Dog Friendly Vacations In Canada – Located in the Canadian Rockies, Banff’s majestic mountains and stunning glacial lakes make it a spectacular destination. Even better, it’s super pet friendly! You’ll have no problem finding hotels, restaurants and hikes to enjoy with your furry friend on your Banff trip!
The best time to travel to pet-friendly Banff will depend on what you and your pet want to do together. For snow-free trails and water activities, plan a summer vacation in Banff from mid-July to early September. At 4,800 feet, the only Canadian city higher than Banff is Lake Louise. Which means Banff takes a long time to warm up and go down!
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If you and your dog like to play in the snow, Banff will be your paradise from late November to February. Highlights of a winter vacation in Banff include skiing, snowshoeing, and other frozen lakes.
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Banff Pro Tip: Being in a mountainous area, the weather here is chaotic. We had sudden heavy showers during the day and then sunshine! Last. Having an umbrella and a raincoat for your dog is a must! Read more ⇒ Tips for crossing the border into Canada with pets from the US
Of course, the biggest attraction of this area is the incredible scenery. And the best way to prove it is to show up!
Banff National Park has over 1,500 km of hiking trails – more than any other mountain park in the world. And almost all pets on a lead are welcome!
Some trails may be closed to dogs in late summer and early fall due to high grizzly and black bear activity, so check with the rangers when entering the park gates. This is easily done by purchasing a national park pass, which starts at CAD 10.50 per day.
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Hiking is so accessible in Banff that you don’t even need to get in your car to explore popular trails in the area. On both sides of the river there is an extensive network of paths around the town and road signs to indicate your location.
One hike you won’t want to miss is the trail to Bow Falls. Cross the footbridge south of the town center and follow the path south along the river. Before that, you will hear the sound of a waterfall. Just a mile down the road, you will see turquoise waters cascading over the rocks.
The pet-friendly Banff Trail is 1.7 miles round trip and is easily graded. There are wooden stairs below. You can also drive into the Bow Falls parking lot for immediate access.
Be prepared for crowds at Bow Falls as it is a very popular spot. You can reduce it earlier or later in the day.
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Historical fact: Classic Hollywood movies from the 1950s often featured stars like Marilyn Monroe being swept away by Bow Falls. It is interesting to imagine the film crew working here while seeing the beauty of this waterfall standing in the mountains!
Fiberglass is required on all trails in Banff National Park and in all national parks across Canada. For an off-leash run, head to the dog park in the city’s industrial area on the south side of Hawk Avenue. (Note: As of June 2023, the Hawk Avenue Dog Park is closed. They have installed a temporary dog park next to the permanent Rec Area Park.)
On the way to Surprise Corner, you will see one of the most famous hotels in the world, the Fairmont Banff Springs. This is a real structure that appears under the lush forest.
Now a National Historic Site, it’s not cheap, but the Fairmont Banff Springs is a pet-friendly hotel! You can stop to explore the impressive halls and decorations with your furry friends, even if you’re not staying overnight. Or enjoy Bavarian dining while dining with your dog on the Waldhaus Fairmont patio.
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Surprise Corner is less than a kilometer from Banff town centre. For a longer hike, you can continue from there to Banff Hood.
If you want to drive to Surprise Corner, be aware that the car park is very small.
Hoodoos are an unexpected sight when you think of visiting Banff, but Banff has some! So add this easy viewpoint to your itinerary or add it to your surprise corner hike.
If you are walking, follow the path to the Surprise Corner car park. Look for the trail sign behind the car park. The route is rated as “easy” with good views of the mountains and the river, and is 4.8 km one way to Hudo.
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If you’re driving, type “Hoodoos Viewpoint” into your maps app to find parking spaces with direct access to this viewpoint.
You’ll have a great photo opportunity with Parks Canada’s signature red chairs. You can also continue the route from the lookout with a short walk to many other scenic spots.
We didn’t have time to explore outside the lookout, but it still seemed like a great deal to me. And after looking at the pictures, I’m sure we wish we had done the whole hike!
No trip to Banff would be complete without a stop at the iconic Lake Louise! As this is a world famous place, expect lots of other visitors too.
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You are advised to arrive at the car park late in the morning. The lot fills up pretty quickly. The parking fee for June 2021 is CAD $12.75
Two great ways to experience the greater solitude of Lake Louise are to hike or canoe on the lake.
For dawn, reserve a canoe at Lake Louise Harbor by 10:00 p.m. the night before During the day, the iconic red canoes are first come, first served, but they are always available for dogs!
Banff Pro Tip: If you plan to canoe with your dog, bring him a life jacket. Human lifebuoys are provided, but most places do not have dog restraints.
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If you prefer to stay on solid ground, walking the path from Llyn Louise to Llyn Agnes Tea House will be one of Amy and Rod’s most memorable adventures with Ty and Buster. His post about it makes me want some us time too. It’s also funny to read what happened during their dog photo shoot.
If you enjoy hiking from the teahouse, another option from Lake Louise is the Plains of Six Glaciers. In fact, there are so many trail options around Lake Louise that it’s easy to have a spectacular day out here. And all paths are open to dogs with bombs!
Moraine Lake is another popular and famous lake in Banff. And with magnificent views of the Ten Point Peaks framing the background, no wonder.
Parking at this beautiful lake is free, but spaces are very limited. It’s also a popular spot for sunrise photography, so you and your dog will need to get there early to secure a spot in the summer!
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Yes, you really need to arrive before 6am. When the lot fills up, the road closes, and if it reopens before nightfall, it’s a total gamble.
The good news is Moraine Lake has it all! Once you have secured one of the preferred parking spaces, you can spend the day here.
Opt for a pet-friendly day of hiking trails including Lakes of Consolation (5.8 km round trip), Eiffel Lake Trail (11.7 km round trip) and Sentinel Pass through Larch Valley (10.9 km round trip both ways). Or follow one of the shorter and easier routes. Then finish the day with a gentle swim in the lake. You can bring your own SUP, kayak or canoe or rent a canoe during your visit.
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The Lake Minnewanka Scenic Byway starts five minutes from downtown Banff. Although the loop is only 24 km, there are plenty of easy access to the lake and plenty to do along the way!
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The lake itself is about halfway around Loop Drive. It’s a huge lake that glows a glacial blue when the sun rises and it’s so beautiful!
On the way to the main car park, look out for the lakeside car park. You can have a picnic outside the door or relax like Riley!
You can rent a canoe or boat for fishing or boating and let others steer them. It would also be an epic place to launch your paddle board. And if you visit Banff in the winter, this lake turns into a giant ice rink!
On land, you can enjoy the shoreline or a lakeside walk in Steward Canyon (6.6 km or 4.1 m round trip). This is one of the few places where you can’t continue hiking with dogs due to bear habitat. Hiking here requires bear spray, which is recommended for all hikes in Banff.
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Sometimes it’s nice to get off the beaten path, and you can
