Dog-Friendly Boca Raton: Dog Parks, Bark Beach and Where to Walk Your Dog

Boca Raton is a good city for dogs if you know where to go. Dogs are only allowed in a few city parks, the only beach where they can run is a short stretch of Spanish River Park, and most spots need a permit. Here's where you can take your dog in and around Boca Raton, with hours, permits and rules from the official city and county pages, plus a quick routine to get the salt, sand and dirt out of your dog's coat afterwards.

Bark Beach at Spanish River Park (Boca's dog beach)

Bark Beach is the City of Boca Raton's off-leash dog beach, a marked stretch of sand between lifeguard towers 18 and 20 inside Spanish River Park, 3001 N State Road A1A. According to the city, it's open 7 days a week from 7 to 9 a.m. and again in the late afternoon until sunset (from 3 p.m. in standard time and from 5 p.m. during daylight saving time).

• Permit: every dog needs its own Bark Beach permit, annual or three-day. Parking in the park is a separate beach permit or fee.
• Rules: dogs stay leashed on the way in and out, there's a limit of two dogs per person, dogs may not dig in the sand, and you need to carry your permit and waste bags.
• Tip: the morning slot is the coolest time of day, which matters for flat-faced and double-coated dogs in the Florida heat.

Current prices, residency rules and how to buy a permit are on the city's Bark Beach permit page.

Mizner Bark dog park

Mizner Bark, at 751 Banyan Trail, is the city's fenced off-leash dog park. It has three separate areas by weight (small dogs under 20 lb, medium 20 to 50 lb, large over 50 lb), water fountains, dog wash stations, benches and waste bags. There are no restrooms. On Wednesdays it opens at noon for maintenance.

You need a Dog Park Vehicle Permit on your windshield to get in. The city says the permit is free for residents of the City of Boca Raton and the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, and non-residents pay a fee. A Boca Raton mailing address doesn't always mean you're a city resident, so check the city's residency map. Details: Mizner Bark permit page.

Canine Cove at South County Regional Park (west Boca)

Canine Cove is a Palm Beach County dog park inside Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, 12551 Glades Road, west of Boca Raton. It has large, medium and small dog sections, shaded benches, gazebos, drinking fountains and a dog washing station. The county lists it as open sunrise to sunset and closed on Wednesdays from noon to 3 p.m. for maintenance. Source: Palm Beach County dog parks.

Leashed walks: Countess de Hoernle Park lake path

If your dog prefers a calm walk to a busy dog park, the city has a designated dog-friendly lake path at Countess de Hoernle Park, 1000 Spanish River Blvd. It runs along the west side of the park, under the bridge and around the northern lake by the Spanish River Library. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and the athletic complex, playground and ballfields are not included. Map and details: Pets in Boca Raton.

Nearby: Lake Ida Dog Park in Delray Beach

Just north of Boca, the county's Lake Ida Dog Park at Lake Ida West Park, 1455 Lake Ida Road, Delray Beach, has large and small dog sections, a paved dog wash station and restrooms. It's open sunrise to sunset and closed on Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m.

Where dogs are not allowed in Boca Raton

The city says Mizner Bark, Bark Beach and Countess de Hoernle Park are the only city parks where pets are allowed. At Spanish River Park, dogs are only allowed in the Bark Beach area during its hours. Rules and hours change, so check the official page before you go.

After the beach or dog park: a quick grooming routine

Salt water, sand and dog park dirt are hard on the coat and skin, especially in Florida's humidity. A few minutes when you get home saves a lot of itching and odor later.

1. Rinse with fresh water the same day. Salt left in the coat dries out the skin and coat. Rinse all the way down to the skin, including the belly, armpits and between the toes.
2. Brush out the sand. Sand and debris settle into thick and double coats. Brush once the coat is damp or dry, before it forms knots. See how to get mats out of dog hair.
3. Dry completely. A coat that stays damp near the skin is the main cause of the "wet dog" smell and can lead to hot spots. Towel off, then use a cool dryer setting on thick coats. Dry the ears gently too.
4. Check the paws. Look for cuts, burrs and sand between the pads. Hot pavement and sand can burn paws: if it's too hot for the back of your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for your dog.
5. Do a full bath when needed. If your dog rolled in something or still smells after rinsing, give a full bath with a dog shampoo. See how to bathe a dog at home and how often to bathe your dog.

Tools from the Pawradise shop: Paw Cleaner Cup · Quick-Dry Microfiber Pet Robe

Always bring fresh water and a bowl to the beach. Drinking sea water can upset your dog's stomach. And if your dog is regularly at the beach or dog park, a professional bath and blow-dry every few weeks keeps the coat clean down to the skin.

Dog-friendly Boca Raton FAQ

Hours, permits and rules come from the official City of Boca Raton and Palm Beach County pages linked above, checked in October 2026. They can change, so confirm before you go. More Pawfile guides.