Panama City Beach Tips
Panama City Beach Parking & Beach Access Guide (2026)
ShoreDrop LLC · Last updated: September 2026
Panama City Beach has close to a hundred numbered public beach access points, but many have no parking. The easiest parking is at larger parks and piers like Rick Seltzer Park (free) and the M.B. Miller County Pier, at city-maintained accesses with lots, and along some stretches of Front Beach Road on the West End. Arrive early in peak season, since the best spots fill by mid-morning.
How do Panama City Beach access points work?
Public beach accesses are numbered along the coast, from Thomas Drive on the east end to the far west end of Front Beach Road. Every one of them gives you free walking access to the beach, and most post the day's flag warning. Parking is the variable: some accesses have lots, some have a few roadside spaces, and many have none.
Where can you park for the beach in PCB?
Locations, fees, and rules change, so check pcbfl.gov and baycountyfl.gov for the current parking map before you go.
• City-maintained accesses with parking: The City of Panama City Beach maintains accesses 24 through 76B, and several have vehicle parking, including 40, 41, 44–50, 53–58, 69, and the County Pier.
• Rick Seltzer Park (Thomas Drive): Free parking, restrooms, showers, and pavilions. One of the easiest beach days in town.
• The piers: The Russell-Fields City Pier (across from Pier Park) and the M.B. Miller County Pier both have nearby parking, and paid lots close to Pier Park put you near food and shopping.
• Bay County lots: County-owned beach parking in the unincorporated areas has historically been free.
• The West End: Parking is mostly roadside along Front Beach Road near some Laguna Beach and Sunnyside accesses. Follow posted signs, and never block driveways or park on dunes.
Can you skip driving altogether?
Often, yes. The Bay Town Trolley runs routes along Front Beach Road, rideshare is widely available, and many condos are close enough to walk.
The part nobody warns you about: the haul, twice
Finding a spot is only half of it. You still have to carry chairs, an umbrella, and everything else to the sand, sometimes a long way. And because of Leave No Trace, you have to carry it all back before 7 p.m. That's two trips across hot sand, every day of your vacation.
How to skip the haul completely
This is exactly what ShoreDrop solves. Reserve in the app, drop a pin at one of our ten West End beach accesses (76B, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 86, 89, 92, or 95), and your setup is ready before you arrive. When you're done, we pack it all up and haul it off before the 7 p.m. cutoff. You walk down with a towel and walk back with a tan.
Frequently asked questions
Is beach parking free in Panama City Beach?
Some of it is. Rick Seltzer Park offers free parking, and county-owned beach parking in the unincorporated areas has historically been free. Some lots near the city's busiest areas charge a fee. Check current rates before you go.
How many beach access points are in Panama City Beach?
There are close to a hundred numbered public beach accesses, but many don't include parking.
Where is the best place to park for the beach in PCB?
For easy amenities, Rick Seltzer Park. For a central location near food and shopping, the lots around Pier Park and the City Pier. For a quieter beach, roadside spots on the West End, if you arrive early. Parking and hauling gear are the worst part of a beach day. ShoreDrop delivers and sets up your chairs, shade, and cooler before you arrive, then packs it all up after. [Book your beach day, delivered.] Follow @shoredropemeraldcoast on Instagram for PCB beach updates.
Parking and hauling gear are the worst part of a beach day. ShoreDrop delivers and sets up your chairs, shade, and cooler before you arrive, then packs it all up after. [Book your beach day, delivered.] Follow @shoredropemeraldcoast on Instagram for PCB beach updates.
Ready to skip the hauling?
Download the ShoreDrop app and reserve your setup in minutes — Virginia Beach or Panama City Beach.
