De Soto National Memorial Beach

Florida-Fido-fun happens on a daily basis at the De Soto National Memorial Beach, where dogs can hike along the trails or enjoy time out at the beach with their owners.

This is a super-dog-friendly beach with few limitations - except all pooches must be on a leash no longer than six feet. This gives woofers plenty of room to romp around or cool off in the Atlantic sea.

There is a lot of history here as a Spanish adventurer named Hernando de Soto came ashore n 1539 with 600 soldiers in tow and orders to colonize the area. Every year residents pay homage to this memorable event with a replication of the landing.

Nature walks and time spent splashing around in the sea is on the agenda for dog owners who grab their poop bags from the Ranger and keep this wildly-beautiful park and beach clean. It’s also expected that pet-parents keep their pooches from engaging with other people visiting the beach. The entire park opens at sunrise but gates close at 5 pm. The park and beach are free to access all year round with donations for the up-keep of this wondrous setting always appreciated.

The beach is a tree-lined oasis with a white sandy stretch of shore backed by boulders in some parts, with benches for sitting and taking in the sights. Kayak tours are a popular pursuit organized by the park ranger, as is bird-watching and boating. There are tables for family picnics and the visitor center features clean restrooms, a gift shop, and informative films. Throughout the park, there are huts and references to its fascinating history.

Dogs might be oblivious to famous explorers - but they love rolling around in the sand and being a part of beach day at this pet-friendly paradise. Follow the rules and you’re lucky mutt will continue to have access to this premium dog beach.