Neighborhood-street accesses — what should I know?

Bay County and Panama City Beach also maintain numbered street-end accesses. They are often smaller and less amenitized than regional parks; use the official access directory and local signs for the current access number, parking rules, and conditions. • West end: The Pier Park area has several side-street and regional access options. • Mid-beach: Smaller street-end accesses can be more convenient when regional lots are busy. • Thomas Drive: The east-end corridor has public street-end accesses alongside the larger parks.

Accessibility at the beach — what should I know?

The City lists accessible beach locations at Accesses 24, 40, 56, 66, 70, 73, and M.B. Miller County Pier. M.B. Miller offers beach-mobility equipment, and Russell-Fields City Pier lists beach wheelchairs. Confirm availability with the facility before your visit. • Look for accessible parking, mobility mats, and beach wheelchairs at the listed locations. • Accessibility equipment may be seasonal or first-come, first-served; the linked city and county pages are the best place to confirm current details.

Best beach accesses by trip type — what should I know?

• For families with kids: St. Andrews State Park offers calmer bay-side water in addition to Gulf beach, and S. Richard Seltzer Park is a smaller, quieter east-end option. • For sunset: M.B. Miller County Pier or a west-end access near Pier Park. • For quiet swimming: Compare the smaller Thomas Drive street-end accesses with the larger regional parks before choosing. • For snorkeling: St. Andrews jetties are the most sheltered option in this list, but conditions and visibility vary. • For fishing: Check current pier access and fishing fees at M.B. Miller before traveling.

Beach flag warning system — what should I know?

The City of Panama City Beach publishes current beach-safety and flag information. Check the official status before entering the water; flags can change during the day. • Green — low hazard, but remain aware of changing conditions • Yellow — moderate surf and/or currents; use caution • Red — high surf and/or strong currents • Double red — water closed to the public • Purple — dangerous marine life present

Local Guide

Panama City Beach Public Beach Access Guide

Panama City Beach's numbered public access system spans the west, central, and east beach. This guide highlights the main regional parks and piers, explains how the numbered street-end accesses work, and covers parking, accessibility, flags, and changing beach rules.

Updated 2026-09-03

Neighborhood-street accesses

Bay County and Panama City Beach also maintain numbered street-end accesses. They are often smaller and less amenitized than regional parks; use the official access directory and local signs for the current access number, parking rules, and conditions.

West end: The Pier Park area has several side-street and regional access options.
Mid-beach: Smaller street-end accesses can be more convenient when regional lots are busy.
Thomas Drive: The east-end corridor has public street-end accesses alongside the larger parks.

Accessibility at the beach

The City lists accessible beach locations at Accesses 24, 40, 56, 66, 70, 73, and M.B. Miller County Pier. M.B. Miller offers beach-mobility equipment, and Russell-Fields City Pier lists beach wheelchairs. Confirm availability with the facility before your visit.

Look for accessible parking, mobility mats, and beach wheelchairs at the listed locations.
Accessibility equipment may be seasonal or first-come, first-served; the linked city and county pages are the best place to confirm current details.

Best beach accesses by trip type

For families with kids: St. Andrews State Park offers calmer bay-side water in addition to Gulf beach, and S. Richard Seltzer Park is a smaller, quieter east-end option.
For sunset: M.B. Miller County Pier or a west-end access near Pier Park.
For quiet swimming: Compare the smaller Thomas Drive street-end accesses with the larger regional parks before choosing.
For snorkeling: St. Andrews jetties are the most sheltered option in this list, but conditions and visibility vary.
For fishing: Check current pier access and fishing fees at M.B. Miller before traveling.

Beach flag warning system

The City of Panama City Beach publishes current beach-safety and flag information. Check the official status before entering the water; flags can change during the day.

Green — low hazard, but remain aware of changing conditions
Yellow — moderate surf and/or currents; use caution
Red — high surf and/or strong currents
Double red — water closed to the public
Purple — dangerous marine life present

Parking, dogs, and rules

Street-end and regional-park parking policies vary, and fees can change. Dogs are prohibited on most Gulf-front beaches in Panama City Beach, with a designated pet-friendly section near Russell-Fields City Pier. See our <a href="/pcb-pet-friendly-rentals" class="text-accent hover:underline">pet-friendly rentals guide</a> for the local dog rules, dog beach, nearby vets, and how our pet fees work. Alcohol restrictions apply during the annually designated spring-break High Impact Period rather than a fixed calendar rule. Beach fires require a permit, and tent, glass, and overnight-property rules change periodically — verify current local rules before you travel.

Regional parks and piers

These regional locations are useful starting points when you need parking, facilities, mobility accommodations, or a larger beach area. Fees, hours, and amenities can change seasonally, so check the linked source before traveling.

Location	Address	Zone	Coordinates
M.B. Miller County Pier	12213 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL	West End	30.2158, -85.877
S. Richard Seltzer Park	7419 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL	Thomas Drive / East End	30.152, -85.767
St. Andrews State Park	4607 State Park Lane, Panama City Beach, FL 32408	Thomas Drive / East End	30.1385, -85.7346

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Panama City Beach public beaches free?

The beach itself is generally free to use, but parking or entry fees can apply at regional parks and piers. Florida State Parks currently lists an $8 per-vehicle fee for most groups at St. Andrews State Park; confirm current fees before you go.

Where can I find the least crowded beach access in PCB?

Smaller street-end accesses are usually quieter than the pier and regional-park lots, but crowd levels shift with season, weather, and events. Compare the map below, then check parking availability and posted signs when you arrive.

Can I bring my dog to the beach in Panama City Beach?

Dogs are prohibited on most Gulf-front beaches in Panama City Beach. There is a designated pet-friendly beach section near Russell-Fields City Pier, and leashed dogs are allowed in some other county and bay-side areas — check current city and county guidance before you go.

What do the different colored beach flags mean?

Green means low hazard, yellow means moderate surf or currents, red means high surf or strong currents, double red means the water is closed to the public, and purple means dangerous marine life is present. Flags can change during the day, so check the City's current status before entering the water.