BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Dog owners in Boca Raton now have daily access to the city’s designated off-leash shoreline.
Beginning this week, Bark Beach at Spanish River Park is open seven days a week, expanding availability for residents and visitors who bring their dogs to the beach.
Bark Beach is a defined stretch of sand within Spanish River Park, located between lifeguard towers 18 and 20. During designated hours, permitted dogs are allowed off leash to run on the sand, swim in the ocean, and socialize with other dogs.
The daily hours are split into two windows. Dogs are permitted from 7 to 9 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. until sunset. During daylight saving time, the afternoon session runs from 5 p.m. to sunset.
Access is not open to the general public without paperwork. Dog owners must have a Bark Beach pass, and the permit holder is required to carry the permit on their person while bringing a dog to the beach. Each dog must have its own permit, and the city limits participation to two dogs per person.
The beach access point is within Spanish River Park at 3001 N. State Road A1A. The park sits along the Atlantic shoreline and is one of Boca Raton’s most heavily used beach access areas, so the city’s pass system is part of how it manages dog activity in a limited, designated zone.
Pass pricing depends on residency. A three-day pass costs $15 per dog and must be used on three consecutive days. Annual passes are $35 per dog for City of Boca Raton residents and Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District residents. Annual passes for non-residents are listed at $210 per dog.
The city also cautions residents not to assume a Boca Raton mailing address equals eligibility for resident pricing. Some Boca Raton addresses fall within unincorporated Palm Beach County, and eligibility can depend on whether a home is inside city limits or within the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District.
Parking is separate from the dog permit. The city notes that beach parking is not included in the annual or three-day dog pass. To park inside the park, visitors must purchase an Annual Beach Vehicle Entry Permit. Metered parking is available along Spanish River Boulevard, but it is limited.
City rules for Bark Beach are built around controlling off-leash activity and keeping the beach usable for everyone in the designated area. Dogs must be leashed before entering and when departing the dog beach. Owners must have a way to properly dispose of fecal matter. Dogs are only permitted in the dog-friendly area — the stretch between towers 18 and 20 — and only during Bark Beach hours.
Other rules address behavior and impact on the sand. Dogs are not allowed to dig in the sand. Dogs also cannot create a nuisance, including excessive barking, aggressive behavior toward other dogs or people, or other disruptive conduct. The city’s rules state that dog owners are responsible for their animals and can be removed from the park for violations, with potential suspension of the right to use Bark Beach.
The permit terms also include liability language tied to use of the dog beach, including a waiver and release of claims against the city related to injury or property damage arising from use of the permit, and an agreement to indemnify the city for claims connected to use.
For residents, the practical takeaway is simple: Bark Beach is now available every day, but only during the specified windows and only for dogs that are properly permitted. Anyone planning a visit should factor in the separate parking requirements, confirm residency status if seeking the resident annual rate, and expect enforcement of the two-dog limit and the rules governing off-leash behavior.
Additional details on passes and rules are available through the City of Boca Raton Recreation Services department.
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