Last updated: June 2026

Miami has a short list of beaches where dogs are actually allowed and a longer list of fenced dog parks across the county and the City of Miami. The two reliable off-leash beach options are Haulover Beach Park's designated dog stretch on the county's north end and Hobie Island Beach on the Rickenbacker Causeway toward Key Biscayne. For day-to-day off-leash play, David T. Kennedy Park in Coconut Grove, Margaret Pace Park in Edgewater, and the Bark Park at Tropical Park each have fenced areas split by dog size. Hours and rules differ by site, and a few details changed recently, so it is worth confirming the specifics below before you load up the car.

This guide covers each location, the part of the beach or park where dogs are permitted, current hours, and what to expect on arrival. Proximity to green space is also a practical factor when you are evaluating a property, and I note where that overlaps with specific neighborhoods.

Miami dog beaches

Dogs are not permitted on most public beaches in Miami-Dade. The exceptions below are designated areas, which means dogs are allowed only in a marked section and only during posted hours.

Haulover Beach Park (Bark Beach)

Haulover Beach Park sits just north of Bal Harbour and runs a designated dog beach often called Bark Beach. Dogs are allowed on the beach daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the marked area between lifeguard tower #2 and tower #3 only, directly across from the on-site Bark Park and accessible through parking lots #3 and #4 [1]. Dogs must be leashed everywhere in the park except inside that designated beach zone. There is a $2 per-vehicle entry fee, and the adjacent Bark Park (a fenced dog run with separate enclosures for dogs under and over 35 pounds) is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, seven days a week [1].

If you are looking at high-rises in Sunny Isles, Bay Harbor Islands, or Aventura, Haulover is the closest legitimate dog beach.

Hobie Island Beach (Windsurfer Beach)

Hobie Island Beach, also known as Windsurfer Beach, runs along the Rickenbacker Causeway on the way to Key Biscayne. It is dog-friendly, with shallow, generally calm water that suits smaller dogs and first-time swimmers. Parking is in the free pull-offs along the causeway. Keep your dog under control, pack out waste, and stay clear of marked dune and vegetation areas. The same causeway is popular for windsurfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking, so expect a busy shoreline on weekends.

Miami dog parks by area

These are fenced, off-leash facilities. Most split the space into separate runs for larger and smaller dogs, and county and city sites alike ask that you carry waste bags and keep vaccinations current.

David T. Kennedy Park (Coconut Grove)

Kennedy Park is a bayfront park in Coconut Grove with on-leash walking paths along Biscayne Bay and a fully fenced dog park that has separate areas for large and small dogs. It is a steady part of the daily rhythm in the Grove, and A.C.'s Icees nearby is a long-running local stop after a walk. Off-leash hours for the fenced area can vary, so check posted signage on arrival rather than assuming the dog run keeps the same hours as the larger park.

Margaret Pace Park (Edgewater)

Margaret Pace Park sits directly on Biscayne Bay in Edgewater, just north of Downtown. Its roughly half-acre dog park has two fenced areas, one for dogs over 25 pounds and one for smaller dogs, plus benches, dog water fountains, and bag dispensers [2]. The park also has tennis and basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, a playground, and a paved waterfront walkway, so the dog run is one piece of a larger waterfront amenity. For residents of the Edgewater condo towers, it functions as a shared backyard.

Bark Park at Tropical Park (Olympia Heights)

Tropical Park, at 7900 SW 40th Street, runs an inland Bark Park open sunrise to sunset. It has two play areas split at 35 pounds, an obstacle course, shade, drinking fountains for dogs and people, and waste-bag dispensers, with a fenced perimeter and separate gates for each run [3]. It is one of the larger off-leash facilities in the county system and a practical option for households west of the urban core.

What pet amenities add in the Miami market

When I prepare a listing valuation, proximity to parks and off-leash space is one of several location factors I document, alongside walkability and access to the waterfront. Pet-related building features that buyers commonly ask about include:

Distance to a fenced, off-leash dog park.
In-building pet amenities such as wash stations or dedicated pet relief areas.
Wide, shaded sidewalks for daily walks, which are common in parts of Coral Gables.

These are amenities tied to a property and its surroundings, not a judgment about who should live somewhere. If you are relocating, a buyer consultation is a good place to map your routine, including your dog's exercise needs, against specific buildings and blocks.

Tips for visiting Miami parks with a dog

The climate calls for a little planning:

Carry water. Bring a portable bowl even at shaded parks.
Mind the pavement. Asphalt and concrete heat up fast midday. Aim for walks before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
Check the rules at each gate. Hours, size splits, and leash requirements differ by site, and several county and city parks ask for visible proof of vaccination on tags.

If you want help weighing a specific neighborhood or building against your dog's needs and the rest of your criteria, reach out and we can work through it.

Gabriel

Frequently asked questions

Which Miami beaches allow dogs? Haulover Beach Park has a designated dog beach between lifeguard towers #2 and #3, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and Hobie Island Beach (Windsurfer Beach) on the Rickenbacker Causeway is dog-friendly. Most other public beaches in Miami-Dade do not allow dogs.

What are the Haulover dog beach hours? Dogs are allowed on the designated Haulover beach area from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with a $2 per-vehicle entry fee. The adjacent fenced Bark Park is open 8 a.m. to sunset, seven days a week.

Is Hobie Island Beach off-leash? Hobie Island Beach permits dogs and has off-leash areas, but you should keep your dog under control, pack out waste, and avoid marked dune and vegetation zones. Conditions and posted rules can change, so check signage on arrival.

Are there dog parks in Coconut Grove and Edgewater? Yes. David T. Kennedy Park in Coconut Grove has a fenced dog park with separate large and small dog areas, and Margaret Pace Park in Edgewater has a half-acre dog park split at 25 pounds.

Do Miami dog parks separate large and small dogs? Most do. Haulover and Tropical Park split at 35 pounds, Margaret Pace splits at 25 pounds, and Kennedy Park has separate large and small dog areas.

Sources

Gabriel A. Moyers, PA. eXp Realty. Florida License #3407280. Equal Housing Opportunity. This article is general information as of June 2026 and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify current figures against authoritative sources before acting.

Dog-friendly parks and beaches in Miami