Fort De Soto Dog Beach Park

Distance from Polk County – 93 Miles

Hey, your best friend deserves a trip this summer too – life can be ruff when you’re stuck at home all day. Fort De Soto Dog Beach Park southwest of St. Pete has 4.4 out of 5 dog bones on bringfido.com, so you know it’s legit.

Fort De Soto Park itself is over 1,100 acres spanning five interconnected keys. Fort De Soto Dog Beach Park is actually the only place in the park where dogs are allowed on the beach and not required to wear a leash so you and Fluffy can frolic freely. Leashed pets are welcome anywhere in the park other than public beaches, piers, and buildings. Don’t forget to bring plenty of fresh drinking water for your bark buddy beach day!

Here’s a dog/ human beach activity checklist:

  1. Play – frisbee, fetch, swimming, digging, you know the deal
  2. Meet new friends, say hello – sniff all the butts (the last part is exclusively for dogs only)
  3. Slow-motion Baywatch run together (buy dog sunglasses for full effect)
  4. Instagram photo montage (use #lkldhaven and #kindachill and you might make it in the next issue!)
  5. Wash up at the park’s dog wash station and hang your heads out the window all the way home

We hope you and your pet babe have a great day of sand, sun, barks, and belly rubs!

Article Written By:  Tara Crutchfield & Amy Sexson  Jul 1, 2020. LKLD Haven Magazine