Understanding dog-friendly hiking trails
What to weigh up when you pick a trail for your dog:
- Terrain — some trails are better suited for dogs than others. For example, trails with loose rocks or steep inclines might be more challenging for dogs.
- Shade — shaded paths help a dog regulate its body temperature in warm weather.
- Water sources — having access to clean water is essential for dogs, especially on longer hikes.
- Wildlife encounters — know what you might meet and how to handle it.
- Crowds — busy trails make some dogs anxious.
British Columbia
Golden Ears Provincial Park — twin peaks, plenty of dog-friendly hiking and designated swimming areas.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park — on North America’s southernmost fjord, with sandy beaches where dogs can play and swim.
Alberta
Elk Island National Park — dogs are welcome on most routes, on leash.
Jasper National Park — stunning mountain scenery and plenty of hiking trails for dogs, with off-leash areas. Due to recent wildfires, the park has limited services.
Ontario
Bon Echo Provincial Park — a 100-metre cliff with Indigenous pictographs; dogs must stay leashed.
Sandbanks Provincial Park — long beaches and swimming, on leash.
Quebec
Mont-Tremblant National Park — year-round activities and designated off-leash areas.
Parc national du Bic — views over the St. Lawrence, hiking trails and off-leash zones.
Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Highlands National Park — the Cabot Trail, with coastal dog-friendly paths and off-leash areas.
Kejimkujik National Park — leashes on most trails, and lakes, forests and petroglyphs to explore.
