Unleashing the Best Dog Friendly Spots in Citrus County

Are you a proud dog owner who loves going on adventures with your furry friend? If you answered yes, then look no further! We’re about to do some zoomies because we’re so excited to share the best dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, parks, and attractions Citrus County has to offer. So, grab your pooch, and let's get started!

RV Parks, Campgrounds & Fishing Lodges
These lovely facilities are doggy friendly, so contact any of them to find out which one fits your needs the best.

• Big Oaks River Resort
• Chassa Oaks RV Resort
• Covered Wagon Campground & RV Park
• Lake Rousseau RV & Fishing Resort
• Riverside Lodge RV Resort & Cabins
• Watson’s Fish Camp/Hernando Resort
• Camp n’ Water Outdoor Resort
• Chassahowitzka River Campground
• Encore Crystal Isles RV Resort
• Moonrise Resort
• Sandy Oaks RV Resort
• Withlacoochee State Forest Campgrounds
• Cedar Breeze RV Park
• Chassahowitzka River Lodge & Campground
• Gulf Coast RV Resort
• Nature’s Resort Campground & RV Park
• Sun Retreats Crystal River
• Sweet Citrus Acres RV Resort
• Cedars Lake RV Park
• Cove Resort RV Camping & Cabins
• Homosassa River RV Resort
• Quail Roost RV Campground
• Sun Retreats Homosassa River

• The Cove Resort & Pub – Inverness
  • You and your pup will both love the relaxing and shaded outdoor patio.
• The Shed at MacRae’s - Homosassa
  • An iconic spot that’s been around for decades. It offers wonderful water views and tasty local specialties. If you and your dog are friendly, and your pup is on a leash, MacRae’s will welcome you both with open arms.
• Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters - Crystal River
  • Their wrap-around porch at their Crystal River location is waiting for you and your doggy! Great coffee, sandwiches, pasties and salads.
• Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters - Inverness
  • They offer a nice outdoor seating area for you and your pooch. It’s only a short walk to downtown Inverness and the courthouse!
• Shamrock Inn – Floral City
  • Their Outdoor Patio is great for you and your dog. It’s next to the beautiful dog-friendly Withlacoochee Trail. They are known for their Reuben’s and burgers. A local favorite.
• Courthouse Cafe – Inverness
  • A large menu, lovely courthouse views, and picturesque outdoor seating with dog bowls filled with fresh water for your furry friend!
• Stumpknockers – Inverness
  • A beautiful, covered patio (down the street from the courthouse) is ready and waiting for you and your pup. A wide variety menu serves up delicious items.
• Wild Sassa – Homosassa
  • A casual food truck on a working wharf offers outdoor dining for you and your canine companion. Plus, they serve up amazing fish tacos!
• Dan’s Clam Stand – Crystal River
  • Their outdoor patio is not only welcoming to doggies, but they also offer canine birthday parties – All this while serving up fresh New England style Seafood!
• Wallace’s At the Greenhouse – Homosassa
  • A beautiful grassy area with picnic tables adjacent to the lovely Halls River. Please call ahead for reservations (recommended) for you and any furry friends.
• Norton's Riverside Sports Bar & Grill – Crystal River
  • Listen to live music right next to your best friend (We are assuming that’s your doggy) on their large outdoor porch in downtown Crystal River.
• St. John’s Tavern – Crystal River
  • Their Back Patio welcomes well behaved doggies! Located right on Citrus Ave. adjacent to Crystal River’s Town Square.
• Crumps Landing – Homosassa
  • A fun and lively atmosphere right on the water awaits you. They are not only dog friendly, but they also offer Malibu water buckets for your furry friends. Great food and great views, all enjoyed with your pup. What more could you ask for?
• The Crab Plant – Crystal River
  • Their outdoor area right on Kings Bay is pooch ready! Fresh seafood and relaxing water views – perfect for you and your pup!
• Robin’s Country Kitchen – Floral City
  • A local favorite offers rustic outdoor picnic tables ready and waiting for you and your pooch. Adjacent to the lovely Withlacoochee Trail, which is also pup friendly!

Dog Friendly Parks & Outdoor Areas:

• Town Square/Heritage Village – Crystal River
  • A welcoming grassy area with a beautiful fountain and bronze manatee sculptures. It’s right on Citrus Ave with loads of nearby restaurants. (KC Wine Bar & St. John’s Tavern both have outdoor patios that welcome dogs)
• Liberty Park – Inverness
  • A beautiful park on Lake Henderson that offers fabulous dog walks with lovely water views. The pretty outdoor space also includes picnic tables and a playground.
• Bicentennial Park - Crystal River
  • Bicentennial Park is a spacious, dog-friendly park with walking trails and picnic areas. Bring a frisbee or a ball to play fetch, and don't forget to bring water for both you and your pup!
• Crosstown Trail - Crystal River
  • This lovely area is a paved walking path along the historic railroad bed for just over a few miles through the city. Bicycling and dog walking are permitted on the trail for a leisurely excursion through downtown Crystal River.
• Wallace Brooks Park – Inverness
  • Adjacent to Liberty Park, and connected by a wonderful boardwalk along the lake, this park has lovely trees, shaded areas and picnic tables for you and your pup.
• Beverly Hills Community Park
  • This wonderfully designed park offers loads of amenities, plus a great place for your pup to relax or play.
• Central Ridge District Park
  • Home of the largest horseshoe compound in Florida, this park also offers shuffleboards, tennis courts, a pup friendly walking trail, as well as a pond.
• Floral Park – Floral City
  • This pleasant historic park has a lot to enjoy with offerings of shuffleboard, horseshoes, volleyball, tennis, disc golf, and lots of space for your dog to explore.
• Holden Community Park -Inverness
  • This expansive 41-acre park offers a baseball field, basketball court, soccer fields, concession facilities, a playground and more! Your dog will love it!
• Homosassa Springs Recreation Park - Homosassa
  • This park features a baseball field, basketball court, multi-purpose fields, tennis courts, concession facilities, and a jogging trail for you and your dog.
• Lecanto Community Park - Lecanto
  • This local park features racquet ball courts, multipurpose fields, tennis courts, horseshoes, basketball courts, a dog walking area, and beautifully shaded and paved walking trails that your furry friend will enjoy.
• Water Tower Park – Crystal River
  • This quaint park features a jogging trail, picnic tables and a playground, perfect for an afternoon outdoor lunch for humans and dogs alike.
• Whispering Pines Park - Inverness
  • From various sports courts, fields, and hiking & biking trails to pavilions, playground, Splash Park & pool, this 290-acre complex has everything needed for hours of exploration for you and your pooch.

Dog Parks Especially Made for Dogs
When your dog feels like socializing, we have a few wonderful suggestions for you and your pet…

• Bark Central Dog Park - Inverness
  • This puppy paradise has 15 acres of off-leash area for running and play, with nature trails, shady oaks, swimming pools & toys. Complete with benches, restrooms, rinse stations, bathing tubs, even dryers!
• Blue Bird Springs - Homosassa
  • This lush and slightly secluded park at Bluebird Springs is a 5.5-acre happy place. With a beautiful spring-fed pool & amenities like picnic tables, grill, playground & volleyball court for the family and a fenced-in area for off-leash pup-play, you can spend an hour or a whole afternoon.

Just a Dog Friendly Reminder…

Before heading out to any of these dog-friendly spots, it's important to check for any specific rules or regulations they may have regarding dogs. Additionally, ensure that your furry friend is well-behaved, properly socialized, and up-to-date on vaccinations to ensure a positive and safe experience for everyone involved.

We hope this guide helps you and your pup have a paw-some time exploring Citrus County’s dog-friendly options!

P.S.
If you know of any other places or companies in Citrus County that happen to be dog friendly, please let us know. We would love to learn about them and add them to the blog. Email us at info@discovercrystalriverfl.com.