Smyrna Dunes Park: Dog-friendly Florida beach review
Smyrna Dunes Park: Dog-friendly Florida beach review
From the perspective of a reactive dog owner
My dog’s very first beach experience was at Smyrna Dunes Park in Volusia County, Florida. We stumbled upon it shortly after moving to the Sunshine State while looking for places we could take our blue heeler to learn to swim — and I’m so happy we did!
Here’s our complete review of what it’s like to visit Smyrna Dunes Park’s dog-friendly beach with a dog in tow.
Smyrna Dunes Park at a glance
We love Smyrna Dunes Park! We’ve thoroughly enjoyed every time we brought Scout. It is not ideal for highly reactive or nervous dogs, but it’s completely doable even if your dog doesn’t want to meet strangers.
Our favorite things about Smyrna Dunes Park:
Pets are allowed on the beach at all times of day
It’s spacious, with plenty of room to sniff and romp
The entire park is absolutely gorgeous and extremely well-kept
There is a complete dog rinsing station and restroom facilities
The dog-friendly beach is on the inlet side, which means the water is calm enough to properly swim
Our least favorite things:
It does cost $10 to enter the park (but you can get an annual pass for $20)
Some owners violate leash laws and allow their dogs to run freely
At high tide, parts of the beach become extremely narrow
If you go, make sure you bring:
A waterproof collar (or one you don’t mind getting dirty)
A sturdy leash
A towel or two
Drinking water
Waste disposal bags
Food or a toy to play and reward good behavior!
Pet corrector, citronella spray, pepper gel, or another deterrent for off-leash dogs
The least busy times are:
Weekdays, particularly early to mid-morning
Weekend early mornings
Late evenings
The details of Smyrna Dunes dog-friendly beach
Where are dogs allowed? On the inlet shore beach (not on the Atlantic oceanside) and on the elevated boardwalk at certain times of day.
When are dogs allowed? On the beach at all times the park is open from 6 am to 7:30 pm! On the boardwalk until 10 am and again after sunset.
What restrictions are there for dogs? Dogs must be leashed at all times and can not walk on the dunes or disturb wildlife. Owners must clean up after their dogs.
More information, including any timely updates, can be found on Volusia County’s website!
Getting to Smyrna Dunes
Smyrna Dunes Park is in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. It’s between Daytona Beach and the Canaveral National Seashore, a little less than an hour’s drive from Cocoa Beach and a little more than an hour from Orlando.
Once you arrive at the park
When you get to the park, a staff member will take your one-time payment or scan your annual pass at the entrance. They’ll also:
Be able to provide a map of the park
Answer any questions you have off the bat
Remind you to keep your dog leashed
Provide extra waste disposal bags if you need them
If you arrive right as the park is opening on a weekend, there might be a line of cars in front of the gate. It usually moves quickly!
Once you’re in, you can park your car almost anywhere. There are several places to pull off into the grass alongside the boardwalk. You can also follow the entrance road to the end, where there is a larger parking lot complete with a rinsing station and restroom facilities.
Note that the rinsing area and main parking lot is often crowded with people and dogs. If your dog needs space, it’s a good idea to scan the area before opening the car door so you don’t get surprised!
Enjoy views from the boardwalk
If you arrive before 10 am, you and your dog can enjoy some breathtaking views from the elevated boardwalk! It’s over two miles long in total and is particularly gorgeous at sunrise.
There are several walkways off of the boardwalk that take you down to the beach — just be sure to read the signs about which parts are dog-friendly so you don’t accidentally end up on the wrong side.
Some things to note about the boardwalk:
It’s about eight feet wide, which can be too narrow for some space-sensitive dogs
We recommend putting your dog in a heel to be respectful while passing others
It gets hot quickly — check it with your hand to make sure your dog’s paws will be okay!
Dogs are only allowed before 10 am and then again an hour before sunset
One of my favorite things is how far ahead you can see. There are no blind corners or sharp turns — you’ll be able to know well in advance if you’ll have to pass another person or dog! This gives you plenty of time to put your dog in a command and set everyone up for success.
Take a beautiful sandy trail
If you arrive after 10 am or just don’t want to pass anyone in close quarters, there is a sandy trail that will take you directly from the parking lot to the dog-friendly area of the beach!
At the trails narrowest point, you should still have at least about 15 feet of space to pass other people and dogs if you pull off to the side.
Note that the sand gets hot just as quickly as the boardwalk does. Some type of paw wax protection is a great idea for your dog, and you won’t want to be caught without shoes of your own!
Splash around in the water
Once you make it to the beach, you’ll have plenty of space to walk, sniff, and play. You can set up camp for a few hours or merely meander along the shore.
Since dogs are only allowed on the inlet side of the park, there aren’t large ocean waves like on many other Florida beaches. This makes it an ideal place to actually swim!
At high tide, certain sections of the beach do become quite narrow. It’s best to check out the tide chart before you go, or at least be prepared to pass other people and dogs in close proximity.
Remember: leashes are required!
Dogs are required to be leashed at all times while in Smyrna Dunes Park — including while they’re in the water. Here’s why:
Loose dogs could erode the dunes
Wildlife (particularly turtles) makes its home in the park
Leash laws enable guests who might be afraid of dogs to still enjoy their experience
Certain parts of the inlet have strong currents, and a leash can keep your dog safe
Off-leash dogs could consume leftover trash from other patrons
Check out this article for some more information about why leash laws matter!
With that said, there is no length limit — so feel free to bring your retractable lead or a long line along! Just make sure you have full control over your dog so they don’t approach anyone uninvited or get into mischief.
Thankfully, most owners have respected the leash laws on our trips to Smyrna Dunes. We’ve only seen a handful of off-leash dogs there.
All but one have been engaged with their owners, generally just dragging their leash along the shore. In these cases, calling ahead to ask them to pick up the leash before you pass works wonders!
We did once see an off-leash dog charge up to several people while ignoring its owner’s recall. It was a pretty scary situation — we’re personally prepared to body block or use pepper gel in order to keep other dogs from getting into Scout’s space.
There are plenty of signs around the dog-friendly beach reminding visitors of the leash rules. If you have any questions, look for a staff member — they’ll back you up! Park personnel aren’t shy about asking owners to leash their dogs (and actually hold onto the leash).
All in all: a great way to start the morning
All in all, Smyrna Dunes Park is one of our favorite places to take Scout for a beach day. We particularly enjoy going early in the morning when the crowds are minimal and the sunrise paints the sky.
The park is well-maintained and has always been pristine on our trips. It’s worth the entrance fee — as long as you’re prepared to pass other people and defend yourself from off-leash dogs if needed, you’ll have an excellent time!