Dog-Friendly Beaches Across the Outer Banks

Four-legged visitors are welcome

The beaches, towns, and villages of the Outer Banks can be enjoyable places for pets and the people traveling with them. Each town, along with Cape Hatteras National Seashore, sets its own rules for animals in indoor and outdoor spaces. Please be considerate of others and clean up after your pet. All pet waste must be collected immediately and deposited in appropriate containers. For the latest policy updates, contact the individual town or the National Park Service. The Outer Banks remains a pet-friendly destination.

Duck

Dogs may be on the beach without a leash, but for safety and courtesy, owners should keep them supervised and within contact. Duck beach access points are privately owned by individual Home Owners Associations, and use is restricted to residents and guests of those Homeowner groups.

Southern Shore

Dogs can visit the beach before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. from May 15 - September 15. A year-round leash law applies. Dogs must be on leashes no longer than 10 feet. All pet waste must be collected immediately and deposited in appropriate containers. These same rules apply at all hours during the off-season.

Kitty Hawk

Dogs are permitted on the beach and must wear a current rabies tag. The owner or handler is required to remove feces and carry a bag or container for waste disposal at all times. From the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., dogs must be on a leash not exceeding 12 feet. Dogs may be off leash only when they will not bother other beachgoers and remain under the handler’s control. The handler must stay within 30 feet of the dog at all times, and the leash must remain with the owner or handler.

Kill Devil Hills

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day of each year, dogs are not allowed on the public beach from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. unless they are being used to aid a handicapped person. At all other times, dogs may be on public beaches only when leashed and under the control of the owner or handler.

Nags Head

Dogs are welcome on the beach throughout the year when restrained by a leash not exceeding 10 feet.

Manteo

Any animal off the premises of the custodian shall be restrained by a leash, cord, or chain not exceeding six feet in length, held by a person who is physically able to control the animal unless such animal is restrained by voice control. For questions about specific business dog codes, check the business listing on the website.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Dogs may be on the beach year-round when they are restrained with a leash 6 feet or less at all times.