![]() ![]() View a video to see what the normal conditions are here.Īdditional issues for dogs in Big Cypress are that hookworm parasites are easily transmitted through the warm waters, and there are alligators, of course. It’s a tough enough section for a human to wade. ![]() While backpackers do hike north up the Florida Trail from Oasis with their dogs, consider what you are putting them through. First, only service dogs are allowed to linger at the Oasis Visitor Center. You must walk the paralleling road.Īt the southern end of the Florida Trail, think twice before taking your dog into Big Cypress National Preserve. The prohibition against dogs at Pensacola Beach affects Florida Trail thru-hikers, since you cannot bring a dog along the beach portion of the trail. They are welcome on other trails as long as they are on a leash. Do not take dogs on boardwalks.īoth Canaveral National Seashore and Gulf Islands National Seashore do not allow dogs on the beach. Leashed dogs are only allowed in the grassy areas adjoining trailheads and at campgrounds. ![]() While Everglades National Park generally permits dogs, you’d be wise not to take them to Shark Valley or the Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm Hammock, where the densest collections of alligators are.īig Cypress National Preserve does not permit dogs on their trails. Dogs are not allowed near springs or other swimming areas, so some gatekeepers have interpreted that as dogs are not allowed in the recreation areas, period. Leashed dogs are still allowed in the campgrounds and on most of the hiking trails.īut if that hiking trail is inside a recreation area managed by a concessionaire, you may find yourself turned away. In our National Forests in Florida, policies have also changed. We only know of a couple of dog beaches in Florida State Parks – at Lovers Key and Honeymoon Island – but most of Flagler County also allows dogs on the beaches. Dogs in Florida State Parks MUST be leashed, especially if you are in a campground. They’ve limited access for dogs on certain trails, too. Florida State Parksįor instance, although Florida State Parks used to have a very liberal dog policy, they no longer allow dogs near swimming areas such as beaches and springs. Alligators are a major danger for dogs in Florida. When you see a sign like this, it’s there for a reason. And sometimes park rules are for your dog’s safety. Sometimes the rules are there to protect wildlife. What you can do to help is to follow the land manager’s rules regarding your pet. And that’s why, over the past 20 years that we’ve been collecting and sharing information on Florida’s trails, more and more public lands are shutting their doors to dogs. Sadly, on hikes we take, we sometimes see dog owners breaking the rules: either by bringing dogs into off-limits areas, or not picking up after them in places where other visitors will end up stepping in dog poop. In fact, as the weather warms up, bacteria thrives in puddles and sluggish streams, leading to intestinal distress and worse. Not all water sources in Florida are trustworthy. Know the signs of heat exhaustion for your pet and treat accordingly.īe sure to pack plenty of water for your canine. Heat can be a serious issue for dogs in Florida, just like it is with humans. Hunt dates vary for each public land so it’s important to check ahead. This is not a good time to hike with your dog – both out of courtesy to hunters and for your dog’s safety.Īny public land posted as a Wildlife Management Area – which includes all of our National Forests as well as many FWC and Water Management lands – should be avoided during deer season if you’re hiking with a dog. Starting late September, deer season ripples across Florida’s public lands. ![]() A lint roller can assist in removing tiny ticks from your pet. Only a powerful anti-tick treatment may help. Seed ticks, so small you can’t see them on your dog’s fur, can swarm them (and you). Ticks start hatching in late April and May. A South Florida woman walking her dogs lost her life trying to rescue one of her dogs from an alligator in a community park in Davie. Not just mangrove shorelines, but along the edges of lakes and rivers, especially where you can’t see the waterline because of the vegetation in the way. Alligators look for easy prey, and a dog of any size can fall victim.Īt waterfront parks, be cautious with your dog around shorelines. Skip the wetlands parks, the swamp walks, and the mangrove tunnels. In general, taking dogs into any of Florida’s swampy areas is a bad idea. ![]()
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