Fort De Soto Dog Park / Beach — Attraction in Gulfport

Fort DeSoto dog beach is a nice place to take your dog for a swim in the ocean we even seen a pig. There were a lot of other dogs there that day , all of the dogs seem to have got along really well with each other. You may want to bring extra water there are places to hose your dog off afterwards with fresh water hoses in the dog park that's fenced in by the parking lot where you park. You do have to walk a little ways to find a nice spot you can either walk along the beach or the trail on the back side. There is a $5 fee because it is a state park to get over to the island so make sure you have cash before you get there. There is a store with a Subway has ATM we usually get a sub and cooler box with drinks because there's no food on the island however there are places to rent Kayaks and bicycles. There's also a Water Taxi that takes you to another Island I'm not sure if dogs are allowed over there or not. We did find some nice seashells they had some kitten Paws some Jangles some other kind of shells. There is a fort on one of the other spots there's a few different spots you can go to but there's only one spot that allows the dogs so Fort you may be able to walk around with your dog but I'm not sure if you can go in any places with your dog, there is a little store there to over where the fort is if you did have to stop and get something to drink think they serve burgers they serve Coke Cola stuff like that very small place with a pier. The other spots are nice Beach areas , there's picnic tables for birthdays parties family reunions and there's restrooms throughout public restrooms I can't remember if I seen any showers though. It was a nice trip it was a nice day and like I said the Dogs really enjoyed each other and I hope you enjoy it too with your...

My dogs really enjoy this off leash beach. We like that they don't have to be on leash to swim, they can just go have fun once there. When you get to the park, you pay at the toll both, most recently it was $5, and you get your park ticket. Cash or card accepted. (Occasionally it's not manned and you pay on good faith). Then you head to the dog beach parking lot, to your right at the first intersection past the toll booth. The parking lot is on the left and if you go past the dog park, you've missed it. When that lot is filled, you can park across the street in the grassy/rocky area and walk over. Be mindful of the ground temperature on concrete and asphalt for your pups paw pads and of the sand once at the beach. From the parking lot, you can either go into the small or large dog park for a run and potty break first, or you can skip it and take the direct path to the beach. The far side of the dog parks have gates to access the beach if you go dog park first. Once finished at the beach back at the dog park you'll find hose stations to rinse your dogs. Bring your own poop bags (stations might not always be stocked), water source and bowl. Be mindful of water intoxication and heat exhaustion while enjoying the day. Bring your own source of shade as there is none on the beach. Restrooms are on site in the parking lot, and there's changing stalls as well. Humans can swim here with...

We visited the Fort De Soto Dog Beach today with our two miniature schnauzers, and it was great. It’s a nice stretch of beach specifically for dogs, and it was incredible to see so many pups running off-leash, splashing in the water, and just living their best lives. The energy was joyful and relaxed, and you could tell the dogs were having a blast swimming, playing, and making friends.

Our own dogs aren’t fully socialized yet, so we kept them leashed or close to us in the water, but they still had a great time. Even though they weren’t running around with the pack, they were soaking in the sights, smells, and perfectly refreshing water.

There’s not much shade at all, so be sure to bring an umbrella or canopy if you plan to stay a while. Also, towels and extra water are a must. It’s sandy, wet, and fun—but you’ll want to be prepared for the cleanup. There is a hose in the fenced in dog park near the parking lot to clean up though.

Overall, it’s an awesome spot for dog lovers. Whether your pup is super social or just wants a calm beach experience with you, there’s something special about this place. We’ll...