Sick of chasing your tail at home? If you’re thinking about or already planning a weekend getaway, why not bring your furry family member with you! Dogs love a good adventure, so it’d be a shame to leave Rover with a pet-sitter while you explore our beautiful province. Here are some dog-loving destinations in BC to explore this summer.

Before you go

• Ensure your dog’s identification (tattoo or microchip) is up to date and registered so that you can easily re-connect if they get lost.
• Bring extra water, food, travel bowls and any medications. It’s also a good idea to pack a copy of your dog’s key medical records in case you need to see an emergency vet along the way.
• Be prepared with a Pet First Aid Kit from our pet-loving friends at the BC SPCA, including their easy-to-carry Pocket Kit for walks and hikes.
• Travel with the peace of mind that your furry friend is protected against the unexpected with our BCAA Pet Insurance partner, Pets Plus Us. BCAA Members save 13.5%. Get a quote today! 
• Call ahead. It’s always good to double check the pet policy at your destination to avoid surprises or disappointment.

And now you’re ready to hit the road! Great dog-friendly destinations in BC include:

Whistler

Whistler has many gorgeous pet-friendly parks, trails, hotels and other accommodations. A few local favourites include:

• Meadow Park - Boasting magnificent river and mountain views, head to Meadow Park. Dogs are allowed off-leash inside the ball field areas when they are not in use.
• Rainbow Park - Rainbow Park is home to ‘Barking Bay’, a gated off-leash beach area for dogs, available 24/7. Just be sure to keep your dog on leash as you venture through the wider park. Want to bike there? You can bike or rollerblade with your pet along the paved Valley Trail. There’s even secure bike (and gear) parking at Rainbow Park from the end of June to Labour Day on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays. 
• Flank Trail – For those seeking to earn their views, the Flank Trail offers a more challenging, dog-friendly hike with almost 500 metres of elevation gain. Be sure to be bear-aware and bring water for you and your pup!

West & North Vancouver

Where calm coastlines meet the pine forests that lead up to Vancouver’s infamous peaks, West and North Vancouver have dog-friendly activities and eateries galore for visitors from near and far:

• Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, North Vancouver
  The Capilano Suspension Bridge is an epic, 140-metre long suspension bridge, high above the Capilano River, north of Vancouver. Leashed dogs (and cats) are allowed to cross the bridge but must skip the gift shop.
• Lynn Canyon Park, North Vancouver
  Lynn Canyon offers kilometres of picturesque trails next to rushing canyons, calm rivers, over suspension bridges and through temperate rain forest for you and your pooch to roam. Better yet, those trails south of the Twin Falls bridge are all off-leash… perfect for a game of fetch into the cooling, calm Lynn Creek.
• The Boat Shed, West Vancouver
  The best place to spend a warm day is Ambleside Park, which not only has a dog beach but the Boat Shed restaurant patio, too. With happy hour from 3pm-5pm daily and handhelds to your heart’s content, it’s the ideal place to wind down after a doggy-date.

Kelowna

The Okanagan region is known for its wine scene, stunning lake and warm, dry summer. Your dog may not be able to join in on all the fun here, but they can most definitely join you:

• Wine tasting – Well over 20 of Kelowna’s vineyards welcome dogs in at least one area of their premises – some even invite four-legged friends into their tasting rooms. Be sure to call ahead to ensure a special event doesn’t curtail any plans and make sure you have a safe ride home.
• Cedar Creek Park – The biggest off-leash dog beach in Kelowna. You’ll be able to spend hours here swimming, playing and picnicking with your pooch. Water shoes are encouraged as the beach is rocky.

Nelson

Bike, mountain-bike and recharge to Fido’s content in dog-friendly Nelson:

• Nelson Mountain Bike Trails – From the meandering Great Northern Rail Trail to the gnarlier Koata Park, taking your dog with you mountain biking is great for athletic pets with energy to burn.
• Pulpit Rock – A must-do if you’re visiting Nelson, and can be done by your pet too! Pulpit Rock is a short, but steep trail where you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views of Nelson and Kootenay Lake. Dogs are allowed to roam-free but be sure to keep them near to avoid any unexpected wildlife encounters.
• Camping – On a budget or after more of an adventure when it comes to accommodation? Most campsites in the Nelson and Kootenay region allow dogs!

Keep your pet protected

There you go! Our perfect pet-friendly ideas for a mini road trip, weekend getaway or staycation. You can also trust BCAA's Pet Insurance partner, Pets Plus Us, to offer expert advice and best-in-class protection, and BCAA Members automatically save 13.5%.  Get an online quote today.

Plus, with BCAA Optional Car Insurance, you can get up to $1,000 in free coverage for vet expenses if your pet is hurt in an accident.