Central East Florida

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CAPE CANAVERAL  (Brevard County)

1. Rover's Space Dog Park

Note: This off leash dog park will open May 3, 2019 at 6 p.m. It is located at Xeriscape Park, 206 Taylor Avenue. 

2. Beaches

Dogs (except service dogs) are NOT permitted on Brevard County beaches and you'll get a citation and a $35 fine if you break this law. 

3. City Parks

Leashed dogs are permitted in all nine city parks. You can find a list here. 

4. Events

There are several city-wide events throughout the year that allow leashed dogs. You can find a list here. 

NOTE: Find out if other locations or events in Cape Canaveral are pet-friendly by contacting the Culture & Leisure Services Department at (321) 868-1226. 

COCOA BEACH  (Brevard County)

1. Beaches

Dogs are allowed on the beach but must be on max. 6 ft. leash at all times. Dogs are allowed only from 4th Street South to north side of Murkshe Park. This area is dog-friendly from 6:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. and between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. during standard time and until 9 p.m. during daylights savings time. Bring your own or use the pet disposal stations available here. Keep dogs off dunes and away from turtle nests.

2.  Lori Wilson Park Dog Park

This dog park opened in July, 2006. Located in the grassy area between Atlantic Avenue and the parking lot near the south entrance of Lori Wilson Park. Readers have told us  kiddie pools are provided for both little and big dogs and running water is available for the dogs to drink.  Dogs are not allowed outside the fenced enclosure or on the beach at this location.

DAYTONA/HOLLY HILL (Volusia County)

1.  Dog Park

Holly Hill is located between Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach. The dog park is located just north of Daytona Beach and reached by taking Nova Road, then taking a right on Alabama Avenue. Open dawn to, as one reader put it, "whenever the bugs get too intense." Offers areas for both small and large dogs and is leash free in a fenced area. Also has tree shade with benches for doggie guardians to sit and chat while the dogs play. Also offers restrooms, water and clean-up bags.

2. Manatee Island Dog Park

A kind reader tells us about this park. It is located on one acre on Manatee Island off Beach Street. Offers separate areas for small and large dogs. Visitors will need to parallel park on Beach Street and walk to the park. 

3. Dog Beach - Ponce Inlet

One of our kind readers tells us there is a beach in Ponce Inlet (also in Volusia County) where leashed dogs are welcome and even scented clean-up bags are provided. She said the beach is inside the Ponce Inlet/ Volusia County park which costs $3 to get in unless you have a decal for $30/yr. (The toll booth attendant will give you directions to it.) She said the area is at the end of the rock jetty and curves around the river. It has a nice grassy area where you can walk for probably a mile down the river. Except in summer, there are very few people with dogs there.  

4. Dog Beach - New Smyrna Beach

Thanks to the reader who told us about this dog-friendly portion of New Smyrna Beach, at the northern tip of the barrier island. We understand the leash law is enforced here and that warnings are given, followed by a $55 fine. 

5. Volusia County parks

Pets are welcome at county parks (in addition to the parks listed above) as long as they are kept leashed and under control. Guardians must clean up after their pet. 

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES (Volusia County)

1. Van Alder Dog Park

This park opened 6/5/19. It is located at  west side of Lula M. McElroy Park. It offers  trees, picnic benches. separate big and little dog areas, a water fountain, security lights for nights and security cameras.

DEBARY (Volusia County) 

1.  Gemini Springs Dog Park

Located inside the Gemini Springs Park, 37 Dirksen Drive, a quarter-mile west of U.S. 17-92. The dog park is just north of the west parking lot. Three acres have been set aside for canines out of the Gemini Springs Park's total 210-acres. The dog park offers a fence, two separate sections, one for dogs less than 25 pounds and another for larger animals. It has shady areas with benches, picnic tables, canine water fountains, dog wash stations and parking. Hours: sunrise to sunset.

2. Volusia County parks

Pets are welcome at county parks (in addition to those listed above) as long as they are kept leashed and under control. Guardians must clean up after their pet.

DELAND  (Volusia County) 

1.  Barkley Square

Located at 1010 N. Ridgewood Avenue in Deland, this park opened in 2004. It sits on 14 acres of grassy hills with mature oaks and a pond for pups to take a cool-down dip. 

DELTONA  (Volusia County)

1. Keysville Dog Park

Located at 2641 Keysville Avenue in Deltona. Open sunrise to sunset. Offers one area for small dogs and one for large dogs, a place to rinse off dogs, bags for cleanups and a canine water fountain. There are restrooms located outside the fenced in area. Directions: from I-4, take exit 114. Go right on Howland Blvd., go about a mile and take a right on Providence, a left on Auburndale Street, then left onto Keysville.

2. Volusia County parks

Pets are welcome at county parks (in addition to the park listed above) as long as they are kept leashed and under control. Guardians must clean up after their pet and aggressive animals should be left at home. 

Ft. Pierce (St. Lucie County)

1. Walton Rocks Beach

Located on A1A, south of the St. Lucie Power Plant, 6.3 miles north of the Jensen Beach Causeway on Hutchinson Island. Off-leash dogs are permitted. We are told this is a nice, untouched beach with no life guards, the southern most beach in St. Lucie County. Offers bathrooms and showers, free parking, good fishing, covered picnic tables and restrooms. Web Mistress note: We spoke with St. Lucie county staff and they told us this is the only pet-friendly beach in the county. However, they said, St. Lucie is one of only two counties in Florida that offer annual permits for private horseback riding on the beach! We were also told there are presently no dog parks in the county.

2. Wildcat Cove

Located on North Hutchinson Island in Ft Pierce, about 1 mile north of the north causeway on A1A across the street from the beach. 

MELBOURNE/MELBOURNE BEACH (Brevard County)

Note: Dogs are not permitted on area beaches. As reflected by comments we receive from readers and from editorials we read in area media outlets, there is little to zero tolerance for dogs on public beaches in Brevard County, so beware. The Melbourne Beach Town Commission had once voted to discuss this issue, but tabled it. If you are a dog guardian who would like to walk your dog on the beach, you should contact elected officials  to voice your support.

1. Sebastian Inlet State Park

Located at 9700 South A1A, Melbourne Beach. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Dogs are not allowed on the beach in this park, but are allowed on the trails if leashed. 

2. South Beach Community Park Dog Park

Located on Mullet Creek Road. Directions: From US-192 (Melbourne Causeway), go south on Miramir Avenue/SR-A1A 1.0 miles and the road becomes Oak Street/SR-A1A, continue 10.9 miles.

3. Wickham Park Dog Park

Located in Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive. This is the second off -leash dog park in Brevard County; the other one is in Satellite Beach. When you enter Wickham Park, turn to the right and follow the road around. The dog park is located on the right side of the road.  Open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Offers a large (more than 25 pounds) and a small dog area, bags for clean up, benches and a water tap. Dogs must have a current rabies vaccine, animal license tag and wear a collar with ID. 

MERRITT ISLAND (Brevard County)

Note: Dogs are not permitted on area beaches. Trust us, there is little tolerance for dogs on public beaches in Brevard County, as reflected by comments we receive from readers and from editorials we read in area media outlets.

1. Brevard County parks

There are four county parks that allow pets if on leashes:  Canova Beach Park in Indian Harbour Beach; James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park in Cocoa; Kelly Park East in Merritt Island; and Kennedy Point Park in Titusville. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH (Volusia County)

SHARK ALERT: According to the Shark Attack File (ISAF), New Smyrna is the, "shark-attack capital of the world." People need to be careful, both for themselves and their companion animals, while in/near the water at the following locations.

1. Dog Beach - Ponce Inlet

There is a beach in Ponce Inlet (also in Volusia County) where leashed dogs are welcome and even scented clean-up bags are provided. A reader tells us the beach is inside the Ponce Inlet/ Volusia County park which costs $3 to get in unless you have a decal for $30/yr. (The toll booth attendant will give you directions to it.) She said the area is at the west end of the rock jetty and curves around the river. It has a nice grassy area where you can walk for probably a mile down the river. Except for summer, there are very few people with dogs there." 

2. Dog Beach - New Smyrna Beach

This is a dog-friendly portion of New Smyrna Beach, at the northern tip of the barrier island. We understand the leash law is enforced here and that warnings are given, followed by a $55 fine.  Reader Notes: "To clarify the location, it is across from the Smyrna Dune Park on the opposite side of Ponce de Leon Inlet. You cannot get to one from the other unless you are in a boat." "The dog beach in New Smyrna Beach is accessible North on Beachside and the other in Ponce Inlet on South on Beachside. Both are county parks and require a fee."

3. Smyrna Dunes Park

Located at Ponce Inlet and Peninsula. Open 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Benches, tables, poop bags, trees, parking, phones, restrooms, water, trash cans, shelter. Space for dogs to run, play on the beach and swim. Reader Notes: "We have confirmed with the park manager that dogs are still permitted on this beach, just not the boardwalk." "This is not a National Park, it is a County Park. It is owned by the Federal Government, but run by Volusia County Parks and Recreation. Due to irresponsible dog owners who fail to control their dogs, clean up after them, and allow them to run off leash, harass shorebirds, and run in the dunes, even though the rules are clearly posted throughout the park and poop bags are available throughout the park, the Volusia County Commissioners have voted to ban dogs from the boardwalk, and restrict them to a VERY SMALL beach area along the river from the Coast Guard Station to Walkway #2. NO DOGS beyond walkway. "Dog owners who visit the park almost every day, are fighting to have these new rules overturned. It doesn't look good. Being new to Florida, I have found that, although unleashed dogs swimming and playing Frisbee and ball on the beaches are found in many ads for tourists and new residents, this state has turned out to be a very 'unfriendly' place for people and their dogs. Most beaches don't allow dogs at all, and the few that do allow them have leash rules. "I can't understand how California beaches can set aside up to 3 miles of beach, in one area, where dogs are welcome off leash, and we have to fight tooth and nail to keep about 1/4 of a mile, from the Coast Guard Station to the jetty, open for dogs. Shame on Florida. Enforce the rules you have. Don't make more rules. 'Thank you' irresponsible dog owners, for ruining a wonderful park for all of the responsible dog owners!"

4. Canaveral National Seashore

This National Park is on a barrier island and is spread out over both Volusia and Brevard Counties. Our research indicates dogs are allowed here, but in the parking lot only. It would seem prudent then, to not visit this park if you have your dog with you. It's way too hot in Florida, year-around, to leave pets in your vehicle.

5. Volusia County parks

Pets are welcome at county parks (in addition to the parks listed above) as long as they are kept leashed and under control. Guardians must clean up after their pet and aggressive animals should be left at home. 

PALM BAY (Brevard County)

Note: Dogs are not permitted on area beaches. Trust us, there is little tolerance for dogs on public beaches in Brevard County, as reflected by comments we receive from readers and from editorials we read in area media outlets.

1. Retriever Park 

Reader Notes: One of our readers tells us this dog park has been closed due to zoning issues. If this park reopens in the future and if someone would advise us, we'll be more than happy to post all information we receive.This park used to be located at 157 Puddle Duck Lane, Palm Bay, and was a private park that offered 7 acres for romping by appointment only. 

2. Palm Bay Regional Park

This park is located at 1951 Malabar Road in Palm Bay. Offers a large fenced, off-leash area with large and small dog sections. Users must register with park attendant and have record of current vaccinations and a current Brevard County license tag. Visitors must have their county license tag and shot records. For more information, please call the South Areas Parks and Recreation Office at 321-255-4400. 

PORT ST. LUCIE ( St. Lucie County)

1.  Tradition Dog Park

Located at 10610 SW Cam Run.  WebMistress Note: I am adding this dog park by request of a few readers. You do have to be a resident of Tradition to use it.

2. Lyngate Park

Located at 1301 SE Lyngate Dr. 

VERO BEACH (Indian River County)

Note: We called the City's Parks and Recreation Department and asked if there were any dog-friendly beaches in this area. The answer was a very chilly, "No." 

1.  Vero Dog Park

Located at 3481 Indian River Drive, E., Vero Beach, this dog park is leased from the City of Vero Beach by Vero Dog Park, a Florida nonprofit, and is operated, managed and maintained by same. The park is a 5-acre, off-leash dog park, open 24 hours a day, dawn to dusk, at no charge to the public. It is supported entirely by donations. A kind reader has supplied this information.

2.  4-H Best Friend's Off-Leash Dog Park

Located at the corner of 12th Street and 16th Avenue Is a nice fenced-in, off leash, private facility. At one time we had info that this was "pay as you go" and activities were well-organized for those in attendance. <P><B>Reader Notes: "This is the only off leash park I've found in Vero Beach and they have a charge of $250 per year! I decided to do a few drive-bys and see what it was like. I drove by 3 times, twice during the weekend and once during the week. There was one dog there on the weekend and none during the week." "I too investigated the $250 a year dog park and did not see anything that made it worth the investment. I now travel to Sebastian to their park. I would love to find people here in Vero who would be interested in promoting a safe, park for dogs. I wish the county would consider it." 

3. Dogs For Life Off-Leash Dog Park

Located at 1230 16th Avenue. Potential users of this park must first apply. Orientation follows and a $100 fee must be paid.