15+ Dog-Friendly Beaches & Parks in Florida

Last Updated on February 15, 2024

There are so many dog-friendly beaches and parks in Florida. Taking your furry friend to a dog park is a great way to spend a few hours or a day.

Since we are big fans of our furry family members, we have put together a list of some of our favorite Authentic Florida dog-friendly beaches and parks.

When you visit dog-friendly beaches and parks, remember to follow any rules and regulations the park may have.

Keep your dog on a leash when necessary, and always remember to pick up after your furry friend. It is also recommended that you keep your dog up-to-date with important vaccinations.

Remember to pack a water dish and water to make sure your dog stays hydrated on hot Florida days.

Algiers Beach/Gulfside Beach – Sanibel, FL

Algiers Beach is a great, dog-friendly beach in Southwest Florida. The city-owned park is located off Casa Ybel Road on Sanibel Island.

This beach is known as Algiers Beach to the locals and Gulfside Beach to everyone else.

It’s cost-effective and memorable to pack a picnic dinner and bring your furry companion to watch the remarkable sunset.

Dogs must be leashed at Gulfside Park.

There is a parking fee of $5.00 per hour between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm. However, the beach is free after 7 pm.

For more information, visit the official City of Sanibel website.

Algiers Beach Address: 2001 Algiers Ln, Sanibel, FL 33957

If you are looking for other things to do in the area, check out: Sanibel Island Ultimate Trip Guide – Updated 2023.

Fort De Soto Paw Playground & Beach – St. Petersburg, FL

Trip Advisor, Dr. Beach, and many others have named Fort De Soto Park (which Fort De Soto Paw Playground is a part of) “America’s #1 Beach” multiple times.

This international recognition has made Fort De Soto Park a very popular destination, especially for camping.

For your dog’s safety, they have two fenced-in areas designed for big and small dogs.

Once inside the fenced-in portion, dogs are allowed to be unleashed. Otherwise, they must remain on a six-foot leash.

This is the only area dogs are allowed, with the exception of the dog beach area.

Park in the Bay Pier parking lot. Drinking water and water hoses for cooling off and cleaning up your dog are available.

For more information, visit the official Fort De Soto Park website.

Fort De Soto Paw Playground Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL, US, 33715

Looking for other ideas for fun things to do in this area, check out: A Getaway to Culturally Savvy St. Pete

Hobie Island Beach Park – Key Biscayne, FL

You can see the Miami skyline across Biscayne Bay at Hobie Island Beach Park.

Dogs of all sizes are welcome. In fact, they have two separate fenced-in areas for small dogs (less than 35lbs) and large dogs (more than 35 pounds).

They also have lots of trash bins. The park is known for its cleanliness. The regulars take great pride in keeping it that way.

The parking fee is only $2 a day. Parking is ample, and there is usually a vendor or two nearby offering hot dogs and other snacks. 

For more information, visit the official Village of Key Biscayne website.

Hobie Island Beach Park Address: Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL 33149

If you want to plan a Miami getaway, check out: Adventures in Awesome, Authentic Miami

Panama City Beach – Panama City, FL

Panama City Beach is located in the Florida Panhandle, a slice of Paradise known for its crystal clear waters, and sugar-white sands.

The dog-friendly beach requires leashes while roaming 400 feet of white sand. This is an ideal spot to soak up the sun and get sand caught in between your toes (or paws).

Once done playing, stop by one of the pet-friendly restaurants in the park!

For more information, visit the official City of Panama City Beach website.

Panama City Beach Address: 17001 Panama City Beach Pkwy., Panama City Beach, FL 32413

Davis Islands Dog Park & Beach – Tampa, FL

Davis Islands Dog Park allows dogs on the beach, plus they have their very secluded dryland park. There’s a no-leash policy, so you can let your dog(s) run free.

They have water fountains for you and your dog and a wash station for dogs when it’s time to leave.

With new roadways and landscaping, this is a dog-friendly beach you do not want to miss. It’s small compared to some of the other dog parks. It’s also very well-maintained.

Seating is limited, so consider bringing a beach chair.

For more information, visit the official Visit Tampa Bay website.

Davis Islands Dog Park Address: 900 Martinique Ave, Tampa, FL 33606

Brohard Paw Park – Venice, FL

Brohard Paw Park is the only dog-friendly beach in Sarasota County, so it’s a very popular spot to visit. In fact, it’s one of the most popular leashless dog parks in Florida.

We highly recommend getting there as early as possible. This is especially important on weekends.

It’s an excellent spot to bring your dogs to socialize and have endless fun. There are always hundreds of dogs running around.

The park offers drinking fountains, showering facilities for dogs only, and picnic tables to enjoy during your visit.

Brohard Paw Park opens at 7 am and closes at dusk. Parking is free.

For more information, visit the official Visit Sarasota website.

Brohard Paw Park Address: 1850 Harbor Dr. S, Venice, FL 34285

Want to plan a getaway to Sarasota County? Check out: Ten Awesome Things To Do in Sarasota

Salinas Park Gulfside – Port Saint Joe, FL

Salinas Park Gulfside is located on St. Joseph Peninsula, a narrow stretch of land extending from Port Saint Joe and curving around St. Joseph Bay. The Cape has some of the most stunning sunset views in all of Florida.

This area is known as “The Forgotten Coast.” Many people want to keep it that way since it still has that wonderful Old Florida feel.

As long as you keep your dog away from the State Park land, the rest is theirs to roam.

For more information, visit the official Visit Gulf County Florida website.

Salinas Park Gulfside Address: 280 Cape San Blas Rd., Port Saint Joe, FL 32456

Looking for other areas of this part of the state to explore? Check out our Getaway to Authentic Apalachicola

Ocean Cay Park – Jupiter, FL

Ocean Cay Park is a location in the hit film “Marley and Me.” Remember the scene where Marley loses the leash and breaks the rules?

There are plenty of activities to do while bringing your dog to this county park. Volleyball, picnicking under the pavilions, and fishing are just a few. 

It’s a great area with convenient street parking just feet from the ocean. Remember to keep your dog on a leash at all times.

For more information, visit the official Palm Beach County website.

Ocean Cay Park Address: 2188 Marcinski Rd., Jupiter, FL 33477

For more ideas on things to do, check out A Weekend Escape to Stuart, An Authentic Treasure on the East Coast

Paws Dog Park – St. Augustine, FL

Not every dog likes to splash around, so Paws Dog Park has an area to splash around along with an area to simply frolic.

There’s a designated area for large and small dogs. The park also has water fountains, benches, and a convenient Dog Wash area.

Paws Dog Park highly recommends every dog has up-to-date shots to prevent any problems that may arise.

For more information, visit the official St. Johns County website.

Paws Dog Park Address: 1595 Wildwood Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32086

For more ideas on things to do in St. Augustine, check out: Step Back in Time in Charming St. Augustine

Bonita Beach Dog Beach – Bonita Springs, FL

Known as Dog Beach Park, this is an awesome dog-friendly beach with many loyal regulars. It’s also a prime spot for dolphin sightings.

A doggie poop bag dispenser, trash cans, and a dog rinse-off station are located near the beach path.

It’s a good idea to visit during low tide. The water rises significantly when it rains and leaves almost no dry land to sit on.

Parking is free. It’s important to note that the park does not have any fences to keep your dog within park limits.

For more information, visit the official Lee County website.

Bonita Beach Dog Park Address: 8800 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

Smyrna Dunes Park – New Smyrna Beach, FL

Smyrna Dunes is located on the northern tip of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula. The park consists of five ecosystems (ocean, river, dunes, scrub zone, saltwater marsh.)

Two miles of elevated walkways, picnic areas, pavilions, and an observation tower protect the sensitive sand dunes from foot traffic.

Dogs are more than welcome as long as they remain on a leash at all times.

This park is a public county park with a parking fee of $10 per vehicle per day.

For more information, visit the official Volusia County website.

Smyrna Dunes Park Address: 2995 N Peninsula Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169

Canova Beach Park – Indian Harbour Beach, FL

Canova Beach Park is found on Florida’s Space Coast. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash and wearing tags that show their current license and vaccinations.

There is no cost to use this beach. However, dog owners must pick up after their pets.

For more information, visit the official Brevard County website.

Canova Beach Park Address: 3299 N Hwy A1A, Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32903

While in the area, check out 12 Reasons to Visit the Florida Space Coast

E. Lorraine Gott Dog Park – Satellite Beach, FL

E. Lorraine Gott Dog Park is a 1 1/2 acre fenced-in dog park, designed for the dogs to play unleashed. The area is double-gated and has plenty of drinking water options available.

New visitors must bring their dog’s shot records. Dogs must have a rabies and a county tag on their collar. You must also fill out a registration form and waiver at your first visit.

Entry is $3 for up to 2 people and/or up to 3 dogs. It is $4.50, if you exceed two people or 3 dogs.

The park is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 11:00 am and 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm.

For more information, visit the official City of Satellite Beach website.

E. Lorraine Gott Dog Park Address: 750 Jamaica Blvd., Satellite Beach, FL 32937

Haulover Beach Park – Miami, FL

Haulover Beach Dog Park is near the Haulover Beach in Miami-Dade County. The dog park features a park for small dogs and a separate area for larger dogs, over 35 pounds.

Guests can also take dogs to the designated beach area between lifeguard towers 2 and 3 for off-leash fun during specified times.

For more information, visit the official Miami-Date County website.

Haulover Beach Park Address: 10800 Collins Ave, Miami, FL 33154

Vilano Dog Beach – St. Augustine, FL

Vilano Beach is a beach just north of the historic St. Augustine district in St. Johns County. Dogs are welcome to visit the beach as long as they stay on a leash and their owners clean up after them.

There is no fee for bringing dogs to this beach.

For more information, visit the official Florida Historic Coast website.

Vilano Dog Beach Address: 2725 Anahma Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084

While in the area, Step Back in Time in Charming St. Augustine

More Florida Dog Beaches & Parks

• Bowman’s Beach – Sanibel, FL – 1700 Bowmans Bach Rd, Sanibel, FL, US, 33957
• Frank B. Butler County Park – 5860 A1A S, St. Augustine, FL, US, 32080
• Walton Rocks Dog Beach – 6700 S Ocean Dr, Jensen Beach, FL, US, 34957

• Performance Pups Freshwater Dog Beach – 580 Gulfstream Way, Dania Beach, FL, US, 33004
• Lee County Dog Beach – 8800 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL, US, 33931
• Crescent Beach – 6930 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL, US, 32080

• Peanut Island – 200 E 13th St, Riviera Beach, FL, US, 33403
• Stuart Beach – 889 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL, US, 34996
• Lighthouse Point Park – 5000 S Atlantic Ave, Ponce Inlet, FL, US, 32127

• Rowell’s Waterfront Park – 104550 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL, US, 33037
• River to Sea Preserve – 9805 N Oceanshore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL, US, 32137
• Atsena Otie Key – 302 Dock St, Cedar Key, FL, US, 32625
• Matanzas Inlet Bridge – 8805 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL, US, 32080
• Fort Matanzas National Monument – 8635 A1A S, St. Augustine, FL, US, 32080

If you enjoyed this article on dog-friendly beaches and parks in Florida, check out a few other articles we recommend:

• These 11 Cat Cafes in Florida are “Purr-Fect”!
• Top 10 Best Beaches in Southwest Florida
• 7 Top Things to Do in New Smyrna Beach
• 11 Best Places to Eat in New Smyrna Beach
• The Islands of Marathon in the Heart of the Florida Keys