Where dogs can go in Boca Raton: Mizner Bark dog park, off-leash Bark Beach at Spanish River Park, leashed walking paths, permit costs and the leash law.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Facts come from the City of Boca Raton’s Pets in Boca Raton page and the park pages linked below. Fees are those the city lists as of Oct. 1, 2026.

Boca Raton calls itself a pet-friendly city, but dogs are allowed in only a few of its parks, and most need a permit. The two places a dog can run off leash are the fenced Mizner Bark dog park on Banyan Trail and Bark Beach at Spanish River Park. Leashed dogs can walk the lake path at Countess de Hoernle Park and the trail at Palmetto Dune Park. Everywhere else in the city’s parks, pets are not allowed.

Who to call

  • Park Ranger Headquarters (incidents, Bark Beach): 561-393-7815
  • Permits: Annual Permits page; Recreation Services, 561-393-7810
  • Police non-emergency (loose or dangerous dog): 561-368-6201
  • Check if you are a resident: a Boca Raton mailing address is not proof; use the city limits map on the Mizner Bark page

Mizner Bark dog park

751 Banyan Trail. Three fenced off-leash areas: large dogs over 50 pounds, medium dogs 20 to 50 pounds and small dogs under 20 pounds, with benches, water fountains, water stations, trash cans and bags.

  • Hours: daily 7 a.m. to dusk; Wednesday noon to dusk.
  • Permit: a Dog Park Vehicle Permit stuck to the lower left inside of your windshield. It is free for City of Boca Raton and Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District residents; $385 a year or $35 a month for nonresidents.
  • Rules: no smoking, and owners must pick up after their dogs.

Source: Mizner Bark page. Despite the name, it is not in Mizner Park.

Bark Beach at Spanish River Park

3001 N. State Road A1A, between lifeguard towers 18 and 20. Dogs with permits can run off leash on the sand.

  • Hours: seven days a week, 7 to 9 a.m., and 3 p.m. to sunset in standard time or 5 p.m. to sunset in daylight saving time.
  • Permits (per dog): $70 a year for residents of the city or the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, $630 a year for nonresidents, or a three-day permit at $20 a visit, used on consecutive days.
  • Parking is not included. You need a beach vehicle permit or a daily pass to park in Spanish River Park; metered spaces on Spanish River Boulevard are limited. From Oct. 1, 2026, beach gatehouses no longer take cash.
  • Rules: carry your permit; two dogs per person at most; leash on the way in and out; carry bags; no digging; no barking nuisance or aggression.

Source: Bark Beach page. Beach parking rates are in our parks and trails guide.

Leashed walks

Countess de Hoernle Park lake path, 1000 Spanish River Blvd. The designated dog area runs along the lake path on the west side of the park, from Countess de Hoernle Park on the south side of Spanish River Boulevard, under the bridge and around the northern lake next to the Spanish River Library. There are pet waste stations. The playground, ballfields and the paths around them in the athletic complex are not included (dog walking path map, PDF).

Palmetto Dune Park, 601 W. Palmetto Park Road. A quiet walking path with benches, a waterway and a dog waste station; leashed dogs are permitted. Open 8 a.m. to sunset. There is no parking on site (Palmetto Dune Park).

Mizner Park, downtown. The shopping center’s visitor page says pets are allowed because a city park runs through the middle (Mizner Park FAQs).

The leash law

The city requires dogs to be leashed at all times on its walking paths, citing City of Boca Raton Ordinance Sec. 5-32 and 5-41 (in the city code). The city’s pets page says Mizner Bark, Bark Beach and Countess de Hoernle Park are the only city parks where pets are allowed. In every city park, smoking, alcohol and feeding wildlife are banned (park rules).

Patios and restaurants

The city says Boca Raton has pet-friendly restaurants, but it does not publish a list. Whether a dog can sit with you on a patio is up to each restaurant; call ahead.

Dog events

  • Howl-O-Ween, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at Countess de Hoernle Park: a free dog show, wiener dog race and costume contest (Howl-O-Ween).
  • Wags in Wonderland, Friday, Dec. 11, 2026, at DRIFT in the Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center: Santa Paws photos, a dog costume contest and adoptable dogs, benefiting Tri-County Animal Rescue (Boca Center events).

Frequently asked questions

Is there a dog beach in Boca Raton? Yes, Bark Beach at Spanish River Park, with a permit.

How much is a Bark Beach permit? $70 a year for residents, $630 for nonresidents, or $20 a visit for three days. Parking is extra.

Where is the dog park? Mizner Bark, 751 Banyan Trail; free permit for residents.

Do dogs have to be leashed? Yes, except inside Mizner Bark and on Bark Beach during its hours.

Can I bring my dog to Mizner Park? Mizner Park says pets are allowed.

What this means for you

  • Get the right permit first: Mizner Bark needs a vehicle permit; Bark Beach needs a permit for each dog plus beach parking.
  • Bring a card, not cash, to the beach gatehouse.
  • Keep your dog leashed everywhere else, and out of city parks not listed here.

Related: parks and trails, walking and biking trails, Halloween events and free things to do.