De Soto National Memorial Beach

Or call (941) 792-0458 for more information.

• Patricia
  Oct 17, 2023
  Great trails and peaceful beach area

  took my boy out without scoping the place first, which I was a bit nervous about. Some places that are leash mandated, are not exactly enforced so we have been rushed by dogs before. There was a small dog that was off leash that ran towards us, but thankfully we had a positive experience. great beach access for the dogs, no waves. The bugs do get bad out there due to all the greenery, so just prepare for that.

• Jordan
  Mar 15, 2023
  BARK Ranger

  Great place to spend some time. Easy trails along the water and beach access. Even opportunity to become a barn ranger!

• D
  Jan 30, 2021
  Nice Walking Trail

  Nice quiet trail to walk your dog. Mostly through the mangroves with scenic views of the water. Access to a couple of small beach areas. Leashes required.

• Janalee
  Jul 7, 2020
  DON"T CONFUSE THESE TWO BEACHES!!!

  Fort DeSoto Dog Beach is located on the southern-most tip of Tierra Verde, outside of St. Petersburg. The dog beach is connected to Paws Playground, which provides pups a chance to romp and chase on grass as well. CONVERSELY, Ft. Desoto National Memorial in Bradenton is a historical walking park through the mangroves of the park with a SMALL beach that is dog-friendly, but your dog MUST BE ON LEASH AT ALL TIMES, EVEN IN THE WATER. (Per the DNR/Park Rangers.) The beach is frequented by non-dog lovers and boaters alike, and can be quite crowded. It's VERY small, and if your dog wants to run and romp, there ISN'T a place to let your dog off leash to run!! BEWARE!!

• Jen
  Jan 19, 2020
  Great relaxing dog friendly beach

  We kept our dog on leash at all times except the beach and swimming . Per the signs at the park. Rangers were nice and walk to beach is pretty. You have to walk near the Jesus cross for good beach.
  We would go back

• A
  Mar 28, 2019
  Nice Walking Trail

  Nice trail to walk on and if you make it over by the statue there is a little beach area.

• John
  Mar 5, 2019
  Not really off -leash.

  This is a Federal Park with signs that read, "Dogs must be on leash at all times." The beach is covered with bags of shells; not really romp-able. The trails are nice, but the figurines along the trail frightened my puppy and she barked at them.

  I think many of the positive reviewers confused this place with Fort De Soto across the bay in Pinellas County.

• Kimberly
  Jan 3, 2019
  Great Dog Beach

  We visited this beach while on vacation with our 1 year old Great Dane. You can have your dog off leash while on the beach but when you do exit the beach, they will need to be on leash. There is also a large fenced in dog park area that they can be off leash. Inside the dog park is an area where you can spray your dog off after swimming/playing at the beach. Everyone that was there did have their dogs under control and every dog we encountered was very friendly. This was good because this was our dog’s first time at the beach and also his first time around so many new dogs at one time. He absolutely loved it there! We also saw a few park rangers that did keep tabs on things. The only down fall was that you can not take your dog on the pier. We would definitely go back.

• Brenda
  Jun 9, 2018
  Conflicting Info

  Some reviews say “off leash allowed”, others say “no”. Some say “beach”; others say “no”. Why is there such conflicting info? It’s almost like comments are about different locations!!

• Ellen
  More than a year ago
  It's the Best

  I love this beach for my babies! I have 4 dogs all sizes and we all have a blast, well except Roxy. She hates getting wet...lol My rattie keeps all the bid dogs busy so they get tired out for their owners. He runs, runs, runs.

• Alex
  More than a year ago
  A nature walk trail with your dog

  A nice nature walk through Florida native grove at the edge of the sea shore. The walk is a little longer than one mile and it goes along the seashore with intermittent access to the shore and occasional beach. It is handicap accessible and dogs on the leash are allowed. The park provides dog cleanup bags at frequent trash can locations along the trail. Good for a some forty five walk alone, with a friend or/and with pets. The gates closes at 5pm but there is abundant parking outside. The park is accessible until the subset.

• John
  More than a year ago
  Labapoloza

  This place is a perfect off leash beach. Not many beaches left in Florida where man's best friend can enjoy sand, sun and water in the company of other pooches. On any given day there can be as many as 50 or 60 dogs. The further down the sand you go the less people. On one occasion my Chocolate Lab partied with 20 other Labs.

• Andrew
  More than a year ago
  Call it a trail, and the place is great

  Perfect for morning walks. The ranger staff provides waste bags. The mangroves provide wonderful shade and there are several benches along the trails. Do take a water bottle for your pooch as there aren't fountains in the park.

• Adam
  More than a year ago
  Perfect!

  Great Off Leash beach for dogs to swim and play, I go there every weekend!
  Not sure what other reviews are all about but they seem to have missed the off-leash beach and went to other places of the park.

• Mia
  More than a year ago
  I love it!

  This place is the best! A little piece of paradise! There not only if a beach for the dogs but a series of historic trails with information about the native Americans who settled the area. You can hangout on the beach, go for a jog, fish and even go boating with your pup!

• Sue
  More than a year ago
  our pups love it here!

  This is a great place for our labs to play in the water, with beautiful scenery & historic information too! Something for everyone!

• Ashley b
  More than a year ago
  really nice not an off leash park!

  i don't know where that picture was taken but it is a beach just not an off-leash park for fido to run but lots of trails to explore. come we want your comments below.

• Sandy
  More than a year ago
  Not what the picture shows

  I was expecting to have a beach (as pictured) that allowed dogs. There is no sandy beach or life guard stand to be found here. There are trails and lots of historical information which was interesting, however not a beach for people to relax and soak up the rays with their 4 legged friends.
  Probably won't go back.

• Nichole
  More than a year ago
  fabulous!!

  There are plenty of accesses to the water for the dogs to play in, the water is very clear and shallow enough for my chihuahua to enjoy. Great place with lots of trails for the dogs too. plus, the park has historical info that is very informative. i had no idea this was here and go back all the time

We dug up 7 pictures of dogs at De Soto National Memorial Beach.

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