Tuesday, March 15, 2022

OBX Pet-Friendly Nags Head - History Legends & What you'll find Today!


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.  "Outer Banks Pet Events."

Nags Head Animal Control
(252) 441-6386 ext 2023


Public Beach Access

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 

Beach Driving Permits Updated: June 25th, 2022


Nags Head Dog Park
227 W. Satterfield Landing Rd
Nags Head, NC 27959

Please see Outer Banks Dog Parks

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.


701 Ocean Acres Dr.
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 441-2525
Nature Conservancy is very important on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Leashed pets are allowed on the lightly traveled road running through the Nags Head Woods Preserve and four of the eight nature trails. Pets are not permitted inside buildings. Please clean up after your pet. Outer Banks Extreme Landscape, Oceanfront to Wooded Wonderland


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

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.

Gallery Row Animal Hospital
206 East Gallery Row
Nags Head, NC 27959...................................................................252-715-5300

Sound Veterinary Hospital
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

7740 S Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959....................................................................866-316-1843

7111 South Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959.......................................................................252-441-7320

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

Resort Realty Outer Banks 
5219 S Croatan Hwy #9500
Nags Head, NC 27959
(800) 458-3830

 Stan White Realty & Construction, Inc.
2506 S Croatan Hwy
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-1515

Village Realty
5301 S Croatan Hwy
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 480-2224

Also see 

Visit OBX Pet-Friendly South Nags Head !