The Town of Nags Head, NC, is the sixth community from the northernmost portion of the Outer Banks peninsula, designated on the Pampered Pets Guide, Outer Banks Map.
For Pampered Pets Guide - Outer Banks Map Please See: Outer Banks Map - Islands, Towns & Villages
Starting at the Virginia state line: North to South
Explore the Pet-Friendly Beaches of Currituck
The Most Exclusive Pet-Friendly Beach Town on the Outer Banks - Duck
The Pet-Friendly OBX Beach Town of Southern Shores
Unleashing the Fun in the Pet-Friendly Town of Kitty Hawk NC!
Pet-Friendly Adventure Awaits in the OBX Town of Kill Devil Hills, NC
Visit OBX Pet-Friendly Colington Island! (Kill Devil Hills E-1 Colington Island)
The Outer Banks beach town of Nags Head, NC, is renowned for its association with Jockey's Ridge State Park, the largest sand dunes on the East Coast. There are two legends associated with Jockey's Ridge State Park Dunes. Both legends are associated with Names.
It has long been told that the original settlers of the barrier islands of the Outer Banks were indeed land pirates. The inhabitants would walk an old Nag with a lantern around its neck, up and down the vast mountain of sand dunes, in the dark of night.
From out in the Atlantic Ocean, passing ships would see the light bobbing in the distance and think another ship was near. The ships brave enough to investigate and draw near the bobbing lights quickly became shoaled up and stuck in the shallows of the barrier islands.
The local inhabitants would quickly rescue the poor unfortunate victims. They would even help dismantle the sea vessel to use the wood for homes of their new neighbors that would assimilate into the population.
The story of the old Nag that lured the sailing ships from days of old to the shallow shoals along the Outer Banks is said to be how the town of Nags Head got its name.
Horses have always been associated with the Outer Banks. Wild Horses still roam the Outer Banks in the neighboring county on the Currituck Beaches, said to be descendants of Spanish Mustangs shipwrecked centuries ago.
As time went by & the population grew, so did the animal population that was shipwrecked, including dogs, cats, cows, chickens & yes, the prized horse.
Horse races started to be a greatly anticipated planned event for the population to enjoy. It has been told that large groups of people would gather atop the giant mountainous dunes to watch the horse races below the dunes on the flat sandy soil.
The horse races from times of old are said to be how Jockey's Ridge got its name.
Today Jockey's Ridge remains a prominent attraction in the town of Nags Head, NC. Thousands of people visit Jockey's Ridge State Park each year & the Park is pet-friendly.
The "31st Annual Kelly's Saint Patrick's Day Parade" on the Beach Road in Nags Head, NC, is scheduled for March 20th, 2022, after two years' absences due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
"Bark in the Park" is sponsored by Outer Banks SPCA, is scheduled for April 24th, 2022, at Dowdy Park.
For more information, please see "Outer Banks Pet Events."
The Town of Nags Head "Public Beach Access" information, including wheelchair accessible beach access, can be found on The Town of Nags Head website at http://nagsheadnc.gov/309/Public-Beach-Accesses or https://www.nagsheadnc.gov/Facilities?clear=True
Pets are welcome on the beaches of Nags Head year-round. Leash law requires that pets be leashed at all times. Owners are also required to clean up after their pets. (The Town of Nags Head - "Anyone who violates the leash law is subject to a criminal and/or civil penalty.")
On the westside of Nags Head, all of the "Public Sound Accesses" are listed at https://www.nagsheadnc.gov/311/Public-Sound-Accesses.
Driving on the Beach in the Town of Nags is allowed from October 1st of each year thru April 30th with the purchase of a Temporary (up to 14 days) or Seasonal Beach driving permit.
The Town of Nags Head has created an absolutely fantastic "Driving on the Beach in Nags Head, North Carolina." Youtube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deMyJps-Cgw
2:20 minutes well spent.
Nags Head, NC beach driving permits are recognized by the Town of Kill Devil Hills, NC, and vice versa. For information on Beach Driving in Nags Head, NC, please see:
http://nagsheadnc.gov/173/Beach-Driving & https://www.kdhnc.com/676/Beach-Driving-Information-Packets
There is a Dog Park in Nags Head that is Free & open to the public. There is no registration required to use this dog park that is open from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. Two sections are available, one for dogs under 30 lbs. & under and the other for larger dogs over 30 lbs. To see the rules for
Nags Head Dog Park
227 W. Satterfield Landing Rd
Nags Head, NC 27959
Please see https://www.nagsheadnc.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Dog-Park-9.
In addition to the Atlantic Oceanfront & Nags Head Dog Park, The Town of Nags Head is the location of other Pet-Friendly Attractions.
Nags Head Woods encompasses property located in the Town of Nags Head and the Town of Kill Devil Hills.
The Nature Conservancy, Nags Head Woods Preserve
701 Ocean Acres Dr.
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-2525
Leashed pets are allowed on the lightly traveled road running through the Nags Head Woods Preserve. Pets are not permitted inside buildings or on the trails. Leashes are required with no length requirement.
Up to Date: "Leashed Dogs are allowed on the following trails: Discovery, Roanoke, ADA and Town Trail. Dogs are not allowed on the Center, Sweetgum and Blueberry Ridge Trails." posted by The Town of Kill Devil Hills, NC https://www.kdhnc.com/715/Nags-Head-Woods
Jockey's Ridge State Park
300 W Carolista Dr.
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-7132
Jockey's Ridge is the largest natural sand dune on the East Coast. Dog leashes can not exceed six feet at this location. Jockey's Ridge State Park
Dowdy Park
3005 S Croatan Hwy
Nags Head, NC
Town of Nags Head
(252) 449-2021
This Park is a recreational area for all ages. In addition to the Playground, Basketball court, fixed Tables, Chairs, Benches, BBQ Grills, and Restrooms, Dowdy Park boasts an Amphitheater & much more. Pets are required to be on a leash at all times. You must also clean up after pets. Pet-Friendly Dowdy Park - OBX Memories Old & New!
If you need a veterinarian while on your Outer Banks Pet-Friendly Vacation, there are two Veterinarian offices in the Town of Nags Head, NC.
206 East Gallery Row
Nags Head, NC 27959...................................................................252-715-5300
101 E Dowitcher Street
Nags Head, NC 27959....................................................................252-441-8611
Pet Supplies in Nags Head, NC
PetSmart
2210 S Croatan Hwy
Mile Post 10
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 564-3061
Ace Hardware
2718 S Croatan Hwy
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-5644
Dollar Tree
5000 S Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC 27959
Food Lion
2515 S Croatan Hwy
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 449-8852
Food Lion
5200 S Croatan Hwy
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-4118
Oceanfront Pet-Friendly Weddings in the
Town of Nags Head does not require a permit, but please see
https://www.nagsheadnc.gov/187/Weddings
The 2022 OBX Wedding Expo was March 5 & 6, but you may still find some good information and connections at:
Nags Head, NC Pet-Friendly Hotels, Motels & Inns
Blue Heron Motel
6811 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959..................................................................252-441-7447
Colonial Inn Motel
3329 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959...................................................................252-441-7308
Fin N' Feather Waterside Inn
7740 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959....................................................................866-316-1843
Sea Foam Motel
7111 South Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959.......................................................................252-441-7320
Seahorse Inn & Cottages
7218 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959.......................................................................252-441-5242
Tar Heel Motel
7010 Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959........................................................................877-585-3292
Nags Head, NC Pet-Friendly Beach Home Vacation Rentals
Cove Realty
105 E Dunn St.
Nags Head, NC 27959
(800) 635-7007
Also see
