14 off-leash dog beaches in Ontario
Finding the perfect spot where your dog can sprint, swim, and frolic off-leash is the dream.
When it comes to dog-friendly Ontario beaches, most beaches only allow dogs if they are on a leash AND only during the winter time. But there are a few incredible beaches sprinkled across Ontario where your pup can enjoy complete freedom, both in and out of the water – and during the summer to boot!
From the bustling Greater Toronto Area to the serene landscapes of Bruce, Grey, and Simcoe, let’s dive into some of the top spots where you can unleash the fun (quite literally)!
Southwestern Ontario
Long Point Provincial Park
You’ll find the warmest off-leash waters in all of Ontario at Long Point Provincial Park! The sand here is soft and lush, and there are plenty of shallow sandbanks for dogs to rest in the water to keep cool too. Perfect for puppies and dogs with little legs who don’t like to paddle too much!
What you need to know
Address: 350 Erie Blvd, Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0
Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 10 PM
When are dogs allowed?: Mid-May – mid-Oct
Region: Southwestern Ontario
Beach Terrain: Sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: Within the pet exercise area
Greater Toronto Area
Cherry Beach Off Leash Dog Park
Imagine a place that feels like you’re walking through cottage country but with city views. That’s Cherry Beach for you. It’s not just any dog park; it’s one of Toronto’s largest off-leash areas, boasting sandy beaches, shaded forest trails, and even concrete boardwalks in the designated off-leash area!
What you need to know
Address: 1 Cherry St, Toronto, ON M5A 0B7
Hours of Operation: Sunrise – Sundown
When are dogs allowed?: Year-round
Region: Greater Toronto Area
Beach Terrain: Sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: Within the designated off-leash area
Etobicoke Valley Dog Park
This is my top pick for a rugged hike without leaving the GTA. It’s Limone’s oasis and we hope it becomes yours too! With cliffs, open fields, and plenty of watering holes on Etobicoke Creek, it’s a paradise for off-leash exploration. There’s a small pebble beach too!
What you need to know
Address: South of Dundas, Southcreek Rd, Mississauga, ON L4X 1L9
Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 11 PM
When are dogs allowed?: Year-round
Region: Greater Toronto Area
Beach Terrain: Pebbles. Some watering holes have patches of sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach boundary: Within the designated off-leash area
Kew-Balmy Beach
What you need to know
Address: Kew-Balmy Beach, Toronto, ON M4L 1B8
Hours of Operation: Sunrise – Sunset
When are dogs allowed?: Year-round
Region: Greater Toronto Area
Beach Terrain: Rocky sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: Within the designated off-leash area.
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Innisfil Beach Park
Opened in 2023, the dog beach is on the far north end of Innisfil Beach Park, near the entrance of Crystal Beach Road.
What you need to know
Address: 676 Innisfil Beach Rd, Innisfil, ON L9S 4H6
Hours of Operation: 6 AM – 10 PM
When are dogs allowed?: Year-round
Region: Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Beach Terrain: Sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: Beach 6
Meaford Memorial Park Beach
What you need to know
Address: 179 Grant Av, Meaford, ON N4L 1A8
Hours of Operation: Sunrise – Sunset
When are dogs allowed?: Year-round
Region: Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Beach Terrain: Sand and pebbles
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: 60m on the most easterly areas of Memorial Park. Between Nov – Apr 15, the entire park is designated as ‘off-leash’
Penetanguishene Rotary Park
What you need to know
Hours of Operation: Sunrise – Sunset
When are dogs allowed?: Year-round
Region: Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Beach Terrain: Sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: Dog beach – corner of Water Street and Scott Street, Penetanguishene
Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley
Sharbot Lake Provincial Park
What you need to know
Address: Sharbot Lake Provincial Park, 25467 Hwy 7, Sharbot Lake, ON K0H 2P0
Hours of Operation: Sunrise – Sunset
When are dogs allowed?: Mid-May – mid-Oct
Region: Haliburton Highlands to the Ottaway Valley
Beach Terrain: Sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: Designated area – located in the southernmost area, south of campground 153
Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound
Oastler Provincial Park
What you need to know
Address: Oastler Lake Provincial Park, 380 Oastler Park Dr, Parry Sound, ON P2A 2W8
Hours of Operation: Sunrise – Sunset
When are dogs allowed?: Mid-May – mid-Oct
Region: Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound
Beach Terrain: Sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: North – in between Hadwood Hill Campground sites and Lakeview Campground Sites
Northeastern Ontario
Grundy Lake Provincial Park
What you need to know
Address: Grundy Lake Provincial Park, ON-522, Unorganized Centre Parry Sound District, ON
Hours of Operation: Sunrise – sunset
When are dogs allowed?: Mid-May to mid-Oct
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Beach Terrain: Grass and sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: Near Beaver Dam Trail
Mikisew Provincial Park
What you need to know
Address: Mikisew Provincial Park, 301 Park Rd S, South River, ON P0A 1X0
Hours of Operation: Sunrise – Sunset
When are dogs allowed?: Mid-May – mid-Oct
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Beach Terrain: Shallow sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: Pet exercise area on the Point Trail
Windy Lake Provincial Park
Windy Lake Provincial Park has the largest designated off-leash dog beach out of all provincial parks. The beach is next to the Reservable Day Use Beach (Beach 2). If you want to visit the pet recreation area, drive past the Beach 2 parking lot to head to the dedicated parking lot.
What you need to know
Address: Windy Lake Provincial Park, Hwy 144 Old Cartier Rd, Levack, ON
Hours of Operation: Sunrise – Sunset
When are dogs allowed?: Mid-May – mid-Sept
Region: Northeastern Ontario
Beach Terrain: Sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: Pet recreation area
Northwest Ontario
Neys Provincial Park
What you need to know
Address: Neys Provincial Park, 1004 ON-17, Neys, ON P0T 2W0
Hours of Operation: Sunrise – Sunset
When are dogs allowed?: Mid-May – mid-Oct
Region: Northwest Ontario
Beach Terrain: Rock and sand
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: Southernmost point of the beach
Quetico Provincial Park
What you need to know
Address: Quetico Provincial Park, ON-11, Atikokan, ON P0T 1C0
Hours of Operation: Sunrise – Sunset
When are dogs allowed?: Jan – Mar, mid-May to mid-Oct
Region: Northwest Ontario
Beach Terrain: Grass
Dog-friendliness: Off-leash in and out of water
Beach Boundary: Designated area – located near Pickerel Point in Dawson Trail Campground
Map of off-leash dog beaches in Ontario
Conclusion
Wrapping up, Ontario is a treasure trove of dog beaches where your dogs can roam free. Whether you’re local to the GTA or venturing from other parts of Ontario, these beaches offer a slice of paradise where your pups can splash, play, and enjoy the great outdoors to their heart’s content.
So what are you waiting for? Leash up (or don’t – you don’t need to at these beaches!) and see you at the beaches! Happy beach days ahead, fur buddies!
