks’ Harvest Festival on Johns Island welcomes leashed pets, see our fall festivals guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do dogs have to be on a leash in Mount Pleasant?

Yes. Town ordinances require dogs to be leashed in every public area of Mount Pleasant, including parks, sidewalks and shopping centers, even if the dog is well trained. Dogs may be off leash only in designated dog parks.

Where are the dog parks in Mount Pleasant?

The town lists four off-leash areas: the Memorial Waterfront Park Dog Park, the Marsh View Trail Dog Park, Carolina Park Recreation Complex and the Palmetto Islands County Park Dog Park, which Charleston County Parks runs.

Can I take my dog on the Ravenel Bridge walkway or the Mount Pleasant Pier?

No. The town’s trail guide says pets are not allowed on Wonders’ Way, the walkway over the Ravenel Bridge, or on the Mount Pleasant Pier.

Do dogs need a rabies tag in Mount Pleasant?

Yes. Under town Ordinance 90.54, dogs and cats over six months old must wear a collar or harness with a rabies vaccination tag issued by a licensed veterinarian.