T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

T.H. Stone Memorial State Park is a furrific choice for pups and people looking for an outdoor getaway on Florida’s St. Joseph Peninsula. The park showcases the best of what the Sunshine State has to offer -- sun, sea, sand, forests, and lots of wildlife. You won’t need to sacrifice too much in terms of amenities, either -- depending on the type of site you choose, you can have access to electricity and water hookups, and all sites are a short distance from showers, laundry facilities, and a small camp store.

There are two campgrounds at T.H. Stone -- Shady Pines and Gulf Breeze. Both are pretty places to stay! Shady Pines, as the name might suggest, has plenty of tree cover, while Gulf Breeze is just a bone’s throw away from the beach. T.H. Stone offers several types of sites to choose from, all with at least electricity. Those looking for a more rustic experience may want to check out the tent-only sites, and there are several cabins available for visitors who like a little more luxury. You’ll have to leave Fido at home if you want to book one, though. There’s a $6 fee to enter the park, and sites start at $24. Both campgrounds are understandably paw-pular, especially in winter, so it pays to book early, particularly if you’ll need to stay at one of the accessible, RV-only sites.

T.H. Stone scores pretty well on accessibility all round! As you might expect, the bathrooms and showers are set up for those with impaired mobility, but the park also offers accessible hiking trails and a fishing pier. Unfortunately, the Gulf Breeze beach is not wheelchair friendly, but a beach wheelchair is available to assist those who need it to explore other sandy stretches.

Nor is your pup welcome to stroll the strands, but don’t worry -- you two are still sure to sniff out something to do! The main draw for hound-dog hikers is the Wilderness Trail, a seven-mile out-and-back stretch that meanders through coastal forests and pine scrub. The route boasts fantastic views of the sea to boot!  

WiFi is available at T.H. Stone, and most cellular networks should receive decent coverage. Fires are permitted, and you’ll find drinking water available at both campgrounds. Remember to bring waste bags for your four-pawed pal, and have a furrific time!