Leashless

Guide

Off leash in winter, on leash in summer

31 off-leash areas in BC have rules that change with the season. Most are beaches that are off leash only from fall to spring, or parks with shorter off-leash hours or dog-free beaches in summer. Here's each one with its rule, as the city or regional district states it.

Victoria and the Capital Region 13

  1. Banfield ParkVictoria

    Leash-optional Apr 1-Sep 30 daily 6-9 a.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Oct 1-Mar 31 daily 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

  2. Elk/Beaver Lake Regional ParkSaanich

    Off-leash if under control; park open sunrise to sunset; no dogs in designated beach/picnic areas at Beaver Lake, Hamsterly, Eagle and Water Ski beaches Jun 1-Sep 15 except passing through on leash

  3. Fleming BeachEsquimalt

    Off-leash Nov 1 to May 1 only; on leash the rest of the year

  4. Helmcken Centennial ParkView Royal

    Off-leash Oct 1-Mar 31; on leash Apr 1-Sep 30

  5. Island View Beach Regional ParkCentral Saanich

    Off-leash if under control; park open sunrise to sunset; no dogs in beach areas above the natural boundary of the sea Jun 1-Sep 15 except passing through on leash; leash required in the campground

  6. Matheson Lake Regional ParkMetchosin

    Off-leash if under control; park open sunrise to sunset; no dogs in the main beach area Jun 1-Sep 15 except passing through on leash

  7. Mount Douglas Park Beach (PKOLS Beach, Mount Doug Beach)Saanich

    Sep 1-Apr 30: off-leash (under control) on the beach; May 1-Aug 31: no dogs on the beach

  8. Mount Work Regional ParkHighlands

    Off-leash if under control; park open sunrise to sunset; no dogs in Durrance Lake main beach and the Killarney and Pease lake foreshores Jun 1-Sep 15 except passing through on leash

  9. Thetis Lake Regional ParkView Royal

    Off-leash if under control; park open sunrise to sunset; no dogs in the Prior Lake beach and dock area and Thetis Lake main beach Jun 1-Sep 15 except passing through on leash

  10. Uplands ParkOak Bay

    Off-leash Jan-Mar and Jul-Dec; dogs on leash Apr-Jun

  11. Whitehead ParkSaanich

    Sep 1-Apr 30: park off-leash (under control) 6-9 am, on-leash otherwise; lake beach leash-optional; May 1-Aug 31: no dogs in park or on beach

  12. Windsor ParkOak Bay

    Off-leash Sep 1-Jun 30 sunrise to 11:00 am; Jul 1-Aug 31 sunrise to 9:00 am; on leash at other times

  13. Witty's Lagoon Regional ParkMetchosin

    Off-leash if under control; park open sunrise to sunset; no dogs in beach areas above the natural boundary of the sea (Tower Point excepted) Jun 1-Sep 15 except passing through on leash

Okanagan and Shuswap 7

  1. Cartwright MountainSummerland

    Off-leash Oct 1 to May 1 only; on-leash the rest of the year

  2. Conkle Mountain ParkSummerland

    Off-leash Oct 1 to May 1 only; on-leash the rest of the year

  3. Downtown Sails (Downtown Sails Cooling Beach)Kelowna

    Seasonal designated off-leash hours only (times not published on the City website)

  4. Kopje Regional ParkLake Country

    Off-leash Nov 1-Mar 31 only, within park hours (Nov-Feb 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; March 6 a.m.-9 p.m.); no dogs Apr 1-Oct 31

  5. Peach Orchard CampgroundSummerland

    Off-leash Oct 1 to May 1 only; on-leash the rest of the year

  6. Powell Beach ParkSummerland

    Off-leash Oct 1 to May 1 only; on-leash the rest of the year

  7. Summerland Rodeo GroundsSummerland

    Off-leash Oct 1 to May 1 only, except around equestrian events and activities

Vancouver Island 5

  1. Bear Creek Nature ParkComox Valley

    Leash optional Jan 1-Jul 31; leash required Aug 1-Dec 31 in the lower park (hatchery trails, salmon spawning)

  2. Goose Spit ParkComox Valley

    Leash optional Jan 1-Feb 28 and May 21-Dec 31; leash required Mar 1-May 20 (Brant geese migration)

  3. Kin Beach Park foreshoreNorth Cowichan

    Seasonal: October 1 to June 15 only

  4. Maple Bay Beach ForeshoreNorth Cowichan

    Seasonal: October 1 to June 15 only

  5. Seal Bay Nature ParkComox Valley

    Leash optional Jan 1-Mar 31 and Jul 1-Dec 31 on west-side trails only; leash required Apr 1-Jun 30 everywhere

Sea to Sky and Sunshine Coast 4

  1. Armours BeachGibsons

    Off-leash October 16 to April 14 only (Town pages); on-leash April 15 to October 15 (Bylaw 1328)

  2. Atlee's BeachGibsons

    Off-leash October 16 to April 14 only (Town pages); on-leash April 15 to October 15 (Bylaw 1328)

  3. Canine CoveWhistler

    Summer: dawn to dusk. Winter (Dec 15 to Mar 31): Lost Lake Park closed to dogs

  4. Pebbles BeachGibsons

    Off-leash October 16 to April 14 only (Town pages); on-leash April 15 to October 15 (Bylaw 1328)

Metro Vancouver 2

  1. Hadden ParkVancouver

    May to Sep: 6-10 am and 5-10 pm. Oct to Apr: 6 am to 10 pm

  2. Killarney ParkVancouver

    Jun 15 to Labour Day: 5 am to 10 pm. Rest of year: 5-10 am and 5-10 pm

Every entry comes from the park's city, regional district or park board, and each park page links that source. Rules change, and posted signs at the park always take priority. More guides