Have you ever wanted to find out about dog friendly beaches in Pinellas County, Florida?
If so, then you’ve definitely come to the right place.
Pinellas County is located on the west central coast of Florida.
It has a population of almost a million residents and is the most densely populated county in the state.
With 588 miles of coastline, there are plenty of beautiful beaches that allow dogs in Pinellas County, Florida.
Oh, and we’ve also included a couple of local Pinellas County dog parks in here as well – just for good measure!
And if you’re looking for more dog friendly beaches in Florida, then be sure to check out our articles on dog beaches in Pensacola and dog friendly beaches in Fort Lauderdale. You’ll find plenty of info in there to help you out!
But now it’s time to come and join us on a journey to explore some of the best dog friendly beaches in Pinellas County!
Estimated reading time: 15 minutes
Table of contents
- 1. Fort De Soto Dog Park and Beach
- 2. Honeymoon Island State Park Pet Beach
- 3. Pass-a-Grille Dog Beach
- 4. Indian Rocks Beach Dog Park
- 5. Picnic Island Park Dog Beach
- 6. St. Pete Beach Dog Park
- 7. Clearwater North Beach
- Conclusion About Dog Friendly Beaches in Pinellas County
- Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Friendly Beaches in Pinellas County
- Related Articles
1. Fort De Soto Dog Park and Beach
Address: St. Petersburg, FL 33715
Fort De Soto Dog Park and Beach is located just 23 minutes from St. Petersburg, Florida, and less than 45 minutes from Tampa. So it’s very easily accessible.
Many people consider it the best dog beach in Pinellas County.
This fantastic Florida dog beach has it all!
Crystal clear bright blue water laps up against pristine white sand. The Atlantic waves here are warm. The sky is full of gorgeous Florida sunshine.
A Fantastic Off-Leash Dog Park in Pinellas County
Super pet-friendly Fort De Soto Dog Beach Park is off-leash, so your pooch can run around to its heart’s content all day!
This paw playground area is amazing and dogs love it!
There are two fenced-in areas inside the dog park. One for small dogs and one for large dogs. You’ll find water stations near the beach in both sections.
There are also hoses to help cool off your furball and waste bag dispensers, so you can clean up after your pup.
The main Fort De Soto Park itself contains over 7 miles of waterfront, including almost 3 miles of beautiful white sand beaches.
Dogs are allowed on all the Fort De Soto Park beaches, but must always be kept on a leash when outside the beach section of the dog park.
One Of The Best Dog Beaches in Pinellas County
Park amenities are excellent and include restrooms and showers, picnic areas, playgrounds, concession stands and nature trails.
Entry into the park is $5, which covers the daily parking fee.
Make sure that you also have some other spare cash on you, as you’ll have to pay some toll fees to get across the bridges from the mainland.
Fort De Soto Dog Beach Park is open all year round.
It is most definitely one of the best beaches in Pinellas County that allows dogs.
Take a trip there. You and your furbaby will definitely NOT be disappointed!
Website: Fort De Soto Dog Park and Beach
2. Honeymoon Island State Park Pet Beach
Address: Honeymoon Island, 1 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin, FL 34698
Honeymoon Island State Park is truly one of Florida’s best-loved state parks.
This beautiful state park is located just 5 miles from Dunedin, via Causeway Boulevard. And it’s less than 20 minutes from Clearwater, Florida.
The state park is also just 40 minutes north of St. Petersburg.
Honeymoon Island State Park FL features 4 miles of beautiful beaches.
The Only State Park in Florida That Permits Dogs On The Beach
Dogs can also enjoy this wonderful state park at Pet Beach, which is located at the southern end of the beach.
Your canine companion must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times, including on the pet beach and on the nature trail.
This is actually the only state park in the whole of Florida that permits dogs on the beach. All other beaches in Florida State Parks are pet-free.
Honeymoon Island State Park Dog Beach is open from 8am to sunset, all year round.
There’s plenty of parking here and the parking lot is about 500 yards away from the dog beach.
As of July 30, 2023, an all-day parking pass is $8 per vehicle.
An Amazing Dog Friendly Beach in Pinellas County
Park amenities are excellent and include good, clean restrooms, showers, concession stands, picnic areas, a playground and nature trails. Wheelchair access is also available.
From Honeymoon Island Dog Beach, you get stunning views of neighboring Caladesi Island across the water.
The water here is crystal clear and shallow. Perfect for your pup to comfortably walk through and cool off!
This is an amazing dog friendly beach in Pinellas County.
In fact, Honeymoon Island State Park Pet Beach is considered by some people to be one of the best dog beaches in the whole of the United States!
Website: Honeymoon Island State Park Pet Beach
3. Pass-a-Grille Dog Beach
Address: 1-199 Pass-a-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
Pass-a-Grille Beach is a wide stretch of gorgeous white sand along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
It’s located in the historic district of St. Pete Beach, Florida.
At the southern end of the beach, facing the bay, is Pass-a-Grille Dog Beach.
The dog beach is located south of the Merry Pier, between First Avenue and Third Avenue.
This Pinellas County Beach is Perfect For Leashed Dogs!
This small section of beach is perfect for leashed pups!
Paid parking is available along the side of the road right next to the dog beach. Expect to pay around $7 for 2 hours.
The water at Pass-a-Grille Dog Beach is sparkling clean and the sand here is beautiful and white. Much like many of Florida’s beaches.
Note that there are no doggie drinking facilities here, so make sure you bring plenty of water.
Pass-a-Grille is a small but beautiful dog beach in Pinellas County, Florida.
Just a half mile north of the dog beach, facing the ocean, you’ll find Paradise Grille.
This fabulous dog-friendly walk-up counter-serve offers classic American eats and beer, plus patio seating. It’s located at 900 Gulf Way, at the western end of 10th Avenue.
Hurley Dog Park is Close By
Paradise Grille is also a great place to watch the sunset each night.
Then there’s also Hurley Dog Park close by.
Located at 1501 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach, it’s also known as 16th Avenue Dog Park.
And it’s another great reason to bring Fido to Pass-a-Grille Beach!
Website: Pass-a-Grille Dog Beach
4. Indian Rocks Beach Dog Park
Address: 107 10th Avenue North, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
Indian Rocks Beach Dog Park, referred to by locals as the IRB Dog Park, is located in Indian Rocks Beach, a small city in Pinellas County, Florida.
This wonderful dog park is located in the Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve. It’s off Gulf Boulevard, between 9th and 10th Avenues.
It’s a great place to take your furry friends to let them run off leash.
There are park benches and water fountains to help keep you and your pup cool and shaded.
A $50 permit is required for non-residents to use this dog park. There is free parking available in the area.
A Quiet and Scenic Place to Visit
The nature preserve itself is a quiet and scenic place to visit. There’s a boardwalk that passes through a mangrove, leading down to the beach and the ocean.
Dogs are allowed on the boardwalk, but please note that you’re not permitted to take your pup on to the beach itself at Indian Rocks Beach.
However, your pooch is sure to have a great time at Indian Rocks Beach Dog Park!
Website: Indian Rocks Beach Dog Park
5. Picnic Island Park Dog Beach
Address: 7409 Picnic Island Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33616
Picnic Island Park Dog Beach is not actually in Pinellas County, but in neighboring Hillsborough County.
However, we’ve decided to include it here because it’s easily accessible from lots of places in Pinellas County. And because it’s such a fabulous place to take your furball!
It’s just 30 minutes from St. Petersburg across Gandy Bridge, and less than an hour from Clearwater. And it’s only 20 minutes from downtown Tampa.
A Gorgeous, Sandy, Off-Leash Haven for Dogs in South Tampa
Picnic Island Park Dog Beach is a gorgeous, sandy, off-leash haven for dogs in South Tampa.
The park encompasses 7.8 acres of sandy beach access and has incredible views of the city of Tampa.
The dog beach is gated and is located just south of the fishing pier. It’s also close to the boat ramp.
It’s fully fenced in on three sides, providing access to the calm waters of Old Tampa Bay on the fourth.
Picnic Island Beach Dog Park is open from sunrise to sunset, all year round. And it’s a beautiful spot to view the sunset.
There is no entry fee for the park or dog beach – they are both completely free of charge!
There’s lots of parking in the vicinity of the dog beach, and numerous places to pull over.
Picnic Island Park Has Excellent Amenities
The park has excellent amenities. They include picnic tables and grills, drinking fountains for people and pets, hoses to rinse off your pup, sand volleyball courts, a disc golf course, a playground and restrooms.
Pavilions and palm trees within the park offer some shade.
Make sure to keep your dog leashed when outside the designated off-leash area, and also when entering and exiting the area.
Just be aware that there are some sharp rocks near the shoreline, and on occasions even oyster shells. So keep a close eye on your pup, especially if she is the adventurous type!
Despite the hazards, Picnic Island Dog Beach is a fantastic place to bring your furball!
Website: Picnic Island Park Dog Beach
6. St. Pete Beach Dog Park
Address: McKenney Park, 9300 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
If you’re looking for St. Petersburg dog friendly beaches, then St. Pete Beach Dog Park, also known as St. Pete Dog Beach, is the place for you.
Situated just 20 minutes west of St. Petersburg, Florida, and less than 40 minutes south of Clearwater, St. Pete Beach Dog Park is a real gem.
This off-leash dog park is located at the top end of the barrier island of St. Pete Beach, by Devils Elbow. It’s actually a part of Ron McKenney Park, usually called simply McKenney Park.
You can access the dog park down 93rd Avenue, directly off Blind Pass Road.
McKenney Park itself covers an area of almost five acres.
Free Parking at St. Pete Dog Beach
Park amenities are good and include BBQ grills, a playground, 7 picnic tables, a picnic pavilion, a water fountain and restrooms.
There’s also free parking at St. Pete Dog Beach.
This dog park is fully fenced and features two separate areas. One area for large dogs and one area for small dogs.
There are benches, chairs and waste stations inside the dog park.
A Great Dog-Friendly Place in Pinellas County
And once you and your pup have worked up an appetite, or need to quench your thirst, then head to Nikko’s Dog & Sports Bar.
It’s located just to the north of McKenney Park, at 9524 Blind Pass Road #17.
And they have some great things on the menu at Nikko’s, including craft beers, chilled fine sake and some wonderful dog treats!
The bar stays open late (until at least 1am most nights), the staff there are super friendly, and they absolutely LOVE dogs! What is there not to like?!
Just don’t go there on a Monday, as they’re closed!
So if you’re looking for a dog-friendly place in Pinellas County to bring your pup, then look no further than St. Pete Beach Dog Park. It’s a great place to spend some quality time with your furry friends!
Website: St. Pete Beach Dog Park
7. Clearwater North Beach
Address: 1 Somerset Street, Clearwater, FL 33767
The beautiful city of Clearwater in Florida’s Tampa Bay area is known for its sunny weather and fabulous Gulf Coast beaches.
Clearwater North Beach is located on Clearwater Beach Island, a barrier island with several miles of stunning beaches and inviting, crystal-clear waters.
This fantastic dog-friendly Florida beach is just 24 miles from St. Petersburg and 25 miles from Tampa.
Leashed Dogs Are Allowed On The North Section Of Clearwater North Beach
Leashed dogs are only allowed on the north section of Clearwater North Beach, which begins at Somerset Street, close to the 3-star Hotel Cabana Clearwater Beach.
This is a wonderful spot to bring your pup for a stroll along the sand and a splash in the surf.
And the sunsets here are simply stunning!
Metered on-street parking is available in the local area. Try Mandalay Avenue, south of Somerset Street.
Often Much Quieter Than Other Dog Beaches in Pinellas County
Just be aware that there are no amenities here at the beach.
There are no public dispensers here, so make sure to bring your own doggie waste bags.
On the positive side, Clearwater Dog Beach is often much quieter than many other local dog beaches in Pinellas County.
So if you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet with your furball, then go check out Clearwater North Beach.
It’s a gorgeous Pinellas County dog friendly beach!
Website: Clearwater North Beach
Conclusion About Dog Friendly Beaches in Pinellas County
Whether you’re looking for a quiet, peaceful beach to relax with your pup, or somewhere a bit livelier, there are plenty of beaches in Pinellas County that allow dogs.
From Clearwater North Beach to Honeymoon Island State Park Pet Beach, Pass-a-Grille Dog Beach to Fort De Soto Dog Park and Beach, this beautiful Florida state county really has got it all.
With a great selection of beaches, many of which boast gorgeous white sand and crystal clear waters, you really can’t go wrong here!
So if you’re looking to bring your pup to some amazing dog beaches, Pinellas County is the place for you!
So what do YOU think? Which is YOUR favorite dog beach in Pinellas County? Let us know by leaving a comment – we’d love to hear from you.
Things change all the time, so if any of the information in this article is incorrect or out-of-date, please let us know – just leave us a comment below. Many thanks!
If you’ve enjoyed finding out all about the best dog friendly beaches in Pinellas County, then take a look at our comprehensive round-up of some of the best dog beaches in the US
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Friendly Beaches in Pinellas County
Leashed dogs are only allowed on the north section of North Clearwater Beach, which begins at Somerset Street.
Bicentennial Park is a dog-friendly area in Madeira Beach, Florida. Leashed pups are allowed at this small beach on the bay.
Leashed dogs are allowed at Caladesi Island State Park. However, dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time.
No, dogs are not allowed on Indian Shores Beach or Redington Shores Beach. Try Madeira Beach to the south or North Clearwater Beach to the north, as dogs are allowed on certain sections of both of those beaches.
Honeymoon Island State Park allows dogs on a southern section of the beach, known as Pet Beach. Dogs must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times in the State Park, including on Pet Beach and on the nature trail.
