Dog friendly vacations in Ontario

Dog-friendly getaways in Ontario’s great outdoors

There’s a wide variety of places to stay in Ontario with nature at your doorstep, but what’s in common with these accommodations is that your dog is welcome to join you.

Long Point Eco-Adventures in Norfolk County

One of Ontario’s most unique adventure parks welcomes well-behaved four-legged guests. Select pet-friendly glamping pods and suites are available to book and there is a dog-friendly patio on site.

Location: 1730 Front Road, St Williams

Nearby: There’s a designated off-leash dog beach area at the west end of the day use beach in Long Point Provincial Park. Enjoy a glass of premium wine or hard cider at Hounds of Erie, a dog-loving boutique winery located under 30 minutes drive west from Long Point.

Elmhirst Resort near Peterborough

Located on the north shore of Rice Lake, Elmhirst Resort is a family-owned and operated retreat that has been welcoming guests for five generations. They know dogs are part of the family and offer several pet-friendly cottages.

Location: 1045 Settlers Line, Keene

Somewhere Inn Calabogie in the Ottawa Valley

Designed to bring guests closer to nature, this pet-friendly reimagined motel in Southeastern Ontario is the perfect destination to visit with your dog. Your pup will be welcomed with a bandana and treats.

Location:  5254 Calabogie Road, Calabogie

Nearby: There are several nature trails to explore in the area.

Penny’s Motel in Georgian Bay

All the uniquely styled room and suites at this remodeled, luxurious roadside motel are dog-friendly. With extra touches and details like heated floors, fancy toiletries and whimsical décor, you won’t want to leave.

Location: 141 King Street East, Thornbury

Nearby: Take your pup to Beautiful Joe’s Dog Park in Meaford or Moreau Park in Thornbury for a leash free run. The outdoor beer garden at Side Launch Brewing Company in Collingwood welcomes beer lovers and their dogs.

Viamede Resort in the Kawarthas

Overlooking Kawartha’s Stoney Lake this cozy resort offers pet friendly cottages and a lovely shaded off-leash play area. Staff can provide back up treats, doggy bags, leashes and food dishes.

Location: 595 Mt Julian Viamede Road, Woodview

Nearby: Explore the nine kilometre trail network that runs through the property.

Trillium Resort in Muskoka

Trillium is an adult oriented resort and spa property tucked away in the heart of Muskoka and surrounded by forest, lake and nature. Book one of their pet-friendly cottages and explore the six kilometres of hiking trails.

Location: 848 Clearwater Lake Road, Port Sydney

Nearby: Visit Ontario’s most dog-friendly golf course. Your dog is welcome to walk the course with you as you play a round of golf at Muskoka Highlands Golf Course in Bracebridge.

Pine Grove Resort in Almaguin Highlands

Expansive forest and stunning views across Pickerel Lake surround this peaceful wilderness resort. You and your dog can enjoy hiking the trails, relaxing on the beach and playing in the “Dog Patch”, an onsite agility course.

Location: 463 Pine Grove Road, Port Loring

Ontario Provincial Parks

Camping is one of the best bonding experiences you can have with your dog. Many of Ontario’s provincial parks are pet-welcoming, offering designated dog-friendly campsites, trails, off-leash runs and beaches. There are also roofed accommodations, like yurts and cabins that allow dogs.

Great parks to visit with a dog include:

• Restoule Provincial Park
  Nestled between Restoule Lake and Stormy Lake, Restoule is approximately 70 kilometres south of North Bay. In addition to several scenic trails, there is a designated off-leash beach section for dogs to swim and play.
  Location: 8818 ON-534, Restoule
   
• Quetico Provincial Park
  One of Ontario’s most treasured wilderness parks, Quetico provides an off-leash area and beach zone for dogs in Dawson Trail Campground. Or join Voyageur Wilderness on a guided excursion into the park. Their pet-friendly Voyageur Island Lodge makes the perfect homebase.
  Location: ON-11, Atikokan
   
• Mikisew Provincial Park
  There is a large, fenced-in, off-leash space for dogs that extends down to the shores of Eagle Lake in Mikisew, just 30 kilometres northwest of Sundridge off Highway 11.
  Location: 301 Park Road South, South River
   
• Windy Lake Provincial Park
  Situated northwest of Sudbury, there is a large off-leash beach at Windy Lake that’s great for dogs to meet and play
  Location: Highway 144 Old Cartier Rd, Levack
   
• MacGregor Point Provincial Park
  Home to a diverse ecosystem of woodland and wetland along the shore of Lake Huron, this parks also feature two off-leash zones for dogs.
  Location: 1593 Bruce Road, Rural Road #1, Port Elgin
   
• Ferris Provincial Park
  In addition to great hiking trails, camping facilities and great views of the river, rapids and suspension bridge over Ranney Gorge, this park offers a new fenced-in, off-leash play area for dogs.
  Location: 474 County Road 8, Campbellford

Note: Ontario parks are popular during the summer, so book daily visitor permits and camping reservations well in advance to avoid missing out.

Plan a pet-friendly getaway in Toronto

Discover big-city fun with your four-legged friend in Canada’s most cosmopolitan city.

Note, dogs are permitted on Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) trains, buses and streetcars during weekends and off-peak hours. Pet-friendly accommodations include:

Kimpton Saint George Hotel

There are a lot of reason to choose this boutique hotel. It’s centrally located in the Bloor and Yorkville neighbourhood, impeccably stylish and still super comfortable with a host of extra touches.

But for those travelling with a fur-baby, this best part is their welcoming pet policy. They really put the ‘friendly’ into pet-friendly. Furry, feathered or even scaly members of your family are welcome. Doggy beds, water bowls and treats are available.

Location: 280 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Westin Harbour Castle

Another proudly dog-friendly accommodation, the Westin provides Westin Heavenly Dog Beds along with other amenities to make your pet’s stay comfortable.

Location: 1 Harbour Square, Toronto

Nearby: After securing a dog-friendly place to stay, you’ll want to scout out parks and green spaces for your four-legged friend to play as well as restaurant patios and breweries that welcome well-behaved pups. A few great spots include:

• The Toronto Islands
  Head down to the Toronto Waterfront and catch a 20 minute ferry to the Toronto Islands, a string of interconnected islands. The various walking paths, hiking trails, grassy areas, forested trails, scenic boardwalks and beaches that dot the islands make for a full day of fun.
   
• High Park
  The vast downtown park covers almost 400 acres (162 hectares) in Toronto’s west end between the Queensway and Bloor Street West. It’s beautiful in every season, with extensive trails, a large pond, manicured gardens and lawns and natural forested areas. There is a designated off-leash area to let your pup run.
   
• Añejo Restaurant
  Dog owners will be thrilled about the dog-friendly patio as well as half price tequila and classic tacos featured during happy hour at this upscale Mexican restaurant.
  Location: 600 King Street West, Toronto
   
• Black Lab Brewing
  Located in Toronto’s east end, Black Lab Brewing is a friendly dog welcoming venue with a taproom, front patio and beer garden in the summer.
  Location: 818 Eastern Avenue, Toronto
   
• The Aviary Brewpub
  Serving pub far and award-winning beers by Longslice Brewery, the large pet- friendly patio is the perfect place to spend time with friends, including your four-legged friends.
  Location: 484 A Front Street East, Toronto

Dog-friendly experiences and vineyards in Ontario’s wine regions

Pups & Pinot

Get a self-guided, dog-friendly wine tasting passport that will lead you to a selection of dog-friendly wineries across Ontario throughout the summer season (use your passport from May 15 through August 31, 2023).

Passports are sold in multiple tiers to allow you to customize your wine tasting journey.

Hounds of Erie Winery, Norfolk County

Enjoy a glass of premium wine or hard cider at Hounds of Erie, an inviting, dog-loving boutique winery located under 30 minutes drive west from Long Point.

Location: 377 7th Concession Road Enr, Clear Creek

Three Dog Winery, Prince Edward County

Named after three beautiful golden retrievers, the current four-legged resident is a friendly guy named Red Dog. Sip wine or artisanal sodas, enjoy cheese plates, charcuteries and wood-fired pizza with your dog at your side at this scenic winery.

Location: 1920 Fish Lake Road, Picton

Featherstone Estate Winery, Niagara Region

One of Ontario’s favourite eco-friendly vineyards is also dog-friendly!

Location: 3678 Victoria Avenue, Vineland

For the safety (and enjoyment) of your dog, yourself and those around you, make sure your dog is fully trained and well-behaved before travelling. And be sure to keep your pup on a leash and clean up after them.

Note: Additional fees and limits to the number or size of pets may apply.

Get tips and learn more about travelling with a pet in Ontario. Discover more dog-friendly vacation ideas and campgrounds in Northern Ontario.