North Carolina

Not Quite Ruffing It – A Dog-Friendly Trip to the Outer Banks

Destination: Duck, North Carolina

Each year 7 million visitors flock to the Outer Banks with kids, campers and kayaks in tow. Sadly, our furry friends are often left behind. But the Outer Banks – and many of its beaches that stretch from the Virginia border to Okracoke Island – may be out to change all that.

Several well-established companies, such as Sun Realty, Southern Shores Realty and Beach Realty – offer rental houses that are pet friendly, and this year the Sanderling Resort in Duck has designated four rooms on the first floor of their North Inn as fine for Fido.

The towns of Duck and Corolla make a great home base for travelers with dogs, since so many of the beaches allow them to romp on the sand year ‘round. And there are plenty of activities for human members of the family, too.

After you get settled in your comfy vacation home, you’ll want to get your lay of this beautiful land. One of the first things you’ll learn is that boardwalks abound.

Those of us with dogs know that they often explore the world by sniffing it, trampling it and tasting it, so these raised wooden walkways bring our pets into areas where they might not otherwise be allowed. And what better way to enjoy nature without making much of an impact on it?

The Currituck Heritage Park in Corolla offers 39 acres of grounds to walk for free with your leashed pet, and you can view the Currituck Beach Light Station and Whalebone Club Historic Site from the exterior.

A boardwalk leads through marsh and over to the Sound, and a trail leads to Historic Corolla Village, where a one-room schoolhouse has been converted to a museum that’s dedicated to the wild horses of Corolla.

If you’d like make your own search for the wild horses you’ll have to hit the four-wheel-drive beach – accessible at the end of Route 12. There you can drive a 4×4 all the way to the Virginia border along the water, looking into the dunes for signs of the descendants of the mustangs that most probably belonged to the 16^th century Spanish explorers. The wild horses can be elusive, so pack plenty of food and water for both the humans and canines onboard if you are determined to spot them.

The Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve, located on the right just one mile on Route 12 after you exit the 4×4 beach, is a collage of sand dunes, swales, marshes and forests along the Currituck Sound, and a 2/3-mile boardwalk affords the opportunity to walk across brackish swamp without wading through it.

You can see maritime and swamp forests along the way and try to spot salamanders and tree frogs in their natural habitat. Then enjoy a spot on the Currituck Sound at the end, where blue heron, snowy egret and great egret fish for their dinner.

The maritime forest trail makes a side trip off the boardwalk and into woods that deer and fox call home. Follow the blue trail posts beyond the short set of stairs to the left and about a half-mile down the boardwalk as you exit from the Sound. If you decide to take the 1.5-mile round-trip detour into the forest, remember to check all hikers – on two or four legs – for ticks when you are done.

And let’s not forget the real reason that we chose the Outer Banks: sun, sand and surf. The beaches of Duck and Corolla– and some of the stores — welcome pets with open arms. Quite literally.

Robin Carey – co-owner of the Outer Barks at the Scarborough Lane Shoppes in Duck – got down on all fours to romp with our Goldendoodle puppy, Norton. Her 2,000 square foot store has a huge selection of everything you dog needs and most of what it wants, including plenty of natural chew treats made from the desiccated organs of other animals. Don’t ask … unless you have a strong stomach and don’t embarrass easily.

Outer Barks also sells pet-themed tee-shirts, bumper stickers and gift items, so human companions won’t feel left out. But make no mistake: At this shop, pets reign supreme. Check out their website for a schedule of the weekly Yappy Hour that includes frozen doggie daiquiris, puppy pasta and cake, as well as paw painting, puppy pools and an agility course. They also offer online shopping, so you can continue to visit after the vacation is over.

Further up the road at Tim Buck II in Corolla, DogNutz is a shop for dogs and the folks who are crazy about them. The store has an impressive collection of leashes and collars, and is home to the OBK9 bandana – sure to be the next fashion trend for beach bum dogs. They also carry natural dog chews – such as bully and pizzle sticks – to help keep your security deposit on the house intact.

Dog Nutz carries themed coffee cups, figurines and kitschy do-dads representing most breeds, including the unique Dog-in-a-Shell line by Colleen Anderson. Seeing your little Yorkie peeking out from a huge seashell may be too precious to resist.

In the same cluster of stores, Steamers Shellfish to Go is the perfect stop for lunch, dinner or takeout. Their fried shrimp, scallop, clam, oyster and scallop boats are reminiscent of New England, and lunch and dinner offerings are a cut above typical fish shack fare.

Steamers also sells ribs, chicken and crab cakes as well as complete steamer pots to go – including potatoes, corn and your choice of crab, lobster and clams. Just bring it back to the house, add water and turn up the heat for your own clambake.

Picnic tables facing Currituck Sound overlook a paddle boat lagoon, putt-putt golf course and mini-raceway, and leashed dogs are welcome on the deck. After the kids have scarfed down their meals, they can play all around you while you hang out and have a cold one with your very best friend.

The boardwalk behind Tim Buck II is a great place for stretching legs after eating. For the photographer on the other end of the leash, there’s a photogenic osprey nest off to the right and through the trees. That’s the great thing about the Outer Banks – you never really forget that you’re a visitor here, with daily evidence of the real year-round residents surrounding you.

As you drive along the chain of barrier islands that is the Outer Banks, don’t be bashful about asking if your dog can join you at restaurants and coffee shops that feature outdoor seating. My experience is that Norton is welcome more times than he is not. The Outer Banks is a casual vacation destination that is quickly becoming a great place to hang out with your dog – just for the howl of it!

Norton says…

• Please pack at least twice the amount of water you normally would for our trips to the beach. It’s hot, and we get thirstier than usual.
• Even though we love playing in the surf, we shouldn’t be allowed to drink it. Ingesting salt water causes dehydration, vomiting and diarrhea.
• We explore with our mouths, and that means eating things that aren’t actually edible. Watch out for the sea creatures, shells, hooks and other stuff that we consider treasures.
• Also watch out for oleander; the flowers are beautiful, fragrant and poisonous!
• Our paws can get burned on the hot sand and pavement, so check them occasionally and treat them by cleaning and applying antibiotic cream.
• Like children, dogs in open water should be watched closely. Even the best swimmer can be carried away by a strong current, wave or riptide.
• Keep us out of the wild grass, where we can pick up plant burs and ticks.
• Don’t ever leave us in the car, even with the windows open!
• Always make sure our tags are up to snuff. North Carolina law requires all dogs to wear a rabies tag. And if the unthinkable happens and we get separated, proper ID tags make for a quick reunion.
• Please clean up after us. It’s just plain embarrassing – and sometimes against the law – when you don’t!
• Read the Pampered Pet Guide for more tips.

Beach rules…

Corolla – Dogs are allowed on the beach year ‘round. Leashes are required, with no length requirements.

Duck– Dogs are allowed on the beach year ‘round. Leashes may not exceed 10 feet, and may be removed if pets are kept close and supervised.

Southern Shores—Pets are prohibited on the beach from May 15-September 15. During the off-season, leashes may not exceed 10 feet.

Kitty Hawk –Pets are prohibited on the beach from May 15-September 15. During the off-season, leashes may not exceed 6 feet.

Kill Devil Hills – Pets are prohibited on the beach from May 15-September 15. During the off-season, leashes may not to exceed 10 feet.

Nags Head – Dogs are allowed on the beach year ’round; leashes may not exceed 10 feet.

Hatteras and Okracoke – Dogs are allowed on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore year ’round. Leashes are required and may not exceed six feet. Pets may be prohibited in designated areas as posted.

Story copyright 2011, Elaine C. Jean. All rights reserved.
Photos copyright 2011, Paul N. Jean. All rights reserved.

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