Your South County vacation can take many forms, depending on how you want to pass your time along the Rhode Island shoreline. You can spend your days relaxing on the beach, exploring the historic towns, wandering the woods, or navigating the ocean, as there’s no end to the activities you’ll encounter in this scenic part of the world.
Of course, if you’re a pet owner, you’ll have to figure out what to do with your dog before you leave, but many visitors bring their pets to their vacation rentals. Pet-friendly rentals are available in all parts of South County, so you don’t have to leave your furry friend behind while you live your best life.
South County also has plenty of dog-friendly parks and beaches you can check out while you’re here, along with boarding and doggy daycare options for times you can’t bring your pet. Here are some tips on making the most of your vacation when visiting coastal Rhode Island with your dog.
Visit the Dog Parks
You’ll find multiple dog parks while venturing through South County, allowing you to select the option closest to your vacation rental.
The North Kingstown Dog Park is away from most of South County’s main attractions, as it sits in an industrial area near Quonset State Airport. However, this park is close to numerous beaches and overlooks Narragansett Bay and Allen Harbor, making it one of the most scenic options to check out.
A more central option is the South Kingstown Dog Park, which sits near the town’s Broad Rock Athletic Fields. Forests surround this park, and it has some dog-friendly hiking trails, too, so you won’t be confined to the fenced area.
The Ninigret Park Dog Park is an enclosed dog area in Charlestown’s Ninigret Park. The dog park isn’t overly large, but you can take your dog to the park’s hiking trails and the water as long as you keep it on a leash.
The Westerly Dog Park is a new and large facility near Chapman Pond. It has separate areas for large and small dogs, making it one of the safer places to bring your furry friend in South County.
Other dog-friendly parks with hiking trails include Burlingame State Park in Charlestown, Black Point Trail in Narragansett, and Worden Pond Trail in South Kingstown. You can find a new spot to hike with your dog almost daily, which is why this area is a hit with pet owners.
Hit Some of the Dog-Friendly Beaches
Of course, you don’t want to miss out on the beach when traveling with your dog, so searching for some dog-friendly sand might be a priority.
North Kingstown is a great place to check out with your pet because it has a dog park, Compass Rose Beach, and Blue Beach in the same general area. The two beaches offer views over Narragansett Bay and out to Conanicut Island and are a great place to watch ferries and other ships pulling in and out of Quonset Point Pier.
The Point Judith Camp Cronin Fishing Area is a lovely location to bring your dog near the Point Judith Lighthouse. The water here can be a little rough, but you can head over to the point’s west side for some refuge from the waves and a scenic beach overlooking Point Judith Harbor.
Dogs are welcomed seasonally at Narragansett Town Beach, although you can’t visit with your pet between mid-May and the middle of September. The Napatree Point Conservation Area in Watch Hill also welcomes dogs in the off-season, and you can also take your pet for a walk before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM in the spring and summer.
Go to Doggy Daycare
There will be times when you’ll need a few hours without your pet, and fortunately, there are some doggy daycare options in South County.
Wags and Whiskers in downtown Wakefield offer dog walking and pet sitting services. You can book stays of eight or 24 hours, depending on your needs, and can be confident your dog will be cared for while you explore South County.
Ruff Life in North Kingstown offers cage-free doggy daycare and overnight boarding services. Remember, though, you’ll need to undergo a two-hour temperament evaluation before they take your dog.
The Gnarly Dog in Narragansett has full-day and half-day dogsitting options. Your pet must pass a temperament evaluation, and you’ll need all your vaccination records available for acceptance.
All Are Welcome is located in Exeter, so it’s a bit of a drive, but the facility sits on a large piece of property and is worth considering if you need someone to watch your dog. They have full-day, half-day, and overnight boarding options, and they’re one of the only options that don’t require a temperament evaluation because all pets are kept separate. Up-to-date vaccination records remain necessary.
Traveling With a Dog Can Be Easy
For many pet lovers, the thought of traveling with a pet is stress-inducing, especially if you don’t know what you can and can’t do with them. Fortunately, South County has plenty of dog-friendly activities and locations and care options for the times you can’t take them with you.
Visiting South County, Rhode Island, with your dog is entirely possible if you create a plan before arrival. Have a look at the available dog-friendly vacation rentals to start the process.