Smyrna Dunes Park wraps the southern shore of Ponce Inlet in New Smyrna Beach: 184 acres of protected dunes crossed by more than two miles of elevated boardwalk, with the Atlantic on one side, the Indian River on another, and the inlet — and its lighthouse — straight ahead. Entry was $10 per vehicle as filmed, and the park is open 365 days a year.

Smyrna Dunes Park- The Beaches, Pier, Jetty, and Boardwalk. in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Off Our Couch

Off Our Couch's full tour of Smyrna Dunes Park covers the 184-acre inlet park on the south side of Ponce de Leon Inlet in New Smyrna Beach: more than 2 miles of boardwalk with overlooks onto the Atlantic, the Indian River and the inlet. Entry was $10 per vehicle as filmed (with a veteran discount shown), and the walk runs from the entrance pavilion out to the south jetty — past gopher tortoises feeding beside the boardwalk — where the dog-friendly beach section and the inlet fishing draw crowds.

Key takeaways
  • 184-acre Volusia County park on the inlet's south shore in New Smyrna Beach
  • 2+ miles of elevated boardwalk with ocean, river and inlet overlooks
  • Dog-friendly beach by the south jetty; gopher tortoises live in the dunes

Smyrna Dunes County Park **** (Ponce Inlet), New Smyrna Beach, Florida

This Is Florida

A relaxed solo hike around Smyrna Dunes Park's roughly mile-and-a-half boardwalk loop, starting at the information kiosk with its murals of reef life and critters under the sand. The route delivers repeated views across the inlet to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, a scramble near the jetty rocks as waves crash over them, a snowy egret, and the river-side fishing pier — with dog beaches noted on both the New Smyrna and Ponce Inlet sides of the water.

Key takeaways
  • Boardwalk loop of about 1.5 miles with beach outlets along the way
  • Ponce Inlet Lighthouse views across the inlet throughout the walk
  • Fishing pier on the river side; dogs allowed on the inlet beaches

This Florida Park Has Views Around Every Turn!

Chrissa Travels

A family tour introduces Smyrna Dunes Park as a 184-acre Volusia County park about 20 miles south of Daytona Beach, open 365 days a year at $10 per vehicle as filmed. More than 2 miles of elevated boardwalk cross several ecosystems to scenic overlooks and picnic decks; the park is wheelchair accessible and dog friendly, with dog wash stations at the entrance pavilion, and the walkway views take in the drivable beach that runs south toward Canaveral National Seashore.

Key takeaways
  • County park open 365 days a year; $10 per vehicle as filmed
  • Wheelchair accessible and dog friendly, with dog wash stations
  • Boardwalk overlooks double as picnic spots above the beach

The boardwalk loop

The boardwalk runs about a mile and a half in a loop with overlooks and picnic decks the whole way — ocean, river and inlet views rotating as you walk. Gopher tortoises feed beside the boards, osprey work the shoreline, and the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse stands in frame across the water for most of the route. The full 71-minute walking film on this page covers every boardwalk at strolling pace.

The jetty and the surf

The loop ends at the south jetty — natural rock on this side of the inlet, unlike the paved Ponce Inlet side — where waves crash over the stones and surfers work the inlet break that made New Smyrna famous. The films flag the flip side of that fame plainly: this coast carries a shark-bite reputation alongside top-tier surf.

Smyrna Dunes Park Review | New Smyrna Beach Boardwalk, Surf & Hidden Beaches

Sunkel Family

A family road-trip vlog whose middle act is a Smyrna Dunes Park visit: after a long line of cars at the entrance, the family walks the full boardwalk loop, watches surfers working the inlet break and takes in the dune scenery. The park segment sits inside a larger holiday family trip film, but the boardwalk coverage itself is a genuine, ground-level look at the park on a busy day.

Key takeaways
  • Expect an entry line on busy holiday-period days, as filmed
  • Full boardwalk loop walk with inlet surf views
  • Park segment is part of a longer family road-trip film

7 Thinks You Need to Know about Smyrna Dunes Park, in New Smyrna Beach Florida Before You Go

Beach Access

A brisk 'seven things to know' guide to Smyrna Dunes Park: hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and about $11 a day as filmed, limited parking that rewards an early arrival, compact restrooms and showers at the entrance, and firm sand good for walking and beach cruising. The film flags New Smyrna's shark-bite reputation alongside its top-tier surfing, points out the river fishing pier, mangroves, gopher tortoises and osprey, and calls the dog beach one of the biggest it has seen.

Key takeaways
  • Arrive early — parking is limited, per the film
  • One of the largest dog beaches the creators have seen
  • Shelling, a river fishing pier and frequent tortoise and osprey sightings

Biking to the Inlet & Pelicans Everywhere! | New Smyrna Beach, Florida

PS Adventures

A Saturday bicycle ride through New Smyrna Beach that ends at the inlet: the riders cruise Flagler Avenue to the beach, then ride down to the Smyrna Dunes jetty, where the New Smyrna side is still natural rock (unlike the paved Ponce Inlet side they remember from childhood). Pelicans crowd the jetty, a dolphin surfaces in the channel, and the park's picnic spots get a look — the dunes park is the ride's destination rather than its whole subject.

Key takeaways
  • Bike-ride film; the dunes park jetty is the destination
  • NSB jetty is unpaved rock, unlike the Ponce Inlet side
  • Dolphins are a realistic sighting in the inlet channel

One of Florida's biggest dog beaches

The dog beach by the jetty is a headline feature — but know the rule the dog-day film demonstrates: dogs use a gravel path and are NOT allowed on the boardwalk itself. Dog-wash stations and bag stations sit at the entrance pavilion. Arrive early on busy days; the entry line and limited parking are the films' one recurring complaint.

Sources: the 9 videos on this page, filmed at Smyrna Dunes Park in New Smyrna Beach.

Watch: Smyrna Dunes Park, guided

3 videos · summaries from the actual guides

Smyrna Dunes Park - Dog-friendly beach! | Orlando Florida Vlog #9

ARC Adventures

A dog-day visit to the Smyrna Dunes dog beach with Luke the dog: the film walks the gravel dog path (dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk itself), notes the doggy-bag and trash stations, and calls off swimming thanks to large jellyfish in the water that day. It is an honest, practical look at bringing a dog here — including the long walk back to the restrooms.

Key takeaways
  • Dogs use a gravel path — they are not allowed on the boardwalk
  • Doggy-bag stations provided along the path
  • Check for jellyfish before letting dogs swim

#6. Stunning Inlet Views of Smyrna Dunes Park, Florida [4K Walking Tour]

Andrew Smoker

A 71-minute 4K walking tour of Smyrna Dunes Park — the full boardwalk system at strolling pace with the inlet views the park is known for. The longest, slowest look at the park in this set. (Watch film — no usable transcript was available.)

PLACES TO VISIT IN FL//Our Day at Smyrna Dunes Park & Ponce Inlet//Beach,Fishing & Food!

Facing The Waves

Facing The Waves' day at Smyrna Dunes Park and Ponce Inlet — beach time, fishing and food across the inlet area. (Its caption track came back non-English on two pulls, so it loads as a watch film without a transcript.)


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