FLORIDA
STATE PARKS PET INFORMATION
Pets are welcome in Florida State Parks in designated
areas if they are kept on a 6-foot, hand-held leash
and are well-behaved. Pets are not permitted on bathing
beaches or in concession facilities and park buildings.
They may also be restricted in other areas of certain
parks. Service Animals are welcome in all parks in
all areas.
PET RULES
List of Florida State (Camping)
Parks that will allow pets.
Domestic Animals
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 no-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.
Camping areas and other 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.
Florida State Parks Information Center
(850) 245-2157
