One of the best-kept secrets about living along the Grand Strand? Winter is actually a fantastic time to get outside with your dog.
The summer crowds are gone, temperatures sit in the comfortable 50s and 60s, and the marshes, trails, and coastlines of the Murrells Inlet area take on a quieter, more beautiful character. If you and your dog haven’t explored what’s right in your backyard during the cooler months, you’re missing out.
Here’s a local guide to the best dog-friendly spots near Murrells Inlet for winter walks, exercise, and outdoor enrichment.
1. A Dog’s Way Inn Dog Park — Murrells Inlet
Best for: Off-leash running, socializing, year-round outdoor enrichment
Right here in our own backyard — literally. A Dog’s Way Inn operates a 2-acre public dog park in Murrells Inlet that’s open 7 days a week. It’s one of the few true off-leash dog parks in the area and a favorite among local pet owners year-round.
What makes our dog park special:
- Fully fenced, 2-acre off-leash space
- A natural pond area for water-loving dogs
- Open to the public — no daycare or boarding enrollment required
- Plenty of room for dogs to run full-speed without crowding
- Clean, well-maintained grounds
Winter hours make it especially pleasant — cooler air means dogs can run longer without overheating, and the park rarely gets busy on weekday mornings.
📍 761 Pendergrass Ave., Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
2. Huntington Beach State Park
Best for: Long walks, marsh views, birding with your dog
Located just three miles south of A Dog’s Way Inn, Huntington Beach State Park is consistently rated one of the best state parks in South Carolina — and it’s beautifully dog-friendly. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails and beach areas.
Winter is genuinely the best time to visit. The park draws birders from across the Southeast for its impressive winter waterfowl and shorebirds, and the marsh boardwalk is quiet, scenic, and perfect for a long morning walk with your dog.
Tips for visiting with your dog:
- Keep dogs leashed at all times on park trails
- The beach areas allow leashed dogs — check current seasonal rules at the entrance
- Bring water; the park’s natural springs are off-limits to dogs
📍 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
3. Brookgreen Gardens (Surrounding Grounds)
Best for: Peaceful walks, scenic coastal scenery
Brookgreen Gardens itself does not allow dogs inside the sculpture garden, but the surrounding grounds and parking areas offer lovely walking paths along the Waccamaw Neck, with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and old-growth oaks draped in Spanish moss. Winter strips away the summer heat and tourist foot traffic, making early morning walks here genuinely magical.
📍 1931 Brookgreen Dr., Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
4. Garden City Beach & Surfside Beach
Best for: Off-season beach walks with your leashed dog
Both Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach relax their seasonal dog restrictions during the off-season. From approximately November through February, leashed dogs are generally welcome on the beach — but always verify current local ordinances before you go, as rules can change.
A winter beach walk is hard to beat. The ocean is dramatic, the air is crisp, and you’ll often have long stretches of sand entirely to yourself and your dog.
5. Murrells Inlet Marshwalk Area
Best for: Casual strolls, community sightseeing, well-socialized dogs
The Murrells Inlet Marshwalk is one of the most scenic waterfront walking areas on the entire East Coast. The half-mile boardwalk runs along the salt marsh estuary and connects several waterfront restaurants and public green spaces.
Dogs on leash are welcome, and the winter months bring far lighter crowds than the busy summer season. Early mornings are especially peaceful — just you, your dog, the egrets, and the marsh.
Enrichment Tips for Winter Outdoor Walks
To get the most out of winter outdoor time with your dog:
- Vary your routes — new smells and environments provide powerful mental stimulation
- Let your dog sniff freely — a 20-minute “sniff walk” tires out a dog as effectively as a 45-minute brisk walk
- Watch for cold-sensitive paws on especially cold mornings — booties or a paw wax can help smaller or short-coated breeds
- Keep walks shorter on rainy days but don’t skip them entirely — even 10–15 minutes of outdoor time matters for mental health
Extend the Fun at A Dog’s Way Inn
After your outdoor adventures, A Dog’s Way Inn is right here in Murrells Inlet for everything else your dog needs — boarding, grooming, doggie day care, agility, dock diving, and of course our public dog park in Murrells Inlet.
📍 761 Pendergrass Ave., Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 📞 (843) 357-4545 🌐 adogswayinn.com
