Best Dog Parks Near Daytona Beach

People love the Daytona Beach area for many reasons, including the perpetually perfect weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. But in all of this, we cannot forget man's best friend, your faithful dog. Luckily there are many great parks and places to take Fido where you can enjoy the best of Florida's natural setting together. Parks range from open grass for dogs to play and also several beaches where dogs can dig in the sand or splash in the Ponce Inlet. The best dog parks near Daytona Beach offer excellent opportunities for dogs to walk, play, and swim. 

Manatee Island Dog Park

Located in Manatee Island Park in the city of Daytona Beach, the Manatee Island Dog Park offers a sizable space for dogs to run and play off-leash. Manatee Island Park is an 11.6-acre nature preserve located on an island in the Halifax River. Visitors park on the mainland and walk across a short bridge to the island. Entry to the park costs $2.

Several paved trails, including a loop, allow visitors to explore the park and see the river. Dogs are welcome on these, provided they are on a leash. Dogs can run free in the 2.2-acre dog park located in the center of the park. The dog park has sections for large and small dogs, with water basins available in both. Dogs can enjoy play equipment like ladder climbs and teeter-totters while their owners relax at picnic tables under a pavilion in the dog park.

This park in Historic Downtown Daytona Beach offers a small dog area and drinking water for Fido. There is plenty of shade to relax while your dog plays, and this park is also close to excellent shops and restaurants along Beach Street to discover.

Ponce Inlet Dog Beach

What could be better than plenty of room for your dog to run on the sands and play in the water to their heart's content? This popular dog beach in Ponce Inlet also offers covered areas, restrooms, water, benches, and ample parking. Plus, the beach is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.

Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park

Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park offers a scenic space for walking and some grassy areas where dogs can play. The park has two areas: a beachfront park overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and a riverside park to the west. Both sides offer picnic pavilions, restrooms, and open grass.

The beachfront park, located adjacent to homes in New Smyrna Beach, features a nearly 800-foot paved walkway overlooking the beach. While dogs are not allowed on the beach, they can still enjoy a walk in the sea breeze alongside it.

Meanwhile, the riverside park offers a fishing pier, a playground, and tennis, pickleball, basketball, and volleyball courts. It's also a great place to see manatees, dolphins, and pelicans. Entry to Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park is free. However, parking is limited, so it's a good idea to get there early.

Bicentennial Park

With more than 40 acres of room to play in the city of Ormond Beach, this is one of the largest dog parks in the area. Nestled between the ocean and Halifax River, this park offers several sports areas and a scenic walking trail that entertains dogs and humans alike.

Lighthouse Point Park

The 52-acre Lighthouse Point Park offers a dog-friendly beach for pups to walk, play, and swim near homes for sale in Ponce Inlet. Dogs can splash and play south of the park's 800-foot Jetty dock. This area offers dog water stations, pick-up bags, and trash receptacles. There is also a dog shower available near the parking lot.

Several nature trails and wooden boardwalks allow visitors to explore the dunes and forested parts of the park. Dogs are welcome on the elevated boardwalks until 10 a.m. Lighthouse Point Park is not an off-leash park, so bringing a longer leash may be a good idea. Entry to the park is $10 per vehicle, but $20 annual inlet parks passes are also available.

Seemor Memorial Dog Park

This popular dog park in the city of Port Orange is right next to the newly renovated All Children's Park and has separate areas for small and large dogs. Bring the whole family for a day of fun at these great local parks.

Smyrna Dunes Park

Leashed dogs can swim and explore the pet-friendly beach at Smyrna Dunes Park. The park spans 184 acres and offers over 2 miles of wide, elevated boardwalks. Dogs are welcome along the Ponce de Leon Inlet's shoreline all day and on the boardwalks until 10 a.m. Water bowls, pick-up bags, and a dog shower are available.

It's a good idea to come early because the park can get busy in the afternoon. High tide can also make the dog-friendly section of the beach somewhat narrow. It costs $10 per vehicle to enter Smyrna Dunes Park. Visitors can also purchase a $20 annual inlet parks pass.

Barkley Square Dog Park

If you haven't yet discovered Barkley Square, you're in for a treat -- and so is your dog. Situated on 14 acres of treed land in the city of DeLand, this is not only an off-leash park, but it even has a small pond in the large dog area. There are separate play areas for large and small dogs and training events, and you'll even find time-out spaces and dog-watering stations, along with vinyl-coated fencing, and it's all free.

For Fido's owners, there are benches and modern restroom facilities, and parking is plentiful. One of three parks owned and operated by Volusia County, this park consistently gets rave reviews from pet owners.

New Smyrna Beach Dog Park

This is another great gated dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs. New Smyrna Beach residents love the open play area for their dogs and the convenience of water fountains for both dogs and humans.

Let Your Dogs Play at Daytona Beach Parks

Whichever park you choose, you and your furry friend are sure to have a great time. And the parks aren't the only reasons that Daytona Beach is dog-friendly—don't forget about all the other fun activities and places to visit as well. Take a closer look at a few pet-friendly condos for sale in the Daytona Beach area, and get ready to have some fun with your dog.