Outdoor Living with Pets: The Most Pet-Friendly Neighborhoods in Raleigh

Raleigh is a city that welcomes, embraces, and cares about your pet. Here, you’ll never have to leave your furry friend at home, thanks to plenty of pet-friendly restaurants and businesses. Treat your dog to a fun-filled day at one of Raleigh’s many dog parks, offering large off-leash spaces for your dog to run, play, and socialize.

Living in a city can make it difficult to meet your pet’s exercise needs, but not in Raleigh. The Capital Area Greenway System provides a network of trails to explore with your pet. This system continues to be developed and improved to ensure both residents and their pets have a place to connect with nature and get some steps in.

The most pet-friendly neighborhoods in Raleigh are:

• Brentwood
• Brier Creek
• King Charles
• North Hills
• Capital District
• Southwest Raleigh
• Triangle Town Center
• Cameron Village
• Crabtree Valley
• Southeast Raleigh

Brentwood

• Average rent: $1,390/month
• Pet destination: Clouds Brewing Taproom
• Popular dog park: North Hills Dog Park

Brentwood is surrounded by shops and restaurants. Vets and pet supply stores are in many of the shopping centers surrounding the neighborhood. You’ll also find many doggy daycares and boarding services, even one dedicated exclusively to cats!

The pet-friendly restaurants in the area adore when you bring your dog. Many breweries and taprooms allow dogs on their outdoor patio and there are plenty to choose from in and near Brentwood.

Clouds Brewing Taproom partners with Cause for Paws for monthly adoption events, and a portion of the profits from their beer series are donated to the non-profit. With the variety of fun events that the restaurant hosts, you and your dog can have a great night out.

With both Green Road Park and Brentwood Park, a dog-friendly green space is not far. Brentwood Park is highly popular because of the Marsh Creek Trail, offering a scenic paved path to enjoy. This trail is part of the Marsh Creek Greenway project, which aims to extend the trail to neighboring parks and the Crabtree Creek Greenway. Green Road Park is adding new pathways and structures. Oakwood Dog Park and North Hills Dog Park are both about 10 minutes away.

Brier Creek

• Average rent: $1,391/month
• Pet destination: Brier Creek Beer Garden
• Popular dog park: Baileywick Park Dog Park

Brier Creek offers an upscale, suburban lifestyle for you and your pet. The neighborhood is thoughtfully laid out with residential and entertainment areas. Most stores and restaurants are in Brier Creek Commons and Alexander Place. Banfield Pet Hospital is in the neighborhood’s main shopping area, and Animal Hospital at Brier Creek is to the north.

Treat yourself and your dog to a night out at one of the many restaurants with a dog-friendly patio. Brier Creek Beer Graden serves up classic American fare while Trali Irish Pub & Restaurant serves Irish staples; both will leave you feeling full and satisfied.

Brier Creek Park has trails and sidewalks where you and your dog can get plenty of steps in. Take your dog on an adventure to the nearby William B. Umstead State Park. In the 5,579 acres of woodlands and miles of trails, you’ll cross over rivers, pass by lakes, and trek under towering trees.

King Charles

• Average rent: $1,060
• Pet destination: Crabtree Creek Greenway
• Popular dog park: Oakwood Dog Park

If your dog needs lots of exercise, King Charles is the neighborhood for you. It is close to both Oakwood Dog Park and Roberts Park Dog Park. Oakwood Dog Park is the larger of the two with an expansive fenced area under trees that provide plenty of shade.

Besides the off-leash dog parks, you can access the Crabtree Creek Greenway from Lockwood Park and several other entry points. This paved trail follows Crabtree Creek from William B. Umsted Park to Anderson Point Park. It also connects to Walnut Creek, Rocky Branch, and House Creek Loop if you want to walk around all of Raleigh. Regardless of where you decide to walk, your dog will love exploring the exciting sights and smells of the trail.

King Charles has a nice selection of restaurants and shops, and it’s a straight shot on New Bern Avenue to Downtown Raleigh. Oak Heart Veterinary Hospital at Longview and several more pet services are on the other side of I-440.

North Hills

• Average rent: $1,606/month
• Pet destination: Mine Creek Trail: Ironwood
• Popular dog park: North Hills Dog Park

In North Hills, you and your pet will be surrounded by greenery. No matter where you live you will be near a park as they are everywhere. North Hills Park has entry points for Crabtree Creek Greenway and Mine Creek Trail’s Ironwood section, which leads to Shelley Lake. See every inch of Shelley Lake from the trails surrounding it.

North Hills Dog Park is right next to the city center so you can refuel at a pet-friendly restaurant after your dog plays. Treat yourself and your pet to upscale dining outdoors at Vivace. Look over Midtown Park from the huge patio at Chuy’s. Many events are held at Midtown Park. Listen to live music as your pup lays next to you or stroll through booths with them.

Capital District

• Average rent: $1,823/month
• Pet destination: Boxcar Bar + Arcade
• Popular dog park: Moore Square Dog Park

Capital District is the central part of Downtown Raleigh and offers an active city lifestyle. You will be surrounded by pet-friendly restaurants and services for your pet. There is a wide variety of businesses such as pet boutiques, grooming services, daycares, veterinarians, and more.

Play and drink at Boxcar Bar + Arcade. Your dog is welcome to join you inside, except on Friday and Saturday evenings when they are limited to the outdoor patio. The open-air City Market is a great place to stroll and browse. The market holds many outdoor events where dogs are welcome. Make Daily Planet Café or Whiskey Kitchen your go-to spot with your pet as they have plenty of outdoor tables.

Even though Capital District is the heart of the city, there are still several dog parks. You’ll find one at Moore Square and another at the corner of Dawson and West Morgan Street. Or you can take a trip to Oakwood Dog Park, Roberts Park Dog Park, or Dog Park at Dix Park.  Have a drink at the bar while your dog plays in the indoor dog park at West Street Dog.

While there are plenty of sidewalks and small city parks available for exploration in Capital District, if you are looking for a longer nature trail, you’ll have to head to John Chavis Memorial Park or Dix Park. You can enter Little Rock Trail from John Chavis Park. The Rocky Branch Trail runs next to Dix Park.

Southwest Raleigh

• Average rent: $1,258/month
• Pet destination: Lake Johnson
• Popular dog park: Carolina Pines Dog Park

Homes and apartments in Southwest Raleigh are hidden beneath trees as it is one of the more densely forested areas. Explore the beautiful scenery that Raleigh is known for on the trails surrounding Lake Johnson. Head to Walnut Creek Greenway or walk on the wide, paved trail on Avent Ferry Road to North Carolina State University.

Head north into Trinity Park to find pet-friendly restaurants. The Local and Bru’s Public House allows dogs in their outdoor seating area. The North Carolina State University Veterinary College is also in Trinity Park, so cutting-edge care for your pet is not far.

The North Carolina State Fairgrounds hold many events, some of which are pet-friendly! Check the official event calendar to find pet-friendly events or contact organizers to see if pets are allowed. Hunt for treasures with your dog at one of the most popular events, the Raleigh Market.

Triangle Town Center

• Average rent: $1,266/month
• Pet destination: Neuse River Trail
• Popular dog park: Millbrook Exchange Dog Park

To find a dog park you can go east or west of Triangle Town Center. Millbrook Exchange Park has fenced areas for large and small dogs. Use the agility equipment to engage your dog and keep their brain and body active. Buffaloe Road Dog Park is similar with large areas for both dog sizes.

Relish in the peace of nature at Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve or Durant Nature Preserve. If you and your dog are down for a long walk, the Neuse River Trail connects the two parks and follows along the Neuse River. If you go north, you’ll hit Falls Lake and the Falls Lake Trail. If you go south, the long trail goes all the way to Clayton.

If you want to stay in the neighborhood, Spring Forest Road Park has a .47-mile loop. Enjoy the city and Triangle Town Center Mall on the Spring Forest Trail. After working up an appetite, El Patio Bar and Grill offers outdoor seating.

Cameron Village

• Average rent: $1,639/month
• Pet destination: Woof Gang Bakery
• Popular dog park: Jaycee Dog Park

One of the great things about Cameron Village is that you are not far from Downtown Raleigh but have plenty of trails and parks a block or two away. You can head into Downtown Raleigh or stick closer to home by going to a pet-friendly restaurant in the Village District.

Village Draft House has a large dog-friendly patio where you can get cold beer and pub food while watching a game on TV. Warm your soul with Southern comfort food at an outdoor table at Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar. Get your dessert at Goodberry’s Frozen Custard before getting a treat for your dog at Woof Gang Bakery next door.

Fred Fletcher Park is a tranquil spot to escape the noise and walk your dog. Gardner Street Greenway Trail is an easy, paved trail that is long enough to fulfill your dog’s exercise needs. It connects Jaycee Park to Isabella Cannon Park. Jaycee Park has a woodchip covered dog run that has plenty of space to play fetch.

Crabtree Valley

• Average rent: $1,304/month
• Pet destination: Lynnwood Grill and Brewing Company
• Popular dog park: North Hills Dog Park

The biggest draw of Crabtree Valley is being so close to nature. It sits at the intersection of House Creek and Crabtree Creek, offering scenic trails for walking your dog. Take your dog on the Crabtree Creek Greenway in two directions: towards William B. Umstead State Park or back around North Raleigh. To continue going south around Raleigh, switch onto the House Creek Greenway.

You can walk to a park no matter where you live in Crabtree Valley. Marshall Memorial Park and Glen Eden Pilot Park are off the House Creek Greenway, curving along I-440. Travel north along House Snipe Creek to find Brookhaven Nature Park and Wooten Meadow Park. Or stay close to home at Laurel Hills Park in the center of the neighborhood.

Crabtree Ale House has a nice patio where you can sit with your dog. Head up to Lynnwood Grill and Brewing Company where you can get a beer while your dog sips from a water bowl. There are several vets in the neighborhood, so you don’t have to worry about being far from one.

Southeast Raleigh

• Average rent: $1,329/month
• Pet destination: Neuse River Trail and Walnut Creek Greenway
• Popular dog park: Ashley Wilder Dog Park

Southeast Raleigh is perfect for those looking for a quiet lifestyle immersed in nature. It is primarily parks, trails, and neighborhoods with businesses and restaurants on the northern border. Anderson Point Park is where Neuse River Trail, Walnut Creek Greenway, and Crabtree Creek Greenway all meet up. Relish in the quiet of the trees as you stroll on these paved paths. Show your dog a piece of history at the Historic Oak View County Park.

Southeast Raleigh is located centrally to four dog parks: Oakwood Dog Park, Roberts Park Dog Park, Ashley Wilder Dog Park, and Buffaloe Road Dog Park. No matter where you live in the neighborhood, the closest dog park is only 15–20 minutes away.

Owning a Pet in Raleigh

Raleigh is a more relaxed city when it comes to laws regarding owning a pet. They do not require dog and cat tags. The main laws you have to be aware of are:

• All pets must be leashed
• You must pick up any waste from your animal
• Any animal must be vaccinated against rabies
  • The rabies tag must be on your dog’s collar
  • Cats do not need the tag on their collar, but the owner must have the tag or the rabies vaccination certificate

Pet-Friendly Apartment Hunting Starts on Apartments.com

Finding a pet-friendly apartment in Raleigh has never been easier! With Apartments.com's pet policy filters, you can quickly discover communities that welcome both you and your furry friend.

Start by selecting your location, then hit the “All Filters” option in the top menu. Scroll down to the “Pet Policy” section under “Specialty Housing,” and filter for dog-friendly, cat-friendly, or both. Instantly narrow your search to apartments that match your needs. Explore all the pet-friendly options in Raleigh and find the perfect place for you and your pet today!

Rent prices in this article are based on Apartments.com rent data on May 20, 2025. Rent prices are subject to change.