A Dog-Friendly Day in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant is marsh, creek, and harbor, and it has four official off-leash areas. Start with trails and a fenced dog park at Palmetto Islands County Park, have lunch on Shem Creek at a restaurant with its own dog menu, cool off on a covered creekside patio, let your dog run under the Ravenel Bridge, then wander the Old Village and catch the sunset from the Pitt Street Bridge.
The day at a glance
- Morning: Boardwalks and a fenced dog park at Palmetto Islands
- Lunch: A dog menu on Shem Creek
- Afternoon: Shade on the creek
- Late afternoon: Off-leash under the Ravenel Bridge
- Sunset: The Old Village and the Pitt Street Bridge
- Dinner (optional): A covered patio on Coleman Boulevard
See the day on a map
Opens Google Maps with the stops in order and driving directions, so you can see how far the day is.
Morning
Boardwalks and a fenced dog park at Palmetto Islands
Palmetto Islands County Park has marked trails and boardwalks for a leashed walk, plus a fenced off-leash dog park on site. Go early in summer. The dog park is closed Wednesday mornings until 9am for maintenance, and county park admission applies.
Lunch
A dog menu on Shem Creek
Saltwater Cowboys welcomes dogs on its patio and gazebo bar and has a real dog menu, from pup burgers to puppy ice cream, plus water bowls and leash hooks. It gets busy, so go a little before or after the lunch rush. Afterward, stroll the Shem Creek boardwalk on leash and watch the shrimp boats. The floating dock has been closed since October 1, 2026, after storm damage; the boardwalk is open.
Afternoon
Shade on the creek
Red's Ice House, also on Shem Creek, has a big covered patio on the creek and puts out buckets of ice water for dogs. It's a good place to sit out the hottest part of the day. Expect a wait at peak times.
Late afternoon
Off-leash under the Ravenel Bridge
Memorial Waterfront Park has a fenced off-leash dog park right under the Ravenel Bridge. Everywhere else in the park, dogs stay on leash. Dogs aren't allowed on the Mount Pleasant Pier inside the park, or on the bridge's walkway.
Sunset
The Old Village and the Pitt Street Bridge
Wander the quiet streets of the Old Village, Mount Pleasant's historic district, on leash. Then walk out the palmetto-lined causeway at Pitt Street Bridge Park, a favorite local sunset spot with a fishing pier at the end. The town welcomes leashed dogs here.
Dinner (optional)
A covered patio on Coleman Boulevard
Page's Okra Grill has a covered patio where dogs are welcome and serves dinner as well as breakfast and lunch. Staff bring water quickly.
Getting around with your dog
- Lyft pet-friendly rides: The Lyft app offers pet-friendly rides in Charleston. Pick the pet option when you book; the app shows the current price.
Season notes
- Summer: walk Palmetto Islands early, keep the middle of the day for covered patios, and bring water. Patriots Point Nature Trail calls for bug spray in warm months.
- Winter: the sun sets earlier, so start toward the Old Village and Pitt Street in the late afternoon.
- County dog park closures: Palmetto Islands is closed Wednesdays until 9am.
Good to know
- Leash law: the Town of Mount Pleasant requires a leash everywhere except 4 off-leash areas (Memorial Waterfront Park, Marsh View Trail, Carolina Park Recreation Complex, and Palmetto Islands County Park). Fines are $163.50 for a first offense and $361.25 after.
- No dogs on the Ravenel Bridge walkway or the Mount Pleasant Pier.
- Nearest 24/7 emergency vets: VEG ER for Pets, Mount Pleasant, walk-in only, (843) 879-4280; BluePearl Pet Hospital, Mount Pleasant, (843) 216-7554.
- Coleman Public House, another dog-friendly patio nearby, is closed Mondays.
More walks nearby
Short on time or want another walk? These are also verified for leashed dogs:
Staying in Mount Pleasant? See dog-friendly hotels
