Are dogs allowed on the beach in Tampa, FL? And how many dog parks are in Tampa? To find all of the best outdoor dog spots, check out the list below! We've got it updated for 2023!
The sunny weather and gorgeous temperatures make Tampa a great place to be outdoors all year round! Whether you want to take your pup to a dog park to make friends, go for a run on a dog-friendly trail, or take a swim at the beach during those hot summer months… Tampa, FL is the place to be! And it's definitely a dog-friendly city!
We'll tell you all about the best on-leash and off-leash spots in town to take your pup, and what each one has to offer. Some have water. Some have shade. Some have fences, and some do not. But they'll all be great choices for a doggy fun day with your furry best friend.
Looking for other dog-friendly things to do in Tampa? Click here to find the best dog-friendly restaurants in the city. You can bring your pup with you to sit out on their pet-friendly patios, enjoy the sunshine, and try out some of the best food in town!
And whether you live in Tampa, FL, full-time, or you're just visiting on vacation with your precious pooch, you'll definitely want to know where to find the best local pet care professionals. Click here to check out dog walkers, cat sitters, pet groomers, and more—all in and around Tampa, FL. All of these featured businesses are licensed, highly recommended pet professionals who will love your cat or dog like their own.
But first things first… let's figure out where you're going to take your pup next!
The 19 Best Dog Parks, Dog-Friendly Beaches, and Off-Leash Areas in Tampa, FL:
- Al Lopez Dog Park
- Queenie's Dog Park at Water Works Park
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Dog Park
- Davis Island Dog Beach
- Davis Island Dog Park
- Rowlett Dog Park
- Ballast Point Park
- Hair of the Dog Park
- Julian B Lane Riverfront Park Dog Park
- Deputy Kotfila Memorial Dog Park
- Madison Street Dog Park
- The Dog Bar
- Fort De Soto Dog Park & Beach
- Gadsden Dog Park
- Honeymoon Island State Park
- Logan Gate Dog Park
- West Dog Park
- Pups Pub
- Picnic Island Beach Dog Park
Al Lopez Dog Park — 4810 N Himes Ave, Tampa, FL 33614
Al Lopez Dog Park is a fully fenced-in off-leash dog park, located within the larger Al Lopez Park. This dog park has two separate sections for small dogs and large dogs. It is always well-maintained and clean. And there are both waste stations and water stations provided. And if you're ready for a little exploration, you and your dog can travel around the rest of the giant Al Lopez Park, as long as they remain on-leash.
Queenie's Dog Park at Water Works Park — 1710 N Highland Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
Queenie's Dog Park is a great little park at the Water Works Park! With lots of shade and activities for the whole family (there is a splash pad next door!), you really can't go wrong spending an afternoon here.
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Dog Park — 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Dog Park is located within Curtis Hixon Park. This dog park is fully fenced-in with clean turf grass and canine agility equipment. There are plenty of trees and bushes around the exterior. And the entire park is always well-maintained. This off-leash park provides water stations, waste stations, benches for the humans, and even a paved path around the park just inside of the fence. Better yet, Curtis Hixon Park is a waterfront park. Once your dog has had enough off-leash time, take them for a stroll on-leash down by the water for a beautiful view.
Davis Island Dog Beach — 864 Severn Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Davis Island Dog Beach is located right on the water of Davis Island. There is a small fenced-in off-leash dog run that is on the sand with some water access. If your pup needs to be contained, so they don't run off, this is the perfect spot for them to splash in the water. But if your pup can be trusted to stay nearby, you're also allowed to take them outside of the fenced-in area to play off-leash on the larger dog beach space.
Davis Island Dog Park — 1002 Severn Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Davis Island Dog Park is just down the road from Davis Island Dog Beach. Although they are right by each other, they are two separate locations. The dog beach does have a small dog run, but the Davis Island Dog Park actually has a much larger fenced-in off-leash dog park with benches and grass. And there is a smaller section specifically for small dogs. You still get the beautiful ocean views. But if you want your dog to run around on the beach, the designated area is at the specified dog beach location.
Rowlett Dog Park — 8401-8549 N Rowlett Park Dr, Tampa, FL 33604
An expansive park with lots of agility equipment to keep your pup busy, Rowlett Dog Park is a great addition to the larger Rowlett Park in North Tampa. There are lots of benches and plenty of water to stay cool. There is also a good group of regulars here!
Ballast Point Park — 5300 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611
Ballast Point Park is a beautiful waterfront park and a great spot for leashed dogs. The park provides stunning views of the bay, making it a great spot for picnics.
Hair of the Dog Park — 4211 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33603
An awesome addition to Seminole Heights, Hair of the Dog Park is a great combo dog park/bar. While you enjoy a cold beer or glass of wine, you can be sure your pup enjoys running around on an acre of shaded grass and mulch with their best friends. This is a membership dog park and you can buy a day pass or get an annual membership (which is the best deal). You'll also need to make sure your pup is up to date on all of their vaccinations (and upload their record).
Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park Dog Park — 5 W Laurel St, Tampa, FL 33606
Located just north of the University of Tampa and just across the river from downtown and the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park is a stunning, 25-acre downtown masterpiece of a park. And the crown jewel? The Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park Dog Park! Offering sections for large dogs and small dogs, you will find plenty to do here!
Deputy Kotfila Memorial Dog Park — 626 N Raymond St. Tampa, FL 33602
Deputy Kotfila Memorial Dog Park is a fully fenced-in dog park with artificial turf grass. It's located under the Selmon Expressway and has separate sections for small and large dogs. This dog park also provides water stations with built-in water bowls, bike parking, lots of bench seating and tables, and bright lighting for the evenings and mornings. And best of all, Deputy Kotfila Memorial Dog Park has canine obstacles and agility equipment that will keep your pooch entertained for hours.
Madison Street Dog Park — 1218 E Madison St, Tampa, FL 33602
If you are lucky enough to live in the Channel District, you must already know about Madison Street Dog Park! As with many parks in Tampa, there are 2 sections here. Both have water fountains and secure, gated entry. You'll find some shade structures and plenty of regulars to make friends with!
The Dog Bar — 2300 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
The Dog Bar is a bar and dog park combo in Tampa, FL. This remarkable place has tons of room inside the bar for seating, TVs, skee ball, ping pong, corn hole, and board games. And the outside is a fenced-in off-leash dog park with tons of room for dogs to play and enjoy the kiddie pools, canine agility equipment, and even cots for dogs to lounge on! There are separate sections for small and large dogs. You can enjoy a drink from the bar—like wine, beer, cold brew coffee, or soda—while your dog enjoys some much-needed socialization.
Fort de Soto Dog Park & Beach — St. Petersburg, FL 33715
Fort de Soto Dog Park & Beach is open daily from 7 am-8 pm and is located in between Fort de Soto Park and North Beach at Fort de Soto Park. This dog-friendly beach is surrounded by more than 1,000 acres of protected land at the larger park. The parking does cost $5. And your pup can either play on the open beach in the designated dog space or run around in the fenced-in dog area. There are separate sections for both small and large dogs.
Gadsden Dog Park — 6901 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
Gadsden Dog Park is open daily from 6 am-8:30 pm and is located within Gadsden Park. The larger park offers a children's playground, walking/jogging trails, picnic areas, sports fields, and even a lake! It's a great place for the whole family. But if your dog is outside of the fenced-in dog park, they'll have to remain on-leash.
Inside of the fence, they can roam free off-leash. And they'll get water stations, a washing station, and kiddies pools. You'll get plenty of picnic tables, and you'll both enjoy the three separate fenced-in areas.
Honeymoon Island State Park — 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698
Honeymoon Island State Park is a dog-friendly state park on its own cute little island surrounded by water. The dog beach area is on the island's southern tip. Be aware; there is an entrance fee. For single-occupant vehicles, it costs $4. For vehicles with 2-4 people, it costs $8. Dogs are allowed to be off-leash on the designated dog beach section. Or you can take them on-leash for a hike on the nearby trails.
Logan Gate Dog Park — 7374 Monterey Blvd, Tampa, FL 33615
Logan Gate Dog Park is a large, fully fenced-in, off-leash dog park with tons of grass for your crazy canine to run around and play on. This park is open from 7 am-7 pm daily. And it has separate sections for small and large dogs. Plus kiddie pools and canine agility equipment in both sections. There aren't too many trees, but there are some shade tarps for those hot summer days.
West Dog Park — 6402 N Occident St, Tampa, FL 33614
West Dog Park is Hillsborough Counties first dog park! 5 acres of fun situated closed to Tampa International Airport, this dog park has two sections and secure fencing all the way around. There is water areas, plenty of shade, agility equipment, and lots of great people from West Tampa to visit with!
Pups Pub — 2202 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
Pups Pub is another great bar and dog park combo. They have a full liquor bar, and their dog park is off-leash and fenced-in. Your dog will love running around with their friends on the clean turf grass. And you'll love getting to hang out with your human friends while your dog gets some much-needed exercise and socialization.
Picnic Island Beach Dog Park — 7409 Picnic Island Blvd, Tampa, FL 33616
Located in South Tampa, Picnic Island Park can be defined as a "hidden gem". The best part? The gated dog beach! Located just south of the fishing pier is a beautiful, white-sand beach where your surfer pup can dig a hole or splash around with their pals. There are picnic tables, trash cans, and even a grassy area for doing the business. This a great spot to spend an afternoon!
Tampa Loves Dogs!
With this many amazing dog parks and dog-friendly beaches, it's easy to see just how much Tampa, FL, loves its doggy residents and doggy visitors. And these are just the tip of the iceberg!
Whether you live here year-round, you're staying for the season, or you're just visiting on vacation… There are more than enough places to go and things to do with your furry best friend!
For more articles about dog-friendly activities and pet parenting advice, check out the blog at LocalPetCare.com.
