Pets are permitted in designated day-use areas at ALL Florida State Parks. They must be kept on a hand-held leash that is six-feet or shorter and be well-behaved at all times. Pet owners are required to pick up after their pets and properly dispose of their droppings. Pets are not permitted on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings, or concession facilities. Within individual parks, specific areas also may be designated as non-pet areas.

Service animals are welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks.

Pet Camping Rules

For everyone's enjoyment, including pets, please observe the following pet camping rules.

• Pets must be vaccinated against rabies, but owners are no longer required to show proof of vaccination (except horses- where proof of negative Coggins test are required) 

• Pets must be confined, leashed, or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Leashes may not exceed six feet in length. Pets that are tethered at the campsite cannot be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. Pets may not be tied to trees, bushes, tables, shelter facilities even when the owners are present.

• Pets must be well-behaved at all times. Pets must be confined in the owner's camping unit during the park's quiet hours (11 PM - 8 AM).

• Pet owners are required to pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles.

• Any pet that is noisy, dangerous, intimidating, or destructive will not be allowed to remain in the park.

• Non-furbearing pets, such as reptiles, birds, or fish, must be confined or under the physical control of the owner. Some animals may be prohibited on park property. Captive wild species, whether native or non-native, and barnyard animals, except horses, are prohibited.

• Pets are not allowed in cabins.

Failure to abide by these rules may result in the camper being asked to board the pet outside the park or to check out of the campground.

Park areas will be evaluated, as to the suitability of pets, on a periodic basis as part of the unit management planning process. Areas of the park designated as prohibited for pets shall be determined based on park natural and cultural resources, primary recreational activities, camper and pet health and safety, geographical location and layout of camping areas, and the ability to provide a quality recreational experience for all visitors.

Florida State Parks are managed to restore and maintain a delicate ecological balance between native Florida species. Non-native plants and animals often upset that balance. The growing list of non-native animals that harm native wildlife unfortunately includes free-ranging domestic cats. Recognizing that this is a matter of growing concern throughout the state, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has embarked on an education campaign in support of the national Cats Indoors! movement. Their website also provides excellent information about native wildlife and the impacts of domestic animals.

• FWC's Cats Indoors! Education Campaign

When the Heat is on...

Keep cool. Summer brings hot weather and family vacations. Your pets will be affected by both. For a healthier; happier travels with your pets:Never leave your pets in a parked car, even if the windows are open. Ten minutes could be too long on a hot day. By then, the temperature inside the car could reach 160 degrees F. That's hot enough to cause a dog to suffer heat stroke.Pets don't perspire as people do. They cool themselves by panting. With only very hot air to breathe, your pets could suffer permanent brain damage within moments. If emergency care is not given, your pets could die. They may want to come along, but it's much kinder to leave your pets at home with plenty of fresh, cool water and shade.

If your dog is overcome by heat exhaustion, immediately soak him or her down with water and take to a veterinarian as soon as possible.