How To Prepare For A Dog-Friendly Hike In Florida
One of my favorite ways to provide both mental enrichment and physical exercise for my dogs is to take them on dog friendly hikes and walking trails! I live in central Florida, and in the past year we have discovered some beautiful Florida hiking trails, including one of our favorite dog friendly walking trails that’s only ten minutes from our apartment at a local state park!
In Florida, we have a lot of different things going on all at once. We’re not that high above sea level, we get a ton of rain and a ton of sun. Sometimes you might be planning a day hike, and the weather might change out of nowhere (hello daily summer rainstorms ha!). With all of these factors, you have to be a bit flexible in your planning.
In this post, I’ll be sharing how to prepare for a hike with your dogs in the Florida wetlands including tons of helpful tips like:
- Choosing the right footwear
- Waterproof vs. non-waterproof footwear
- My favorite Oboz women’s hiking boots
- What to bring on a Florida hike with your dog
- Dog trail etiquette + Important dog trail safety
- How to find dog-friendly Florida hiking trails
How To Choose The Right Hiking Boots For A Florida Hike
When I first started looking for women’s hiking boots, I went to my local REI store to try on a ton of different styles so I could see what fit me best and which style was best for Florida hikes and trails. The benefit of going to an REI is that they have the right socks, a ton of shoe options and avid hiker employees who can really help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Pro Tip: When you try on hiking boots, make SURE you are trying them on with the right socks. This can change the overall fit of your boot! I mentioned that REI will provide these at the store (not every retailer does this).
Wool hiking socks are what are commonly used with hiking boots and they come in different weights to match the amount of support and insulation you need for the type of hike you’re doing. What might sound crazy is that wool socks are needed for Florida too! I thought the employee at REI was crazy at first when he said wool in Florida, but wool socks are actually incredibly moisture wicking, anti-microbial and provide a ton of cushion that help your feet throughout your hike. For many of my short Florida hikes, I stick with lightweight hiking socks. My two favorite brands are Smartwool hiking socks and Darn Tough hiking socks.
After trying on many different brands, my all time favorite were Oboz women’s hiking boots. In my opinion, Oboz women’s hiking boots were affordable and they had an amazing fit. Now let’s get into the difference between Oboz low and mid hiking boots plus Oboz waterproof and non-waterproof hiking boots and which style will be best for you for your Florida hike.
Here’s another helpful article from Oboz for finding the right fit: Hiking Footwear 101: Pro Tips For Finding Fit.
Oboz Low Hiking Boots VS. Oboz Mid Hiking Boots
Two of my favorite Oboz women’s hiking boots for dog friendly Florida hiking trails are the Oboz women’s Arete Low Hiking Boots and the Oboz women’s Sypes Mid Leather B-Dry Hiking Boots.
For me, knowing which hiking boot I want to wear truly depends on the Florida hiking trail I’m going on, what all it will entail (is there a bunch of water, am I on more dry ground, etc.) and the weather for that day (which can change within 5 minutes sometimes here in FL!). Below is more information about the two styles:
- Oboz Arete Low Hiking Boots: If I had to pick one year-round Oboz hiking boot for dog friendly Florida hikes, this would be it! These women’s hiking boots have a weather resistant mesh material on the top and sides that helps with humidity and breathability which is a game changer for our hot and humid Florida temperatures. These shoes are perfect for everyday trails or hikes with your dog where you know you aren’t going to encounter semi-deep water or super wet areas where you will need more coverage/a different material to protect you.
- Sypes Mid Leather B-Dry Hiking Boots: These Oboz waterproof hiking boots are perfect for those dog-friendly Florida hikes or walking trails where you know you’re going to encounter some water. After a good rainstorm (or hurricane), many Florida trails and bridges on trails can get flooded and pathways can get extremely muddy and wet. Plus, depending on how wet the dirt gets, you could sink a few inches in that mud, ha! These are times where I would recommend getting Oboz mid hiking boots, especially these waterproof ones.
Now let’s get into some important details on waterproof versus non-waterproof women’s hiking boots and the care that comes with them!
Waterproof VS. Non-Waterproof Oboz Hiking Boots For Florida Hikes
The first pair of Oboz women’s hiking boots that I shared, the Arete Low hiking boots are not waterproof. The second pair, the Oboz Sypes Mid Leather B-Dry Hiking Boots are. The waterproof hiking boots are made of a different material and have layers that will take longer to dry out when needed.
Oboz actually has a super helpful article on their website with tips for taking care of your waterproof boots after a hike that includes some of their favorite cleaning products.
One important note that the article mentions is to dry out your boots in a cool, dry place, removing the insole and cleaning them with Nikwax. One of my favorite places to dry out my hiking boots is my apartment porch! Half of it is always part shaded and and the other in the sun during the day which has been perfect for drying out my boots. I initially did this with my horseback riding muck boots after many heavy summer rain days and they’ve done great, so this is my go-to spot!
Let’s move on to some dog-friendly hiking tips!
Dog-Friendly Florida Hiking/Trail Tips:
As we get into these dog hiking/trail tips and items below, know that these tips can apply to any dog-friendly hike or trail, not just Florida, but there are some Florida specifics here!
Dog Trail Etiquette
One of the most important tips for hiking with your dog is to know dog trail etiquette. The following tips are designed to keep you, your dog, other hikers and the wildlife safe.
- Tip 1: Keep Your Dog On Leash
- Unless specified otherwise, keep your dog on their leash at all times. When hiking or enjoying the dog-friendly trails in Florida, we are surrounded by a TON of different wildlife, especially depending on where you are. I’ve taken the dogs on numerous trails and have seen wild deer cross our path, alligators in the lake and so much more. The last thing you want is for your dog to come in contact with one of these animals. Whether it’s your dog, or the wildlife, neither need to get hurt or involved with one another.
- There are also other dogs and people on the trails that are trying to enjoy them too. To keep everyone happy, safe and stress free, always keep your dog by your side and allow others to pass first when spaces get tight! Bringing some treats with you is a great way to keep their attention on you when people are passing by. Plus, they come in handy when you need to keep them extra close during important situations.
- Tip 2. Research the trail before you go!
- Knowing the trail before you go can prepare you and your dog for the following:
- Different terrain and areas that could be inaccessible for dogs or help you to know if you need certain gear (i.e. dog boots for harsh terrain like rocks, cactus-prone areas, etc.). So far I haven’t encountered any areas where I would need dog boots, but if you know you will be in an area where you would need them, I highly recommend RuffWear’s dog boots. Out of all of the boots I’ve seen, their sizing is the most helpful because they size separately for the front and back feet and they’re made for XL dogs like my boy Diesel which can be hard to find! Highly recommend!
- What is the trail mostly occupied by? For example, are there a lot of ATVs, mountain bikes, horses, etc.? One of our favorite places for dog friendly trails in central Florida is Lake Louisa State Park and they have an entire equestrian trail where you can trail ride. As an equestrian, I can tell you that those trail horses are probably some of the safest horses around that aren’t surprised by much, but even if that’s true, that doesn’t mean your dog will be comfortable around them. Know when those trails are used/shared with others so that you can plan accordingly.
- Knowing the trail before you go can prepare you and your dog for the following:
Pro Tip: A great app for helpful information about dog-friendly trails near you is the All Trails app!
- Tip 3. Leave No Trace
- Just like at home, always clean up after your pet along the trail. Depending on the trail, some will actually have waste cans along the trail to help you dispose of your dog’s poop. One of our favorite dog-friendly walking trails at Lake Griffin State Park, has a dog waste disposal by the beginning and end of the trail so you can dispose of anything that happened along the way.
Pro Tip: Invest in a poo buddy or doo loop! These dog waste dispensers actually attach to your leash and allow you to attach the tied waste bag to it so that you can continue on your trail without having to hold on to it. The Doo Loop and Woof and Wonder are two great woman owned businesses who create these dog waste products!
What To Bring On A Florida Hike With Your Dog
A few extra dog hiking essentials that can be great to have for your dog-friendly Florida hike or walking trail are:
- Bug Spray + Dog Safe Mosquito Repellent
- Since most of the year in Florida is hot and humid, investing in a bug spray and/or a dog safe mosquito repellent is going to be your best friend. I always get eaten alive by mosquitoes and since there is a ton of still water in Florida year round, there’s always a chance to get bit. I discovered Thermacell earlier this year and I have their MR-300 model which is amazing for trails and I partnered with them to share their E-55 model which is one of the best mosquito repellents for your campsite!
- Plenty of Water + Dog Water Bottle
- I have the Highwave (now know as Springer) Growler portable dog water bottle and it works great! Check out my full review of the Growler dog water bottle here. I also recently discovered the Vapur EZ Lick dog water bottle and I really want to try it!
- Dog First Aid Kit
- Dog first aid kits come with a ton of helpful pet first aid supplies that hopefully you’ll never have to use but it is a must-have, especially in Florida with all of the wildlife and types of greenery. Make sure that your dog first aid kit, or at least one of your pet first aid kit supplies is a tick remover. In Florida this is an essential! Even if your dog is on flea and tick medication, ticks can still jump on. At the end of every trail, do a once-over of your pet to ensure you’ve gotten anything off and on longer trails (especially ones through deeper woods), check your dog periodically.
- One of my favorites is the ARCA Pet First Aid Kit. Another great option is from Adventure Medical Kits, they have a human and dog one! Mine has a tick remover which is always a must-have in Florida. Even if your dog is on flea & tick medication, ticks can still jump on. Throughout a longer trail or after each trail, make sure to do a once-over of your pet to ensure you’ve gotten anything off.
- Dog Cooling Vest
- If you’re hiking on a super warm day in Florida, always double the amount of water you have and possibly invest in a cooling vest for your dog! One of my favorites that I’ve had for a few years now is from Suitical. Check out my full review of this incredibly designed dog cooling vest from Suitical!
- Dog Drying Towel
- If you do encounter a super wet day on the trails, having a super absorbent dog drying towel can help dry off your dog and clean their paws before getting into your car!
- One of the best super absorbent dog drying towels is from one of my favorite brands, DGS Pet! They also have a microfiber dog towel car seat cover that doubles as a dog car hammock. Check out my reviews of both:
How To Find Dog-Friendly Florida Hiking/Walking Trails Near Me
Before heading out on any trail with your dog, always make sure it’s dog friendly. To find Florida hiking trails that allow dogs or dog-friendly walking trails near you, you can simply search: dog trails near me or below are some of my favorite websites and apps that have a ton of information on some of the best dog-friendly hiking trails in Florida:
Do you feel more prepared to go on a dog-friendly Florida hike with your dog? I hope so! Florida has so many beautiful dog-friendly trails and places to visit with your dog that I know you’re going to have the best time! So grab your Oboz hiking boots, your dog hiking essentials and get outside!
Want to learn more about other tons of dog-friendly hotels, dog-friendly state parks and trails and other cool dog-friendly travel destinations and tips? Check out more of my dog-friendly travel posts below and sign up for my newsletter to get the latest and greatest dog product reviews and more delivered straight to your inbox: