Dog-friendly Fort Lauderdale: Snyder Park's bark park and dog swim, Holiday Park, Canine Beach, patios that welcome dogs and the city's leash rule.
Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Park hours come from the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Parks and Recreation pages, and restaurant policies from each restaurant’s own website, linked below. Rules change; check before you go. Parks and Recreation: 954-828-7275.
Fort Lauderdale has two city parks with dog areas, a weekend dog beach on A1A and a handful of waterfront patios that welcome dogs. Dogs must be leashed everywhere else in the city.
What this means for you
- Off leash: Snyder Park’s bark park (with dog swimming) and Holiday Park’s dog park.
- Beach: Canine Beach on A1A north of Sunrise Boulevard, by permit, on set days.
- Leash rule: no animals running at large in the city.
- Lost or stray dog: Broward County Animal Care, 954-359-1313.
Dog parks
| Park | Address | Phone | Dog area | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snyder Park | 3299 SW 4th Ave. | 954-828-4585 | Bark park; dogs can swim | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept.-April; 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. May-Aug. |
| Holiday Park | 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive | 954-828-5383 | Dog park (improvements under way) | Park 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
Snyder Park is the city’s nature park, with a bark park where dogs can swim during park hours, plus a nature trail, a bike trail and fishing. Parking is free except at special events, and the park is closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Snyder Park also hosts the city’s LauderBOO Halloween festival.
Holiday Park has a dog park. Parks bond work that began in May 2026 includes dog park improvements, which the city expects to finish by summer 2027.
Both parks’ details are from the city’s park pages, as listed in our parks and trails guide.
Canine Beach
The city lists a Canine Beach on the ocean along A1A, north of Sunrise Boulevard. It opens on set days and times and needs a city dog beach permit, with separate rates for residents and nonresidents. Check the city’s page or call Parks and Recreation at 954-828-7275 for the current schedule and permit before you go.
Patios that welcome dogs
From each restaurant’s own website:
| Restaurant | Address | Phone | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconuts | 429 Seabreeze Blvd. | 954-525-2421 | On the Intracoastal; “bring your dog” |
| Southport Raw Bar | 1536 Cordova Road | 954-525-2526 | Pet friendly, with waterfront patio seating |
Restaurants set their own pet rules, usually for outdoor seating only, and service animals are allowed under federal law. Call ahead. Own a restaurant that welcomes dogs on the patio? Send us the page on your website that says so through our contact page.
Events that welcome dogs
- Pumpkins and Palm Trees, the city’s fall festival at Las Olas Oceanside Park, invites families and pets to come in costume; see our Halloween events page.
- Halloween Family Fun Day at Bonnet House welcomes pets and runs a pet costume runway.
- Winterfest Family Fun Day at Esplanade Park has a pet rescue row; see holiday lights and Christmas events.
- Riverwalk Mutts & Martinis, now in its 20th year, is one of Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale’s signature events; watch its page for the next date.
Leash rules and licensing
- Leash: the city’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Section 6-2, makes it unlawful for an owner to permit or allow an animal to run at large in the city. Keep dogs leashed outside the off-leash areas.
- Clean up: bring bags and pick up after your dog in parks and on the Riverwalk.
- Tags and the shelter: Broward County Animal Care, 2400 SW 42nd St., runs the county shelter, sells pet tags, holds rabies clinics and enforces county animal laws. The shelter is open seven days a week; call 954-359-1313 for a stray or lost pet.
Walking with a dog
The Riverwalk downtown, the paths in Snyder Park and the city’s greenways are covered in our walking and biking trails guide. In summer, walk early or late: pavement heats fast.
Related: parks and trails, kids’ activities and free things to do.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I take my dog swimming in Fort Lauderdale?
Snyder Park, 3299 SW 4th Ave., has a bark park and lets dogs swim during park hours. The bark park is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from September to April and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May to August.
Is there a dog beach in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. The city runs Canine Beach on A1A north of Sunrise Boulevard. It opens on set days and needs a city permit; hours and fees are on the city’s Canine Beach page, or call Parks and Recreation at 954-828-7275.
Do dogs have to be on a leash in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. The city’s Code of Ordinances, Section 6-2, makes it unlawful for an owner to let an animal run at large in the city. Use the off-leash areas at the city’s dog parks.
Which Fort Lauderdale restaurants allow dogs?
Coconuts, 429 Seabreeze Blvd., says you can bring your dog, and Southport Raw Bar, 1536 Cordova Road, says it is pet friendly, with patio seating.
Who do I call about a stray or lost dog in Fort Lauderdale?
Broward County Animal Care, 2400 SW 42nd St., runs the county shelter and is open seven days a week. Call 954-359-1313.
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