St. Pete/Clearwater Dog Parks and Pet-Friendly Beaches

America's No. 1 Beach is also Fido's No. 1 Beach. That's right – Fort De Soto Park, TripAdvisor's No. 1 Beach in America, is pet friendly and was recently named fifth on Petside.com's Top 10 Dog-Friendly beaches. It was also named America's best family beach by Parents magazine in June 2011 and one of the South's Best Dog Parks, by Southern Living magazine.

No more choosing between man's best friend and man's favorite vacation spot, you now have it all in one location at St. Pete dog parks. The sand, the surf, and the bark. And don't forget about scenic Honeymoon Island, Florida's most visited state park, it also allow pets on a designated pet beach area.

Fort De Soto Park

Opportunities for four-legged adventure and fun abound at this 1,136-acre county park named TripAdvisor's No. 1 Beach and Dr. Beach's favorite beach. Dogs are allowed anywhere in the park on a six-foot leash, except the beaches, because they have their own. Fort De Soto Park features several Paw Playgrounds including beaches, with separate areas for smaller and larger dogs. These fenced-in areas allow furry friends to run free and unleashed in the warm Florida sun, or go for a splash in the Gulf of Mexico. There are even pet amenities including cooling stations complete with showers and dog-level water fountains.

Paw Playground is located just before you come to the turnoff for the fort. Parking is in the Bay Pier parking lot. Paw Playground is open daily from 7 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year, unless otherwise posted. Human amenities at Fort De Soto include bathhouses, camping, concessions, lifeguards, nature trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, restrooms, showers and wheelchair access.

Honeymoon Island State Park

A natural barrier island, Honeymoon Island State Park boasts four miles of sandy beaches, miles of nature trails, wildlife, a nature center, concessions and abundant parking. Don't be surprised to hear the call of an osprey or see an endangered gopher tortoise walking across your path. And if you do so, remember that wild animals have the right-of-way here. Honeymoon Island has one of the few designated dog beaches in Florida for you and Fido to play on (just make sure you keep your dog on a six-foot leash). Both you and your pet will enjoy the crystal clear, shallow water, which is the perfect depth for dogs to wade through comfortably while cooling off.

The dog beach is located at the southernmost tip of Honeymoon Island, which gives it a beautiful view of award-winning Caladesi Island and the rest of the Gulf. Parking is about 500 yards away. Honeymoon Island and its dog park are open from 8 a.m. to sundown 365 days a year. Human amenities include bathhouses, concessions, nature trails, picnic areas, a playground, restrooms, showers and wheelchair access.