Know of 'Off-leash dog' and 'Waterfront' parks/areas/campin?

[dh50]

Wouldn't a handy list of known, (that is, visited by LL proboarders), of off-leash, waterfront dog parks be swell? If an RV campground were near by, good to know as well.  Personally, this could be a potential destination in itself, (though I'm sure Hubby might disagree). Camping close to dog-friendly recreation is appealing to me....don't think I'm alone.  



Again, the criteria is 'off-leash dog' and 'waterfront' areas/parks/campgrounds visited by LL proboarders. Sure wished I could start the list, but in all of east central FL, all known waterfront dog parks/areas are 'leash-only', with one known exception: there is a dog park on a small lake in Orlando where 'off leash' is allowed. However, I do not consider this park to be 'dog-friendly' since Fido had better be able to outpace rumored 'gators.



Any LL'ers ever visit or know of any 'Off-leash dog' and 'Waterfront' parks/areas in the U.S.?  Would you share it with us below, along with campground, if known?  THANK YOU....sure do appreciate it!  



'Off-leash dog' and 'Waterfront' parks/areas (and campground, if available)



1.

2.

[david]

Interesting question.

We have camped in NFS and State campgrounds which all require leashes. But many have remote hiking trails that abut a stream or lakeshore. In those cases I let our dog run loose and have never experienced a problem. In general the more undeveloped campsites will have these capabilities nearby.

With some exceptions, the designated leash free dog parks are small and often fenced, so we don't use them.

David

[daplumbr]

The Florida Gulf coast on and around Cape San Blas is dog-friendly. That's one of the reasons we've been vacationing there for part of December each of the last several years (except 2014). There are spectacular beaches that are relatively quiet. Our dogs love it and most of the time can be off leash. The state park beaches don't allow dogs on beaches in Florida, but there are lots of public access points so staying in a state park in along the Gulf would just mean a short drive to endless frisbee, fetch, and runs. We will be looking for RV parks along the shore in that area for a visit next year. 

I have found a few dog-friendly beaches here in Michigan. Since that is a very common request, I'll come up with a list and post it in this thread when I have time. 

[leslie]

I look for fenced off-leash "bark parks". I cannot trust my beagle off-leash, because if she gets hold of a scent, she is off and running. So far, it has only happened twice and she came back when I called her. Don't want that to happen again.

I camped at Red Oaks RV Resort, Bushnell FL, which has a fenced dog park. It is a Carefree Resort. I also camped at a public campground, Lake Rosalie Park, near Lake Wales, FL. There is a free dog park 20 minutes away.

[tinkeringtechie]

[quote source="/post/6490/thread" timestamp="1423016758" author="@leslie"]I cannot trust my beagle off-leash, because if she gets hold of a scent, she is off and running. So far, it has only happened twice and she came back when I called her. Don't want that to happen again. [/quote]Our beagle is the same way, but we let him off leash all the time because it's the only way he can effectively exercise and he loves using his sniffer. Most of the time he stays close, but occasionally he goes on adventures. The longest adventure was about 15 minutes and he came back with a couple quills stuck on his snout 

[gadgetgirlz]

I will second Cape San Blas. We stayed a week at the state park out at the end of the peninsula, the public access beach that is dog friendly is just outside the gates.

Also, in Venice Fl is an off leash beach dog park:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/brohard-paw-park-and-beach-venice
We met some nice people there.

[dh50]

Thank you, Merlin and SouthStarJeff.  These are GREAT leads and just what I'm talkin' about!  Haven't spent much time on Florida's Gulf side, but that may change now. Thank you again!

[calimobber]

One of the best dog beaches in the country is at Fort De Soto state park over near St. Petersburg literally in the shadow of the Sunshine Parkway bridge. We've been to the dog beach but did not check out the camping facilitie. Some reviews indicate the dogs have to be leashed but there was an area that was off-leash beach and an additional fenced area. Mojo and his people had a blast! Although as one picture here shows....a little "green" from ingesting too much salt water!

Here is a good resource and how I found FDS dog beach when we were planning a visit there.
http://petfriendlytravel.com/dog_beaches

[attachment id="693" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="694" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="695" thumbnail="1"]

[dh50]

One of the best dog beaches in the country is at Fort De Soto state park over near St. Petersburg literally in the shadow of the Sunshine Parkway bridge. We've been to the dog beach but did not check out the camping facilitie. Some reviews indicate the dogs have to be leashed but there was an area that was off-leash beach and an additional fenced area. Mojo and his people had a blast! Although as one picture here shows....a little "green" from ingesting too much salt water!

Here is a good resource and how I found FDS dog beach when we were planning a visit there.
http://petfriendlytravel.com/dog_beaches

Thank you, Mojospeople!  This is a good lead on a dog beach only a few hours away.  Will definitely look into it.  Also, can't help but feel for Mojo after swalllowing salt water...poor fellow!  

[daplumbr]

Nice web resource for dogs. Thanks

[funpilot]

[p]James Island County Park has an off leash area that is part of a very large pond that lots of people take their dogs to.  The campgrounds themselves are quite nice and they have a low cost shuttle into Charleston, SC itself if you want to enjoy the beautiful local environment.[/p][p]
[/p][p][a href="https://www.ccprc.com/1434/Campground"]https://www.ccprc.com/1434/Campground[/a][/p][p]
[/p][p]
[/p]

[sidecarmike]

For those of you whose dogs sometimes run off; A while back, I bought my wife one of those self defense flashlight shockers.  Stun Gun is the proper term.  There are some large dogs and wild animals in our area so I wanted her to have something when she walks.  The day she got it, the terrier was off running when she pushed the button and it made that Jacob's Ladder zapping noise.
He immediately ran to her side and sat down.  We've had him since he was a pup and he has never been exposed to anything like this.  Yet, every time he hears it he runs to her side and sits.  She even tested it while he was busy chasing a rabbit.  He immediately broke chase and came to her.  No idea why, but it works!  We each carry one now when we walk.
Check that they are legal in your state.  Here in Wisconsin, you need a concealed carry permit to legally carry one.