2 NC beaches voted among most dog-friendly in the U.S. in 2024

CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WNCN) — Americans love spending time by the water, and many dog owners love bringing their furry companions with them. While not all beaches and recreation areas are open pets, there are several across the country that not only allow dogs, but welcome them.

USA Today’s travel and lifestyle vertical 10best.com asked its readers to vote which beaches are the 10 most dog-friendly in the country in 2024. Luckily for North Carolinians, two of them are right here on our coast.

Coming in at No. 4 is a popular spot for beach campers as well as dog-lovers — Freeman Park in Carolina Beach.

“The sprawling North Carolina shore draws visitors in abundance during the summer months, but it’s not just people that thrive along its sandy beaches,” 10best.com says. “Freeman Park has become a beloved site for dog owners, with their pets being able to frolic off-leash from October 1 to March 31 and play on-leash from April 1 to September 30.”

Further north along the coast in another area popular with summer tourists, Nags Head also earned a top ranking, claiming the No. 10 spot.

“Just south of where the Wright Brothers took their famous flights, Nags Head serves as a prime example of the idyllic beauty of North Carolina’s Outer Banks,” the website says. “And as an added bonus, visitors are welcome to stroll around the area with their leashed canine companion all year round.”

Though both beaches are dog-friendly year round, it’s important to check the information for visitors before going, as the rules are different for each location and can change depending what time of the year it is. Both beaches, to varying extents, also allow four-wheel drive vehicles to drive on the sand — another thing to take into consideration when planning to run around with a dog.

North Carolina is not the only state to have a pair of beaches on the top 10 list. Florida, Oregon and California also have two ranked locations each, with Florida’s Jupiter Dog Beach taking the top spot overall.

10 most dog-friendly beaches in the U.S., according to 10best.com readers

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