Dog walking in Arcadia

West Arcadia

In West Arcadia, you can find one of the largest parks in the city, Morgan Park.  When you come here, plan to spend the day strolling with Fido exploring the pristine nature -- 240 acres of preserved land gives you access to immense cypress trees, sabal palm, and saw palmetto.  Many of the hiking trails follow the Peace River and take you across multiple antique footbridges. Wildlife abounds, so Fido needs to be on a leash, but if you are both quiet, you may see deer.  Keeping Fido on a leash also helps with safety, as many alligators have been spotted here. It's a great place to go for a meal with the pavilion and picnic areas.  Restrooms are available for your convenience.

Peace River

About twenty miles outside of Arcadia you can visit another entrance of Peace River -- the Peace River RV Park in Wauchula. This river is one of the largest in Florida and stretches across the central part of the state, running through Hardee County. Although it's an RV park, it is open for public use, so you and Fido can visit and enjoy the amenities available there, or use the open trails to go canoeing, kayaking, hiking, fishing, or fossil hunting while you look for wildlife and explore the natural beauty of the area.  There's also a Fido-friendly chain restaurant nearby so you can grab a quick bite.

Ona

Horse Creek Nature Trail in Ona, less than twenty miles from Arcadia, is a pawesome spot to head to when you are ready to explore.  Although Ona is tiny, it has earned its spot on the map with its famous landmark, Solomon's Castle, a castle built from aluminum that showcases art from recycled items. Even though the castle itself is not pet-friendly, there is a restaurant on the grounds where leashed pets are welcome at the outdoor patio seating, so be sure to take Fido to visit Boat in the Moat.  Relax under the shade of the oak trees while you indulge in one of the homemade dishes from the menu.  Solomon's Castle also offers a private nature trail, Horse Creek Nature Trail, that is free for you and Fido to walk during operating hours.

Deep Creek Preserve

If you are looking for a spot to stay and relax while enjoying the beautiful Peace River, check out Deep Creek Preserve, part of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. To camp here, you must submit an online reservation request, but camping is free! You will get an email that will give you the gate padlock code that gives you RV access, but if you are just hiking or bringing a tent, you can access it through the small gate. Once you are in, you and Fido have access to the many hiking trails, miles of swimming and exploring Peace River, and ultimate peace and quiet! Amenities include non-potable water and a porta-potty on site.