Florida Dog Beaches: Every Beach That Allows Dogs, by County

Most of Florida’s coastline is closed to dogs. That is the part nobody tells you before you load the car: the default on a Florida beach is no, and the places where the answer is yes are specific stretches, set by a city, a county, a park district or the state, each with its own hours, leash rule and parking.

This is every Florida beach we could confirm allows dogs, with the rule that governs it and a link to the page we read it on. Alongside it is the list that matters just as much – the famous beaches where dogs are prohibited, so you find out here instead of from an officer in the parking lot.

Five things that catch people out

State parks are not dog beaches. Florida’s state parks allow pets on trails and in campgrounds, but not on the sand – with one exception in the whole system, and it is on the south end of Honeymoon Island. Anastasia, Fort Clinch, Bahia Honda, St. Andrews and Delnor-Wiggins all say no.
The line is often a street sign. Neptune Beach allows dogs at any hour; cross Seagate Avenue into Jacksonville Beach between April and September at midday and the same walk is a ticket. Dogs are legal on Sanibel and banned the moment you cross Blind Pass onto Captiva.
Same park, two answers. At Smyrna Dunes and Lighthouse Point, dogs are legal on the inlet shore and never on the ocean beach.
Some official pages are out of date. A few city pages still publish rules their own councils repealed, in both directions. Where we found that, the entry says so and links to the rule that actually governs.
Permits exist, and they are local. A few towns require an annual dog-beach permit, and the price can be steep for non-residents. Where a permit is required we say so.

How to read an entry

Access is the rule itself – leashed or off-leash, leash length where the code sets one, and any permit. When covers hours and seasonal limits, which on this coast usually means sea turtle nesting from spring into fall. Parking tells you whether you are paying and whether the lot is small enough to fill early. Facilities is what matters with a wet, sandy dog: restrooms, a rinse, shade, water.

Every entry links to the city ordinance, county page or park rule it came from. We have not been to all of these – we have read the rule for all of them. Check the link before you drive, because these rules change, sometimes overnight and sometimes only for turtle season.

The Panhandle

The Panhandle splits into two extremes. Gulf and Franklin counties allow leashed dogs on essentially every public beach. Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Bay allow them on one small marked strip each - and Okaloosa, which includes Destin and Okaloosa Island, has no legal dog beach at all.

Walton County is the one that catches visitors: the 30A beaches require a county dog beach tag, and the tag is sold only to residents and property owners. If you are visiting 30A with a dog, there is no legal way to get it onto the sand.

Bay

Dog Beach at Russell-Fields City Pier

Panama City Beach · Bay

Access: Leashed
When: Open year-round
Parking: Pier Park public lots
Facilities: Free doggy bags at beach entrances

Only the ~400 ft strip on the WEST side of the pier counts; every other grain of PCB sand is off limits.

Official rules

Escambia

Pensacola Beach Dog Park West (Lot B)

Pensacola Beach · Escambia

Access: Leashed, 8 ft max, tags on collar
When: 7am-sunset May 1-Oct 31; sunrise-sunset Nov 1-Apr 30
Parking: Public county lot B
Facilities: Beach walkover 21E, bring your own bags

It is the first lot past the last Gulf-side condos - the rest of Pensacola Beach is closed to dogs.

Official rules

Pensacola Beach Dog Park East (Lot E)

Pensacola Beach · Escambia

Access: Leashed, 8 ft max, tags on collar
When: 7am-sunset May 1-Oct 31; sunrise-sunset Nov 1-Apr 30
Parking: Public county lot E
Facilities: Beach walkover 28B, bring your own bags

First lot past Portofino; the park is only 250 ft each way from the walkover.

Official rules

Perdido Key Dog Beach - Access Point #4 (Tot Park, River Road)

Perdido Key · Escambia

Access: Off-leash inside the marked boundary, tags required
When: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Public access-point lot
Facilities: Signed park boundary, no listed amenities

The only legal off-leash sand in Escambia - Access Point #3 was closed in 2013, so do not use it.

Official rules

Bayview Dog Beach, Bayview Park

Pensacola · Escambia

Access: Off-leash inside the fenced dog park only
When: Park open 7am-9pm daily
Parking: Free park lot
Facilities: Fenced dog park, dog beach, restrooms, picnic areas, boat launch

This is Bayou Texar, not the Gulf - step outside the fence and the city leash rule applies.

Official rules

Franklin

Carrabelle Beach

Carrabelle · Franklin

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, no voice control
When: Open year-round
Parking: Free roadside lot on US 98
Facilities: Restrooms, outdoor shower, 10 covered pavilions, grills

Voice control is explicitly not allowed - the leash must be in your hand.

Official rules

St. George Island public beaches

St. George Island · Franklin

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, no voice control
When: Open year-round
Parking: Free beach access parking
Facilities: Varies by access; Lighthouse Park has facilities

Gulf and bay side are both fine, but the state park at the east end is not.

Official rules

Gulf

Cape San Blas beaches

Cape San Blas · Gulf

Access: Leashed at all times
When: Open year-round
Parking: Free beach access lots
Facilities: 20+ pet waste stations with bags at public accesses

Dogs are fine on the Cape itself but banned at the state park and at Rish Park on the same road.

Official rules

Salinas Park (Gulf side)

Cape San Blas · Gulf

Access: Leashed at all times
When: Open year-round
Parking: Free lot
Facilities: Boardwalk to the beach, pet waste station

Bay-side and Gulf-side are separate lots across Cape San Blas Rd from each other.

Official rules

Indian Pass Beach

Indian Pass · Gulf

Access: Leashed at all times
When: Open year-round
Parking: Free lot at the end of CR 30B
Facilities: Pet waste stations at public accesses

Quiet and remote - no shade and no rinse station, bring water.

Official rules

St. Joe Beach / Beacon Hill

Port St. Joe · Gulf

Access: Leashed at all times
When: Open year-round
Parking: Free beach access parking
Facilities: Pet waste stations at public accesses

Gulf County beaches are dog-friendly by default; Bay County's beaches start just west of here and are not.

Official rules

Jefferson

Aucilla WMA (Nutall Rise, Florida Trail)

Lamont · Jefferson

Access: Leashed at all times ("under physical restraint")
When: Open year round
Parking: Free at WMA entrances
Facilities: Primitive; boat ramp at Nutall Rise

The closest thing Jefferson County has to coastal dog access - it is river and swamp, not shore, and the roads flood.

Official rules

Okaloosa

Liza Jackson Park dog park

Fort Walton Beach · Okaloosa

Access: Off-leash inside the fenced dog park only
When: Park hours, sunrise to after sunset
Parking: Free park lot
Facilities: Fenced off-leash dog park on the Santa Rosa Sound waterfront

This fenced park is the ONLY legal dog option in Okaloosa - every county beach bans dogs outright.

Official rules

Wakulla

Shell Point Beach

Shell Point (Crawfordville) · Wakulla

Access: Leashed (county park rule)
When: Park open 6am-midnight
Parking: County lot
Facilities: Restrooms, pavilions, playground, volleyball, kayak launch

Dogs need prior approval from the parks director during special events, not just a leash.

Official rules

Mashes Sands Park

Panacea · Wakulla

Access: Leashed (county park rule)
When: Park open 6am-midnight
Parking: County lot
Facilities: Mobile restroom, boat ramp; very limited amenities

Park in a marked space only - right-of-way parking gets ticketed here.

Official rules

Walton

Walton County public beaches (30A / South Walton)

Santa Rosa Beach to Inlet Beach · Walton

Access: Leashed, county dog beach tag required
When: 3:30pm-8:30am year-round
Parking: County beach access lots
Facilities: Varies by access; regional accesses have restrooms

The tag is sold only to Walton property owners and residents - visitors and renters cannot get one at any price.

Official rules

North Florida

Northeast Florida is the friendliest stretch of the Atlantic coast for dogs, but the rules change at the city line. Neptune Beach allows dogs at any hour; cross Seagate Avenue into Jacksonville Beach between April and September in the middle of the day and the same walk is a ticket.

The state parks here - Fort Clinch, Amelia Island, Little and Big Talbot, Anastasia, Washington Oaks, Gamble Rogers - all ban dogs on the sand, and they sit right between beaches that allow them.

Dixie

Horseshoe Beach town waterfront

Horseshoe Beach · Dixie

Access: Leashed or otherwise restrained - the town has no ordinance banning dogs from its shoreline
When: Daylight hours
Parking: Free
Facilities: Very limited - boat ramp and pier, no shade, no rinse; bring water and bags

Dixie County bans dogs in every county park, but this is a separate town with no such ban - just never let the dog off leash (Sec. 6-24).

Official rules

Big Bend WMA - Jena Unit

Jena · Dixie

Access: Leashed at all times ("under physical restraint")
When: Open year round
Parking: Free
Facilities: None; primitive paddling-trail camping by permit, Sep 11-Jun 30

Marsh and oyster shoreline between Steinhatchee and Horseshoe Beach; deer-dog hunting runs here in general gun season.

Official rules

Duval

Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach · Duval

Access: Leashed, 12 ft max, day and evening (24 hours)
When: Year-round, no seasonal limit
Parking: Free street parking at numbered-street accesses
Facilities: No showers; bring water and bags

Dog may swim off leash only if you are in the ocean with it - walking the dog through the surf does not count.

Official rules

Neptune Beach

Neptune Beach · Duval

Access: Leashed, 12 ft max, any hour
When: Year-round since Ord. 2023-05 (Sept 5, 2023)
Parking: Free street parking at street-end accesses
Facilities: Must carry drinkable water and provide shade if you stay over 30 min; current rabies tag required

The city's own older "Duval County Beaches" page still shows the repealed 9am-5pm ban - the 2023 ordinance replaced it.

Official rules

Jacksonville Beach

Jacksonville Beach · Duval

Access: Leashed, 8 ft max; Apr 1-Sep 30 only before 9am and after 5pm; Oct 1-Mar 31 any time
When: Seasonal - the hour ban runs Apr 1 to Sep 30
Parking: Paid city lots and metered street parking
Facilities: No dogs on the dunes ever; current rabies proof must be worn

Crossing the Seagate Ave line from Neptune Beach at noon in July turns a legal walk into a $55 ticket.

Official rules

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

Jacksonville (Mayport) · Duval

Access: Leashed, 8 ft max, attended at all times; park hours 8am to close
When: Year-round
Parking: $5 per car (up to 6), $3 walk-in/bike, $92.52 annual
Facilities: 1.5 mi beach, restrooms, showers, campground, concession, lake

Pets are allowed in outdoor areas including the beach, but not in Dolphin Plaza, shelters or cabins.

Official rules

Flagler

Flagler Beach - north of N 10th St

Flagler Beach · Flagler

Access: Leashed
When: Year-round
Parking: Free A1A street parking
Facilities: No beach showers on this stretch; bring water and bags

The prohibition runs N 10th St to S 10th St; everything outside that block is open to leashed dogs.

Official rules

Flagler Beach - south of S 10th St

Flagler Beach · Flagler

Access: Leashed
When: Year-round
Parking: Free A1A street parking
Facilities: No beach showers on this stretch; bring water and bags

People walk north toward the pier and cross into the banned zone without noticing the sign.

Official rules

Varn Park

Beverly Beach · Flagler

Access: Leashed
When: Year-round, dawn to 11pm
Parking: Free county lot incl. ADA spaces
Facilities: Restrooms, outdoor rinse showers, picnic area, wildlife viewing

The whole park is pet-friendly, unlike the state parks a few miles either side.

Official rules

Jungle Hut Park

Palm Coast · Flagler

Access: Leashed
When: Year-round, dawn to 11pm
Parking: Free paved county lot
Facilities: Restrooms, outdoor shower, picnic areas, dune walkover

Small lot; the walkover is the only legal way over the dune.

Official rules

MalaCompra Park

Palm Coast · Flagler

Access: Leashed
When: Year-round, dawn to 11pm
Parking: Free county lot, ~40 cars
Facilities: Restrooms, outdoor rinse shower, picnic pavilion, playground, trails

Coquina rock ledges here are sharp on paws at low tide.

Official rules

River to Sea Preserve

Marineland · Flagler

Access: Leashed
When: Year-round, dawn to 11pm
Parking: Free county lot, limited
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic pavilions, nature trails, kayak ramp

Check the posted water-quality advisory before letting a dog swim here.

Official rules

Levy

Manatee Springs State Park

Chiefland · Levy

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, on trails and in the campground; a leashed dog may wade into the spring run at the canoe launch - not on the boardwalk, in the spring or the swim area
When: 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days
Parking: $6 per vehicle
Facilities: Restrooms, campground, heavy shade, trails

The famous Suwannee boardwalk and the spring run are both off limits to dogs - people get turned back at the boardwalk.

Official rules

Fanning Springs State Park

Fanning Springs · Levy

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, on trails and grounds - not in the spring or swim area
When: 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days
Parking: $6 per vehicle
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic area, shade

Dogs cannot enter the spring - treat this as a walk, not a swim stop.

Official rules

Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve

Cedar Key · Levy

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, on trails
When: 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days
Parking: Free
Facilities: Trails only - no restrooms, no water, long exposed stretches

Free and dog-legal, but it is scrub trail rather than shoreline, so carry water and go early.

Official rules

Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park

Inglis · Levy

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max - boat access only, no beach
When: 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days
Parking: Free
Facilities: None - boat-in wilderness, no facilities at all

There is no drive-up shoreline: without a boat you see nothing, so do not plan a dog walk here.

Official rules

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge (incl. Shell Mound Unit)

Chiefland and Cedar Key · Levy

Access: Leashed at all times - off-leash is expressly prohibited
When: Sunrise to sunset; no overnight parking
Parking: Free
Facilities: Restrooms, maps and water at the Chiefland headquarters only; nothing in the backcountry

The closest thing to legal dog-friendly Gulf shoreline near Cedar Key, and unlike state parks the refuge does not bar dogs from its boardwalks - but 10 hunts run here, so check the season.

Official rules

Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge islands

Cedar Key · Levy

Access: Leashed at all times - off-leash prohibited; boat access only
When: Sunrise to sunset; some islands have nesting closures - call first
Parking: Free; you pay for your own launch or rental
Facilities: None at all - no restroom, water or shade

Collecting shells is prohibited on the refuge, which is exactly what people fill their pockets with on Atsena Otie.

Official rules

Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve and Yankeetown town parks

Yankeetown · Levy

Access: Under restraint at all times; a dog may not run at large in any town park
When: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Free
Facilities: Nature centre, observation tower, cut trails and kiosks at the preserve; no pet facilities

Swimming is flatly illegal at the Yacht Basin parks - it is a boat ramp, not a beach.

Official rules

Withlacoochee Bay Trail, Cross Florida Greenway

Inglis · Levy

Access: Leashed, 6 ft hand-held max, the length of the trail
When: 8am to sundown, 365 days
Parking: Free, paved parking at Felburn Park
Facilities: Potable water and picnic pavilions at Felburn Park, restrooms and a paddle launch on the trail

Five paved miles from Felburn Park west to a Gulf overlook - the best free dog walk on this stretch of coast, with almost no shade.

Official rules

Nassau

Fernandina Beach city beaches (Main Beach, North Beach, Seaside Park)

Fernandina Beach · Nassau

Access: Leashed at all times
When: Year-round, no hour limits
Parking: Free city lots at each park
Facilities: Restrooms and parking at Main Beach Park; bring your own waste bags

City FAQ answer on dogs at the beach is one line: yes, but leashed at all times.

Official rules

Peters Point Beachfront Park

Amelia Island (unincorporated) · Nassau

Access: Leashed at all times, no dogs at large
When: Year-round
Parking: Free county lot; closed to vehicles midnight-sunrise
Facilities: Beachfront park with parking; owners must remove dog litter

4x4 beach driving here is Nassau residents, property owners, active military and disabled placard holders only - not open to all visitors.

Official rules

Burney Park (American Beach)

American Beach · Nassau

Access: Leashed at all times, no dogs at large
When: Year-round
Parking: Free county lot; closed to vehicles midnight-sunrise
Facilities: Beachfront park with parking; owners must remove dog litter

Sits between two dog-banned state parks, so people assume it is banned too - it is not.

Official rules

Scott Road, Southend and Summer Beach walkovers

Amelia Island (unincorporated) · Nassau

Access: Leashed at all times, no dogs at large
When: Year-round
Parking: Small free county lots; closed midnight-sunrise
Facilities: Walkover access only, no restrooms listed

Southend walkover is next to Amelia Island State Park, where dogs are banned - stay north of the park boundary.

Official rules

St. Johns

St. Augustine Beach (city beach and Pier Park)

St. Augustine Beach · St. Johns

Access: Leashed, 12 ft max, including in the water; no hour limit
When: Year-round
Parking: Pier Park lot, 211 spaces (13 ADA)
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, splash park, large pavilion, volleyball, fishing pier

Anastasia State Park is the next beach north and bans dogs on its sand entirely.

Official rules

Vilano Beach

Vilano Beach · St. Johns

Access: Leashed, 12 ft max, including in the water
When: Year-round
Parking: 37 marked spaces; 4WD ramp off Vilano Rd, 45-vehicle cap, beach pass required Mar 1-Sep 30
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, pavilion, amphitheater, water refill, changing rooms

Dogs are legal on the driving beach, so keep them on the landward side of the cone line, away from traffic.

Official rules

Mickler's Landing Beachfront Park

Ponte Vedra Beach · St. Johns

Access: Leashed, 12 ft max, including in the water
When: Year-round
Parking: 202 spaces (7 ADA), no toll
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, changing rooms, pavilion, Mobi-Mat, seasonal lifeguard

The main public dog-walking beach for Ponte Vedra; the vehicle ramp here is emergency-only, so no cars on the sand.

Official rules

South Ponte Vedra Recreation Area

South Ponte Vedra Beach · St. Johns

Access: Leashed, 12 ft max, including in the water
When: Year-round
Parking: 24 spaces (2 ADA)
Facilities: Restrooms, pavilion, picnic tables; boardwalk with ~19 stairs

Tiny lot fills early on weekends; there is no overflow.

Official rules

Usina Beach / North Beach

St. Augustine (North Beach) · St. Johns

Access: Leashed, 12 ft max, including in the water
When: Year-round
Parking: 5 spaces at main site, ~50 more at the Euclid Ave lot
Facilities: Footpath access shared with emergency vehicles; no restrooms listed

Porpoise Point ramp nearby puts vehicles on this sand - keep the dog clear of the driving lane.

Official rules

Surfside Park

St. Augustine Beach · St. Johns

Access: Leashed, 12 ft max, including in the water
When: Year-round
Parking: 35 spaces (2 ADA)
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, pavilion, picnic tables, grill, seasonal lifeguard

Quiet alternative when the Pier Park lot is full.

Official rules

Mussallem Beachfront Park

Vilano / South Ponte Vedra · St. Johns

Access: Leashed, 12 ft max, including in the water
When: Year-round
Parking: 48 spaces (2 ADA)
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, bike rack; 40 ft boardwalk with 20 stairs

Stairs over the dune make it awkward for older or large dogs.

Official rules

Frank Butler Park East (Butler Beach)

St. Augustine Beach · St. Johns

Access: Leashed, 12 ft max, including in the water
When: Year-round
Parking: 84 spaces (4 ADA)
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, two pavilions, picnic tables, grills

The 309 ft boardwalk has 21 steps and no ADA ramp.

Official rules

Crescent Beach

Crescent Beach · St. Johns

Access: Leashed, 12 ft max, including in the water
When: Year-round
Parking: 104 spaces (4 ADA) plus overflow; Cubbedge Rd 4WD ramp, beach pass required Mar 1-Sep 30
Facilities: Restrooms, four showers, two large pavilions with electric, picnic tables

Vehicles drive this beach; dogs are still legal, but park and walk on the west side of the driving lane.

Official rules

Fort Matanzas National Monument beach

St. Augustine / Matanzas Inlet · St. Johns

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, on the beach and trails
When: Year-round
Parking: North lot 19 spaces, south lot 40 spaces, free
Facilities: Seasonal portable restrooms, trash cans, seasonal lifeguard

A rare federal site that does allow dogs on the sand - but never on the ferry, in the visitor center or at the fort.

Official rules

Taylor

Big Bend WMA - Tide Swamp Unit (Hagens Cove)

Perry · Taylor

Access: Leashed at all times ("under physical restraint"), including on the shoreline
When: Open year round; vehicle routes limited May 1-Aug 31
Parking: Free, no entry fee
Facilities: Primitive - observation tower and picnic area, no restrooms or rinse

The best legal dog shoreline in Taylor County, and legal only because it is FWC land - the county beach 12 miles away bans dogs.

Official rules

Big Bend WMA - Hickory Mound Unit

Perry · Taylor

Access: Leashed at all times ("under physical restraint")
When: Open year round; vehicle routes limited May 1-Aug 31
Parking: Free
Facilities: Primitive - impoundment dike drive, no facilities

Salt marsh rather than sand, and the busiest unit for dog hunting - check the hunt calendar before a leisure walk.

Official rules

Big Bend WMA - Snipe Island Unit

Perry · Taylor

Access: Leashed at all times ("under physical restraint")
When: Open year round; vehicle routes limited May 1-Aug 31
Parking: Free
Facilities: None - no restroom, water or shade

Marsh shoreline off Mandalay Road; despite the name it is in Taylor County, not Jefferson.

Official rules

Big Bend WMA - Spring Creek Unit

Perry · Taylor

Access: Leashed at all times ("under physical restraint")
When: Open year round; vehicle routes limited May 1-Aug 31
Parking: Free
Facilities: Primitive; paddling-trail campsites by permit only

Marsh and creek shoreline, no sand beach.

Official rules

Econfina River State Park

Lamont · Taylor

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, on trails and day-use grounds - not on boardwalks or in buildings
When: 8am to sundown, 365 days
Parking: Park entrance fee
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic pavilion, two boat and paddle launches, 14.8 mi of trails

Tidal river and marsh, no sand beach; the trails are shared with horses and this is black bear country.

Official rules

Central Florida

Volusia County runs a blanket ban with four exceptions, so almost every famous stretch of Daytona and New Smyrna sand is closed to dogs. Two of the four are split parks: at Smyrna Dunes and Lighthouse Point a dog is legal on the inlet shore and never on the ocean beach.

On the Gulf side, Pinellas bans dogs on nearly all of its Gulf sand while allowing them at Fort De Soto's Paw Playground and on a little-known bay-side stretch at Pass-a-Grille. Between Pasco County and the Panhandle there is no legal dog beach at all - Hernando, Taylor and Dixie counties ban dogs from every county park by ordinance - so the Nature Coast entries here are parks and trails where the dog is legal in the park but not on the sand.

On the Big Bend coast the only legal dog shoreline is state land: the Big Bend Wildlife Management Area units, where dogs are allowed under physical restraint. Taylor County bans dogs from every county park and beach, Hodges Park at Keaton Beach included, and Dixie County bans them from every county park - which is how you get the strangest rule on this coast: in Horseshoe Beach a leashed dog is legal on the town streets and shoreline, and illegal the moment it steps into the waterfront park at the end of 8th Avenue. In Levy County the rules are posted on signs rather than published online, so read the board at the gate; the two county spring parks, Henry Beck and Blue Springs, ban pets outright, and the one place a dog may legally get wet is the canoe launch at Manatee Springs.

Brevard

Canova Beach Park

Indian Harbour Beach · Brevard

Access: Leashed, no permit, no fee; dog must wear licence and rabies tags
When: Hours not stated by the county; no turtle-season rule published
Parking: Free
Facilities: Restrooms, drinking fountain, outside showers, pavilion, grill, waste bags and bins, 3 dune crossovers (1 ADA); not fenced

Everyone calls it a dog park, but it is neither fenced nor off-leash - the county says twice that dogs must stay leashed.

Official rules

Cocoa Beach designated dog beach

Cocoa Beach · Brevard

Access: Leashed, 10ft max, no permit; EST 6-10am and 4-7pm, DST 6-10am and 5-9pm
When: Year round, but only inside those windows; dogs barred from the dune area
Parking: Paid city beach lots nearby
Facilities: Restrooms at the adjacent city beach parks; no fenced area; bring water

Only the stretch from 4th Street South to Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park counts, and the midday hours everyone goes to the beach are closed - fines run to $500.

Official rules

Citrus

Fort Island Trail Park

Crystal River · Citrus

Access: Leashed and under control - allowed because this park is not posted "no animals allowed"
When: Daylight hours
Parking: Free, fee not posted online
Facilities: Accessible restrooms, two boat ramps, 150 ft fishing pier, pavilions, picnic tables

This is the dog-friendly stop on Fort Island Trail - the Gulf beach at the end of the same road is not.

Official rules

Crystal River Preserve State Park

Crystal River · Citrus

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, on trails and roads - not on boardwalks or in bathing areas
When: 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days
Parking: Free
Facilities: Trails and dirt roads, limited facilities - bring your own water

Free, shaded and 27,500 acres: the best genuine dog walk in Citrus County.

Official rules

Crystal River Archaeological State Park

Crystal River · Citrus

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, on the grounds and trails - not in the museum or on boardwalks
When: 8 a.m. to sunset; museum 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thu-Mon
Parking: $3 per vehicle, honor box, exact change
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic area, shade, river frontage

It fronts Crystal River but there is no swimming, and the dog waits outside the museum.

Official rules

Hillsborough

Davis Islands Dog Beach and Dog Park

Tampa · Hillsborough

Access: Off-leash inside the fenced beach and the adjoining fenced dry run; leashed everywhere else
When: Year-round, daylight hours
Parking: Free lot, small and fills fast at weekends and after work
Facilities: Fenced beach with bay water access, separate dry dog run, paw wash, water fountains, benches

Bay water here is shallow and murky, not Gulf surf - come for the swim, not the view.

Official rules

Picnic Island Park Dog Beach

Tampa · Hillsborough

Access: Off-leash inside the gated dog beach; leashed in the rest of the park
When: Year-round, sunrise to sunset
Parking: Free; roughly 30 car spaces plus trailer spaces at the boat ramp
Facilities: Gated dog beach south of the fishing pier, restrooms, outdoor shower, changing rooms, drinking fountains, picnic shelters

The dog beach is a separate gated area south of the fishing pier, not the main park beach.

Official rules

Indian River

Indian River Shores town beaches

Indian River Shores · Indian River

Access: Leashed any time; off-leash by annual town permit only, sunrise-9am and 5pm-sunset
When: Year round
Parking: Free at Town Hall on A1A for the Beachcomber Lane access
Facilities: Pedestrian accesses only, no on-site parking or facilities at the town accesses

You must physically bring the dog to the Public Safety Department to get the off-leash permit - you cannot buy it online.

Official rules

Pasco

Anclote Gulf Park Dog Park

Holiday · Pasco

Access: Off-leash inside the fenced dog park; leashed 6 ft max elsewhere in the park
When: Dawn to dusk, 7 days a week
Parking: Free
Facilities: Fenced with a large/small partition, dog drinking fountain, waste-bag station, covered benches, restrooms

This is the only off-leash dog area on the whole Nature Coast - and it is a dog park, not a dog beach.

Official rules

Robert K. Rees Memorial Park (Green Key Beach)

New Port Richey · Pasco

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max - dogs are banned on the sand and in the swim area
When: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: On-site lot, fee not posted online
Facilities: Restrooms, outdoor shower, boardwalk, picnic shelters, playground

Everyone calls it Green Key Beach and assumes the dog can swim - the beach and swim zone are exactly where dogs may not go.

Official rules

Anclote River Park

Holiday · Pasco

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max - not on the beach, in the swim area or on the pier
When: Park sunrise to sunset; boat ramps 24/7
Parking: On-site lot, fee not posted online
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic shelters, playground, boat ramps, dock

The Gulf swim beach is off limits, but the grass and boat-ramp side are fine for a leashed dog.

Official rules

Key Vista Nature Park

Holiday · Pasco

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, on the trails and boardwalk
When: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Free
Facilities: Restrooms, nature trails, observation tower, picnic tables, real shade

No fee and no beach - it is a shaded trail walk with Gulf views, which makes it the best hot-day option in the area.

Official rules

Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park (Hudson Beach)

Hudson · Pasco

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max - not on the sand, in the swim area or on the pier
When: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: On-site lot, fee not posted online
Facilities: Restrooms, boat ramp, fishing pier

The small Gulf beach here is off limits to dogs even though the park itself is not.

Official rules

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park

Port Richey · Pasco

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, on trails only - not on boardwalks, beaches or in bathing areas
When: 8 a.m. to sunset, daily
Parking: $4 per vehicle, $2 walk-in or bicycle
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic pavilion, nature trail, kayak launch

Pets are a listed amenity here, but state park rules still keep them off every boardwalk.

Official rules

Pinellas

Fort De Soto Park Paw Playground

Tierra Verde · Pinellas

Access: Off-leash fenced dog park plus ~1/4 mi off-leash dog beach; leashed entering/exiting; 3 dogs per handler
When: Year-round, 7 a.m. to sunset
Parking: $6 per vehicle, pay by app/text/terminal; lot fills early on weekends
Facilities: Two fenced areas (large/small dogs), dog water stations, dog rinse showers, restrooms nearby, shade, waste bags

The only Pinellas County park where dogs may be on the beach - the rest of the park's swim beaches are off limits.

Official rules

Honeymoon Island State Park Pet Beach

Dunedin · Pinellas

Access: Leashed, 6 ft hand-held max
When: Year-round, 8 a.m. to sunset
Parking: $8 per vehicle ($4 single-occupant); large lots but the south lot fills by mid-morning in season
Facilities: Restrooms, shower stations, concession, pet-friendly nature trail; little shade on the sand

It is only the southern tip of the beach - the main swim beach and the sandspit are closed to pets.

Official rules

Pass-a-Grille bayside dog beach

St. Pete Beach · Pinellas

Access: Leashed, 8 ft max (citywide leash rule)
When: Year-round, daylight hours
Parking: Street parking on Pass-a-Grille Way, metered/paid in the Pass-a-Grille area and tight in season
Facilities: Sand and shallow bay water; no dedicated dog facilities - bring water and bags

It is the bay side at the end of Pass-a-Grille Way between 1st and 3rd Avenues; every Gulf-side sand beach in the city is closed to dogs.

Official rules

Sarasota

Brohard Paw Park

Venice · Sarasota

Access: Off-leash on the marked beach section, under voice control; fenced dog play yard
When: Year-round, 7 a.m. to dusk
Parking: Free lot at 1850 Harbor Drive S.; fills on cool-season mornings
Facilities: Fenced play yard, showers, dog drinking fountains, human fountains, waste bags, benches, restroom, accessible boardwalk

The only beach in all of Sarasota County where dogs are legal - watch the posted signs marking where the dog beach ends.

Official rules

St. Lucie

Walton Rocks Beach / Dog Park

Jensen Beach · St. Lucie

Access: Off-leash, no permit, dawn to dusk, max 3 dogs per person
When: Year round; no published turtle-season closure
Parking: Free on-site lot
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic tables, pavilions, beach access, swimming; 24 acres, not fenced

The rabies tag has to be on the dog's collar - a certificate in the car does not satisfy the county ordinance.

Official rules

Wild Cat Cove

Hutchinson Island · St. Lucie

Access: Off-leash, no permit, max 3 dogs per person, 8ft leash if the dog is a nuisance
When: Year round
Parking: Not stated
Facilities: Not stated - call St. Lucie County Parks on 772-462-1522 before you go

St. Lucie's ordinance names two pet-friendly beaches, not one - almost every dog-beach list misses this one.

Official rules

Volusia

Ormond Beach dog beach (Rockefeller Dr to Milsap Rd)

Ormond Beach · Volusia

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, sunrise to sunset
When: Year-round
Parking: Off-beach lots: $20/day or $100 annual for visitors, free for registered Volusia residents
Facilities: No dedicated dog facilities; bring water, shade and bags

One of only four legal stretches in the whole county - the sand on either side of it is closed to dogs.

Official rules

Daytona Beach dog beach (Williams Ave to Seabreeze Blvd)

Daytona Beach · Volusia

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max, daylight hours only
When: Year-round, opened Dec 1
Parking: Nearly 300 off-beach spaces: $20/day or $100 annual visitor; beach driving $30/day or $150 annual
Facilities: Two pedestrian walkovers, six vehicle ramps; no dog-specific facilities

Newest of the four, 1.7 miles - the City of Daytona Beach's own beach page still says no pets, but the county ordinance governs.

Official rules

Smyrna Dunes Park - inlet/river shore only

New Smyrna Beach · Volusia

Access: Leashed, 6 ft max; park hours 6am to 6-9pm by season
When: Year-round
Parking: $10 per vehicle or $20 Inlet Park annual pass
Facilities: 2 mi elevated boardwalk, 300 ft fishing pier, restrooms, picnic pavilions

Dogs are allowed on the river/inlet swimming beach only - never on the Atlantic Ocean beach, and off the boardwalks after 10am.

Official rules

Lighthouse Point Park - inlet shore only

Ponce Inlet · Volusia

Access: Leashed at all times; park hours 6am to 6-9pm by season
When: Year-round
Parking: $10 per vehicle or $20 Inlet Park annual pass
Facilities: Boardwalks, observation tower, 800 ft jetty deck, restrooms, pavilions, nature trail

Pets are never allowed on the Atlantic Ocean beach here, and not on elevated boardwalks after 10am.

Official rules

South Florida and the Keys

South Florida runs on permits and time windows. Most beaches here that allow dogs allow them only in a marked zone, for a few hours a day, and several require a permit bought in person.

Watch the boundaries: dogs are legal on Sanibel and banned the moment you cross Blind Pass onto Captiva, and Key West's code defines a public beach broadly enough that only the Dog Beach by Louie's Backyard is open. Lee County is still repairing hurricane damage, and these sites have closed parking or closed access: Bowditch Point Park (Fort Myers Beach): Parking lot and beach park amenities closed to patrons from 8 Sept 2026 for Hurricane Ian restoration; pedestrian access and the LeeTran Park & Ride / beach trolley stop stay open. Dogs are not permitted here regardless. Lynn Hall Memorial Park (Fort Myers Beach): Temporarily closed from 6 April for post-Ian improvements; parking closed during construction, beach reachable only via LeeTran Park & Ride. Estero Island Beach Accesses #37-43 (Fort Myers Beach): "Closed until further notice" due to Hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton. Pets were not allowed at these accesses anyway. Bonita Beach Park (Bonita Springs): Parking lot and beach park amenities closed from 8 Sept 2026 for Ian repairs; pedestrian access diverted to Bonita Beach Access #1, or use LeeTran ULTRA On Demand. Bonita Beach Access #10 - Little Hickory Island Park (Bonita Springs): Parking lot and amenities closed from 8 Sept 2026 for Ian repairs; pedestrian beach access remains open. Bonita Beach Access #1 (Bonita Springs): Parking lot closing from 1 Nov 2026 for Ian repairs; pedestrian access remains. Bonita Beach Accesses #2-9 (Bonita Springs): Open, but Lee County advises beaches "have not been restored to pre-Hurricane Ian conditions", debris keeps washing ashore and can be hidden by sand - beach shoes advised, which matters for paws too. Caladesi Island State Park (Dunedin): Open for day use and the Honeymoon Island ferry has resumed, but Hurricane Helene dock damage limits marina slips. Pets are banned on the beach and on the ferry. Honeymoon Island sandspit (north end) (Dunedin): Not closed, but erosion has cut the northernmost mile of the sandspit off from the island; the park warns of deep water, rapidly changing depth and strong currents - do not wade or swim across. The Pet Beach at the south end is unaffected. E.G. Simmons Conservation Park beach (Ruskin): Beach temporarily closed to swimming over elevated bacteria levels, with retesting scheduled 24 Sept 2026.

Broward

Canine Beach

Fort Lauderdale · Broward

Access: Leashed, 6ft max, 6-9am and 5-7pm; max 3 dogs; permit status changed, see PERMITS
When: Year round
Parking: Paid metered lots and street parking on A1A
Facilities: Dog waste bags and beach showers; restrooms at nearby beach facilities; no fenced area

Blogs still say Fri-Sun 3-7pm with a paid permit; the city's current page lists 6-9am and 5-7pm and no fee - ring (954) 828-7275 before you drive.

Official rules

Dog Beach at Hollywood Beach

Hollywood · Broward

Access: Off-leash inside the zone, NO permit, sunrise to sunset, 7 days
When: Year round; hours may be extended when lifeguards are staffed
Parking: Street parking on Surf Rd plus nearby metered lots
Facilities: Beach and Broadwalk access; restrooms at Hollywood North Beach Park nearby; no fenced area; bring water

Nearly every guide still lists a paid permit and Friday-to-Sunday afternoon hours - the city now says free, 7 days, sunrise to sunset.

Official rules

Lee

Dog Beach Park

Bonita Springs · Lee

Access: Off-leash ("dogs may run free"); carry a leash
When: Year-round, dawn to dusk
Parking: Free on-site parking
Facilities: Portable toilets only, donated dog rinse-off shower station, waste bags and garbage cans at the entrance

It is a tidal flat - at mid to high tide you can only reach the beach by wading, so go at low tide.

Official rules

Fort Myers Beach (town beach, Estero Island)

Fort Myers Beach · Lee

Access: Leashed at all times (town ordinance)
When: Year-round, daylight
Parking: Town and private paid lots; Lee County's own beach park lots are closed for Ian repairs
Facilities: Varies by access point; waste bins at public beach accesses

Pets are banned outright in the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area and in the Lee County beach parks (Crescent Beach, Lynn Hall, Bowditch, accesses #37-43) that sit on the same sand.

Official rules

Bowman's Beach Park

Sanibel · Lee

Access: Leashed at all times, 8 ft max under Sanibel code
When: Year-round, open 24 hours
Parking: $5 per hour, enforced 24/7; Lee County annual parking pass valid
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, playground, charcoal grills, picnic pavilion, fitness stations; ~5 minute walk from the lot to the sand

Sanibel is the big exception on this coast - all its public beaches are dog friendly, but parking is charged around the clock.

Official rules

Sanibel public beaches (Lighthouse Beach Park, Gulfside City Park/Algiers, Tarpon Bay Beach)

Sanibel · Lee

Access: Leashed - a dog on a leash of 8 ft or less is not "at large" under Sanibel code sec. 10-62
When: Year-round, daylight (Lighthouse area open long hours)
Parking: Paid parking $5 per hour, enforced 24/7 at city beach lots
Facilities: Restrooms and showers at Lighthouse and Gulfside City Park; shade is limited

An off-leash dog on any Sanibel beach is a code violation, and the "Ding" Darling refuge next door does not allow dogs out of the vehicle at all.

Official rules

Causeway Beach Park

Sanibel · Lee

Access: Leashed, 8 ft max
When: Year-round, open 24 hours
Parking: $5 per hour, enforced 24/7; annual permits from Sanibel Rec Center
Facilities: Restrooms, easy drive-up sand, calm bay-side water

Smoking and vaping are banned here with fines up to $500, and parking is charged even at night.

Official rules

Causeway Islands Park (Islands A and B)

Sanibel · Lee

Access: Leashed pets welcome (on-leash dog walking)
When: Year-round, dawn to dusk
Parking: Free parking, but there is a $6 causeway toll to reach it; pull-in and parallel spaces, no RVs
Facilities: Portable restrooms, trash and recycling, shallow warm water, gas grills allowed; no shade

Free to park but you pay the causeway toll to get there, and there is no launching or retrieving of boats or kites from the park.

Official rules

Miami-Dade

South Beach Bark Beach

Miami Beach · Miami-Dade

Access: Off-leash in zone, no fee, Nov-Mar 7-9am, Apr-Oct 9-11am; limit 2 dogs
When: Year round; dogs may not dig in the sand
Parking: Metered public lot across from the site
Facilities: Restrooms by the park, water fountain on the park and beachwalk; no fenced area

Yes, South Beach finally has a dog beach - but only at 21 Street and only for a two-hour window.

Official rules

Mid Beach Bark Beach

Miami Beach · Miami-Dade

Access: Off-leash in zone, no fee, Nov-Mar 7-9am, Apr-Oct 9-11am; limit 2 dogs
When: Year round; dogs may not dig in the sand
Parking: Metered public lot across from the site
Facilities: Restrooms by the park, water fountain on the park and beachwalk; no fenced area

You must still carry a leash while your dog is loose inside the zone.

Official rules

North Beach Bark Beach

Miami Beach · Miami-Dade

Access: In-zone access, no fee, Fri-Sun only, Mar-Oct 3-7pm, Nov-Feb 1:30-5:30pm
When: Year round, weekends only
Parking: Metered public lot across from the site
Facilities: Restrooms by the park, water fountain on the park and beachwalk; next to North Beach Oceanside Park

This one is weekends only - the 80-81 Street beach is off limits to dogs Monday to Thursday.

Official rules

Haulover Beach Park dog beach

Miami · Miami-Dade

Access: Off-leash between lifeguard towers #2 and #3 only, sunrise to sunset daily
When: Year round
Parking: Paid - $7 per car Mon-Thu, $10 weekends and holidays
Facilities: Restrooms and showers in the park; the separate fenced Bark Park has shade, water fountains and waste stations

Dogs are only loose between towers #2 and #3 - leashed everywhere else, and the fenced Bark Park is a separate paid facility.

Official rules

Monroe

Sombrero Beach

Marathon · Monroe

Access: Leashed, no permit, 7am to dusk daily
When: Turtle nesting Apr-Oct: the city fences off active nests, usually under 10% of the beach
Parking: Free; no RV or bus spaces
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions, playground, shady park behind the sand

All Marathon parks are dog friendly except the Community Park soccer and baseball fields - Sombrero is the pick of them.

Official rules

Dog Beach (Vernon Street Beach)

Key West · Monroe

Access: Off-leash under adult control, no permit, beaches close 11pm-7am
When: Year round
Parking: Street parking only on Vernon Ave, very limited
Facilities: Tiny pocket beach beside Louie's Backyard; no restrooms, no shade, rocky in places; bring water

This is the ONLY beach in Key West where dogs are legal - city code bans them from every other public beach, including Higgs and Smathers.

Official rules

Anne's Beach

Islamorada · Monroe

Access: Leashed, no permit, sunrise to sunset
When: Active sea turtle nesting beach on Lower Matecumbe; no dog-specific seasonal closure published
Parking: Free paved parking, two lots
Facilities: Restroom at the NORTH lot only, ~300ft boardwalk, six pavilions, covered picnic tables; no rinse shower, no fenced area

The south lot has no restroom, and the water is shallow tidal flats rather than a swimming beach.

Official rules

Palm Beach

Jupiter Dog Beach

Jupiter · Palm Beach

Access: Off-leash under voice control, no permit, no posted hours
When: Year round; keep off the dunes in turtle season Mar 1 - Oct 31
Parking: Free at all Jupiter parks and free roadside along A1A
Facilities: Waste bag stations at the dune crossovers; no fenced area; restrooms only at the county parks at each end

Dogs are welcome on this 2.5-mile stretch of sand but NOT inside Town of Jupiter parks, so cross a dune walkover rather than cutting through a park.

Official rules

Bark Beach at Spanish River Park

Boca Raton · Palm Beach

Access: Off-leash in zone, permit required per dog, 7-9am and 3pm-sunset (5pm-sunset in DST), 7 days
When: Year round; dogs may not dig in the sand
Parking: Paid - needs a separate Boca Raton beach parking permit; limited metered parking on Spanish River Blvd
Facilities: Restrooms and showers in Spanish River Park, shade under the sea grapes; no fenced area

The dog permit does not include parking - people arrive with a valid Bark Beach permit and still cannot legally park.

Official rules

Oceanfront Bark at Oceanfront Park

Ocean Ridge (run by Boynton Beach) · Palm Beach

Access: Off-leash inside temporary fencing, free, 3rd Saturday Nov-Feb only, 9am-noon
When: Four event mornings a year - closed to dogs every other day
Parking: Free, parking fees waived for the event
Facilities: Restrooms and showers at Oceanfront Park; temporary fencing; limit 2 dogs per person

This is an event, not a dog beach - turning up on any other day with a dog is a citation.

Official rules

Where dogs are not allowed

The ones people assume they can use. Every entry here is a place we confirmed prohibits dogs - worth knowing before you park.

Navarre Beach Navarre · Santa Rosa

"No pets allowed on beach" - and none on the Navarre Beach Pier either.

Rule

Pensacola Beach (all areas outside Lots B and E) Pensacola Beach · Escambia

Dogs other than service animals are barred from every beach except the two marked dog parks.

Rule

Gulf Islands National Seashore - Fort Pickens Pensacola Beach · Escambia

Pets banned on all park beaches gulf and bay side, and in water under five feet.

Rule

Gulf Islands National Seashore - Santa Rosa Area / Opal Beach Navarre · Santa Rosa

Same federal rule: leashed pets on roads and trails only, never on the sand.

Rule

Gulf Islands National Seashore - Perdido Key Area Perdido Key · Escambia

The county dog beach is nearby but the federal seashore section allows no pets on sand.

Rule

Destin beaches (incl. Crystal Beach, Henderson) Destin · Okaloosa

County code bans animals in all county parks, beaches and recreation areas.

Rule

Okaloosa Island / Beasley Park Fort Walton Beach · Okaloosa

Same county ban - applies to residents as well as visitors, no permit exists.

Rule

Panama City Beach (all sand except Dog Beach) Panama City Beach · Bay

"We love dogs too, but not on the sandy beach" - only the pier's west side is legal.

Rule

Mexico Beach main beach and City Pier Mexico Beach · Bay

City code bars dogs from the beach and the pier (see UNSURE for a possible exempt stretch).

Rule

Unincorporated Bay County beaches Bay County · Bay

No owner shall willfully allow an animal on any beach or public park unless specifically authorized.

Rule

St. Andrews State Park Panama City Beach · Bay

Florida state park beaches are closed to pets.

Rule

Camp Helen State Park Panama City Beach · Bay

Florida state park beaches are closed to pets.

Rule

Grayton Beach State Park Santa Rosa Beach · Walton

A Walton dog tag does NOT get you onto state park sand.

Rule

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Santa Rosa Beach · Walton

Pets allowed in the campground areas but not on the beach.

Rule

Deer Lake State Park Santa Rosa Beach · Walton

Florida state park beaches are closed to pets.

Rule

Henderson Beach State Park Destin · Okaloosa

Banned twice over: state park rule plus the Okaloosa County beach ban.

Rule

Big Lagoon State Park Pensacola · Escambia

Florida state park beaches and bathing areas are closed to pets.

Rule

Perdido Key State Park Pensacola · Escambia

Different agency from the county dog beach a few miles away - no pets here.

Rule

T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Cape San Blas · Gulf

The one big hole in dog-friendly Gulf County.

Rule

William J. "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Area Cape San Blas · Gulf

State-run park on Cape San Blas Rd where pets are not welcome.

Rule

Eglin AFB beach at the Cape San Blas elbow Cape San Blas · Gulf

Military property; the county's dog-friendly rule stops at the fence.

Rule

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park St. George Island · Franklin

The rest of the island is dog-friendly - the state park at the east end is not.

Rule

Bald Point State Park Alligator Point · Franklin

Florida state park beaches are closed to pets.

Rule

Walton County beaches without a county dog tag South Walton · Walton

No tag means no dog, even leashed, even at 6am - and tag-sharing gets the permit revoked.

Rule

Fort Island Gulf Beach Crystal River · Citrus

The county says it flatly on the park's own page: "PETS are NOT permitted at the Beach" - this is the one real Gulf beach in Citrus County.

Rule

Hunter Springs Park Crystal River · Citrus

"Alcohol and dogs are not permitted in City parks" - the ban covers every City of Crystal River park, service animals excepted.

Rule

Kings Bay Park Crystal River · Citrus

Same city-wide rule; the kayak launch here is city park property, so no dogs.

Rule

Little Springs Park and Crystal River Town Square Crystal River · Citrus

Same city-wide rule - every Crystal River city park is closed to dogs.

Rule

Three Sisters Springs boardwalk and refuge Crystal River · Citrus

"Only service animals are allowed at the refuge" - and you reach it through a city park that also bans dogs.

Rule

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Homosassa · Citrus

No pets at all because of the captive wildlife; the park provides free self-service kennels at the US 19 entrance.

Rule

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Weeki Wachee · Hernando

Named in the state's own pet policy as a no-pets park; that includes Buccaneer Bay.

Rule

Alfred McKethan Pine Island Park Spring Hill · Hernando

Hernando's only Gulf beach, and county code excludes pets from all parks except designated dog parks - the old Pine Island dog-beach program is long gone.

Rule

Rogers Park Weeki Wachee · Hernando

Same county code; domestic animals are also banned outright from bathing beaches and swimming-area waters.

Rule

Bayport Park Spring Hill · Hernando

Same county code - pets excluded from all Hernando County parks.

Rule

Jenkins Creek Park Spring Hill · Hernando

Same county code - the boardwalk and fishing pier are park property, so no dogs.

Rule

Linda Pedersen Park Spring Hill · Hernando

Same county code - pets excluded despite the big waterfront picnic grounds.

Rule

Hodges Park at Keaton Beach Keaton Beach · Taylor

County code: all domestic animals including dogs are "strictly prohibited" on any recreational property, and the code's own definition names beaches.

Rule

Shired Island Park Horseshoe Beach · Dixie

County code: "it shall be unlawful for any person to allow dogs upon the premises of any park in the county" - campers get caught out by this one.

Rule

Sunwest Park Hudson · Pasco

One of only three Pasco parks on the county's explicit no-dogs list.

Rule

Pasco Palms Preserve Holiday · Pasco

Also on Pasco's explicit no-dogs list, despite being a coastal preserve with trails.

Rule

Anclote Key Preserve State Park Tarpon Springs (offshore) · Pasco and Pinellas

Boaters bring dogs anyway, but state park rules bar pets from beaches and this island is essentially all beach.

Rule

Sunset Beach Tarpon Springs · Pinellas

City code makes it unlawful to bring any animal into any city park unless the Commission has designated it by resolution - Sunset Beach is not designated.

Rule

Fred Howard Park (Howard Park) Tarpon Springs · Pinellas

Leashed dogs are fine in the mainland park, but county rules bar pets from beaches, boardwalks and piers, so the causeway beach is off limits.

Rule

Fort Clinch State Park beach Fernandina Beach · Nassau

Pets are allowed in the park but state policy bars them from beaches, boardwalks and bathing areas; $6 per vehicle.

Rule

Amelia Island State Park beach Amelia Island (south end) · Nassau

State park policy bars pets from beaches; the park's own amenity list does not include pets. Horses are allowed on this beach, dogs are not.

Rule

Huguenot Memorial Park Jacksonville (Mayport) · Duval

Day-use visitors may not bring dogs into the park at all; campers' dogs are banned from every shoreline, in or out of a vehicle.

Rule

Little Talbot Island State Park beach Jacksonville · Duval

Pets allowed elsewhere in the park, not on the beach or boardwalks, per statewide state park policy.

Rule

Big Talbot Island State Park beach (incl. Boneyard Beach) Jacksonville · Duval

Same statewide state park rule: no pets on beaches or boardwalks.

Rule

Anastasia State Park beach St. Augustine · St. Johns

Pets are welcome in the campground and park roads but prohibited on the beach, boardwalks and bathing areas; $8 per vehicle.

Rule

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park beach Palm Coast · Flagler

The coquina-rock Atlantic beach across A1A is a state park beach, so no pets; $5 per vehicle.

Rule

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area beach Flagler Beach · Flagler

Pets listed as a park amenity, but the statewide policy still bars them from the beach; $5 per vehicle.

Rule

Flagler Beach between N 10th St and S 10th St Flagler Beach · Flagler

City code makes it unlawful to bring a dog onto the Atlantic Ocean beach from North Tenth Street to South Tenth Street - the pier and lifeguarded core. Service/guide dogs excepted.

Rule

North Peninsula State Park beach Ormond Beach · Volusia

State park beach, so no pets on the sand under the statewide policy.

Rule

Canaveral National Seashore - Apollo Beach New Smyrna Beach · Volusia

Pets are not allowed on the beach or the boardwalks; they are welcome on the lagoon side (Turtle Mound, Eldora, Eddy Creek) on a 6 ft leash.

Rule

All other Volusia County beaches (Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet ocean beach, New Smyrna ocean beach, Bethune Beach, Wilbur-by-the-Sea, Daytona outside the dog stretch) various · Volusia

County rule is a blanket ban: pets are not allowed on Volusia County beaches except service animals, and dogs only in the four designated areas.

Rule

Smyrna Dunes Park - Atlantic Ocean beach New Smyrna Beach · Volusia

Dogs are legal on the inlet/river shore of this park but never on its ocean-facing beach.

Rule

Lighthouse Point Park - Atlantic Ocean beach Ponce Inlet · Volusia

Same split: inlet shore yes, Atlantic Ocean beach never.

Rule

Clearwater Beach (public bathing beach) Clearwater · Pinellas

City code sec. 8.35 makes it unlawful for any dog, cat or domestic animal to be on any public bathing beach, and sec. 22.40(5) excludes all pets from public beaches and the swimming areas abutting them.

Rule

All Pinellas County park beaches except Fort De Soto (Sand Key Park, Fred Howard Park, Howard Park) Clearwater / Tarpon Springs · Pinellas

Fort De Soto is "the only Pinellas County park where dogs are allowed on the beach in a designated area" - Sand Key has a fenced dog park but the beach itself is off limits.

Rule

Treasure Island beach Treasure Island · Pinellas

Sec. 6-40 bans dogs and other animals anywhere on the public beach; the only exception is the paved City Beach Trail between 119th Avenue and its terminus south of Gulf Front Park.

Rule

Madeira Beach Madeira Beach · Pinellas

Sec. 10-5 bans any dog or animal on any public beach in the city "whether running at large, on a leash, or being carried" - carrying the dog is not a loophole.

Rule

St. Pete Beach Gulf beaches (including Pass-a-Grille Gulf side and Upham Beach) St. Pete Beach · Pinellas

Dogs are prohibited on any sand beach or beach access except the one bayside strip at the end of Pass-a-Grille Way.

Rule

Caladesi Island State Park Dunedin · Pinellas

"Pets are not allowed on the beach at any time" and pets are not allowed on the ferry from Honeymoon Island, so there is no practical way to bring a dog.

Rule

Tampa city beaches (Ben T. Davis Beach, Cypress Point Park) Tampa · Hillsborough

"Dogs are not permitted on city beaches unless it is a designated Dog Beach or service animal" - only Davis Islands and Picnic Island are designated.

Rule

Manatee Public Beach Holmes Beach (Anna Maria Island) · Manatee

The county's own beach page states flatly "Pets are prohibited."

Rule

Coquina Beach Bradenton Beach (Anna Maria Island) · Manatee

"Pets are prohibited" on this county beach, including the picnic and trolley-stop areas.

Rule

Siesta Key Beach Siesta Key · Sarasota

Sarasota County allows dogs only in designated parks and areas; Brohard Paw Park in Venice is the only beach area in the county where dogs are allowed.

Rule

Lido Beach, Turtle Beach, Nokomis Beach, Venice Beach, Manasota Beach, North Jetty Sarasota / Venice / Nokomis / Englewood · Sarasota

Same county rule - Brohard Paw Park is the single exception, and South Brohard Park immediately to the south is beach access "for humans only".

Rule

Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park Englewood · Charlotte

"Dogs are not permitted on beaches or fishing piers per County Ordinance" (Ord. 98-070, 2000-033, 2012-023).

Rule

Port Charlotte Beach Park Port Charlotte · Charlotte

Same county ordinance - no dogs on the beach or the fishing pier, even though the park itself has other amenities.

Rule

Stump Pass Beach State Park Englewood · Charlotte

"Pets are not allowed on beaches."

Rule

Don Pedro Island State Park Cape Haze · Charlotte

"Pets are allowed in the park but not on the beaches."

Rule

Lovers Key State Park Fort Myers Beach · Lee

Statewide rule applies: "Pets are not permitted on beaches, boardwalks or playgrounds" - and the park's own amenity list has no Pets entry at all.

Rule

Bonita Beach Park Bonita Springs · Lee

"No pets allowed." Also closed for Hurricane Ian reconstruction - see CLOSED section.

Rule

Bonita Beach Access #1 Bonita Springs · Lee

"No pets allowed" - and this is the pedestrian detour access being used while Bonita Beach Park is rebuilt.

Rule

Crescent Beach Family Park Fort Myers Beach · Lee

"Pets are not allowed at this park" - it reopened 29 July 2026 but the pet ban stands.

Rule

San Carlos Bay - Bunche Beach Preserve Fort Myers · Lee

"Pets are not allowed" at this 718-acre tidal wetland preserve.

Rule

Captiva beaches (Alison Hagerup Beach Park, Andy Rosse Lane Park) Captiva · Lee

"Dogs are not allowed on Captiva beaches" - the rule flips the moment you cross Blind Pass from Sanibel.

Rule

Turner Beach Captiva · Lee

"Since this beach is part of Captiva, Turner Beach does not allow dogs" - despite the Sanibel mailing address.

Rule

Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area Fort Myers Beach · Lee

"PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TIME IN THE CRITICAL WILDLIFE AREA" - leashed or not, covering the wetlands and beach south from the Holiday Inn to Mulholland Point.

Rule

Gasparilla Island State Park (Boca Grande) Boca Grande · Lee

"Pets are allowed in the park, but they are not allowed on the beaches or in the Boca Grande Lighthouse."

Rule

Cayo Costa State Park Boca Grande (boat access) · Lee

"Pets are allowed in this park but not on the beaches or in the cabin area."

Rule

Naples city beaches (Naples Municipal Beach, Lowdermilk Park, Naples Pier) Naples · Collier

City code ch. 28: "Animals are not allowed on any city beach or in any playground."

Rule

Collier County beach parks (Vanderbilt Beach, Clam Pass, Barefoot Beach, Tigertail Beach, South Marco Beach, Bluebill, North Gulfshore) Naples / Bonita Springs / Marco Island · Collier

County code bans animals "upon the beaches of the county, whether fettered or unfettered, unless the area has been designated by the board" - no Collier beach is so designated.

Rule

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park Naples · Collier

"Pets are allowed throughout the paved areas of the park, but they are NOT permitted on the beach."

Rule

Cape Canaveral city beaches Cape Canaveral · Brevard

"no animals of any kind are allowed on beaches within the City of Cape Canaveral" apart from working service dogs; the fine is $35.

Rule

Satellite Beach city beaches Satellite Beach · Brevard

"Pets are NOT allowed on beaches within Satellite Beach" - covers Pelican Beach Park, Hightower Beach Park, Crotty Park, Shell Street Beach and all 17 crossovers.

Rule

Canaveral National Seashore beach and boardwalks Titusville / New Smyrna · Brevard

Pets are not allowed on the beach or boardwalks; leashed pets are welcome on the lagoon side, trails and multi-use paths.

Rule

All other Brevard County beaches countywide · Brevard

County Code Sec. 14-60 closes every public beach to animals unless an area is specifically designated and posted - only Canova and the Cocoa Beach stretch qualify.

Rule

Sebastian Inlet State Park beach Melbourne Beach / Sebastian · Brevard / Indian River

State park rule - pets are barred from beaches, boardwalks, bathing areas and park buildings; allowed in the campground on a 6ft leash.

Rule

North Beach, Pepper Park to the North Jetty Fort Pierce · St. Lucie

"Dogs are prohibited from and are not allowed on North Beach from the dune line to the water between Pepper Park and the North Jetty."

Rule

Blind Creek Beachside North and South Fort Pierce · St. Lucie

County beach page states "No pets, alcohol, fires, or amplified music."

Rule

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park beach Fort Pierce · St. Lucie

State park rule - pets not permitted on beaches or in bathing areas.

Rule

Avalon State Park beach North Hutchinson Island · St. Lucie

State park rule - pets not permitted on beaches or in bathing areas.

Rule

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park beach and boardwalk Port Salerno · Martin

State park rule - pets barred from both the beach and the boardwalk.

Rule

Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound NWR Atlantic beach Hobe Sound · Martin

Prohibited: "Pets of any kind at the Atlantic Coast Beach." Leashed dogs are allowed on the Visitor Center trails only.

Rule

All Palm Beach County operated beaches countywide · Palm Beach

"Dogs are not allowed on county-operated beaches, with the exception of service dogs as defined by the ADA."

Rule

Delray Municipal Beach Delray Beach · Palm Beach

Dogs banned on the sand and in all city parks; only the A1A sidewalk and the grass west of the dune are legal, and the city writes citations.

Rule

Town of Palm Beach beaches Palm Beach · Palm Beach

Sec. 74-191 bars animals from Phipps Park beach, the beaches from Royal Palm Way south to Gulfstream Rd, Clarke Ave from Barton to Seaspray, and Sunset Ave to Wells Rd.

Rule

Juno Beach Park Juno Beach · Palm Beach

Town code bars animals other than guide or service animals from any park, and "park" is defined to include the beach.

Rule

Town of Jupiter parks Jupiter · Palm Beach

Dogs are fine on the Jupiter dog beach but "No animals permitted" inside Town of Jupiter parks themselves.

Rule

Lake Worth Beach Lake Worth Beach · Palm Beach

No pets on the beach or in the Casino building at any time, service animals excepted.

Rule

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park North Palm Beach · Palm Beach

State park rule - pets not permitted on beaches, boardwalks, playgrounds or in bathing areas.

Rule

Fort Lauderdale Beach outside Canine Beach Fort Lauderdale · Broward

"Dogs and pets are prohibited on the sandy portion of the beach; except for service animals and the area that is designated as Canine Beach."

Rule

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park beach Dania Beach · Broward

The park welcomes leashed dogs on roads, trails and picnic areas but "Pets are not allowed on beaches or along the natural shoreline of any waterway" - $6 per vehicle, 8am to sunset.

Rule

Deerfield Beach Deerfield Beach · Broward

The city's beach Safety and Rules page states flatly "No animals are allowed."

Rule

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Lauderdale-by-the-Sea · Broward

Listed among the town's most common code violations: "Dogs are not allowed on the beach."

Rule

Hallandale Beach Hallandale Beach · Broward

"animals are not permitted in public parks or beaches except for the off-leash dog areas at Joseph Scavo and Golden Isles Parks" - both of which are inland, not beach.

Rule

Pompano Beach Pompano Beach · Broward

City Code Sec. 90.06 bars animals from the public beach AND the beach parking lot, the east side of Pompano Beach Blvd and every public beach access right-of-way, so you can be cited before you reach the sand.

Rule

Hillsboro Beach Hillsboro Beach · Broward

There is no public dog beach - "Dogs are restricted to the private portion of the beach based on the policies of each building/property owner," so access depends on being a resident or guest.

Rule

Miami Beach city beaches outside the three Bark Beaches Miami Beach · Miami-Dade

"Dogs are prohibited from city beaches except the designated Bark Beach."

Rule

Crandon Park Key Biscayne · Miami-Dade

"Pets are prohibited with the exception of service animals." Parking $7 plus tax Mon-Thu, $10 plus tax Fri-Sun.

Rule

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park beach Key Biscayne · Miami-Dade

"Pets are not allowed on the beach, wetlands, playground, youth camp, lighthouse..." - leashed dogs are fine elsewhere in the park.

Rule

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Miami · Miami-Dade

"No pets are allowed in the park, with the exception of Service Animals."

Rule

Sunny Isles Beach Sunny Isles Beach · Miami-Dade

The city's Beach Rules and Regulations list "Domestic Animals (with the exception of service animals)" among items prohibited on the beach under City Ordinance Chapter 201.

Rule

Matheson Hammock Park Coral Gables · Miami-Dade

Blanket ban covering the atoll pool, beach and grounds: "Pets are not allowed in Matheson."

Rule

All other Miami-Dade County parks and beaches countywide · Miami-Dade

Parks Rule 11(a) excludes dogs from parks except in "those areas specifically designated for dogs," and County Code Sec. 5-20 bars dogs from public parks and beaches unless specifically authorised.

Rule

Bahia Honda State Park beaches Big Pine Key · Monroe

Pets are barred from the beaches, boardwalks and bathing areas; pet access anywhere in the park is very limited.

Rule

All Key West public beaches except Dog Beach Key West · Monroe

City Code Sec. 26-66 bans animals from every public beach - and Sec. 26-61 defines "public beach" to include city, county, state AND federal sand - with Vernon Street Beach the sole exception.

Rule

Higgs Beach sand Key West · Monroe

Dogs are banned from the sand under Sec. 26-66; the fenced Higgs Beach Dog Park in the same county park, with separate small and large runs, is the only legal option there.

Rule

Smathers Beach Key West · Monroe

Key West's biggest beach, and dogs are banned under Sec. 26-66; parking is $5/hr with no overnight parking.

Rule

Rest Beach / C.B. Harvey Rest Beach Park Key West · Monroe

Dogs banned under Sec. 26-66.

Rule

South Beach (end of Duval St) Key West · Monroe

Dogs banned under Sec. 26-66.

Rule

Simonton Street Beach Key West · Monroe

Dogs banned under Sec. 26-66.

Rule

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park beach Key West · Monroe

Banned twice over - the state pet policy and Key West Sec. 26-66; leashed dogs are fine in the day-use areas. Admission $6 per vehicle.

Rule

Founders Park beach Islamorada · Monroe

"No dogs allowed on the Beach, Playground or Picnic Areas, Soccer Fields, or Pool Area" - leashed dogs are fine elsewhere in the park, including the breakwater.

Rule

Library Beach Park Islamorada · Monroe

"No dogs permitted." MM 81.5 bayside.

Rule

Southwinds Park and Plantation Hammock Preserve Islamorada · Monroe

Both listed as "No dogs permitted."

Rule

Harry Harris Park beach Tavernier · Monroe

The county tags the park "Leashed Pets Allowed (Excluding Beach Area)" - dogs are fine in the park but not on the sand; non-residents pay $15 per vehicle.

Rule

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park beaches Key Largo · Monroe

Cannon Beach and Far Beach fall under the state pet policy barring pets from beaches and bathing areas.

Rule

Curry Hammock State Park beach Marathon · Monroe

"Pets are not allowed on the beach, in the water or in the bathhouses."

Rule

Long Key State Park beach and shoreline Long Key · Monroe

"Pets are not allowed on beaches, along the natural shoreline, in picnic shelters or in the restrooms."

Rule

Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park Islamorada · Monroe

Named in the statewide pet policy as a park where pets are not allowed at all.

Rule

Boca Chita Key, Biscayne National Park Homestead · Miami-Dade

Pets are prohibited on Boca Chita Key "including on boats docked in the harbor"; leashed pets are allowed only at Convoy Point grounds and on Elliott Key.

Rule

Butler-Douglas Memorial Park (Horseshoe Beach Park) Horseshoe Beach · Dixie

The trap on this coast: the town allows leashed dogs on its streets and shoreline, but the waterfront park at the end of 8th Avenue is a Dixie County park, where dogs are banned outright - and it is the county's main camping park.

Rule

Gornto Springs and Hinton Landing Old Town · Dixie

Both are Dixie County parks on the Suwannee, so the county ban on dogs in any park applies, sandy bank or not.

Rule

All other Taylor County parks and beaches various · Taylor

The county bans domestic animals on any recreational property, and its own definition of that term names beaches, walkways and trails. Hampton Springs Park, inland, is the one exception.

Rule

Henry Beck Park Gulf Hammock · Levy

County spring park: "No Pets Allowed." It is also closed Tuesday to Thursday and runs roughly April to September only.

Rule

Blue Springs Bronson · Levy

County spring park: "No Pets Allowed," and open roughly April to September only.

Rule

Every beach on this page was checked against an official source in September 2026. How we check

Rules here are set by cities, counties, park districts and the state, and they change - sometimes for turtle nesting season, sometimes overnight. Each entry links to the rule we read. Check it before you drive.

Rule changed, or we missed one? Report a correction