Bringing your dog to Ontario Parks

Pets enhance holiday time for their owners, but they can easily disturb times of relaxation and the outdoor atmosphere for others. Dogs are welcome at all Ontario Parks, and are permitted on campsites, park roads and most hiking trails, except for a few specific campgrounds and sensitive areas.

However, dog owners must be respectful of nature and their fellow park visitors. To accommodate both those with and without pets, we ask that you adhere to the following rules related to dogs. Violations may result in a minimum fine of $95.00;

• Dogs are not permitted in the following areas:
  • beaches and swimming areas (unless a designated dog beach)
  • comfort stations
  • roofed accommodations (except designated dog friendly sites)
  • waters adjacent to interior campsites where campers obtain drinking water
  • all areas posted prohibiting domestic animals (service animals excluded)
• Always keep dogs on a leash no longer than 2 metres (6 feet) in length, unless in a designated off-leash area or designated roofed accommodation
• Do not allow dogs to damage or disturb park vegetation and wildlife
• Do not leave dogs unattended or allow them to make excessive noise
• Pick up after your dog’s waste (stoop-and-scoop bags are available at most gatehouses)

With so many enticing sights and smells, dogs can become overstimulated in a park setting. Regulations are in place to keep your pet safe and to avoid unfortunate experiences such as losing your dog (which can be a harrowing experience: http://www.ontarioparks.com/parksblog/lost-dog-reunited-with-family/).

Please note that dogs are not permitted in the following campgrounds:

• Algonquin (Achray, Canisbay, Mew Lake and Pog Lake Campgrounds, as well as Mizzy Lake Trail)
• Awenda (Snake Campground)
• Balsam Lake (walk-in campsites)
• Grundy Lake (Red Maple Campground)
• Pinery (campsites 248-299)
• Sandbanks (West Lake Campground)
• Voyageur (one loop in Iroquois B Campground)

To find out whether a park has a dog-free trail, please refer to the “Activities” tab of a park’s webpage, under “Hiking.” You can also call the park to confirm whether they have any pet-restricted or pet-inclusive areas or facilities.

Dogs in roofed accommodations

Starting April 1, 2020, dogs will be welcome in select roofed accommodations for a fee of $20 per night. Dog owners are responsible for any damages caused by their pet. Only two dogs (regardless of size) are permitted per roofed accommodation. The additional fee is assessed per night, not per dog.

Please find the list of dog friendly cabins, yurts and trailers below:

Park	Resource Type / Name
Algonguin - Mew Lake	Yurt - 62
Arrowhead	Cabin - 224
Bon Echo	Yurt - 153 Cabin - 612
Charleston Lake	Yurt - 315C
Fushimi Lake	Cabin - 43
Killarney	Yurt - 6
MacGregor Point	Yurt - 92
Pancake Bay	Yurt - 365
Pinery	Yurt - 480C
René Brunelle	Cabin - 100
Rushing River	Trailer - 403 Trailer - 405
Silent Lake	Yurt - 5 Cabin - 201
Sleeping Giant	Cabin - 4
Windy Lake	Cabin - 201

Dogs in the backcountry

We understand the temptation to take a more relaxed approach to pet rules on backcountry trips, however all rules still apply and help to prevent negative interactions such as:

• At portages and access points where many groups with pets can assemble, dogs can become aggressive causing stress and injury.
• Unleashed dogs can quickly get into other people’s packs and food causing conflicts between campers.
• Some people are not comfortable with unleashed dogs, and will not welcome being approached by your pet.
• When backcountry wardens enter campsites, dogs can become aggressive while protecting the campsite as their home.
• It may seem so at times, but you and your pet are not the only backcountry visitors; it is important to continue to clean up after your pet;

Pet safety in the backcountry

Taking pets into the backcountry requires additional safety precautions. Keep these hazards and tips in mind to keep your pet safe and comfortable:

• WiIdlife: off-leash pets are vulnerable to conflicts with wildlife. Pets can quickly be sprayed by a skunk or suffer with porcupine quills resulting in a trip-ending emergency. Bears will be attracted to your pet’s food, so secure it in the same manner as your food. Unleashed dogs may lead a bear to you and your campsite.
• Poison Ivy: while off-leash, your pet could bring poison ivy back to the campsite on their fur without you knowing it and spread it to you and all your gear. This leaves all members of your group open to unwelcome exposure.
• Ticks: pack a tick removal kit, and know how to search for and remove ticks.
• Know your dog: hiking on a hot summer’s day is tough for pets, especially senior dogs. Consider the scope of your activities and plan with your pet in mind.
• Pet First Aid: think about what items you might need for minor pet injuries.
• Pet lifejacket: your pet will be just as surprised as you are if your canoe tips. Don’t let a mishap turn into a tragedy; consider having your pet wear a lifejacket while in the boat.
• Food: bring extra pet food in case your trip is extended due to weather or other emergencies

Dog friendly areas

Many of our parks feature designated dog friendly areas:

Park	Zone	Pet Exercise Area	Dog Beach
Algonquin	Algonquin
Arrowhead	Algonquin
Balsam Lake	Southeast
Bon Echo	Southeast
Bonnechere	Algonquin
Bronte Creek	Southwest
Charleston Lake	Southeast
Chutes	Northeast
Craigleith	Southwest
Earl Rowe	Southwest
Esker Lakes	Northeast
Fairbank	Northeast
Finlayson Point	Northeast
Grundy Lake	Northeast
Inverhuron	Southwest
Ivanhoe Lake	Northeast
Kakabeka Falls	Northwest
Kettle Lakes	Northeast
Killarney	Northeast
Killbear	Northeast
Lake Superior	Northwest
Long Point	Southwest
MacGregor Point	Southwest
Marten River	Northeast
McRae Point	Southeast
Mikisew	Northeast
Neys	Northwest
North Beach	Southeast
Oastler Lake	Northeast
Pancake Bay	Northeast
Pinery	Southwest
Point Farms	Southwest
Port Burwell	Southwest
Quetico	Northwest
Rainbow Falls	Northwest
Restoule	Northeast
Rock Point	Southwest
Rondeau	Southwest
Sandbanks	Southeast
Sandbar Lake	Northwest
Selkirk	Southwest
Sharbot Lake	Southeast
Sibbald Point	Southeast
Six Mile Lake	Northeast
Sleeping Giant	Northwest
Springwater	Southeast
Turkey Point	Southwest
Wasaga Beach	Southwest
White Lake	Northwest
Windy Lake	Northeast