If your idea of a perfect beach day includes your dog, then Fort De Soto Dog Beach may be the perfect beach for you.
It’s only dog beach in Pinellas County Florida where your dogs can run completely free. Off leash.
My friend suggested we take our labs here. They had a blast!
The Best Part about Fort De Soto Dog Beach
At Fort De Soto Dog Beach, you get the best of both worlds.
You can enjoy the beach with your dog! And your dog can enjoy the beach without the leash!
(Assuming your dog is well behaved, gets along with other dogs, people and will not run off without you…)
Fort De Soto Dog Beach
Imagine your dog swimming in the ocean (freely without a leash) fetching his or her water toy.
Or just walking next to you exploring the beach with you.
And sniffing all the other happy dogs on the beach!
If the thought of happy running free dogs makes you happy, you can experience that here at the Fort Desoto Dog Beach.h
Fort De Soto Dog Park
In addition to the designated off leash beach area, there is also a very large fenced in dog park.
(This is one of the largest dog parks I’ve ever seen.)
Your dog will have even more room to run around and get its energy out while socializing with other dogs.
There are 2 separate dog parks. One for small dogs. One for large dogs.
So if you need a little break from calling your pup’s name every five minutes to make sure he or she stays with you (I wouldn’t know anything about that…:), the Fort De Soto Dog Park is the perfect place for you and them 🙂
How to Get to Fort Desoto Dog Beach
Fort Desoto Dog Beach is part of Fort De Soto Park. Fort De Soto Park is located in Tierra Verde, Florida just southwest of St. Petersburg, Florida.
The park expands across 5 islands.
Each island has a name with “Key” at the end. The dog beach is on Mullet key.
ℹ️ Pro Tip: Be sure to enter in Fort De Soto Dog Beach to your Apple Maps, Google maps or car navigation system. Otherwise you will be taken to the first part of Fort De Soto Park where the boat launch is, and no dog beach.
How to Get There
If you are in southern Florida traveling north, you will take I-75 North to I-275 North to Pinellas Bayway.
If you are in north Florida traveling south, you can take I-75 South to I-275 South to Pinellas Bayway.
What to Bring For Your Dog Beach Day
- Dog Leash
- Poop Bags
- Dog Bowl
- Water
- Dog Toys
- Beach Towels
- Sunscreen
- Chairs
- Umbrella
- Food
- Bug Spray
- Money
- License Plate Number
Dog Leash
You are required to have your dog on leash in specific areas.
In the parking lot, on the way to the dog park and on the way to the dog beach.
Once you get inside the dog park or the in the designated dog beach area, your dog can run free off leash.
So don’t forget your dog leash. Then, run dog, run!
Poop Bags
You will find dog poop bags posts stationed throughout the park.
So bringing your own poop bags is optional. But picking up your dogs poop is mandatory.
I like to be prepared for the “poop anywhere” situation.
So I bring my own and keep them in my pocket.
Left behind dog poop is bad for the beach, ocean, fish and you.
It can wash away into the water and cause algae blooms which is deadly to fish.
If it runs off into storm water drains, the poop water could become your drinking water!
So do the right thing and be a responsible dog owner. Pick up your dog’s poop!
Dog Bowl
You will find community dog water bowls inside the dog parks. But not on the dog beach.
If you don’t want your dog to drink the ocean water when he or she gets thirsty, bring a dog bowl for water.
Your dog is bound to get thirsty during all the fun beach playing time. Especially if it’s hot!
You will have warm days if you go during April – October months. The summer months will be the hottest.
So go to the dog beach prepared. And don’t forget the water bowl!
Water
Your dog bowl doesn’t do much good without water.
Now, this does add more for you to transport and carry to your perfect beach spot destination.
But you need water too.
So grab a 1 gallon water jug from a Costco or Sam’s pack. (Or 2). These will work great for the day.
ℹ️ Worst case scenario, use the water from the water hose provided within the dog parks. You can either take your dog to the park to get a drink. Or fill up your dogs water bowl and take it to the beach.
It will be a little walk for you but it’s a way to get your dog water if you don’t bring your own.
If you plan to stay on the beach for a while, don’t forget about water for your pup and you!
Dog Toys
Water Toys
If your dog loves to fetch, don’t forget hers or his favorite floatable toy.
My dogs’ favorite water toys have always been floating wubba’s.
But water frisbees or chuckits also work great for tossing into the ocean waves for your dog to retrieve.
Park Toys
In the park, you are likely to find left behind balls.
But if your dog has another favorite toy good, then bring that too.
Why not make this dog beach day the best toy day ever!
Beach Towels
It’s the beach! With sand, sun and water.
Bring your beach towels. For you and your dogs 🙂
You can dry them off and get some of the sand off before you put them in car.
Your car will thank you 🙂
Sunscreen
I don’t think they make sunscreen for dogs. Do they?
The sunscreen is more for you and your other humans.
The sun is brutal to your skin. And being sunburned for days afterwards is no fun.
Don’t forget to bring and apply sunscreen while you have fun with your dog.
So, you’re not mistaken for a red lobster!
Chairs
Chairs are optional but can make the beach day more comfortable on your as* than sitting on the sand.
We get the Tommy Bahamas chairs from Costco. They are a good buy and perfect for the beach.
Umbrella
An umbrella or some something for shade is also completely optional.
I personally don’t bring one. But may be good to bring if you plan to stay at the beach a while.
The Florida sun is hot and brutal. For you and your dog.
Food
Food and munchies is another optional item to bring.
I bring a sandwich or something to enjoy while I’m there. My dogs never want to leave.
If I don’t feel like making my sandwich, I’ll grab one from Publix.
Or better yet, just grab a chicken box to go!
Publix has surprisingly good fried chicken that tastes even better on the beach.
Bug Spray
Now I can’t personally offer suggestions on what bug spray will work.
But I can say from experience, you may get bug bites.
I’m going to assume they were bug bites from sand fleas or no see ums that I brought back from my own dog beach day at Fort De Soto.
They weren’t mosquitos since I know what those bites looks like.
My bites were smaller but more puffy and more red. Very noticeable and very itchy.
I’m assuming I got them on the way to the beach and back.
So be aware and consider bring some bug spray. Maybe OFF will work, but I can’t guarantee that.
Money
Your trip to the beach is not free.
You have to pay for parking. And tolls.
Your parking payment is all digital now. No cash.
(But you do need cash for the tolls! Unless you have a SunPass.)
License Plate Number
You will pay for parking using your vehicle license plate number.
So you will need to know and enter in your license plate number.
(I take a picture of my car tag and save it in my photo favorites to reference anytime I need it.)
Your license plate must be visible in the parking lot at all times.
Know Before You Go
Hopefully by now, you’re planning a dog beach day to Fort De Soto Dog Beach. Your dog will have so much fun!
Here’s what you need to know you before you go.
Fort Desoto Dog Beach Rules
- All dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting the Fort De Soto Dog beach
- All dogs must be under voice restraint at all times
- Dog owners are responsible for collecting and removing their dog’s waste
- Dog owners are responsible for their dog’s behavior at all times
- The dog beach entrance is at the far southwest corner of dog park
Fort De Soto Dog Park Rules
- All dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting the Fort De Soto Dog Park
- Fort De Soto Dog Park closes at dusk
- You use the park at you own risk
- Dot handlers / owners are liable for any injury or damage caused by their dogs
- Limit 3 dogs per handler
- Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated with a tag on their collar
- Handlers must be 16 years of age or older
- Children under 12 are not permitted in park without a responsible adult
- Dogs must be under the control of their handler and attended at all times
- Handler must carry a leash with them at all times
- Handler is responsible for picking up and disposing of their dog’s waste in designated receptacles
- Dogs in heat are prohibited.
- No dogs under 4 months of age are allowed
- No aggressive dogs
- Handlers must stop their dogs from digging and are responsible for filling any holes their dog makes.
- No execessive barking
- No bathing of dogs in the park
- No food or smoking within the fenced Aaea
- Check with your veterinarian before introducing a puppy to a dog park
- Humans are asked not to go barefoot in park so wear shoes or flip flops
- Pinellas County is not responsible for the behavior of an dog
- Bites or injury should be reported to Animal Services
- The rules are intended to protect everyone’s use and enjoyment of Fort Desoto Dog Park
- Violation of park rules may result in a citation or removal from the park
Fort Desoto Dog Beach Hours
- 7 am to Sunset
True Cost of Fort De Soto Dog Beach
Your dog day at Fort De Soto Dog Beach is not free. But it’s not expensive.
Your total to get into Fort Desoto Park and stay all day will cost you $6.75 or more.
Here’s how much it costs to get into Fort De Soto Park.
- $1 Toll
- $.75 Toll
- $5 Parking Fee
- $.35 Convenience Fee (When you don’t pay at the meter on-site)
First Toll
You’ll pay $1 (Cash or SunPass) when you’re on Pinellas Bayway headed to the park.
Second Toll
Then you’ll pay another .75 (Cash or SunPass) right before you enter Fort De Soto Park.
Parking Fee
Then you’ll pay $5 to park (No Cash – Digital options only).
If you want to save time with all the polls, get a sunpass so you don’t have to worry about having cash at the poll and you dont have to stop to pay. Paying with a SunPass is easier and quicker.
How to Pay Your Parking at Fort De Soto
There are 3 ways to pay for your parking at Fort DeSoto. Simply choose your digital payment option.
No Cash Needed
You are no longer required to pay cash. You will pay digitally.
When entering the park, you’ll pass a booth that used to be staffed to collect your park payment. But that booth is vacant now and you pass on right by it without stopping.
Your Payment Options at Fort De Soto Park
Pay at the Meter
The cheapest way to pay for parking at Fort Desoto is directly at the meter. You’ll find the payment meter at the edge of the parking lot near the fenced in dog park.
It’s $5 to park. At the meter, you only pay $5 with no additional fee.
Pat at meter In 3 Simple Steps
- Press start
- Enter your license plate (refer to your saved photo)
- Enter card
- Choose receipt option
Pay by Text
You can avoid going to the meter by sending a text. You can literally pay from Your car or as you walk to the beach.
Just send text to 727563. Type in ParkFD2 as message.
you’ll pay an additional .35 fee for this option. So you’ll pay $5.35 to park (instead of $5.)
Pay by Flowbird App
Now this is the way I paid because I didn’t know any better. And i got hit with the .35 fee too!
You’ll see signs for the Flowbird App payment option as you pass the empty, once staffed, payment booth.
You just download the app, set up Your account and then add your vehicle’s license plate number and payment. Credit card or debit card.
You need to be in dog park parking lot so the app recognizes which parking you are paying for.
I was surprised by the convenience fee. Next time I’ll just pay at the meter and save the extra .35 cents!
Designated Dog Beach Area
Your dog can’t run free on the entire beach. The dog beach is a small designated area clearly marked by signs.
You are required to have your dog on leash on the way to the beach. And to the dog park and to your car.
The beach entrance is at the far southwest corner of dog park.
No Swimming
You’ll see no swimming signs posted. Because it’s dangerous.
There are dangerous strong currents that will take you out to sea.
Restrooms
There are restrooms on site so you don’t need to pee in the water 😉
You’ll find the restrooms at the edge of the parking lot before the beach near the pier.
No Payment After 5pm
So this could change at any time, without prior notice. But when I went back on a Friday afternoon after 5pm, the meter would not take my payment.
And the dog beach was not too crowded either.
Hot Asphalt!
Don’t burn your dogs paws!
The asphalt in the parking lot gets hot. Especially in the summer.
When the asphalt gets to 125 degrees, skin destruction of your dogs paws can start in just 60 seconds of contact.
You should always check the asphalt before you let your pet walk on it. Rule of thumb, If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot fur theirs.
Asphalt Temperature Guide
Use this guide to know when it’s too hot for your dogs paws. You can try to park near the sand so your dog doesn’t have to walk on the hot asphalt. The paths to the dog beach and dog park are not paved.
| Air Temperature | Asphalt Temperature |
| 77 | 125 |
| 86 | 135 |
| 87 | 143 |
Now Go Enjoy Your Own Fort Desoto Dog Beach Day!
And that’s it. That’s everything you need to enjoy a dog beach day at Fort De Soto Dog Beach.
Now all you have to do is to grab your dogs, their leashes, beach supplies and go have fun!