New Smyrna Beach, Florida is a beautiful-yet-touristy city alongside the state’s gorgeous Atlantic coast. The city is known for its surf culture and its proximity to Cape Canaveral, so there’s plenty to do in New Smyrna Beach, no matter your lifestyle!
If you’re bringing your dog to New Smyrna Beach, you’ll want to check out the dog-accessible areas. New Smyrna Dog Beach is one of the most popular oceanfront play places for pups.
Let’s take a closer look at this attraction and what locals have to say about it.
Before you scroll down this New Smyrna Dog Beach guide, check out: Is Daytona Beach Dog Friendly? (2023)
New Smyrna Dog Beach: The Basics
New Smyrna Dog Beach is a small inlet inside a much larger park. Smyrna Dunes Park covers 184 acres of land, and the park features a boardwalk, fishing piers, and, perhaps most importantly, restrooms! Picnic pavilions are available but may not be reserved, so arrive at the park early if you want a shaded spot.
To access the beach, you’ll need to park in one of the New Smyrna Beach lots. Parking is $10 per vehicle, or you can apply for a season pass for $20. Parking is free with a disabled veteran or a disability tag on your vehicle, and military and first responder discounts are available.
Before you bring your dog to New Smyrna Dog Beach, familiarize yourself with the entirety of the beach. The inlet offers space for leashed dogs to run and play, but pups aren’t allowed on the Atlantic Ocean beach at any time.
Dog owners, of course, are required to clean up after themselves and after their dogs. Bring doggy bags because the park does not reliably provide these.
New Smyrna Dog Beach has a tendency to get crowded in good weather, so arrive early to snag the best spot. On sunny days, you may bring a beach umbrella with you. Keep in mind, however, that this is a public shared space and that room to plant an umbrella may not be available.
Finally, prior to your visit to New Smyrna Dog Beach, check with Volusia County. Certain walkways may be inaccessible due to storms or repairs, so you’ll need to plan your parking accordingly.
New Smyrna Dog Beach Details:
- Location: 2995 N Peninsula Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, Florida
- Phone Number: 386-423-3300
- Hours: Call for seasonal closing hours – open at 6:00 a.m. year-round
- Leashes required: Yes
- Vaccinations required: Yes
- Breed restrictions: None listed
- Parking: $10 parking in the lot
New Smyrna Dog Beach Reviews
We’ve outlined the basic information you’ll need to know before you visit New Smyrna Dog Beach, but you may be interested in what locals and others have to say.
First, it’s been noted by several visitors to the park that many owners, despite the leash law, do not have their dogs on a lead. In most cases, this isn’t problematic. However, dogs will be dogs, and it’s important to keep an eye out to prevent altercations.
Patrons also note that this is a “primitive” beach. The park does have restrooms and picnic areas, but there are no showers or other amenities. That said, the beach features a lovely view of Ponce Inlet and the Ponce de Leon lighthouse. Your dog won’t care, but humans will want to snap a few pictures.
The beach is well-maintained and safe, and dog owners tend to do a good job of cleaning up after their pups. Of course, not all humans are well-behaved, so keep your eyes on the sand to avoid missteps. Bring your own doggy bag and pack out everything you bring in.
Parking is hit-or-miss at New Smyrna Dog Beach. The lots fill up quickly, so arrive early if you want to score close parking. Otherwise, stick to the designated dogs-allowed trails as you walk to New Smyrna Dog Beach.
Finally, don’t forget to take advantage of the boardwalks! You can spot tons of species of birds, turtles, and more as you walk. Several families have even claimed to have gone swimming with manatees at New Smyrna.
Overall, New Smyrna Dog Beach is a clean and safe place to bring your dogs for an outdoor romp. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day or just a few hours.
What to Bring to New Smyrna Dog Beach
If you’re planning to pack up your dog and head to New Smyrna Dog Beach, you’ll need to pack a few other things as well. The three most important items to remember are a copy of your pup’s vet records, a rabies tag, and a leash.
You can keep the vet records in your vehicle, but the rabies tag and leash must be on your dog at all times. For added measure, it’s a good idea to have a name tag, with your phone number, on your pup’s collar for safety.
Now for the fun stuff! Before you get to New Smyrna Dog Beach you’ll need to check that you’ve got towels packed. These will be your best friends at this dog park as there are no showers. Dry your pup with towels to help rid his fur of sand that will make its way to your vehicle.
Your dog will love you if you bring a few floaty toys to the beach. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times, but a retractable lead will allow you to play “water fetch” with pups that love to swim. A life jacket is a great option, too, and they make vests sized to fit most dog breeds.
If you’ll be staying a while, bring a collapsible water bowl and a few bottles of water with you. Water is also available in the bathroom. Dog treats are always welcome, too — bring enough to share if you want to make new furry friends!
Finally, sunscreen is a must-have for any dog. Formulations are available that are for dogs only; ask your vet if you need guidance on which sunscreen to apply to your pup.
While You’re in the Area
New Smyrna Beach, Florida is in Volusia County, which is also home to Daytona Beach. As you may know, there’s plenty to do in the county, and there are a lot of activities that allow pup participation, too.
Before you plan your trip, however, you’ll need to determine where you’ll stay. There are scores of campsites along the coast in the New Smyrna Beach area, most of which allow pets. If you prefer the creature comforts of a hot bath, check out the pet-friendly hotels in the area.
Hampton Inn allows dogs. Or, if you prefer, you can check out a small business like Perry’s Ocean Edge Resort or Angel Inn. Call ahead to learn of breed restrictions.
Do you want to bring your pup to dinner? Sit on the patio at Yellow Dog Eats, or visit Toni & Joe’s for a drink and a burger. Plenty of shops around New Smyrna Beach and in Volusia County are dog-friendly, too! Just be sure to check with shop staff to confirm before you bring Fido into your favorite boutique.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dogs are allowed on the beach with a leash, but not on elevated boardwalks after 10:00 a.m.
Apart from New Smyrna Beach, dogs can also visit Lighthouse Point Park.
Dogs are not allowed on Daytona Beach.
Conclusion for “New Smyrna Dog Beach”
Whether you live in Volusia County or are in town to check out its beautiful ocean views, you’ll want to swing by New Smyrna Dog Beach. A small portion of Smyrna Dunes Park, this dog beach offers plenty of room — especially at low tide — for your dog to play in a safe environment.
The park opens at six in the morning, so pack a bag, arrive early for good parking, and enjoy the solitude. Or, prepare for excitement if you visit midday; plenty of pups will be happy to make your acquaintance during the park’s busiest hours.
If you find this guide, “New Smyrna Dog Beach,” helpful, you might like:
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If you want to see more of this beach, watch “New Smyrna Beach for Dogs in Florida! Our First Beach Visit Since Moving!” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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