Florida has many off-leash parks where your dogs can burn off steam and make new friends. Make sure to bring some extra water to keep your pets hydrated in the Florida heat.
Dog Wood Park, Jacksonville
This 42-acre park – 25 acres of it fenced – is a pooch’s paradise. Entirely off leash, it’s like a private country club for both dogs and humans. Aside from huge fields for Frisbee and ball throwing, it includes a two-acre swimming lake called Lake Bow Wow; a 4-acre shady area; a small-dog swimming pond called Lake Fifi and sunny and shaded play areas for dogs under 25 pounds; nature trails; sand piles, tunnels, tires and other exercise equipment for dogs; a separate playground area for kids; picnic tables and hammocks. Park admission is $11 for the first dog and $1.25 for each additional dog. Male dogs over 8 months of age must be neutered to enter.
Lake Baldwin Park, Winter Park
Formerly known as Fleet Peeples Park, this 23-acre park on Lake Baldwin northeast of downtown Orlando gives pets plenty of room to play until they’re dog tired. It also holds two pavilions, more than two dozen picnic tables, benches, a dock, boat ramp and a restroom. Dogs can run off leash during posted hours.
Fort De Soto Park, Paw Playground, near St. Petersburg:
Named by magazine as one of the top five dog parks in the south, Paw Playground at Fort De Soto includes two fenced-in grassy areas for small and large dogs to run free across a total of three acres, plus 300 yards of a dog beach where dogs can play off-leash in the surf. Other amenities include water fountains for dogs and humans; doggie bags to help clean up after your pets; and dog showers to rinse them off. Admission to the park is free; parking is $5.
Naples Dog Park
At this popular dog park on Riverside Circle near Third Avenue in downtown Naples, you’ll find 1.35 acres of fenced romping room for Rover to run free on grass and dog-friendly mulch. The park has separate spaces for large and small dogs; bag dispensers; washing stations; drinking fountains for human and beast; a picnic area and a shade structure. Admission and parking are free.
