FLORIDA

First the cons. The oppressive, and possibly dangerous summertime heat, for dogs. The lack of swimming in alligator-infested waters. The near total ban of dogs from the beach, save for a little patch of sand for a dog beach every now and then. You can take a hike on the beach with your dog in a few places in the Panhandle along the Gulf of Mexico and on Amelia Island in the far northeast corner and that’s about it. The topography is not dramatic - no part of South Florida is more than 12 feet above sea level while the Panhandle becomes more rolling before topping out on Britton Hill at 345 feet, the lowest roof of any state in the Union. Now the pros. The sand-based trails are exceedingly paw-friendly with few hidden roots. An outstanding state park system (161 properties) with a unique array of cattle ranches, sinkholes, artesian springs, and sugar sand dunes mostly welcomes dogs to the trails and campgrounds. If you want to hike in the Sunshine State and you’re not at the beach you can generally take your dog with you. Few states are more divisive than Florida among hikers with dogs. Some will hate it, others will love it. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce Leon was one of the first to be fascinated by this land. He named it La Florida which translates to "Flowery Land" 500 years ago and the tropical paradise has not let go of its grip on imaginations ever since. Include us, we’re suckers for all the saw palmetto, longleaf pines, sabal palms and live oaks you find on Florida trails.

The Best Day Hike You Can Take With Your Dog In Florida

Gap Point Nature Trail
St. George Island State Park • St. George Island

You can just about count the number of Florida panhandle Gulf of Mexico beaches that welcome dogs on one paw. St. George Island, a narrow 22-mile strip of land that creates oyster-rich Apalachicola Bay, is one of those places so you can be sure many dog owners will want to make their way across the Bryant G. Patton Bridge to the park where nine miles of beaches and dunes have been spared from development.

As a bonus for canine hikers who want more than a long walk on a sparkling white unspoiled beach the Gap Point Nature Trail offers a 2.5-mile ribbon of sand road through slash pine forests and hearty coastal scrub. In days gone by turpentiners made their way to this island four miles offshore to tap the large pines for naval stores. Many “cat-face” scars can still be seen in tree trunks on this canine hike.

Elevation change will be minimal, save for the occasional dune, but the sugar sands will take their toll on weary legs. As you close in on Gap Point at the end of the peninsula opportunities for Seaman to jump into the friendly waters of Apalachicola Bay will come in a flurry. The bayside beach is studded with photogenic ghost trees and a few surviving arboreal warriors still waging the good fight at land’s end. All provide perches for a variety of seabirds and ample ammunition for a game of fetch in the Gulf of Mexico before retracing the sandy pawprints to the trailhead.

HIKING TIME: 2-3 hours

(from the book 300 Day Hikes To Take With Your Dog Before He Tires You Out: Trails where you won’t be able to wipe the wag off your dog’s tail)