Are dogs allowed on Myrtle Beach? Yes — here’s exactly when

Dogs are welcome on the beach in Myrtle Beach year-round. What changes with the season is when they can be on the sand. We host dogs at Ocean Park all year, and the question we get most at check-in is some version of “when can I take her out on the beach?” — so here are the actual city rules, verified June 2026.

The short answer:

These are City of Myrtle Beach ordinances and they’re enforced. Two rules apply every day of the year, no matter the season:

• Your dog must be on a leash 7 feet or shorter — at all times, even at 6 a.m. in February.
• You must pick up after your dog and dispose of the waste properly. Bring bags (if you’re staying with us, your dog’s welcome gift includes them).

What the summer hours actually mean for your beach day

From May through Labor Day, think of it as two dog sessions a day: an early one that ends at 10 a.m. and an evening one that starts at 5 p.m.

In practice, those are the two best times to be out there anyway. Mornings before 10 are cooler, quieter, and easier on paws — midday sand in July gets hot enough to burn pads, rules or no rules. Evening walks come with the kind of light that fills up a camera roll.

Staying oceanfront makes the timing easy. Our guests walk out the back of the resort, have their morning beach session, and are back up for breakfast before the cutoff. No driving to a beach access point, no parking, no watching the clock from a hotel ten blocks inland.

What about the 10-to-5 window? That’s daycare-and-pool-time. FURology Paw Spa, the grooming and short-term daycare operating on-site at Ocean Park, exists for exactly this stretch of the day — drop your dog for a wash or a few daycare hours while the family hits the pools or the attractions, and everyone reunites for the evening beach walk.

Myrtle Beach State Park has different rules

The state park sits a short drive south of us down Ocean Boulevard, and it’s one of the best dog outings on this end of the Grand Strand — wooded trails, a quieter shoreline, and a fishing pier. Its rules differ from the city beach in two ways:

• Pets are prohibited on the park’s beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 1 through Labor Day (a county ordinance — same idea as the city, slightly different wording).
• The leash maximum is 6 feet, not 7, and it applies everywhere in the park. Dogs are welcome in most outdoor areas year-round but not in the cabins or cabin areas.

If you’ve got a 7-foot leash for the city beach, it doesn’t pass at the state park. A standard 6-foot leash covers you in both places — that’s what we recommend packing.

Heading north? Check that city’s rules separately

North Myrtle Beach is a separate city with its own beach ordinances, and its summer restrictions run on different dates and hours than Myrtle Beach proper. If your plans take you up that way with your dog, check the City of North Myrtle Beach’s official site (nmb.us) before you go — third-party summaries of their rules are frequently out of date.

The boardwalk has its own hours

On the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, dogs (and bikes) are allowed 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. only from May 1 through Labor Day, and any time of day the rest of the year. Same leash and cleanup rules as the sand.

Quick FAQ

Are dogs allowed on Myrtle Beach in the summer?
Yes — before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m., May 1 through Labor Day, on a leash no longer than 7 feet.

When can dogs be on the beach any time of day?
From the day after Labor Day through April 30. Fall, winter, and early spring are wide open — which is part of why off-season is our favorite season for dog-friendly stays.

Do the rules apply to small dogs / carried dogs?
The ordinance doesn’t make size exceptions. Leash and hours apply to every dog.

Can my dog swim in the ocean?
Yes, during the allowed hours and on leash. Rinse the salt off afterward — our on-site potty area and FURology’s wash service make that easy.

Where can my dog stay in Myrtle Beach?
Ocean Park welcomes up to two dogs (40 lbs and under each) in our rentals for a nightly pet fee — see the full pet policy and dog-friendly rentals, or check dates.

Beach rules verified against City of Myrtle Beach and South Carolina State Parks sources, June 2026. Ordinances can change — when in doubt, posted signage at beach access points is the final word.