Sunset over the Gulf with people walking dogs on the beach at Indian Pass

Can you bring a dog to the beach at Indian Pass?

Yes

on a leash, at all times

Leashed dogs are welcome on the Gulf County beach at Indian Pass. A quarter of a mile across the water, on St. Vincent Island, they are banned outright — and that catches people out.

Leash

Always

St. Vincent Island

No pets

Waste stations

20+

The rule

Leashed on the county beach. Not on the island.

Animals must remain on a leash at all times, it’s the law.

Gulf County Tourist Development Council, citing Gulf County Ordinance 2008-20

That covers the county beach at Indian Pass, Cape San Blas, Salinas Park and St. Joe Beach. Gulf County has not published a maximum leash length for its beaches — the six-foot limit people quote is a Florida State Parks rule, and it applies inside the state park, not on the county sand.

Waste: bag it and bin it. There are more than 20 pet waste stations with bags and receptacles at the public beach accesses. Don’t bury it — children dig where dogs go.

Where dogs can’t go

Four places within reach of Indian Pass.

Everything else on the county beach is open to a leashed dog.

St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge — a quarter of a mile across the pass. Pets are prohibited on the island, with no leash exception

T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park — the beach, the natural shoreline, picnic shelters, restrooms and the wilderness area

William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area, up the cape

Mexico Beach — dogs are banned from the beach entirely, except west of Canal Parkway

Across the pass

St. Vincent Island is federal land. Different rules entirely.

It is the closest thing to Indian Pass and the easiest place to get it wrong.

Pets are prohibited on the island. Not on a leash, not in the boat you arrive in, not at all

Motorised vehicles are prohibited except bicycles. The sand roads are for foot and bicycle traffic

Daylight hours only, and the refuge closes for hunts, fires and storms

No facilities and no drinking water anywhere on the island. Carry in what you need, carry it back out

More Indian Pass rules

The other three, in the same shape.

Staying at Indian Pass?

Rentals booked direct with the owner. No service fee.

Browse rentals

Official

Gulf County Tourist Development Council — pet friendly beaches US Fish & Wildlife Service — St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge

Rules and regulations change. This page is intended as a general overview to help you plan your trip and is not a substitute for reading the current official rules yourself. Laws, permit requirements, and enforcement can change at any time, and this content may not reflect the most current version. It is your responsibility to verify current rules directly with the relevant city, county, or State of Florida agency. Book Direct Forgotten Coast is not responsible for citations, fines, accidents, or other consequences resulting from reliance on this page.