Best Dog-Friendly Camping near North Port, FL
Oscar Scherer State Park Campground welcomes pets at most campsites, with specific non-pet sites located along South Creek. The park features water and electric hookups at each site, with dirt pads surrounded by natural vegetation providing privacy between neighbors. Myakka River State Park's Palmetto Ridge Campground offers pet-friendly options with fire rings and picnic tables, though campers should remain vigilant as alligators have been reported near the camping areas. Peace River Campground provides designated pet exercise areas and allows dogs throughout the property as long as they're not running freely. Camp Venice Retreat, Encore Ramblers Rest, and Flying A Campground in Myakka State Forest also accommodate pets with varying amenities and site sizes. Most campgrounds require pets to be leashed when outside the RV or tent, with leash lengths typically restricted to six feet.
Fenced dog parks provide safe exercise areas at several campgrounds near North Port, with Horseshoe Cove RV Resort featuring a particularly well-maintained facility. The Legacy Trail adjacent to Oscar Scherer State Park offers a 10-mile paved multi-use path ideal for walking dogs, connecting Sarasota to Venice with multiple rest stops along the route. Campers should prepare for bugs, especially no-see-ums and mosquitoes that become active at dusk, and bring appropriate pet protection. Wildlife encounters require special attention when camping with pets—alligators are common in this region, particularly during mating season, and one camper reported hearing territorial growling from a large alligator near site 71 at Myakka River State Park. Most campgrounds provide pet waste stations with disposal bags throughout the property, though Flying A Campground in Myakka State Forest has been noted for less consistent maintenance of grounds and facilities.
