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Hound Haven on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

  • Writer: Luie Boone
    Luie Boone
  • Sep 17
  • 9 min read

This travel spot is featured in our fourth blog series, Hounds Honored.


This featured image is courtesy of HiltonHeadIsland.com (2025).
This featured image is courtesy of HiltonHeadIsland.com (2025).

Luie Boone cannot wait to howl a ton in Howl-ton Head Island, South Carolina. He heard from a pooch friend of his that this magical island is where even the quietest of pups find their voice. Sure, he's not too great at howling; he leaves that ruckus-making to the huskies, but with the whole island of Howl-ton Island to practice on, anything's paw-sible. Okay, okay... his hoomans want him to be honest about the island's name. For a treat or two, he'll oblige. The island is actually called Hilton Head, which actually raises some concerns for Luie Boone. Who is this Hilton fella, why did they take his head, and then name an island after him?


According to his hoomans, Mr. Hilton's head was not taken in the naming of Hilton Head Island. The island was actually named after Captain William Hilton (with captain's involved, Luie Boone would now like to be referred to as Lieutenant Boone). Captain Hilton explored the area in the 1600s, claiming the island for the English crown. Its story runs even deeper than just that. For generations, the island was home to slaves who worked on cotton plantations under brutal conditions. After the Union Army captured the island in 1861, it became a refuge for freedom-seekers. In fact, Hilton Head was home to Mitchelville—the first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people in the United States! So, while Luie Boone may be chasing squirrels and living his vacation dreams on Hilton Head Island, he'll also be experiencing history!


Hilton Head Island is a dream vacation destination for hoomans and their furry friends. It is known for its wide and sandy beaches, laid-back coastal vibe, and natural beauty. Offering plenty of dog-friendly activities, accommodations, and dining options, there's no shortage of fun to enjoy with your pooch!


One of the highlights of Hilton Head Island is its 12 miles of gorgeous beaches. Dogs are welcome on the beach year-round. However, there are rules that must be followed, depending on the season and the time-of-day. The following rules are the typical ones put in place. Please note that rules may vary by beach, and that you should always double-check before visiting. During the peak summer months, leashed dogs are allowed before 10 AM and after 5 PM. That means there will be beautiful sunrises and sunsets to enjoy with your buddy! Make sure to bring a blanket and a picnic basket for full of treats. During the off-season, dogs typically have more freedom on the beach, as there are fewer tourists. Regardless of the season, the long and flat shorelines are perfect for strolls on the sand, splashes in the waves, and games of fetch!


Hilton Head Island is also rich with green spaces and trails. One local gem is Chaplin Community Park, which is home to the island's only dog park! It offers fenced-in areas for both large and small dogs. This is a great place to socialize your dog and let them meet some local pups! Another gem is the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. This preserve has a beautiful network of trails, where leashed dogs can explore lush forests, marshes, and boardwalks. Luie Boone also recommends visiting Jarvis Creek Park. This park is a scenic spot, with walking paths around its lake and plenty of shade for a midday break.


From luxury resorts to cozy vacation rentals, Hilton Head Island offers a wide range of pet-friendly stays. Many rental companies and hotels welcome dogs, with some even offering special pet amenities—like treats, dog beds, and easy access to outdoor areas! That sounds like a woof-ing party to Luie Boone. Popular places to stay for vacationers include vacation homes on and near the beach, as well as condos that have walking trails right outside the front door! No matter the accommodation that you select, there will be a bunch of exciting things to explore with your furry friend.


After a day of exploring, you'll want to relax and refuel. Luie Boone, a well-known food lover, knows that feeling all too well. Thankfully, there is no shortage of dog-friendly restaurants in the area. In fact, many of the eateries offer outdoor patios, where dogs are welcome to hang out. One local favorite is Skull Creek Boathouse, which is a waterfront spot with a spacious outdoor deck. Another local favorite is the Salty Dog Café. This café is a Hilton head icon, where dogs can relax with their owners while enjoying gorgeous marina views! Don't miss out on the Frosty Frog Café, which is laid-back and has plenty of outdoor seating. Hopefully, they don't actually feed you frosty frogs there! Luie Boone's hoomans swear that they don't, but he'll still be on high alert.


Please always remember to prepare properly when vacationing with your dog. Double check lodging and dining destinations to confirm their pet policies. It's a good idea to bring water and collapsible water bowl... or a handy-dandy, dog-friendly water bottle like Luie Boone has. Waste bags are a must-have. And please be mindful of wildlife, particularly in marsh areas and preserves.


Hilton Head isn't just a vacation paradise for hoomans; it's a tail-wagging adventure for their furry friends, too! With pet-friendly beaches, parks, accommodations, and restaurants, your best buddy will feel just as welcome as you do on vacation. Whether you're strolling along the stand at sunrise, dining al fresco with your pooch at your side, or hiking through scenic preserves, Hilton Head makes it easy to create unforgettable memories together!


Photo Courtesy of Hilton Head Retreat (2025)
Photo Courtesy of Hilton Head Retreat (2025)

Paws Rest Here


Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Check it out below!


Rental Name: 99 Dune Lane

This rental has 4 bedrooms with 6 beds and 3 bathrooms.

Photos are courtesy of Coastal Home and Villa.


It features the following amenities:

  • Oceanfront home

  • Oceanfront deck

  • Stairs from the deck, which lead down to the pool

  • Private, fenced-in pool

  • Lower patio

  • Gas grill

  • Private walkway to the beach


Photo Courtesy of Coastal Home and Villa. Facebook (December 17, 2020)
Photo Courtesy of Coastal Home and Villa. Facebook (December 17, 2020)


What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:

I'm hearing really exciting stuff about a vacation with my hoomans to 99 Dune Lane on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. I haven't been there yet, but, oh woof, let me tell you everything that I've been hearing about it. The house is pup-friendly, with its very own walkway straight to the beach. I heard that you could dash right over the dunes and be in the sands before your hoomans even blink. I bet you that I can be in the water, splashing around, before my hoomans even blink! The pool is a hot commodity, too. It's fenced-in, which stops pooches like me from cannonballing in. There's a deck at the rental. It's supposed to be the most paw-some spot to sunbathe after a beach dip. And guess what? There's a lower deck, too! The lower deck is cozy and blocks the wind, so it's just right for curling up and relaxing. Inside, the rental has plenty of room. Its kitchen is fully stocked, so my hoomans can make all sorts of smells that dogs like me love... especially with the smelly things that fall onto the floor and end up in my mouth! There was one family that visited after their sweet Yorkie unfortunately passed away. They were going to bring her along, and they said 99 Dune Lane would've been a paw-some place that she would've loved. When I finally set paw on 99 Dune Lane, I'll be thinking of that little pup. I'll splash a little harder, sniff a little deeper, and soak up ever sunbeam in her memory. Here's to the dogs that we carry in our hearts, and all the places that they would've loved!

Paws Venture Here


Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina!


Photos are courtesy of Audubon Newhall Preserve, Google Reviews (May 2023); Bill Doaner, All Trails (Apr 22, 2023), Matt Duren, All Trails (Apr 10, 2024); and William Siess, All Trails (Feb 20, 2023)
Photos are courtesy of Audubon Newhall Preserve, Google Reviews (May 2023); Bill Doaner, All Trails (Apr 22, 2023), Matt Duren, All Trails (Apr 10, 2024); and William Siess, All Trails (Feb 20, 2023)

Audubon Newhall Preserve

At Audubon Newhall Preserve, you can walk its wide paths with your best buddy by your side. There is a boardwalk, as well as an observation deck, which overlook a pond of alligators! Luie Boone has a cousin named Gator, who tells him to stay far, far, far away from those pesky alligators. He'll be sure to listen and keep his distance, so him and his hoomans can stay safe and sound!






Photos are courtesy of Robin M, BringFido (Apr 12, 2024); Hilton Head Islands SC (n.d.); Lo, BringFido (Feb 14, 2024); Jarvis Creek Park by Town of Hilton Head Island, Flickr (n.d.)
Photos are courtesy of Robin M, BringFido (Apr 12, 2024); Hilton Head Islands SC (n.d.); Lo, BringFido (Feb 14, 2024); Jarvis Creek Park by Town of Hilton Head Island, Flickr (n.d.)

Jarvis Creek Park

Jarvis Creek Park is a 53-acre park, which features a large pond, a fishing pier, and a one-mile walking trail with fitness equipment! The pathways extend all over the park, around the lake, and even out into wooded areas. On the paved trail, there are wooden bridges over marshy areas, so feet and paws don't get too dirty. Luie Boone recommends that you're careful around the lake here, as it is home to a few lazy alligators that should not be fed.





Photos are courtesy of K.M. Hosfelt (Mar 18, 2025); Ariana O'Neill, All Trails (May 2, 2025); and Sam Morales, All Trails (Apr 7, 2024)
Photos are courtesy of K.M. Hosfelt (Mar 18, 2025); Ariana O'Neill, All Trails (May 2, 2025); and Sam Morales, All Trails (Apr 7, 2024)

Sea Pines Forest Preserve

At this preserve, you and your pooch can walk the trails and see a bunch of cool stuff—including a 4,000-year-old Indian Shell Ring, a rice field, wildflowers, a vanishing swamp and gorgeous lakefront views!





Photo is courtesy of Amanda, BringFido (Aug 29, 2022)
Photo is courtesy of Amanda, BringFido (Aug 29, 2022)

Coligny Beach Park

At Coligny Beach Park, there's no shortage of fun! You can take a stroll along landscaped walking and biking paths, chill on a swing, and feel the sand under your feet (and paws) at this Hilton Head hangout. Luie Boone reckons he'll do exactly what the dog pictured is doing: plopping down in the water and get really stinky and wet!




Photo is courtesy of Cory, BringFido (n.d.)
Photo is courtesy of Cory, BringFido (n.d.)

Infinity Charters

With Infinity Charters, your pup can enjoy a day on the waters. This is a dog-friendly tour company, with a captain that has decades of experience on the local waters. Boat trips can include wildlife viewing, crabbing, fishing, sunset cruises, and more! Luie Boone cannot wait to plop his tooshie on the boat and feel the wind in his fur. He's sure his hoomans will make him wear his lifejacket, which is just fine with him. It's good to be prepared and safe.





Photo is courtesy of Carlene, BrindFido (April 5, 2024)
Photo is courtesy of Carlene, BrindFido (April 5, 2024)

Coastal Discovery Museum

Luie Boone says you better check out the Coastal Discovery Museum while vacationing here! There are tons of dog-friendly trails with lookout points for you and your pup to explore. You can see a variety labeled trees and plants along the way. Think about all the smells to sniff! And don't forget to stop by the butterfly enclosure!





Photos are courtesy of Brian Stoehr, Google Reviews, (Sep 2023); Paula Marzo, Google Reviews (Sep 2017); and Elizabeth Gutgsell (Oct 2019) Google Reviews
Photos are courtesy of Brian Stoehr, Google Reviews, (Sep 2023); Paula Marzo, Google Reviews (Sep 2017); and Elizabeth Gutgsell (Oct 2019) Google Reviews

Islanders Beach Park

Islanders Beach Park is surrounded by a beautiful natural environment. It encompasses a boardwalk through dunes, which means Luie Boone is going to be dashing over the dunes and rolling in all the sand! Thankfully, there are showers and hoses for washing off your pup after playing in the sand.







Photos Courtesy of Julieann, BringFido (July 8, 2024)
Photos Courtesy of Julieann, BringFido (July 8, 2024)

Skillets Cafe & Grill

Guess what? Skillets Cafe & Grill welcomes dogs at outdoor tables on their patios and has a dog menu! For the hoomans, there's a menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They serve their signature breakfasts in porcelain skillets until 3 PM—which is good for late risers. Lunch and dinner options include fresh salads, sandwiches, jambalayas, crab stuffed flounders, southern fried chicken, and more.





Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina


There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:

Beaches, trails, maybe even some sneaky fries—Hilton Head Island sounds like a whole lot of fun! But I've heard there's one big challenge: Ducks. These ducks float around the lagoons at the parks like little mob bosses. They quack and laugh at unsuspecting visitors. The idea of them is making my paws itch and my tail wag like crazy. I'm sure I'll want to chase them, but my hoomans won't allow it. We will not disturb the wildlife. Instead, I'll bring Quackers, who's my purple duck with a mohawk, along! I can disturb him instead of the wildlife. Other than the ducks, my hoomans keep whispering about another animal: Alligators. The alligators lurk in the murky lagoon waters. I'm worried, because what if the ducks are secretly in cahoots with the gators? I already know those ducks aren't just paddling in circles for fun. Nah-uh. Those ducks are scheming, plotting, and watching. So, while I plan to enjoy the beach and the other fun places in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, I'll have to remain on high alert for any conspiracies. That's right, this vacation won't just be about fun; it'll be about top-tier duck surveillance!

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