Sand Key Park
Clearwater, FL
Sand Key Park sits just south of the causeway from Clearwater Beach, a quieter county park with its own nature trail and salt marsh alongside the sand. A separate off-leash dog park, split into small and large dog sides, gives pet owners somewhere to go even though dogs aren't allowed on the beach itself.
The nature trail and separate dog park give it more to do than a typical beach stop, though the no pets on the beach rule surprises visitors who assumed the dog park meant the whole property was pet-friendly.
How we score beachesSkip the display-receipt hassle, the pay stations use pay-by-plate now, credit card only. Food trucks and chair or umbrella rentals are on site if arriving without gear.
Daily parking runs about 6 dollars, pay-by-plate, credit card only; an annual pass is available for frequent visitors.
Boardwalks cross from the parking areas to the beach.
Dogs aren't allowed on the beach or boardwalks, but a dedicated off-leash dog park sits elsewhere in the same park.
Winter and spring bring the mildest weather and the biggest snowbird crowds to this stretch of the Gulf coast. Summer's heat and hurricane season, June through November, bring the warmest water and afternoon storms.
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