Dare County, NC
MenuPets & the Beach
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Pets are welcome at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Your pet must be on a 6’ leash at all times and pets are prohibited within any resource closure. Pets are not allowed on designated swim beaches or inside buildings. Please, for your pet’s sake, never leave them unattended. Remember to always clean up after your pet.
If your pet is a horse, that’s ok, too! You may ride them anywhere vehicles are permitted to drive, except in campgrounds; horseback riding is prohibited in NPS campgrounds. Riders are required to use ORV ramps when crossing dunes.
Duck
Dogs may play unleashed on the beach, although they must be under the watchful eye and control of a guardian. Dogs are allowed on Duck’s beach year-round. The Town does not own public beach access. Access to our beach is found at privately owned community accesses.
Southern Shores
Dogs are allowed on the beach before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. from May 15 - September 15. Dogs must be on a leash having a stretched length of no more than 10 feet and held by a person who is physically capable of handling the dog. Further, the person accompanying the dog must have on his person a scooping device with which to remove feces in accordance with section 4-27. There is a year-round leash requirement throughout the town. Service animals are permitted on the beach year-round.
Kitty Hawk
Dogs are permitted on the beach. The owner/handler is responsible for and 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 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. dogs must be on a leash not exceeding 6 feet.
At all other times during the year, dogs must be restrained on a leash retractable to 12 feet. Dogs may be taken off the leash only if they will not disturb other people on the beach. Unleashed dogs must be controlled by the handler, who must remain within 30 feet of the dog at all times. A leash must be with owner/handler at all times. All dogs (tourist and local) out on any public property must display a current rabies tag.
Violation of any of these rules shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $50.00.
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 person/is a service animal. At all other times, no dogs shall be permitted on the public beaches except upon a leash and under the control of owner or handler. For more information, please contact Animal Control at 252-480-4047.
Nags Head
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round as long as they are restrained by a leash not exceeding 10 feet, held by a person who is physically able to control the animal. Owners must clean up after their dogs. Anyone who violates the leash law is subject to a criminal and/or civil penalty.