Dog Friendly Parks

[DestinDeb]

Hi, We're closing in about 30 days on a home in Watersound West Beach. We'll be there full time, and we are so excited. We have two dogs and are wondering where the best parks, beaches, areas ,are for dogs and their people to run, play, have fun and socialize with other dog owners. Any tips you could give us would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Beach Runner]

We avoid having our dog around other dogs and definitely not around dog parks. You never know what illnesses your dog will pick up from another dog. When we travel, we never stop at a gas station or fast food restaurant for her to go potty. We always stop at a church in Troy because dogs don't hang out at churches, so she is less likely to pick up an illness there.

We allow her to play with the dogs of our beach neighbors and friends. They have a blast running around on the beach! She's pretty alpha, so we keep her on a leash at all times (as everyone should by law). She also expects everyone who walks by to tell her how beautiful she is. If they ignore her, she gets mad and barks at them.

 

[jnealy]

There is an off leash dog park off of 98 west of 331 called Alaqua Unleashed. I don't know you the exact address but they have a website where you can find it. We've been a few times and our dogs had a great time!

 

[DestinDeb]

We enjoy hiking and visiting national parks. Can anyone recommend any good spots thal allow dogs near the Watersound West Beach area?

 

[jnealy]

As far as I know all of the state parks allow dogs on the trails, however dogs are not allowed on the beach in the state parks. The closest one to WWB is Deer Lake. And on a side note, if you want to take your dogs on the pubic beaches, they need Walton County dog permits. $40 per dog and you can get them at the Clerk of Courts office.

 

[NotDeadYet]

We enjoy hiking and visiting national parks. Can anyone recommend any good spots thal allow dogs near the Watersound West Beach area?

http://www.floridaforestservice.com/state_forests/point_washington.html

Click the links on the left side of the page for trail maps, forest brochure, etc.

 

[Beach Runner]

Go to http://clerkofcourts.co.walton.fl.us/new!_dog_beach_permits.html for the rules for a permit. I normally fax them the form and proof of vaccinations and property ownership, and they mail it to me.

 

[DestinDeb]

Thanks everyone for your links. I appreciate it and am so looking forward to exploring the natural areas around our new home.

 

[tsutcli]

Please don't let your dog run loose on our beach along 30-A. I'm a beach walker and there is a leash law in this county but EVERYONE ignores that fact on the beach and it makes for an unpleasant walk at times with dogs jumping up on me and scratching me. Thanks Beach Runner for mentioning there is a leash law but it is worth repeating several times. I have walked our beach here for going on 13 years year round and I can truthfully say there has not been one day when I didn't see an unleashed dog running free and some of my encounters were with very aggressive dogs, including two different pit bulls!!!