10 Best Places to Visit with Pets in Florida

Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a pet-friendly space in St. Augustine, about 100 miles (161 km) north of Orlando. The park has a planetarium displaying tools used by early Spanish explorers to figure out locations and latitudes that have proven to be impressively accurate.

You can also enjoy a guided tour of the Colonial Quarter in St. Augustine, which is also known as the oldest city in the USA. There are plenty of fun demonstrations on colonial Spanish activities, including blacksmithing and loading gunpowder into muskets. Remember to keep your furry friends on a leash, as peacocks often roam these areas.

Dinosaur World appeals to families travelling with pets in Plant City. The dog-friendly theme park has over 100 dinosaurs spread across a spectacular jungle setting.

You can discuss with paleontologists about excavation, time periods and whether or not an asteroid actually wiped out the dinosaurs in a single swoop. Animatronic dinosaurs, including the T-Rex, Brontosaurus and Stegosaurus, are displayed in a landscape of prehistoric vegetation and tropical plants, along with some cute photo props like a giant dinosaur egg. Make sure you take your camera for some selfies with your pet.

Vero Beach on the east side of the Florida peninsula is known for its beautiful beaches and natural landscapes. It’s close to the St. Sebastian River State Park, which offers stunning hiking trails through marshes and boardwalks and diverse scenery ranging from tall pine forests to grassy knolls. Vero Beach also boasts a variety of pet-friendly accommodations.

While in Vero Beach, take your pets for an ocean cruise at the Treasure Coast Cruises, where dogs of all sizes are allowed on board. The Vero Beach Dog Park is where your 4-legged friends can socialise in a large fenced area, with plenty of water bowls and a dipping pool to cool off from the heat.

The Alderman’s Ford Nature Preserve is part of the Alderman's Ford County Park, covering around 1,000 acres (405 hectares) of natural space. The protected area is popular among dog owners of active, high-energy breeds like retrievers, flushers and setters, as there are some rather challenging inclines among wild flowers, marshes and oak trees.

The Alderman’s Ford Nature Preserve is best explored during the day. You can choose between a 5-mile (8-km) hiking trail and the park’s main trail, both leading to the very active Alafia River. The downstream canoe launch is a popular activity, but be aware that swimming is prohibited for both dogs and people, as parts of the river rapids are rather dangerous.

Jupiter Dog Beach, located on northern Palm Beach, allows dogs to roam free and off-leash. The area is very clean, with washing stations and doggy bags provided for your pets by Friends of Jupiter Beach at each crossover.

Nearby, the Jupiter Outdoor Center offers eco tours for those looking to find rare birds, manatees, turtles and stingrays. Other popular tours include the Full Moon Paddle and the Manatee Tour. There are plenty of river spots with knee-high water level for dogs to safely swim in. The centre also has a sizeable camping ground, with knowledgeable counsellors giving you a crash course on paddle boarding.

Pier Park, an outdoor shopping centre in Panama City Beach, offers 120 stores and pet-friendly dining, with leashed pets allowed in designated outdoor areas. The waterfront town in the north-western part of Florida has a lot of pet-friendly destinations. It’s also known for its many dog accommodations and campgrounds, including pet-friendly beachside hotels that can range from affordable to luxury.

Conservation Park has an 11-mile (18-km) trail where hikers can find wild turkeys, woodpeckers and alligators lounging in the sun. It’s also just minutes away from Pier Park. For more fun and action, dolphin and snorkel tours take dogs and their humans for cruises around the gulf, making a stop at Shell Island.

Some might say that Port St. Joe was once just another sleepy harbour, but it has undergone a transformation into a charming destination. It’s a lovely spot for a leisurely stroll with your dog, all while taking in views of the marina. This port is in Gulf County, where the bay faces south towards the Gulf of Mexico.

About 20 minutes’ drive south from Port St. Joe's centre is another pet-friendly spot, Cape San Blas, once a major production site of sea salt. The beach has a smooth, white sand floor, perfect for swimming and wading around. Please note that dogs must always be leashed and are not allowed to dig near marked turtle nests.

If you’re visiting Key West, the Lazy Dog Adventures tours on Stock Island let you enjoy paddleboarding with your pets. The island lets you cruise to the sand bars, and on days with low tide, it offers safe conditions for dogs to splash around.

If you’re looking to keep up with your fitness routine, yoga lessons on the paddleboards are available as well. There are also guided tours to the Key West mangroves, where you can spot starfishes, conches and the infamous Portuguese man o' war while learning about its complex saltwater ecosystem. Don't forget to say hi to the owner's rescue dogs.

Fort De Soto Park, one of Florida’s historic forts for coastal defence, is one of the 5 offshore keys located south of St. Petersburg. The town has more than 200 camping sites that come with showers, laundry and electrical outlets, together with a fenced area for dogs to roam free.

While in St. Petersburg, check out the Dog Bar, which offers an off-leash space, a playground, a doggie pool and a caretaker on site. You can enjoy over 30 types of beers on tap while your furry friends roam about.

Port St. Lucie is home to the Savannas Preserve State Park, which has wide boardwalks, blue skies and breezy trails. The walkways overlook the freshwater marshes that are home to many birds and wildlife. A guided canoe tour lets you navigate the waterways for about 2 hours, which can burn serious calories. Bring some food for yourself and your pets, since you won’t find food stands on the premises.

Located 18 miles (29 km) east of Savannas Preserve State Park, Walton Rocks Dog Beach is a thin strip of island, with 24 acres (10 hectares) of leash-free space where you can swim with your dog. Heathcote Botanical Gardens is another dog-friendly spot you should visit in Port St. Lucie.