As Floridians start cooling down from the boiling heat of midsummer, it’s a good time to take our four-legged family members out for some exercise and outdoor excursions. Gainesville has a wealth of fantastic places you can bring your dogs to hike, camp, or hang out with their pals, and you can find a variety of options to enjoy in and around the city.
Possum Creek Dog Park
This park is popular for hikers and families, with its pavilions, nature trails, playground and sports field. It also has a large, off-leash pet friendly area with two different enclosures for big and small pups. There’s plenty of room to toss a ball or frisbee and let your dogs romp and play, plus shady benches and water fountains to keep both pets and owners hydrated.
Hours: 6am to 6pm
4009 NW 53rd Avenue, Gainesville
https://www.bringfido.com/attraction/10702
Lebowski’s Pup Pub
With covered seating that’s cooled/heated in summer and winter, Lebowski’s is a dog-friendly outdoor bar with plenty of diversions for both dogs and their humans. There’s an off-leash area available for daily, monthly, or annual members, and a leashed-only section where anyone can hang out. Food trucks are available if you need a nosh, and there’s a pet playground for your dog to run around in and play with the other canine customers.
Hours:
3:30 - Midnight, Mon - Fri and 1pm - 1am, Sat/Sun
514 N. Main Street, Gainesville
https://www.lebowskisgainesville.com/
Payne’s Prairie Preserve
Dogs (and other domesticated pets) are allowed to join you camping in designated areas of all Florida State Parks, as long as they are properly leashed and supervised. Historic Payne’s Prairie is one of our most beautiful and diverse conservation areas, with over 22,000 acres of lush savannah, thriving wildlife, and lots of campground space, from tent sites to full-facility RV
hookups. Be sure to check out the State Park Pet policy at floridastateparks.org/PetPolicy.
Hours: 8am to sundown
100 Savanna Road, Micanopy
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/paynes-prairie-preserve-state-park