>About the Dog Park
Fort De Soto Dog Park, located at St. Petersburg, FL, is a canine paradise featuring a vast beach where dogs can romp off-leash. The park’s amenities include fenced areas, hosing stations, and poop bag availability, ensuring a clean and fun environment. Visitors appreciate the clean restrooms and shaded picnic spots. However, the park can get crowded on weekends, and it’s important for dogs to have good recall due to the off-leash freedom. This well-maintained park is a favorite for dog owners looking for a safe and enjoyable outing.
Fencing
- Fenced Areas: The park features fenced-in dog parks where dogs can be hosed down to remove sand and salt after playing in the ocean.
- Safety: These fenced areas help ensure dogs don’t run off and provide a secure space for them to cool down and clean up.
Distractions
- Beach Activities: The beach allows dogs to be off-leash, providing ample opportunities for playing, swimming, and socializing with other dogs.
- Crowds: Weekends can get busy, leading to more distractions from other dogs and people.
- Other Dogs: Dogs often interact, which can sometimes lead to toy-stealing or unwanted play, especially when owners aren’t vigilant.
Amenities
- Poop Bags: The park is well-stocked with poop bags, encouraging cleanliness among pet owners.
- Hosing Stations: Conveniently located for rinsing off sand and salt.
- Restrooms: Clean restrooms are available near the parking lot, though the ladies’ room may occasionally lack toilet paper.
- Picnic Areas: Shaded spots are available for relaxing, especially if you arrive early.
Pricing
- Entry Fees: There are tolls to enter the park, plus a $5 parking fee near the dog beach.
- Payment Methods: Fees can be paid by plate or app, eliminating the need for cash.
Cleanliness
- Beach and Park Maintenance: The park and beach are well-maintained, with most visitors cleaning up after their dogs.
- Water Quality: The beach may have some sea grass in the water, but overall it’s clean and inviting.
Hazards
- Crowded Conditions: Busy times, especially around noon, can lead to dog encounters that might be challenging if dogs aren’t well-behaved.
- Aggressive Dogs: While most dogs are friendly, a few might show aggression, requiring owners to be attentive.
Extra Rules
- Off-Leash Requirements: Dogs must be under voice control when off-leash to ensure safety for all visitors.
- Behavioral Expectations: Dogs should be tolerant of other dogs and people, with good recall to avoid conflicts.
Community Safety Rules
- Responsible Ownership: Most visitors are responsible and clean up after their dogs, contributing to the park’s cleanliness and safety.
- Dog Control: Owners must ensure their dogs are well-behaved and do not disturb others, especially in crowded areas.
Fort De Soto Dog Park is a fantastic spot for dog owners and their pets to enjoy a day out. With its off-leash beach, well-maintained facilities, and ample amenities, it offers a fun and safe environment for dogs to play and socialize. However, it’s important for dogs to be well-trained and for owners to be responsible, especially during busy times. For a delightful experience with your furry friend, Fort De Soto Dog Park is a top choice.
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CÃntia Zuccon
3 months ago100% honest review ! This is the best dog beach I have been so far. The parking lot is not super far from the beach but a good 5 minute walk. Parking is $5 a day which is good and fair. The beach is clean and nice. The water is warm and there aren’t rocks, but lots of shells which I would recommend having the beach shoes. We spent 3 days at that beach, and I loved it! The main issue that I found was that some dog owners do not clean after their dog. There were some dogs puking and having diarrhea and the owners were just ignoring it.
Scott Warmbein
2 months agoMy dogs really enjoy this off leash beach. We like that they don't have to be on leash to swim, they can just go have fun once there. When you get to the park, you pay at the toll both, most recently it was $5, and you get your park ticket. Cash or card accepted. (Occasionally it's not manned and you pay on good faith). Then you head to the dog beach parking lot, to your right at the first intersection past the toll booth. The parking lot is on the left and if you go past the dog park, you've missed it. When that lot is filled, you can park across the street in the grassy/rocky area and walk over. Be mindful of the ground temperature on concrete and asphalt for your pups paw pads and of the sand once at the beach. From the parking lot, you can either go into the small or large dog park for a run and potty break first, or you can skip it and take the direct path to the beach. The far side of the dog parks have gates to access the beach if you go dog park first. Once finished at the beach back at the dog park you'll find hose stations to rinse your dogs. Bring your own poop bags (stations might not always be stocked), water source and bowl. Be mindful of water intoxication and heat exhaustion while enjoying the day. Bring your own source of shade as there is none on the beach. Restrooms are on site in the parking lot, and there's changing stalls as well. Humans can swim here with the dogs too.
ellen partal
a month agoThis is my favorite dog beach with nice sand. It is a great place for dogs to run in the water and owners, too. I wish I could go every day. My dog loves love and loves it here. There is a dog park there as well with a hose to wash your dog off. It's not too far from parking to the beach. There is plenty of parking. It does cost money, and there are multiple ways to pay. There is a public bathroom at the parking lot.
S A
5 months agoMy dog absolutely loves this beach. He always finds a friend or two to splash around and run with. The fenced in dog parks are great to hose him down to cool him off and try to get some of the sand and salt off his paws after he's been in the ocean. I love that there are always poop bags and that most (but not all) pet parents seem responsible enough to clean up after their fur babies. The weekends get crowded and it's harder to find parking or a shady spot to sit, but I go early to avoid most of that. We're definitely going to miss this place the most.
Monica McPherrin
2 months agoReally enjoyed this beach. It was great seeing so many dogs all playing on the beach and getting along. Parking is $5 for the day. There is a fenced dog park area but the beach is not fenced so you have to have a dog that won't run away if you let it off lease.