Are dogs allowed on Jacksonville, FL beaches? Is Jacksonville, FL dog-friendly? The answers are yes, and yes! And we’ll tell you all the details below.
Ready to move to Jacksonville, FL, with your favorite canine? Maybe you already live there, do the “snowbird” thing, or plan a vacation to Jacksonville with your pup. If you fall into any of these categories and your dog is going to Florida with you, you’ll definitely want to know where the best dog parks and dog-friendly beaches are.
But wait… are dogs even allowed on the beach in Jacksonville, FL? Yes, they most certainly are! But only on certain beaches. In the same way that some parks are dog-friendly, or have their own fenced-in dog spaces… beaches work the same way. Some beaches will have dog-friendly off-leash spaces that are wide open. Some will actually have a fenced-in area for dogs. And some will let you bring your dog, but they must remain on leash.
Check out the list below to find out which beaches and parks are the dog-friendliest. And make sure to watch out for beaches where pups aren’t allowed.
Are you interested in more pet-friendly activities? Check out this article for the top dog-friendly restaurants in Jacksonville, FL. That’s right! There are actually tons of restaurants, bars, and breweries that allow you to bring your pup onto their outdoor patio. In fact, some will even bring your dog a bowl of water and some special doggy treats.
And don’t forget about finding the best local pet care businesses in town. Click here to type in your zip code, and we’ll show you all of the best dog walkers, cat sitters, pet groomers, and more—all in and around Jacksonville, FL.
But if you’re ready for some much-needed time outdoors with your crazy canine, let’s check out the list below.
The 13 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Dog Parks, and Off-Leash Areas in Jacksonville, FL:
- Atlantic Beach
- Boone Park
- BrewHound Dog Park + Bar
- Ed Austin Regional Dog Park
- Jacksonville Beach
- John Gorrie Dog Park of Riverside Park
- Kanine Social
- Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park & Beach
- Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park
- Neptune Beach
- Poochies
- Springfield Park Dog Park
- Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
Atlantic Beach — 800 Seminole Rd, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Atlantic Beach is a dog-friendly beach. Canines are more than welcome to join you here, as long as they remain on-leash. But this beach does make an exception for swim time. If you go into the water with your pup, they are allowed to swim around off-leash. Just make sure to put your dog back on their leash once they come back out of the water.
Boone Park — 3700 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32205
Boone Park stands out with its picturesque setting and sprawling space in the historic Riverside area. It's not exclusively a dog park, but it's incredibly dog-friendly, offering lots of room for leashed pets to explore. The park has a playground for kids, tennis courts, and picnic areas, making it a perfect family outing spot. The canopy of oak trees provides ample shade for those hot Florida days. Remember to bring your own waste bags to keep this lovely park clean. Address: 3700 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32205.
BrewHound Dog Park + Bar — 1848 Kings Cir S, Neptune Beach, FL 32266
If you are the kind of person who enjoys a cold drink while your pup plays with it's friends, BrewHound is your spot! This dog park is a park/bar combo and does require a membership (but it is well worth it)!
Ed Austin Regional Dog Park — 3450 Monument Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Ed Austin Regional Dog Park is a 4-acre fenced-in off-leash dog park with a separate fenced-in section for small dogs. Not only will your pup love the large open spaces and beautiful shade trees, but you’ll love getting to use the rest of the 144-acre Ed Austin Regional Park. The park at large offers multiple sports fields, picnic tables, restrooms, a playground, hiking trails, and even a skate park. What else could you ask for?
Jacksonville Beach — 601 1st St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Jacksonville Beach is a very popular dog-friendly beach in Jacksonville Beach, FL. This gorgeous beach welcomes canines to the beach anytime from October through March. But dogs are not allowed to be on the beach from 9 am to 5 pm, April through September. And keep in mind that dogs do need to be on leash the entire time.
John Gorrie Dog Park of Riverside Park — 631-745 College St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
John Gorrie Dog Park of Riverside Park is a fully fenced-in dog park within a larger park. There are separate sections for small and large dogs, plus water stations and waste stations. You can let your dog run freely inside of the dog park enclosure, or take them on leash throughout the rest of the park. Riverside Park also has basketball courts, picnic tables, benches, a playground, and even a duck pond. It’s a great place for the whole family.
Kanine Social — 580 College St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Kanine Social is a very unique dog-friendly establishment. It’s actually an indoor/outdoor dog park and craft beer/coffee bar. You will have to pay for a membership here, but they’ll actually give you a free beer on your first visit! And they even provide doggy daycare. “At Kanine Social, enjoy peace of mind while your pup gets a day of fun with their furry pals! Over 7,000 SF of indoor climate-controlled play area plus an additional 7,000 SF of outdoor play area ensures your dog always has room to run!” This is definitely a place you’ll want to check out.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park & Beach — 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park & Beach is a dog-friendly park and beach that you and your pup can enjoy together. But you will have to purchase a daily or annual pass. The daily cost is $3 per person, or $5 per car. And the annual pass fee is $92.52 plus tax per person. This park has hiking and biking trails, a 60-acre freshwater lake, RV camping, tent camping, and cabins. And there’s even a Kids Splash Park! So the daily or annual fee is well worth the price.
Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park — 1106-1110 A1A N, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park is a gorgeous dog-friendly beachfront with wooden walkovers, restrooms, grills, and even showers. Your dog is more than welcome to join you throughout the beachfront park, but they must remain on leash the whole time.
Neptune Beach — 2014 Strand St, Neptune Beach, FL 32266
Neptune Beach is another dog-friendly beach, but dogs must remain on leash, and be up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. And keep in mind that dogs are only allowed on the beach before 9 am or after 5 pm. But that still leaves more than enough time for your pup to enjoy the beach with you.
Poochies Dog Park — 21 Fountain Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065
In Orange Park, you'll find an amazing 8-acres filled with trees, a pond, a nature trail, and plenty of good friends in this membership-style dog park! Poochies is one of the most popular dog parks with our readers and for good reason!
Springfield Park Dog Park — 949 Hubbard St., Jacksonville, FL 32206
Springfield Park Dog Park is located within Springfield Park, and it is fully fenced-in. This park was formerly named Confederate Park, but the City Council actually changed the name in August of 2020. And before that, it was originally named Dignan Park in 1907 after the “Chairman of the Board of Public Works and it contained the city’s first supervised playground.”
The dog park section provides water stations, waste stations, drinking fountains for people, and even a separate fenced-in section for small dogs. This park is located in the middle of historic Springfield, and you’ll get a beautiful view of downtown Jacksonville.
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park — 7000 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park boasts an impressive nature preserve with a dedicated dog park area. The Westside Dog Park within the grounds provides a fenced-in space for off-leash play, including separate sections for large and small dogs. The park also offers miles of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a nature center. It's a fantastic spot for dogs and owners who appreciate natural surroundings.Time to Hit the Beach!
If you love the beach and you love spending time with your pup… Jacksonville, FL, is the place for you! This city loves its dogs, and makes a point to provide tons of amazing outdoor green spaces, beach spaces, and even restaurant patio spaces for you and your dog to enjoy together. What more could you ask for?
For more great articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice, check out the Blog at LocalPetCare.com.
