Smyrna Dunes Park
Smyrna Dunes Park
4.5
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4.5
680 reviews
Excellent
522
Very good
121
Average
33
Poor
2
Terrible
2
BraboFreestyler
Antwerp, Belgium26 contributions
Feb 2020
We went here on a Sunday, based on all the positive reviews. We were looking for a quiet couple of hours on the beach.
After paying the $10 entry fee we parked the car and walked (nice boardwalk) to the beach furthest away on the ocean side, next to the inlet. It is quite a distance, took us at least 15min to get there. To our surprise, there were at least 50 vehicles parked on the beach, most with annual passes, some with day tickets ($20). Cars kept on coming and going all afternoon.
Lots of people with dogs, especially along the beach on the inlet side. Great place to take them for walk!
So I guess it all depends what you are looking for. Good for fishing & surfing and walking the dog, not good if you are looking for a quiet time on the beach.
Oh, and somebody mentioned something about the unspoiled views. Well, I guess that was before the construction of the Minorca condo complex just before the park entrance. The tallest building of that complex is 18 stories (!) high. An absolute eyesore. The view of the other side of the inlet, with the lighthouse, is very pretty though.
After paying the $10 entry fee we parked the car and walked (nice boardwalk) to the beach furthest away on the ocean side, next to the inlet. It is quite a distance, took us at least 15min to get there. To our surprise, there were at least 50 vehicles parked on the beach, most with annual passes, some with day tickets ($20). Cars kept on coming and going all afternoon.
Lots of people with dogs, especially along the beach on the inlet side. Great place to take them for walk!
So I guess it all depends what you are looking for. Good for fishing & surfing and walking the dog, not good if you are looking for a quiet time on the beach.
Oh, and somebody mentioned something about the unspoiled views. Well, I guess that was before the construction of the Minorca condo complex just before the park entrance. The tallest building of that complex is 18 stories (!) high. An absolute eyesore. The view of the other side of the inlet, with the lighthouse, is very pretty though.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice H
Atlanta, GA132 contributions
May 2021
This is a jewel!!!! The Park is immaculate. The decking around the peninsula as well as the fishing pier are in top notch condition. Even though we are totally NOT dog people, the accommodations for dogs was amazing including a place to hose them off after their beach excursion. We loved the walk around the park to see the ocean and sound from all angles. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the fishing pier since high winds kept him from his surf fishing passion. We bought the annual pass so that we can return to this spot again!
FYI parking is limited. So when things are busy, get there early!! There is a fee since this is a county run facility, but it is well worth it!
FYI parking is limited. So when things are busy, get there early!! There is a fee since this is a county run facility, but it is well worth it!
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dpmartin70
Fern Park, FL52 contributions
Aug 2020
One of my favorite locations to get away from it all! Yes it is $10 to enter the park, but well worth it. I'm not local ( live about an hour away) and thought it was worth the $20 annual fee. I've been to this park 3 times and still haven't explored the whole thing. First of the beach is very nice with good views and good fishing. Park staff is also helpful and can direct you around. The fishing pier is pretty cool as well! The pier has shelters, benches, and definitely convenient. The walkways give you a nice clear path to view all the great natural sights to see! Just come and try it out! I'm coming back as soon as I get a chance!
Written 20 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2BNKD
Minneapolis128 contributions
Jan 2020
There are several zones to the park, between the ocean shoreline, the sand dunes, trees, plants, turtles, birds and other wildlife. The park has a 2.5 mile loop boardwalk with some lookouts and accesses to the ocean shore. There's a $10 park entrance fee and it is well worth it.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roxanne G
Fountain City, WI181 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
I have been to a lot of parks and have to say this park is very impressive. Great walking paths take you close to the ocean as well as up close to the sand dunes with tons of turtles in them. We paid $10 to park and well worth it paid $20 at national park here and it was nothing to see in terms of views or paths.
Written 4 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Candy M
Calabash, NC145 contributions
Jul 2021
We came to this park thinking it was right on the water. They do have a very nice and clean boardwalk, but it is @ 1 mile walk to the stairs down to the beach. We were carrying all our beach gear, and it was very difficult. Then when we got to the beach, people had parked there cars there, and you could not get too close to the water. There were people surfing, so that was fun to watch from a distance.
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann
5 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
We love this park. The boardwalk is over a mile long. You get a bird's eye view overlooking both the Ponce Inlet and the ocean. Dogs are allowed until 10 am and no bikes or vehicles are allowed. You see tortoises and their many homes dug into the ground. We happened to see a surfing competition on the ocean. You can access the beach to do a beach walk along the inlet and ocean. It's a great place to take a walk.
There are bathroom facilities. There is a $10 parking fee or a veteran's discount for $5. An annual pass can be purchased for $20 or $10 for a veteran.
There are bathroom facilities. There is a $10 parking fee or a veteran's discount for $5. An annual pass can be purchased for $20 or $10 for a veteran.
Written 29 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barefoot29
Powder Springs, GA298 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
A great way to walk over the dunes. It circles for 1 & 3/4 miles with exits to the beach. The entire walkway has a nice oceN breeze except for theS half mile which is in a low area. There are covered picnic tables along the way. No drinking water so I suggest you bring your own on a hot day. Restrooms and a water fountain at the pavilion where you start. It is $10 at the gate to enter the park unless you have a handicap tag or license and it is free access.
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OmniKaiser
Cincinnati, OH20 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
The park is at the end of the road with a $10 parking fee. The facilities are clean and well kept. There is a 1.4 mile walking loop with new decking that give lovely views of the inlet, dunes and ocean. There are several places for a picnic, one is right off the beach with picnic tables a few stories high for great views. Nice place for a picnic and walk on the dunes decking and beach.
Written 20 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Calico4
225 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Raised walkways offer unique view of dunes and beach access. ADA beach access also available. Park parking gate closes by 9pm . Surfing the waves was very popular when we visited in t evening. In the distance you could see Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse in the sunset.
Gopher tortoises were feeding near the walkways also. Bird watching also. Note the beach was wide and pleasant. A bit of walk from parking lot if you take chairs etc to the sand. 10$ per car entrance fee. picnic tables abound along dunes walkways.
Gopher tortoises were feeding near the walkways also. Bird watching also. Note the beach was wide and pleasant. A bit of walk from parking lot if you take chairs etc to the sand. 10$ per car entrance fee. picnic tables abound along dunes walkways.
Written 11 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How far is it from parking to dog beach. I have an older dog who can’t walk far.
Written 21 August 2019
It's been a long time since I've been but i wanna say less than a mile to the inlet area where most dogs are off leash and play....
Written 21 August 2019
When it the best day to go Saturday o Sunday and do it have spot to fish or not
Written 4 March 2019
Either day will be busy, just go early and yes, very good fishing area.
Written 26 January 2020
My husband & I will be moving to Florida in 2020 & we will be down there this summer scouting places to live. As seniors with small dogs who love the beach, we would like to live inland some but not far away from the beach. We also have issues with walking great distances from our vehicle to the beach. I've seen videos of vehicles driving on the beach. We're able to do that on the Outer Banks in North Carolina which is a place we like to vacation. Can we drive our 4wd onto the area where dogs are allowed?
Written 12 May 2018
There is a parking lot at the dog park, but it requires a $5 admission. There is also a dog washing area, an entrance to the boardwalk, and beach and Inlet access.
Written 13 May 2018
grammief99
Zion, Illinois
Someone told me if you have the National Parks pass... that you don't have to pay the entry... is that correct?
Written 14 March 2017
Don't think you can use it. But, after 5 p.m. the park is free.
If you are staying for more than 2 days and want to go with the dogs during the day. Buy the pass. You can go in and out of the park as many times during the day as you want. If you just want to enjoy the evening with the sun going down with the dogs, just go after 5 p.m.
Written 15 March 2017
I saw that it's $10 per car to enter. Is it a day pass that you can enter and exit through the day?
Written 3 February 2017
there is a parking fee that helps to maintain the park. we walked in, which is free.......
Written 12 February 2017
My husband has to use a scooter to get around, because he has mobility issues. Is it possible to ride from the parking lot to the doggie beach on the boardwalk? Because the scooter will not go on sand, even if it is hard packed. So, I'm wondering if there is any way to get the scooter to the dog beach? Thanks for any info you can provide!
Written 31 January 2017
Unfortunately, the boardwalk is not continuous. There is a short stretch between the doggie beach boardwalk and the boardwalk from the parking lot that crosses the sandy foot path. A distance, I'd guess, of 25-30 feet.
Written 31 January 2017
Can you smoke at the dog beach as long as you dispose of your butts?
Written 18 September 2016
Yes I strongly believe so this is paradise everyone is clean here
Written 30 September 2016
Is there any way to access the dog-friendly part of the park directly from the beach, or is dog access only from the parking area down the boardwalk?
Written 22 July 2016
Yes drive down the beach all the way to the jetty and get out of your vehicle and walk onto it.
Written 1 February 2017
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