Smyrna Dunes Park New Smyrna Beach Florida
Explore 250 acres of preserved coastline with a 2-mile boardwalk, wildlife viewing, and a dog-friendly beach.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Cooler temps, calmer waves
Smyrna Dunes Park New Smyrna Beach Florida
Best Time
Cooler temps, calmer waves
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore 250 acres of preserved coastline with a 2-mile boardwalk, wildlife viewing, and a dog-friendly beach.
"A beautiful way to spend a day outside and experience local Florida wildlife and nature."
🚗 Parking Pass Perks
A $10 day pass grants access all day, even with reentry. Consider the $20 annual pass for frequent visits!
🐾 Dog Beach Fun
Your furry friends will love the designated dog-friendly beach. Remember to keep them leashed!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Scenic Boardwalk
Throughout the park
A nearly 2-mile boardwalk offering stunning ocean, inlet, and wildlife views. Perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Dog-Friendly Beach
Designated areas
One of the few places in Central Florida where dogs can enjoy the Atlantic. A paradise for your furry friends!
Ponce Inlet Views
Northern tip of the park
Spectacular vistas of Ponce Inlet and the iconic Ponce De Leon Lighthouse. A photographer's dream.
Abundant Wildlife
Throughout the park
Spot diverse bird species, turtles, and marine life in their natural habitat. Keep an eye out for educational signs.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Parking and Access
Embrace the Natural Beauty
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Pass Perks
A $10 day pass grants access all day, even with reentry. Consider the $20 annual pass for frequent visits!
🐾 Dog Beach Fun
Your furry friends will love the designated dog-friendly beach. Remember to keep them leashed! +1
☀️ Beat the Heat
Go early to avoid the strongest sun and enjoy cooler temperatures. Bring plenty of water and sun protection.
🐚 Shelling Treasures
The clear waters and sandbars are perfect for finding beautiful seashells. Explore the tide pools!
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Pass Perks
A $10 day pass grants access all day, even with reentry. Consider the $20 annual pass for frequent visits!
🐾 Dog Beach Fun
Your furry friends will love the designated dog-friendly beach. Remember to keep them leashed! +1
☀️ Beat the Heat
Go early to avoid the strongest sun and enjoy cooler temperatures. Bring plenty of water and sun protection.
🐚 Shelling Treasures
The clear waters and sandbars are perfect for finding beautiful seashells. Explore the tide pools!
📸 Photo Opportunities
From wildlife to lighthouse views, this park is a photographer's paradise. Capture the stunning scenery. +1
🚶♀️ Boardwalk Exploration
Walk the full 2-mile boardwalk for diverse views and wildlife spotting. It's a great way to experience the park.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Smyrna Dunes Park's natural beauty, extensive boardwalk, and dog-friendly beach. It's praised for its abundant wildlife and excellent shelling opportunities. Some caution that swimming can be challenging due to currents and sharks, and it's more of a natural, less developed beach experience.
"A beautiful way to spend a day outside and experience local Florida wildlife and nature. The entry cost is $10 per car and lasts the whole day, including reentry. Certain areas are dog friendly as well. The beach is absolutely beautiful, but beware it's definitely more of a natural beach and not the best for swimming. I enjoyed learning about local plants with signs located around the park. There are pavilions if you want to bring a picnic, as well as a fishing pier. You could truly spend the whole day here as there is much to explore. We can't wait to come back!"
Fairooz Haque
"Amazing park! Stunning vibes, great water in and out of water for shelling. We got some great finds! Clear water, the sand bar was fairly big, great to walk out on. Dog friendly beach. There are bathrooms, small food truck and showers before walking on path."
Lor Sunshine
"This is the perfect outdoor walk! One mile for the circle or two miles if you walk down every finger to see the beach. It’s clean, safe and if you’re really lucky, you may see flowers or a tortoise or two."
Lisa Archer
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Smyrna Dunes Park is located at 2995 N Peninsula Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL. It's about 30 minutes from Daytona Beach and 1.5 hours from Orlando. You can drive directly to the park entrance.
Yes, there is ample parking available. You can purchase a $10 day pass or a $20 annual pass. Parking directly on the sand is an option for added convenience.
Yes, you can drive on certain sections of New Smyrna Beach for a fee. Smyrna Dunes Park itself has dedicated parking areas, and some allow beach access for vehicles.
The most straightforward way is to drive. It's approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Orlando to New Smyrna Beach, and then a short drive to the park.
Public transportation options directly to Smyrna Dunes Park are limited. Driving is the most common and convenient method for visitors.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The entry fee is $10 per car for a day pass, which includes reentry. An annual pass is available for $20.
The park is generally open from sunrise to sunset. It's always a good idea to check the official website for any specific seasonal hours or closures.
No, advance booking is typically not required. You can purchase your day pass upon arrival at the park entrance.
While specific discounts aren't widely advertised, the annual pass offers great value for frequent visitors at $20.
The boardwalk is generally accessible, offering a smooth surface for wheelchairs and strollers. Specific accessibility details can be confirmed with park management.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can enjoy walking the boardwalk, exploring the natural dunes, fishing from the pier, shelling on the beach, wildlife viewing, and relaxing on the dog-friendly beach.
While the water is beautiful, it's known as 'shark territory' and can have strong currents, making it less ideal for swimming. It's better suited for shelling and enjoying the scenery.
Yes, a portion of the beach at Smyrna Dunes Park is dog-friendly. Dogs must be on a leash. 
You can spot various bird species, sea turtles, and other marine life in their natural habitat. Educational signs provide information about the local flora and fauna.
Yes, there is a fishing pier available for visitors to use. It's a popular spot for anglers.
📸 📸 Photography
The boardwalk offers panoramic views, the northern tip provides excellent shots of Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, and the natural dunes and wildlife are also great subjects. +1
Absolutely! The scenic boardwalk, ocean views, and natural landscapes make it a popular and beautiful location for engagement photoshoots.
Early mornings for sunrise and late afternoons for golden hour offer the best lighting conditions for photography. +1
Drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check with park authorities or local ordinances before flying a drone to ensure compliance.
You can capture the expansive sand dunes, the meeting of the river and ocean, diverse coastal plants, and the vibrant marine and bird life.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While swimming can be challenging due to currents and the presence of sharks, families can enjoy shelling on the beach and exploring the tide pools. The park also has pavilions for picnics, making it easy to spend a full day. If you have a dog, the dog-friendly beach is a huge bonus, allowing the whole family, including pets, to enjoy the day.
🐾 Pet Owners
+1Visiting early in the morning is advisable to ensure a more comfortable experience for your pet, with cooler temperatures and potentially calmer waters. The park's accessibility for dogs makes it a top choice for those who don't want to leave their pets behind on a beach day.
📸 Photographers
For the best light, aim for sunrise or sunset. The golden hour hues create magical shots, and the park's natural setting is ideal for engagement photoshoots or capturing the essence of coastal Florida. Be mindful of any drone regulations if you plan to incorporate aerial shots.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Boardwalk and Dunes
The natural dunes themselves are a key feature of the park. These sand formations are vital for coastal protection and provide habitat for specialized plants. While you can access the beach from the boardwalk, it's important to stay on designated paths to protect the dunes. The park's commitment to preservation means you'll experience a more wild and untouched coastal environment, which many visitors find incredibly appealing.
Wildlife Encounters and Shelling
The clear waters and sandbars at Smyrna Dunes Park make it an excellent location for shelling. Many visitors have found unique and beautiful shells along the shoreline. Exploring the tide pools during low tide can also reveal fascinating marine life. While the park is beautiful, it's important to note that the ocean here can have strong currents and is known as a popular spot for sharks, so swimming requires caution.
Dog-Friendly Adventures
+1When visiting the dog-friendly areas, it's recommended to go early in the morning to avoid the hottest parts of the day and potentially calmer waves. Remember to bring plenty of water for your dog, as there isn't much shade. The park's commitment to being pet-friendly makes it a more inclusive destination for families traveling with their four-legged members.
Social
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