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Top 14 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Ontario: Off-Leash & On-Leash Places to Go

Siberian husky dog running on ocean's beach on sunny day

Going to the beach is an enjoyable activity for a beautiful summer’s day, and it can be made even better with your dog! If you live in Ontario or are planning a vacation there, here’s a list of beaches that not only allow dogs but also have dog-dedicated areas. They are scattered across this large province, from Lake Erie and Lake Ontario to Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

Many of these beaches are in provincial parks, so you can also enjoy a good hike through nature during your day at the beach with your best friend.

divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

The 14 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Ontario, Canada

Dog-Friendly Beaches by Lake Erie

1. Long Point Provincial Park

️ Address: 350 Erie Blvd, Rowan, ON N0E 1M0
Open Times: 24 hours, May to October
Cost: Day fees vary
Off-Leash allowed?: Yes, in designated dog beaches

  • There are two designated off-leash dog beaches
  • One of the biggest waterfowl and bird migration areas in North America
  • Over 1.5 km of beach
  • Great spot for hiking and bird watching
  • Plenty of picnic tables and parking


2. Port Burwell

️ Address: Port Burwell, ON N0J 1T0
Open Times: 8 am to 9 pm May to October
Cost: Day fees vary
Off-Leash allowed?: Yes, in a designated area for dogs

  • Designated off-leash dog beach on the east side of the main beach
  • Additional on-leash pet exercise area
  • Has plenty of space and offers group camping and a play area for children
  • 5 km of sandy beach
  • Great spot for birders, particularly during migration


3. Rock Point Provincial Park

️Address: Haldimand, ON N0A 1K0
Open Times: 9 am to 9 pm, May to October
Cost: Day fees vary
Off-Leash allowed?: Yes, in a designated beach area

  • The western side of the beach is a designated dog area
  • The beach is 1 km long
  • Hiking trail is about 2 km
  • Limestone shelf along the beach has 350-million-year-old fossils in a coral reef
  • Monarch butterfly migration can be observed in the fall


4. Selkirk Provincial Park

️Address: 151 Wheeler’s Sideroad, Selkirk, ON N0A 1P0
Open Times: 24 hours, May to October
Cost: Day fees vary
Off-Leash allowed?: Yes, in a designated area

  • There is a dog beach and pet exercise areas
  • Walking trail, including a boardwalk across a marsh wetland
  • Quiet campground with grassy campsites
  • Large picnic area
  • Shallow water by the shore makes for a safe swim for your dog


5. Turkey Point Provincial Park

️Address: 194 Turkey Point Rd, Turkey Point, ON N0E 1T0
Open Times: 8 am to 10 pm, May to October
Cost: Day fees vary
Off-Leash allowed?: Only in the water

  • Large sandy beach for dogs, but they need to be on a leash when out of the water
  • Three hiking trails
  • Treed campsites that include group camping
  • Beach has buoys and is shallow, so it’s great for kids
  • Plenty of activities, such as fishing and kiteboarding


Dog-Friendly Beaches by Lake Ontario

6. Cherry/Clarke Beach Park

️Address: 1 Cherry St., Toronto, ON M5A 0B7
Open Times: 5 am to 11 pm
Cost: Free
Off-Leash allowed?: Yes, in designated areas

  • Access to a large off-leash area all year
  • Plenty of available parking and accessible by TTC bus throughout the summer
  • Achieves Blue Flag Beach certification frequently (high standards in water quality)
  • Seven bike trails to try out
  • Popular with kite surfers


7. Kew-Balmy Beach

️Address: Toronto, ON M4L 1B8
Open Times: 9 am to 8 pm
Cost: Free
Off-Leash allowed?: Yes, in designated areas

  • Off-leash area on the beach
  • Large off-leash area from Silver Birch Ave. to Nursewood Rd.
  • Frequently receives the Blue Flag Beach certification
  • Facilities include bike trails, fitness equipment, and bowling greens
  • Unleashed dogs allowed outside of designated area from Nov. 1 to Mar. 31


Dog-Friendly Beaches by Lake Huron

8. Inverhuron Beach

️Address: Bruce County Rd 15, Kincardine, ON N0G 2T0
Open Times: 24 hours, May to October
Cost: Day fees vary
Off-Leash allowed?: Yes, in designated areas

  • Features a dog beach and pet exercise area
  • Known for beautiful sunsets and sand dunes
  • Hardwood forest and wetland make for stunning hiking
  • Wide variety of rare plants and wildlife
  • Quieter beach than some others and kept clean


9. Pinery Dog Beach

️Address: 26 Sideroad, Grand Bend, ON N0M 1T0
Open Times: 24 hours
Cost: Day fees vary
Off-Leash allowed?: No

  • 10 km of sandy beach
  • Two dog beaches, but dogs must remain leashed
  • Sunsets here have been rated among the best in the world
  • 14-km bike trail, 10 walking trails, and 38-km ski trails
  • Popular spot, which means it’s busy


10. Point Farm Beach

️Address: Goderich, ON N7A 3X9
Open Times: 8 am to 10 pm, May to October
Cost: Day fees vary
Off-Leash allowed?: No

  • One dog beach but dogs must remain leashed
  • Family friendly with playgrounds, playing fields, and 6 km of hiking trails
  • Park is on a bluff and features beautiful scenery and sunsets
  • Camping with tents, RVs, and trailers
  • Nearby town of Goderich is considered the prettiest town in Canada


Dog-Friendly Beaches by Georgian Bay

11. Craigleith Provincial Park

️Address: The Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 0T6
Open Times: 8 am to 4 pm, April to October
Cost: Day fees vary
Off-Leash allowed?: No

  • Features two dog beaches
  • Flat shale forms the shoreline, which contains 450-million-year-old fossils
  • Camping with tents and RVs
  • Not a sandy beach
  • Small park, so tents might be fairly close together


12. Killbear Provincial Park

️Address: 35 Eddie Ramsay Parkway, Nobel ON P0G 1G0
Open Times: 9 am to 10 pm, May to October
Cost: Day fees vary
Off-Leash allowed?: Yes, in a designated area

  • Has two dog beaches and two pet exercise areas
  • Some areas are off leash, but most require your dog to be leashed
  • Iconic views of windswept pine trees
  • 6-km trail for hiking and biking
  • Combination of rocky and sandy shores


13. Penetanguishene Rotary Park

️Address: Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1N1
Open Times: Sunrise to sunset
Cost: Free
Off-Leash allowed?: Yes, in a designated dog park

  • Small park and sandy beach found downtown in the town of Penetanguishene
  • Dog park and swimming area are off-leash
  • Great spot for the family with a splash pad and skate park
  • Features a trail through an art and flower garden
  • Plenty of parking and picnic tables


14. Wasaga Beach

️Address: 11 22nd St N, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2V9
Open Times: 8 am to 10 pm, April to October and December to March
Cost: Day fees vary
Off-Leash allowed?: No

  • One section of the beach is for leashed dogs
  • 14-km beach is the world’s longest freshwater beach
  • Famous for incredible sunsets
  • The park has 6.8 hectares, with nesting shorebirds and wildlife
  • Popular and busy beach

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Conclusion

Before you leap into your car with your dog by your side, double-check what the rules at your destination are concerning dogs. Rules sometimes change, and what was an off-leash beach yesterday could be a leash-only beach today.

It’s important to keep your dog in the dog areas and follow the rules. If you are caught by a park warden breaking any rules, you’ll probably get hit with a big fine. It is always best to be safe than sorry.

But as long as you treat the parks and beaches with a healthy dose of respect, you can enjoy your outing with your best friend. It’s bound to be spectacular at any one of these beaches!


Featured Image Credit: Valeriia Miller, Shutterstock

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