Are you a dog owner? Does the thought of leaving the furry family member at home whilst you enjoy nature make you feel sad? Good news is that Ontario Parks are, with some exceptions, dog-friendly.
Typically dogs are welcome at all Ontario Parks and are permitted on many campsites, park roads, and most hiking trails. The main exception is some dog-free campgrounds, accommodations, and sensitive areas.
Remember, not everyone likes dogs and some people are genuinely frightened of them. There are rules you have to follow and there are consequences with a minimum fine of $95.00.
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Where can’t you take a dog in an Ontario Provincial Park?
- Beaches and swimming areas (unless a designated dog beach)
- comfort stations
- Roofed accommodations (except designated dog-friendly sites)
- Waters next to interior campsites where campers obtain drinking water
- All areas posted prohibiting domestic animals (service animals excluded)
Simple rules to abide by.
- Always keep dogs on a leash no longer than 2 meters (6 feet) in length, unless in a designated off-leash area or designated roofed accommodation
- If you meet someone on a trail get your dog under control on a short leash. Not everyone likes dogs and I don’t want to fall over yours.
- Do not allow dogs to damage or disturb park vegetation and wildlife
- Do not leave dogs unattended or allow them to make excessive noise
- Do not leave dogs in parked cars
- Pick up after your dog’s waste (stoop-and-scoop bags are available at most gatehouses)
- If there are reports of bears, cayotes or wolves in the area think long and hard about whether it makes sense to hike with your dog.
Bears and other wild animals.
Just came across this article on the website get Bear Smart, a useful guide to having dogs in Bear Country. Remember you, your family, other people and your dogs are all at risk if you’re not smart.
Dog-friendly Ontario Provincial Parks
We’ve listed below Ontario Parks with pet/dog-friendly facilities. This can change so always check the official park website under “Facilities”, “Activities” and “Alerts”.
Algonquin PP
Dog beach.
Arrowhead PP
Dog beach and pet-friendly exercise area.
People say “has 2 on-leash dog beaches and 1 off-leash exercise area with 2 “beaches”. People will spend the day at this area with their dogs.”
Balsam Lake PP
Dog Beach
Bon Echo PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
Bronte Creek PP
Pet Exercise Area
Charleston Lake PP
Dog Beach
Dogs must be kept on a leash except when swimming. The beach area has a few picnic tables for tired hoomans.
Chutes PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
Craigleith PP
Dog Beach
Earl Rowe PP
Pet Exercise Area
Emily PP
Dog Beach
Esker Lakes PP
Dog Beach
Fairbank PP
Pet Exercise Area
Ferris PP
Pet Exercise Area
Finlayson Point PP
Dog Beach
Grundy Lake PP
Pet Exercise Area
Dog Beach
Inverhuron PP
Pet Exercise Area
Dog Beach
Ivanhoe Lake PP
Dog Beach
Kakabeka Falls PP
Dog Beach
Pet Exercise Area
Kettle Lakes PP
Pet Exercise Area
Dog Beach
Killarney PP
Dog Beach
Killbear PP
Pet Exercise Area
Dog Beach
Lake Superior PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
Long Point PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
MacGregor Point PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
Marten River PP
Dog Beach
McRae Point PP
Pet Exercise Area
Dog Beach
Mikisew PP
Pet Exercise Area
Dog Beach
Neys PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
North Beach PP
Dog Beach
Oastler Lake PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
Pancake Bay PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
Pinery PP
Dog Beach
Point Farms PP
Dog Beach
Port Burwell PP
Dog beach and pet-friendly exercise area.
People say “hands down has the best dog beach. There is a shortcut to walk there but not many know of it. The dog beach is beautiful and cleaner than the other beaches”
Pinery PP
Dog beach.
People say “clean and the sand is soft. It’s quite far from the campsite though. The park itself is huge and the dog beach is at the far end on the day use side”, “it’s a nice beach, however it is not an off-leash beach”,
Quetico PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
Rainbow Falls PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
Restoule PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
Rock Point PP
Dog Beach
Rondeau PP
Dog Beach and Pet Exercise Area
Sandbanks PP
Dog Beach
Sandbar Lake PP
Dog Beach and Pet Exercise Area
Selkirk PP
Dog Beach and Pet Exercise Area
Sharbot Lake PP
Dog Beach
Sibbald Point PP
Dog Beach
Six Mile Lake PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
Sleeping Giant PP
Pet Exercise Area
Springwater PP
Pet Exercise Area
Turkey Point PP
Pet Exercise Area and Dog Beach
Wasaga Beach PP
Dog Beach
White Lake PP
Pet Exercise Area
Windy Lake PP
Dog Beach and Pet Exercise Area