Calgary, Canada
Dog Friendly Calgary
Where To Walk And Stay With Your Dog In Calgary
Calgary might be the best big city in Canada for a dog who likes room to run, with more off-leash parkland than almost anywhere on the continent. You can spend a morning on the wild prairie of Nose Hill, drop the lead at the huge fenced run of Sue Higgins Park, then follow the Bow River pathway back into town. This is our working guide to the best of it, and the certified hotels that genuinely welcome your dog.
Where to walk
Dog Friendly Parks, Trails and Walks in Calgary
The vast off-leash prairie parks, river valleys and pathways Calgarians actually walk their dogs on. Tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
Nose Hill Park
Off-leash prairie park over in Northwest, a dependable choice when the dog needs a proper walk outdoors.
Fish Creek Provincial Park
River-valley wilderness, South. Bring the lead and give the dog a good stretch in the Calgary air.
Edworthy Park
Riverfront wooded park, Southwest, one of Calgary's reliable spots to get the dog out into the open air.
Sue Higgins Park
Big fenced off-leash park, out in Southeast, with room for a proper dog walk and a welcome for well-behaved dogs.
Bowness Park
Riverside family park, out in Northwest, with room for a proper dog walk and a welcome for well-behaved dogs.
Bow River Pathway
Riverside pathway, Central, and a favourite with Calgary dog owners for an hour out on four legs.
Southland Off-Leash Park
Huge off-leash field over in Southeast, a dependable choice when the dog needs a proper walk outdoors.
Griffith Woods Park
Riverside forest trails, Discovery Ridge, one of Calgary's reliable spots to get the dog out into the open air.
Prince's Island Park
Downtown river island over in Eau Claire, a dependable choice when the dog needs a proper walk outdoors.
Where to eat and drink
Dog Friendly Bars & Restaurants In Calgary
Looking for dog friendly bars, restaurants, cafes or taprooms in Calgary? Here is the honest answer: Canadian health law keeps dogs out of nearly every indoor bar and restaurant in the country, Calgary included, so in the warmer months a licensed patio is your best bet. It is a rule that badly needs changing, and Let Dogs In is our campaign to welcome well-behaved dogs into Canadian bars and taprooms, the way they already are across Europe.
Support Let Dogs In →
Dog Friendly Everything
Free On WhatsApp And Telegram
Get instant access to the world’s largest canine travel database: millions of dog friendly bars, restaurants, hotels, trails and parks in 50+ countries, plus border crossing advice and access to 24-hour emergency vets in case you need one.
Where to stay
The Best Dog Friendly Hotels In Calgary
Every hotel here has been inspected and ranked against the Dog Friendly Standard. No pay to play, no vague pet friendly badge, just the ones that earned their place, best first.
Dog Friendly Calgary · Good To Know
Is Calgary a good city to visit with a dog?
Calgary is one of the best big cities in Canada to visit with a dog. It has more than 150 designated off-leash areas, dogs ride Calgary Transit free, and river pathways run right through the middle of town. The Rockies sit an hour to the west for weekend adventures. The main limit is indoor dining, which Canadian health law keeps dog free, so plan around patios in summer.
Can I take my dog on public transport in Calgary?
Yes, and Calgary is unusually generous here. Leashed dogs of any size ride Calgary Transit buses and CTrains free of charge, provided they stay on the leash and behave themselves. Other pets travel free too as long as they are in a carrier or cage. Keep your dog out of the aisle, travel outside the worst crush hours if you can, and the whole network is yours.
Where can dogs go off the leash in Calgary?
Calgary runs more than 150 public off-leash areas inside its parks, one of the largest networks in North America. The star is Sue Higgins Park in the southeast, a fully fenced site of around 62 hectares with river access and a separate small dog zone. Nose Hill Park has a huge off-leash zone across its plateau, and Sandy Beach and River Park offer off-leash river swimming. Check posted boundaries, as many parks are only partly off-leash.
Where are the best dog parks in Calgary?
Sue Higgins Park is the flagship, the largest fenced off-leash park in the city with double-gated entry, agility equipment and Bow River swimming. Nose Hill Park suits dogs who like to roam, with big open grassland at the top of the hill. River Park and Sandy Beach in the southwest combine off-leash grass with river access, water fountains and plenty of canine company. All are free and open from early morning to late evening.
Are dogs allowed in Calgary restaurants, pubs and bars?
Not indoors. Canadian health law keeps dogs out of indoor dining rooms and bars nationwide, and Calgary is no exception. The good news is that since 2022 Alberta lets any restaurant, pub or cafe welcome dogs on its patio without special approval, so summer in Calgary is genuinely dog friendly, with your dog leashed at your table. Let Dogs In, our campaign at letdogsin.com, is working to change the indoor rules across Canada.
What dog friendly things can I do in Calgary?
Walk the Bow River pathway system through downtown, let your dog swim at Sandy Beach, and spend an afternoon at Sue Higgins or Nose Hill. In summer, patio culture takes over and many breweries and cafes welcome dogs outside. Add a day trip west to Bragg Creek or Kananaskis for mountain trails, and you can fill a long weekend without ever leaving your dog behind.
Are there dog friendly trails or day trips near Calgary?
Yes, some of the best in Canada. Kananaskis Country is under an hour away with hundreds of kilometres of trails where leashed dogs are welcome, and the West Bragg Creek trail network is a local favourite. Keep your dog leashed in provincial recreation areas and under close control everywhere, both for wildlife and for your dog's safety. Banff National Park is 90 minutes away and allows leashed dogs on most trails.
What are the rules for dogs in Calgary?
Calgary's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw requires dogs to be licensed from three months old and leashed in all public places except designated off-leash areas, with a two metre leash limit on pathways. Fines run from modest amounts up to 1,500 dollars for serious breaches, and failing to pick up after your dog is a 300 dollar ticket. Enforcement is education first, but carry bags and keep the leash on and you will never meet an officer.