During a recent trip to Florida, Lady and I decided to visit my parents in New Smyrna Beach. Being the snowbirds they are, they traded the dismal winter weather of eastern Tennessee for some much-needed Florida sunshine, and who can blame them?
Located on the Atlantic coast of Florida (approximately an hour from Orlando), New Smyrna is known for its powder white beaches, fantastic surfing, and palm-lined streets. Unfortunately for us dog parents, it’s not the most pet-friendly place in the neighborhood. In fact, dogs aren’t allowed anywhere on the public beaches at any time unless they’re a registered service animal. Oh well, they don’t know what they’re missing!
Since I brought Lady and my best friend’s dog, Tibby, and my parents were staying in a travel trailer with their own pup, we needed a place to go where we could all frolic on the beach and soak in the sunshine together.
That’s when we discovered the little slice of paradise known as Smyrna Dunes Park! If you travel to the very northern tip of the New Smyrna peninsula, you’ll find this hidden gem of a park that is filled with all the things you love about the Atlantic Coast, undisturbed scenery, and best of all, dog-friendly beaches!
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What You Need to Know About Smyrna Dunes Park
Many people get turned off by the idea of a dog beach when they picture a tiny fraction of shoreline that is overcrowded with dogs and sanctioned off from everything and everyone in the outside world. Believe me when I say that Smyrna Dunes Park is not that kind of dog beach!
The park sits on 73-acres of pristine land where the Indian River empties into the Ponce Inlet and then flows directly into the Atlantic Ocean. This means that Smyrna Dunes Park is surrounded by water on three sides, providing plenty of opportunities for swimming, fishing, or simply lounging on the secluded beaches.
Not only is it a prime spot for outdoor recreation, but it’s also a must-see for ecologists and nature enthusiasts. The park consists of five different ecosystems including ocean, river, scrub zone, marsh, and of course, dunes.
This thriving environment is occupied by a wide variety of birds, reptiles, marine life, and vegetation that you wouldn’t normally find on the crowded public beaches of New Smyrna. It’s the perfect alternative for visitors who are looking a more peaceful area to relax and bring their four-legged friends along for all of the fun!
Hours and Admission
Smyrna Dunes Park is open from sunrise to sunset and passage is $10 per vehicle. If you’re planning an extended stay in New Smyrna, you should consider purchasing the $20 Annual Inlet Parks Pass. You’ll save a ton of money this way and have the freedom to come and go as many times as you’d like!
What We Love About Smyrna Dunes Park
When we first arrived at Smyrna Dunes Park, the air was a bit chilly and the wind brisk, so I wrapped my jacket around myself a little tighter in a feeble attempt to cancel out the breeze as we started on the walking path towards the beach.
From the moment we stepped onto the sandy trail, I was pleasantly surprised by how well-kept and naturally beautiful the park was. To get to the beach, visitors must embark down a 1.5-mile sand trail bordered by lush beach vegetation and dunes. There is also a convenient boardwalk that leads to the ocean, but visitors with dogs are required to keep to the trail.
Lady and Tibby didn’t mind at all though! They happily zig-zagged their way across the trail, taking in all of the amazing sights and smells their little legs could take them to as the rest of us hustled to keep up with them.
Once the trail opened out onto the sandy shoreline, we were greeted by spectacular views of sparkling blue ocean dotted with sailboats, seagulls gracefully hovering over the waves, and the iconic Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse stretching towards the sky in the distance. It was enough to make my jaw drop and the dogs take off down the beach in excitement!
Since we were also met by a blistering wind (I guess we should have expected nothing less during a cold front in January), we followed the Ponce Inlet away from the open ocean in search of a spot to make camp. We discovered a tiny alcove surrounded by enough dunes and trees to guard us against the wind and planted our beach chairs right by the water.
My Mom and I got cozy in our chairs and prepared to soak in the sun. My Dad, in his normal routine, immediately grabbed his fishing pole and headed for the water. The dogs were excited to follow him towards the Smyrna Dunes Park fishing pier and watch him cast the line into the ocean.
Overall Thoughts on Smyrna Dunes Park: TWO PAWS UP!
Although the weather was a bit chilly, we easily spent hours at that beach just decompressing in the sun, playing with tiny ghost crabs that skittered across the sand, and enjoying the peaceful setting of Smyrna Dunes Park. The dogs also had a total blast! It was the perfect alternative to the public beaches that are mobbed with tourists and overshadowed by dozens of condo complexes and hotels.
In fact, after experiencing Smyrna Dunes Park for myself, I’ll probably only ever go there when I’m in the area! The park’s pristine atmosphere, quiet setting, and natural beauty are all I’ll ever need for a perfect day at the beach. Plus, I was happy to bring home two very tired but very happy pups! It was a day well spent and one I look forward to repeating in the future.
Planning your own visit to Smyrna Dunes Park? You won’t regret it! Check out the Smyrna Dunes Park map to find its location in retrospect to where you’re staying and be sure to tell me all about your visit in the comments. Also, don’t forget to check out other dog-friendly destinations we have visited in Florida such as:
