Dog walking in Marathon

South Marathon

You will be hard-pressed to find an area of Marathon that you couldn't describe as beachy, but south Marathon is one of the MOST beachy areas. Here, you will find Sombrero Beach, a gorgeous white sand beach along the Atlantic Ocean that welcomes dogs on leash. Sombrero Beach is also a turtle nesting beach, so if you're there at the right time of year (between April and October), you might have the chance to spot some Loggerhead turtles laying their eggs on the beach at night! The beach also offers plenty of shade when you need a break from the sun as well as public bathrooms and showers.

Central Marathon

Marathon is home to its very own dog park which can be found in central Marathon. Marathon Dog Park has separate sections for dogs of different sizes, and it also provides water, waste bags and waste bins, along with plenty of seating and shade for park users. There are several trails in the area as well as exercise stations, so if you want to do something a little more intense than a walk, this is a great place to spend some time with your dog! Tiki huts and picnic tables along the path are the perfect spots to stop for lunch as well.

East Marathon

The beaches of east Marathon are among the most natural in the area as they are slightly less developed than some of the other beaches in Marathon, but visitors love them just the same! One of these beaches is called Coco Plum Beach which also has an adjacent wetland area. This beach is quite long, and the water is fairly shallow, so it's perfect for wading in with your dog. Visitors love how quiet this beach is and that it has public restaurants, picnic areas, and plenty of parking and your dog is sure to give it two paws up!

Northeast Marathon

The Dolphin Research Center in northeast Marathon is one of the biggest visitor draws in the city, and luckily, it's dog-friendly! You can meet dolphins and sea lions here, and your dog is welcome to come along provided they are on a leash. This not-for-profit educational center works to protect marine animals while building relationships with humans and conserving marine environments. The Dolphin Research Center was founded over 30 years ago, and now more than 70,000 people visit every year, and many of them bring their dogs along! Most dogs have never met marine wildlife before, and it is always interesting to see how they react to a dolphin's squeaks or a sea lion's barks.

Central Big Pine Key

Only a half an hour drive from Marathon will take you to central Big Pine Key, where you will find the Big Pine Bark Park. This massive dog park has just about everything you or Fido could ever want in a dog park: benches, wading pools, sand and grass areas, paths, and drinking water. If you have a small dog, you'll be pleased to know there is a separate fenced area just for small dogs to play and exercise together safely. The community takes great pride in this dog park and works hard to maintain it, and many regard it as one of the very best in the lower Keys.