Boca Raton's beach parks, Gumbo Limbo, the El Rio and Patch Reef trails, dog parks and beach permits: hours, addresses and fees. Park rangers: 561-393-7815.
Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Boca Raton’s Recreation Services park pages. Fees are those in effect since Oct. 1, 2026.
Boca Raton has 49 parks covering 1,650 acres and five miles of Atlantic coastline, according to the city. They range from three oceanfront beach parks to nature preserves, paved canal trails and two places for dogs to run off leash. The city’s interactive park map shows them all.
Who to call
- Park Rangers (incidents, rules): 561-393-7815
- Park maintenance: 561-393-7810
- Pavilion rentals: 561-393-7815; Patch Reef Park 561-544-8540
- Police non-emergency: 561-368-6201; emergency 911
- Permits: annual beach, dog and boat permits
Beach parks
| Park | Address | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish River Park | 3001 N. Ocean Blvd. | 8 a.m. to sunset | Pavilions for rent; home of Bark Beach |
| Red Reef Park | 1400 N. Ocean Blvd. | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Boardwalk, snorkeling, playground, 54 grills |
| South Beach Park | 400 N. Ocean Blvd. | 8 a.m. to sunset | 228 parking spaces, restrooms, EV parking |
Parking at the beach parks needs an annual permit or a daily fee, according to the city’s beach permits page. Since Oct. 1, 2026, the gatehouses no longer take cash; pay by card, Google Pay or Apple Pay.
| Permit or fee (standard car) | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual permit, City of Boca Raton and Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District residents (all three beach parks plus Mizner Bark) | $90 |
| Annual permit, Palm Beach County residents (South Beach Park only) | $108 |
| Daily entry, weekdays | $40 |
| Daily entry, weekends and holidays | $55 |
A Boca Raton mailing address does not always mean you live in the city or the district; check the city’s city limits map. Annual permits run Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 and are not prorated.
Nature
- Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., 561-544-8605: a 20-acre coastal hammock on the barrier island with a boardwalk, a 40-foot observation tower and sea turtle aquariums. Nature center and aquariums 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Monday; trail, boardwalk and tower 7 a.m. to sunset daily.
- James A. Rutherford Park, 600 NE 24th St.: boardwalk, fishing pier and a canoe and kayak launch on the Intracoastal, with rentals from a kiosk. 8 a.m. to sunset.
- Nature preserves run by the city include Serenoa Glade, Blazing Star and the Gopher Tortoise Preserve, plus the Yamato Scrub Natural Area; see the city’s nature preserves page.
Trails
| Trail | Length | Start | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Rio Trail | 4.8 miles, paved, along the El Rio Canal | Tri-Rail station, 599 Glades Road | Free at the Tri-Rail station |
| Patch Reef Trail | 3.5 miles, along the E-4 Canal, Glades Road to Yamato Road | Patch Reef Park | 535 free spaces at Patch Reef Park |
| T-Rex Trail | 1.42 miles, Yamato Road Tri-Rail station to Countess de Hoernle Park | Yamato Road Tri-Rail station | None on-site |
All three are open sunrise to sunset. Pets, smoking, alcohol, drones, balloons, fires and feeding wildlife are banned in city parks under the city code, the El Rio Trail page notes.
Dogs
- Mizner Bark, 751 Banyan Trail: three fenced off-leash areas for dogs over 50 pounds, 20 to 50 pounds and under 20 pounds. Open 7 a.m. to dusk daily, noon to dusk Wednesday. No restrooms. A vehicle permit is free for city and district residents; nonresidents pay $385 a year or $35 a month.
- Bark Beach at Spanish River Park, between lifeguard towers 18 and 20: now open seven days a week, 7 to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to sunset in standard time (5 p.m. to sunset in daylight saving time). Dog permits are $70 a year for residents, $630 for nonresidents, or $20 a visit for three consecutive days. Beach parking is extra. Two dogs per person, and no digging.
- Countess de Hoernle Park, 1000 Spanish River Blvd.: dogs are allowed on the lake path only.
Sports and family parks
- Patch Reef Park, 2000 W. Yamato Road: courts, fitness equipment and pavilions; 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday, shorter hours Sunday.
- Countess de Hoernle Park: four soccer and football fields, four softball fields, a lake path and a playground; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, 561-347-3900: the Children’s Science Explorium, a carousel and a community center.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to park at Boca Raton beaches? $40 on weekdays and $55 on weekends and holidays per car, or a $90 annual permit for residents. No cash.
Where can I take my dog to the beach? Bark Beach at Spanish River Park, between lifeguard towers 18 and 20, with a permit.
Is there a dog park? Yes, Mizner Bark at 751 Banyan Trail.
How long is the El Rio Trail? 4.8 miles, with free parking at the Tri-Rail station at 599 Glades Road.
What are Gumbo Limbo’s hours? 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Monday; the boardwalk opens at 7 a.m.
What this means for you
- Bring a card to the beach gatehouse; cash is no longer accepted.
- Residents: the $90 annual permit costs less than three weekday visits.
- Dogs need their own permit at Bark Beach, separate from parking.
Related: things to do this month, getting around Boca Raton and farmers markets.
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