Growing up in Kelowna, it was never really a very dog-friendly city. When it came to the best dog parks in Kelowna, there wasn’t a ton of options. However, over the last ten years or so, that has changed a lot. There are many good dog parks with a variety of different features that are sure to be enjoyable for both you and your furry friend.
Without further addou, here are the best dog parks in Kelowna, BC.
Kelowna’s Best Dog Parks
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Knox Mountain Dog Park
The Knox Mountain Dog Park has two different sections to it. The upper section is located next to the viewpoint road on Knox mountain. It is fenced off on the hillside so you’re dog will get a good work out.
The lower separated section is a small dog beach. It is a nice spot to let you dog cool off on a hot summer’s day. It’s a good place to let your dog swim but is not the cleanest water to a person.
The best thing about this dog-friendly park is that it is in such close proximity to downtown. Another great thing about the Knox mountain dog park is that it a great starting point for exploring the regional park.
The downside?
It isn’t very big and the upper park is on a pretty big gradient which makes it difficult to play fetch.
North Glenmore Dog Park
The Glenmore off leash dog park is a good size. There is plenty of room for your dog to run around and make friends. It is on a hillside however, it isn’t a steep hillside so walking around the park is pretty chill.
The best parts of this dog -friendly park is its size. There are also trails that are accesible from the park that offer more exploration with your dog.
The downside?
Because this dog park is located in North Glenmore if you’re based out of downtown it’s not the easiest to get to. On the flip side, if you’re out at UBC it’s very close.
Lake Avenue Dog Off-leash Beach
The Lake Avenue Dog Beach is located right next to the bridge. If you are in City Park just walk through the tunnel under the bride and you are at the dog beach. This dog park is the most centrally located of all the dog parks in the city. Plus, with it being on Okanagan Lake it is a great place to bring your bestie when s/he is overheating.
The downside?
The Lake Avenue Dog Beach is quite small and can at times get overcrowded. Also, the beach located next to the dog park is known to be a beach where more transient travels like to hang out. So, if that isn’t your vibe it might be best to hit up one of the other dog parks that aren’t far away.
Cedar Creek Dog Park
The Cedar Creek Dog Park on Lakeshore is the one of my favourite parks to bring my dog. It’s large and has many areas to let your dog run around and swim. In it’s totality, it is easily one of the best dog parks in Kelowna.
The upper section is grass and a great place to play fetch. You can whip your dog’s ball or frisbee as far as you can without it leaving the park.
The lower section is best for walking back and forth long the beach. It’s the best area to let your dog interact and make friends. Their are also a bunch of Punic table to take advantage of and hang out for a while.
Not only is this dog park one of the largest but it is also the largest dog-friendly beach in Kelowna. At nearly a kilometre long there are plenty of places for you and your dog to take a dip.
The downside?
It’s further out of the city centre than some of the other dog parks and the beach is rocky instead of Sandy. If you’re kind of picky with beaches the stones aren’t the best.
Ellison Dog Park
The off-leash dog park on Old Vernon road is one of the best dog parks in the city. It is one of the largest off-leash parks with a variety of sections and paths to wonder with your furry friend.
Another thing that I really like about this dog park is that it is located next to the airport. For me it is always entertaining to watch planes take off and land. I’m a fan.
The downside?
The Old Vernon Dog Park is located close to the airport so it is more inconvenient to reach than some of the other Kelowna dog parks. However, if you are driving in from the Vernon, BC side of town it is worth making a pit stop at.
Mission Dog Park
The Mission Recreation dog-friendly dog park is a good mix of size and location. You can reach it within 10-15 min of downtown, and it is a large enough size where you won’t feel cramped.
This dog-off leash park is conveniently located next to the mission Creek Greeenway, which is a nearly 20km pathway that guides you from the lake to Gallagher’s Canyon.
The Mission Recreation Off-Leash Dog Park is one of the more relaxed, yet active parks. Meaning, that there are plenty of opportunities for Fido to play without it being obligatory.
The downside?
It’s not downtown and it can be quite busy at peak hours (lunch and after dinner hours).
Enterprise Dog Park
The Enterprise Dog Park is a decent size and is fenced. It is conveniently located in the centre of the city. It is tucked behind the old Shaw building and can easily be missed if you are not paying attention.
The nice thing about this park is that it is beside the rail to trail pathway, which goes from downtown Kelowna to Vernon. So, if you want to go for more of stroll before of after your time at the off-leash park you can. There is a marshy area that allows you to feel like you aren’t in the heart of the city while still being close to everything.
The downside?
Though the marshy area does add to the vide it can be a place where your dog runs to and ends up quite dirty. Also, if you like to play fetch with your dog you might end up losing your ball to the marsh. The struggle is real!
Mapped Out – The Best Dog Parks In Kelowna
Kelowna’s Best Dog Parks – The Verdict
Kelowna has be come a much dog friendly city of the years. It now has plenty of parks and beaches where your dog is welcome to accompany you and run around and play. If you are planning a move or trip to Kelowna but aren’t sure if Kelowna is a great fit for you four legged friend, rest assured that you and fido will have a great time in Kelowna.