Walton County · Florida
HIGH HAZARD · RED High hazard, dangerous currents
75.6Water °F
2.8Waves ft
77.4Air °F
5.35UV
Flag is county-wide from South Walton Fire District · posted Nov 4, 8:00 AM CT
Water, waves, air and UV pulled Nov 4, 8:00 AM CT
Water, waves, air and UV pulled Nov 4, 8:00 AM CT
The short answer
Dogs are allowed on Walton County beaches only with a county dog permit, on a leash, and only from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. The permit is available to Walton County property owners and permanent residents, requires proof (deed, driver's license, tax receipt, lease or voter registration) and rabies vaccination documentation, costs a fee set by the county, and expires each July 31. The dog must wear the permit tag on its collar, or you must carry the tag. Service animals are exempt. In Okaloosa County (Destin, Okaloosa Island) the rules differ: the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk beach allows no dogs except service animals.
📋 Dog-Friendly Beaches at a glance
| Hours | 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. only. Not during the day. |
| Leash | Required, direct control at all times. |
| Permit | Required, worn on the collar or carried on your person. |
| Eligibility | Walton County real property owners and permanent residents only. Proof required. |
| Renewal | Permit expires midnight July 31 each year. Non-transferable. |
| Requirements | Proof of rabies vaccination (Florida Statute 828.30). |
| Waste | Owner responsible for pick-up. |
| Service animals | Exempt from the permit requirement. |
| Okaloosa | Different rules. No dogs at the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk beach except service animals. |
| Dunes | Keep dogs off the dunes and dune vegetation. |
🏖️ What Dog-Friendly Beaches is actually like
This is the rule that surprises the most people, and it surprises them twice. First, dogs aren't allowed on the beach during the day at all. Second, tourists can't get the permit, because it's for county property owners and permanent residents. So a family visiting from Atlanta with a golden retriever technically can't legally walk it on the sand at noon, permit or no permit.
The window that works is early morning and late afternoon, which is honestly the best time on the beach anyway. Before 8:30 you can have the whole stretch to yourself with the dog, and after 3:30 the light gets good. Just keep it leashed, keep it off the dunes, keep the tag on the collar, and pick up after it. Cross into Destin and everything changes, because that's Okaloosa and their rules are stricter about dogs in the parks.
❓ Dog-Friendly Beaches questions
Can you bring your dog to the beach in Walton County?
Yes, with a county dog permit, on a leash, and only from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Can tourists get a dog beach permit in Walton County?
Usually no. The permit requires proof of Walton County property ownership or permanent residency. Service animals are exempt.
What time can dogs be on the beach?
3:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. only.
Does the dog need to be on a leash?
Yes, at all times, under direct control.
Where do you get a Walton County dog beach permit?
From Walton County, with proof of property ownership or residency and rabies vaccination documentation. It expires each July 31.
Does the dog need to wear the permit tag?
Yes, on the collar, or you can carry the tag on your person while on the beach.
Are dogs allowed on Destin beaches?
Different rules: Okaloosa County. The Okaloosa Island Boardwalk beach allows no dogs except service animals.
Are dogs allowed on the dunes?
No. Keep dogs off the dunes and dune vegetation.
Are there dog-friendly restaurants near the beach?
Yes, several. Patio policies vary and change, so call ahead. See the dog-friendly restaurants page for the current list.
What about service animals?
Service animals are exempt from the permit requirement and can accompany their handler.
ℹ️ About this page
Facts last verified Nov 4, 2026. We checked this page against public sources and answered everything to the best of our knowledge, but access rules, fees, hours and businesses can change without notice, so confirm anything that matters for your trip. If you find something here that is wrong or out of date, let us know and we will look into it and correct the page.
Flag and surf data update daily.
🔻 Before you go
🚩 Today's beach flags
Current conditions and what they mean.
🌊 Surf and water
Waves, water temp, wind, forecast.
🚗 Beach parking
Free vs paid lots along the coast.
🐕 Dog rules
Walton County permit rules.
🍽️ Where to eat
Dining near Dog-Friendly Beaches.
🗓️ Things to do
Activities in and around Dog-Friendly Beaches.