Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Florida

Leashed dogs are welcome to enjoy the numerous pet-friendly trails at Rainbow Springs State Park, located on more than 1,470 acres in Dunnellon, FL. Explore 14 miles of hiking trails through varied scenery, including sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, bayheads, oak hammocks, swamps and 3 man-made waterfalls. Dogs aren't permitted to enter the water. Please note that a day-use reservation is required to visit this park, except for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville, FL, is pet friendly. This 120-acre urban woodland is full of trails for you to explore and enjoy with your pooch. In addition, over 3 miles of rustic hiking trails wind quietly through a series of distinct ecological habitats. Chill out on one of the benches around the park, have a picnic and enjoy a day outside with your pup.

Conservation Park in Panama City Beach, FL, offers 24 miles of pet-friendly trails and over a mile of boardwalks on 2900 acres, perfect for hikers, bikers, and nature lovers. Trails range from less than one mile up to 11 miles, and there are 12 trails to choose from. Parking, picnic tables, and restrooms are available at the trail head. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Humans should always clean up after their canine companions.

Leashed dogs are allowed to join their owners at O'Leno State Park in High Springs, FL. You and Fido can enjoy the park’s picnic area that overlooks the Santa Fe River or hike one of the diverse, pet-friendly hiking trails, including the River Trail, the Limestone Trail, and Parener’s Branch. The varied scenery switches between hardwood hammock, limestone outcrop, and pine forest. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in the youth areas, primitive campsite, group camp, swimming area, or buildings.

Located just a few minutes down the road from Tampa, Hillsborough River State Park in Thonotosassa seems a million miles away from the urban sprawl. This Florida state park has four pet-friendly hiking trails to choose from, which are over seven miles in length. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you in most outdoor areas, but they're not permitted inside buildings. The park is open daily, and there is an entrance fee.

Fort De Soto County Park is a dog-friendly state park in Tierra Verde, FL. Escape to the white sands and crystal clear waters of this popular 1,136 acre park. There are 15 picnic shelters, restrooms, fishing piers, playgrounds, and several trails to enjoy with your leashed pup. There's also a fenced dog park and a designated dog beach area. A nominal fee is required to enter the park.

Crystal River Archaeological State Park is a 61-acre, dog-friendly recreation area in Crystal River, FL. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you for a hike on the trails. The park is steeped in Native American history and is home to a number of burial grounds. Located on an expansive coastal marsh, fishing and bird watching are the most popular activities to partake in at this location Please note that pets aren't permitted inside the visitor center, and that there's an entrance fee.

Falling Waters State Park in Chipley, FL, is home to Florida's largest waterfall. You and Fido can walk on the dog-friendly Sink Hole Trail to get to the crashing waters of the stunning waterfall. Additionally, there are three short nature trails that feature the differing scenery in the park.

Dogs are welcome at Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park in Pensacola, FL. The park stretches 4,000 acres and is home to several rare and endangered plants. You can bring Fido with you to enjoy the Tarkiln Bayou Trail, meandering through prairie, cypress, and titi forests, and leading to a scenic view. The area offers numerous benches and picnic tables around the park and along the trails to enjoy a spot of lunch with your pup.

Hammock Park is a dog-friendly park in Dunedin, FL, that contains pretty boardwalks that weave through the woods, a butterfly garden, a disc golf course, a comfortable picnic area, and a playground. Fido can join you on the boardwalks if they are on a leash under six feet and owners clean up any mess that they leave behind. There are pet waste stations provided and spots for Fido to have a drink, too.

Eureka Springs Conservation Park in Tampa, FL is a dog-friendly park on 31 acres featuring scenic boardwalks through a floodplain forest, walking trails, a rose garden and picnic areas. Dogs must leashed, and there is an entrance fee per vehicle. Note that the greenhouse is not pet friendly.

Red Bug Slough Preserve is a dog-friendly nature preserve on 72 acres in Sarasota, FL. There are several trails that you can enjoy with your pup, some of which afford views of a small lake. There are two picnic shelters were you can share a snack with Fido. Be aware that you may encounter alligators during your visit, so keeping your dog leashed is imperative. Please clean up after your pets to help protect the flora and fauna.

Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve is home to a number of pet-friendly trails in North Fort Myers, FL. Separated by Interstate 75 with two separate access points, the east side features a 1.5-mile boardwalk and paved trail that meanders through wetland, hammock and pine flatwood ecosystems, as well as three miles of additional primitive hiking trails. Dogs are welcome to join you, as long as they are leashed and well-behaved on the trail.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Venetian Gardens Park in Leesburg, FL. This 64-acre pet-friendly park has several paved paths to walk your dog as well as a pavilion and benches.

Leashed dogs are welcome on the hiking trails and in the picnic areas at Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs, FL. There are a number of pet-friendly trails, including the Sandhill Trail, a 1.7 mile loop trail; the Sinkhole Trail, traversing up through the uplands; and the Swamp Trail, a boardwalk trail that will keep your feet dry while you explore. Please note that, unfortunately, dogs are not permitted near the springs or on any form of water transportation at the park.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Bonnet Springs Park, a pet-friendly natural space in Lakeland, FL. Explore giant oak trees, beautiful streams, boardwalks, walking paths, views of Lake Bonnet and more at this blend of an urban and natural park.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Lake Griffin State Park, made up of 620-acres of marshland and trees in Fruitland Park, FL. Enjoy the two pet-friendly, sandy hiking trails that meander through roughly two miles of the park's woodland. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular activities at the park. Please keep Fido on a leash that is 6-feet in length or shorter, and be aware the dogs aren't permitted in any of the buildings at the park. Trails can be very wet during the rainy summer months. An entrance fee is required.

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Port Richey, FL is pet friendly. Walk with your leashed pooch through typical Florida backcountry and admire the Salt Spring. This natural phenomenon is more than 350-ft deep and offers a habitat for plenty of wildlife that includes tortoises and dolphins. There is an entrance fee per vehicle.

Explore part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystems with your pup on the Wildlife Drive through J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel, FL. Dogs are allowed on the Wildlife Drive, Indigo Trail and the Bailey Tract as long as they are kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times.

Oleta River State Park in North Miami Beach, FL is home to a lovely natural oasis of hardwood hammocks and mangroves and is bisected by the Oleta River. This large, pet-friendly urban park, located 30 minutes from downtown Miami, invites you and your pup to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Pets are not allowed at the beach, but leashed dogs are welcome to join you on the trails and for kayaking. Alternatively, you can bring Fido for a picnic at Biscayne Bay.