We took our dog, Ruthie B., to Ocracoke in early July, and after a fair amount of research into which island hotels and vacation rentals actually welcome dogs, we booked a Cedars Side room at Pony Island Inn that came with a kitchenette. Ocracoke is a such a special spot to both David and me, and my family as a whole. My parents have been vacationing at Ocracoke since I was in 5th grade, and the Pony Island Inn was the first place we ever stayed. It was nostalgic and the Pony Island Inn is a staple and a quintessentially Ocracoke spot to stay. We were excited to have Ruthie with us and show her around. Here is our honest take on our stay at the Pony Island Inn, from Ruthie’s perspective as much as our own.
Pony Island Inn Ocracoke: A Dog-Friendly Review (Ruthie B. Approved)
First, the Big News: Pony Island Inn is Now Dog-Friendly
If you looked this place up a year or two ago, you may have seen that pets were not allowed. That has changed. Pony Island Inn now welcomes well-behaved dogs in select accommodations, so you do not have to board your pup or leave them behind for your Ocracoke getaway. This is a fairly recent shift, so some third-party booking sites still show old “no pets” info — always double-check directly with the inn before you book. Book directly for the best rates.
Dog-friendly stays are available in three areas of the property:
- The Cottage — a standalone, family-sized rental
- Cedar-facing guest rooms in the main inn
- The first two floors of the Poolside building
We stayed in a Cedar-facing room, and it turned out to be a great call for a dog — more on that below.
Getting There and Checking In
Pony Island Inn sits right on Highway 12 (785 Irvin Garrish Hwy) at the edge of Ocracoke Village, an easy walk to Silver Lake Harbor, restaurants, and shops. Coming by ferry, that walkability matters — you will not need to hop back in the car much once you are settled. We opted to rent a golf cart to use around town and only drove our car to the beach one day.
Check-in was smooth. The front desk staff already knew we had a dog with us (we flagged it when booking) and had a little welcome ready for Ruthie B.: a treat, a rundown of where the waste stations were, and a heads-up about the dog bath station on site. While these may seem like small touches, they also indicate that their dog policy was not tacked on as an afterthought — Pony Island Inn is set up for dog owners.
The Room: Why Cedar-Facing is the Sweet Spot for Dogs
Our room was on the Cedars side of the property, which sits in the middle of the grounds near picnic tables and charcoal grills, shaded by, appropriately, cedar trees. For a dog, this location is ideal:
- It is low-traffic and quiet compared to the poolside rooms
- There is grass and shade right outside the door for quick potty breaks
- It is close to one of the property’s waste stations, so late-night walks do not require a hike across the grounds
- The dog washing station is on this side of the property and made it easy to wash her off and then sit on the porch for her to dry off.
The room itself was simple, comfortable, and clean — air conditioning, cable TV, Wi-Fi, a kitchenette, a refrigerator, coffeemaker, and microwave. Nothing fancy, and exactly what you need after a day on the beach with a sandy, salty dog. Non-smoking throughout, which we very much appreciated.
Dog Amenities: More Than Just “Pets Allowed”
This is where Pony Island Inn stood out. Rather than a bare-minimum pet policy, they’ve actually built out amenities for traveling with a dog:
- Pet blankets in the room, so Ruthie B. had her own spot
- Waste stations scattered around the property
- A dog bath, which was clutch after a beach day — Ocracoke sand gets everywhere, and rinsing her off before she got back in the room saved our floors
- Treats at the front desk, which meant Ruthie greeted check-in and check-out with enthusiasm
It felt like the folks at Pony Island Inn actually thought through what a dog owner needs.
The Pool (Not for Dogs, But Worth Knowing)
The inn’s pool is centrally located and lovely on a hot July afternoon, though it is for human guests only. We did not mind; between the beach and the grassy grounds, Ruthie B. had plenty of room to roam without needing pool access.
Where to Walk and Explore With Your Dog
Ocracoke Village is about as dog-friendly as it gets. From Pony Island Inn, we were able to walk:
- Down to Silver Lake Harbor to watch the boats
- Through the village to grab coffee and check out shops (many of which welcome dogs at the door or have water bowls out front)
- Out on Ocracoke’s beaches, a short drive or bike ride away, where leashed dogs are permitted on much of the shoreline (worth checking current National Park Service rules before you go, since regulations can shift seasonally
Having a home base within walking distance of the village center made our trip with Ruthie so much easier — we loved not have to constantly load her in and out of the car.
Food Nearby
Pony Island Restaurant sits right next door and handles breakfast for inn guests. It is not a dog-friendly dining room, though you can grab it to-go and enjoy on your porch. The village has several other restaurants with outdoor, dog-friendly seating if you want a sit-down meal as a family — worth scouting when you arrive. See my favorites here.
A Few Practical Tips if You are Booking
- Call or email ahead. Dog-friendly rooms are limited to specific buildings and floors, so confirm availability for your dates directly with the inn (252-928-4411 or general@ponyislandinn.com) rather than relying solely on third-party booking sites, which do not always reflect the current pet policy.
- Ask about their dog policy in writing. The inn has a formal pet policy guests should review before arrival — it covers things like size/breed considerations, fees, and expectations for leashing on the property.
- Bring your own leash and bags anyway. The waste stations are a great backup, though we always travel with our own supplies.
- Book early for summer. Ocracoke’s July season is busy, and dog-friendly rooms are a smaller subset of an already popular inn.
Our Verdict
Pony Island Inn earns its reputation as one of the best places to stay in Ocracoke, and now that it is dog-friendly — it is an easy recommendation for anyone traveling with a pet. The Cedar-facing rooms in particular are a smart choice if your dog needs quiet, grass, and quick access outside. Ruthie B. left with a full belly of treats and, judging by how fast she fell asleep on the ferry home, a very good trip. Here are some of our tips for traveling with your pup(s).
If you are planning an Ocracoke getaway with your own dog, this is the place for you and your angel baby to call home while on the island.
Have you stayed at Pony Island Inn with your dog? Let us know your experience in the comments below.
Thank you to the Pony Island Inn for hosting our stay. As always, all opinions and reviews are my own.
