Dog-Friendly Rest Stops on I-95 in South Carolina: Exit by Exit
South Carolina is one of the better states on I-95 for traveling with a dog. Along with SCDOT welcome centers and rest areas that all have pet walk areas, the corridor has two Love’s truck stops with fenced dog parks and a genuine dedicated dog park a mile off the interstate. Below are the I-95 stops in South Carolina where your dog can get out, listed north to south in mile-marker order for drivers heading south.
Verified as of July 5, 2026 against SCDOT and welcome center information, official business listings, and current Google Maps reviews. Rest areas occasionally close for maintenance and truck-stop amenities change without notice, so treat this as a planning guide and call ahead if a specific stop is your only option.
I-95 dog-friendly stops in South Carolina, north to south
South of the Border
Exit 1, Hamer, at the SC/NC line
Direction: Both, standard interchange access.
Low Confidence, Use with CautionRoadside attraction with a small fenced outdoor pet area near the public restrooms. The space exists, but recent reviews are negative: reviewers report tall grass, waste not cleaned up, no waste bags, and a low fence with no locking gate. Rated 2.8 of 5 bones by BringFido critics. Better used as a gas-and-go than a real dog break.
Source: BringFido
Dillon Welcome Center
Near MM 193, Dillon County
Direction: Southbound. First SCDOT welcome center for drivers entering from North Carolina.
SCDOT PET AREASouth Carolina welcome center just inside the state line near the South of the Border interchange, with a pet walking area, picnic space, restrooms, and travel information. Open daily, staffed during business hours.
Source: SCDOT welcome center information
Love’s Travel Stop, Dillon
Exit 190, Dillon
Direction: Both, standard interchange access.
ON-SITE DOG PARKOfficial Love’s dog park (store #371) at 1911 Highway 34 W, roughly 50 by 100 feet with double air-locked gates, waste stations, and a bench. The park is fenced and functional, though recent reviews are mixed on upkeep, so pack your own waste bags just in case.
Source: Love’s dog park program
Love’s Travel Stop, Summerton
Exit 108, Summerton
Direction: Both, standard interchange access.
ON-SITE DOG PARKFenced gravel dog park beside the parking lot, plus laundry, McDonald’s, and Subway on site. The catch: the park sits in the median between the gas station entrance and exit lanes, so watch traffic getting your dog there. Rated 4.0 of 5 by more than 800 reviewers on Google Maps. One BringFido reviewer flagged the dangerous crossing to reach the park.
Source: Love’s dog park program, Google Maps, BringFido
Santee Welcome Center and Rest Area
MM 99, Santee
Direction: Both. Welcome center on the southbound side, rest area northbound.
SCDOT PET AREAMidpoint SCDOT stop with a pet walking area, grassy grounds, picnic tables, vending, and an RV dump. A safe, well-reviewed place to stretch your dog’s legs. Rated 4.8 of 5 by 28 reviewers on TripAdvisor for the southbound welcome center.
Source: SCDOT welcome center information, TripAdvisor
Yemassee Rest Area
MM 47, Colleton County
Direction: Both. Separate northbound and southbound facilities.
SCDOT PET AREASCDOT rest area between Charleston and Savannah with grassy walking grounds, shaded picnic tables, and a pet area that some reviewers describe as a gated dog run. Clean restrooms and vending, open 24 hours. Rated 4.4 of 5 by nearly 500 reviewers on Google Maps.
Source: SCDOT rest area information, Google Maps
Hardeeville Dog Park
Off Main St, about 1 mile from Exit 5
Direction: Both. Short detour into Hardeeville.
DEDICATED DOG PARKA real, dedicated municipal dog park behind City Hall in Hardeeville, with three separate fenced sections for dogs. Reviewers call it a very clean, convenient stop for travelers, just a mile off I-95. Rated 4.8 of 5 by more than 40 reviewers on Google Maps and 5.0 bones by BringFido critics. The best off-leash option at the south end of the state.
Source: BringFido, Google Maps
Hardeeville Welcome Center
MM 4, near the GA line
Direction: Northbound. First SCDOT welcome center for drivers entering from Georgia.
SCDOT PET AREASouth Carolina welcome center just over the Georgia border at 4968 Jasper Hwy, with a spacious grassy pet area, dog walking space, restrooms, and a large parking lot. The last SCDOT stop heading south before Georgia. Rated 4.5 of 5 by thousands of reviewers on Google Maps.
Source: SCDOT welcome center information, Google Maps
A few tips for dog-friendly stops in South Carolina
Keep your dog leashed at every rest area and welcome center pet zone, and clean up using the stations provided. The two standout off-leash options are the Hardeeville dog park near the Georgia end and the Love’s fenced parks at Exits 190 and 108, though at Summerton you have to cross truck-stop traffic to reach the fence, so keep a firm grip on the leash. Summer heat and humidity are serious here: carry water and never leave a dog in a parked car.
Driving the whole corridor? See our exit-by-exit dog rest stop guide from Maryland to Florida for every state on I-95.