Pet-Friendly Beaches

Want to know the best beaches to take your pup to in the Wilmington area?   

Since getting Izzy, my poodle/schnauzer (schnoodle) ball of energy, 18 months ago, I've made a study of this.   Just say the word, "beach," and Izzy starts running circles at the door.  Dogs and beaches just seem to go together.

My personal favorite is the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, one of the few remaining undeveloped stretches of shoreline on the southern coast.  Beautiful, pristine and usually uncrowded.  Free parking, too.   (I'm so lucky -- Izzy and I can jump in the car and be there in about 15 minutes.)   Most of the local beaches don't allow dogs on the strand during the summer season, but at Fort Fisher she can go year-round.  The rules say she needs to stay on the leash, though.  And do be sure to keep your dog away from any of the loggerhead turtle nests, which can be found on this beach.  

Fort Fisher.   Just look at this amazing beach!
Can you just see yourself here with Fido?

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is on the southern tip of Pleasure Island, with the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the widening mouth of the Cape Fear River on the west.  It is south of Wilmington, south of Carolina Beach, and south of Kure Beach.

If you want the opportunity to let your dog off leash for some real fun in the sand, there are some local options for that, too -- at least during off season.   Freeman Park, north of Carolina Beach, on the far north end of Pleasure Island, allows dogs off-leash from November 1 - February 29.  Dogs are allowed on the beach at Freeman Park the rest of the year as long as they are on leash.   This is also one of the few beaches where you can drive and park your 4-wheel drive onto the beach and camp overnight.   Lots of party fun goes on here!  Don't forget to buy your permit for this beach.

Topsail Beach also allows dogs off-leash from October 1 to May 14, but better leash them up during the summer season.  Topsail Beach is on the southern end of family-friendly Topsail Island, a 26-mile barrier island just south of Camp Lejeune and north of Wilmington.  Historians says pirates used to hide in the channel behind Topsail Island, waiting to pounce on passing merchant ships on the ocean side -- but your dog will be more interested in trying to pounce on the numerous sea birds.  (So far, I haven't seen any success with that.)

If you are one of those people who would rather not share your beach with other people's pets, you'll be happy to know that no dogs are allowed on the strand during the summer season at Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach.

Is that a swim suit pose?

I've included details of the local leash laws below.   Keep in mind these laws change fairly often, so be sure to double check the town ordinances from time to time.

Go have some fun in the sun!   And take Fido!

Wilmington, NC Leash Law

Wilmington, NC adheres to the New Hanover County leash law which means when a dog is off its owner’s property it must be controlled by the means of a leash.

Citations (2012): Dogs/Cats/Ferrets Running-at-Large, Leash Requirement

• First Violation: $25.00
• Second Violation: $75.00
• Third or More Violations: $500.00

Wrightsville Beach Leash Law and Pet Rules:

• Your pet must always be on a leash while in the Town of Wrightsville Beach.
• You are required to clean up after your pet, and have the means to do so, at all times, and dispose of pet waste in available trash cans.
• No pets are allowed on the beach strand from April 1 through September 30. Pets must be on a leash if on the beach strand from October 1 through March 31.
• Never leave your animal in a vehicle!
• Violation of these pet regulations may result in a $250 fine for the first offense!

Town of Carolina Beach Pet Rules:

• All dogs are required to be on a leash at all times.
• Dogs are allowed on the beach from November 1st to February 28th.
• You must have a plastic or paper container that can be used to clean up and contain dog waste until it can be disposed of in an appropriate container.
• This container must be on your person at all times, and must be produced and shown, upon request, to anyone authorized to enforce this ordinance.

Freeman Park, Carolina Beach Pet Rules:

• The north end of Pleasure Island is dog-friendly.
• Dogs are required to be on a leash from March 1st to Oct. 31.
• The rest of the year (November 1 through February 29) dogs are allowed off leash, but they must remain under voice command and the owner must be within a reasonable distance.

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Pet Rules:

• Dogs on leashes are allowed on the beach at Fort Fisher year round.

Carolina Beach State Park Pet Rules:

• Dogs must be on a leash (no more than 6 feet) and are not allowed in any park buildings or swimming areas.

Kure Beach Pet Rules:

• You may walk your leashed dog on the Kure Beach strand from October 1st to March 31st.
• However, it is unlawful for any person to have or allow their dog to be upon the beach strand of Kure Beach during the period of April 1st through September 30th of each year.
• Anyone violating this ordinance is subject to a civil citation in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense, and the second offense shall subject the person to a misdemeanor charge.
• Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area allows dogs on their beach year-round. Call 910-458-5798 for directions and additional information.

Topsail Beach Pet Rules:

• Dogs are allowed on Topsail Beach but they must be on a leash from May 15th through September 30th. At other times (October 1 through May 14) the dog must be under voice command of a responsible person, but does not have to be on a leash.
• The person must always be prepared to remove any waste left by the dog. These regulations apply to the entire town including the beach.

North Topsail Beach Pet Rules:

• Dogs must be on a leash at all times, year-round. The town’s law calls for the leash to be no more than 25 feet long.

Surf City, NC Pet Rules:

• Surf City has a year-round, no exceptions leash policy. If a dog is not on property owned or rented by the pet owner, the dog must be on a leash.

My Izzy with a sandy nose.