Hey fellow dog owners! Gather ’round because I’ve got a real treat for you this week: the hidden gem of Gulf Breeze, FL – Shoreline Park South! This place is incredible and has everything you and your pup could dream of.

First off, there are over 155 acres of pure, unadulterated fun. Pups are welcome in most of the nature areas, with over seven different dog-friendly trails to explore. The main attraction is Shoreline Trail, a paved path 1.2 miles to the end and back, perfect for those daily walks. It’s a nice trip to the end and back again, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can loop around on the walking/biking path on Shoreline Drive and head back into the park that way too for a slightly longer walk. Official map can be found here.

Now, if you’re into exploring off the beaten path, there are several shorter, non-paved trails that are just as beautiful. And let me tell you, the squirrels here are living their best lives, frolicking around like they own the place. Just keep an eye on your pup’s leash if they’re the squirrel-chasing type!

Heads up, though: the newly built Wetlands Boardwalk isn’t pet-friendly due to its delicate ecosystem. So, no doggo selfies there.

Once you’ve logged those steps, you could be social and swing by the Bark Park to visit some furry friends if that’s your cup of tea. As always proceed with caution — word on the street is that there was some drama recently due to reported bullying, harassment, and discrimination accusations, leading to a temporary closure as City Counsel investigated the reports. From what I understand the park was scheduled to re-open on June 8th, 2024 after additional ADA approved parking and sidewalks were added. I was at the park as recent as June 4th and could see they were in the process of completing this project. Hopefully this won’t be an issue anymore but be sure to follow the park rules, found here and be a nice person!

Not into the dog park scene? No worries! Head over to the dog-friendly beach area near the boat launch. This spot is small but mighty, allowing dogs to splash off-leash in the water. Unlike the Pensacola Dog Beaches, there are no riptides or giant waves, just calm bay waters perfect for a pup paddle. Honestly, it’s a slice of heaven for our furry friends. Just remember to be respectful of others there and avoid this area if your dog has any aggressive tendencies. Here are a list of the full rules here.

Shoreline Park is also packed with human conveniences: clean public restrooms, plenty of parking (paid), dog waste stations, garbage cans, and picnic tables. Once you’re on the trails, you’ll forget you’re even in the city so we are giving this park 5 paws up! So grab your leash, your pup, and your sense of adventure, and go check it out. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did!

So how does it stack up for fur family photography?

Well as you can probably guess, this park has so much variety with the nature trails, picnic areas, and water access I absolutely love it for photography too. I actually prefer this place as a sunrise session location due to the location of the sunrise over the water but I’ve had some magical sunsets too! Take a peek below!

Until next week, wags & wiggles,
Jess & Bay