Best known for Niagra Falls, which has the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America, Ontario has a lot to offer visitors and their pets. From the exciting urban life of Toronto and Ottawa to the natural beauty of the Great Lakes, and the wilds of Northern Ontario, there are magnificent sights to behold.
However, anyone with a dog that is or could be confused with a pitbull should avoid Ontario. The province has a pitbull ban, and any pitbull or pitbull mixes found within Ontario can be confiscated and euthanized.
Best Time To Visit
Though summer is Ontario's busiest travel season, it can be hot, humid, and uncomfortable. For a pet friendly trip with plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities, the best time of year to visit is fall. September and October in Ontario are crisp and clear with brilliant foliage and the monarch butterfly migration in Point Pelee National Park. But the season can be short, with the potential for snow arriving as early as mid-October. Brave visitors willing to endure Ontario’s cold winter weather can enjoy Ottowa's Winterlude celebrations and ice skating along the Rideau Canal.
Things Not To Miss
Hear the roar and marvel at the power of Mother Nature at Niagara Falls.
Spend a weekend hiking, camping, canoeing, and playing off-leash on the Pet Exercise Trail at Bon Echo Provincial Park in Cloyne.
Rent a houseboat from Le Boat in Smith Falls and experience the Rideau Canal. Running 125 miles from Ottawa to Kingston, it's the oldest continuously-operated canal system in North America.
Explore more than 5,000 acres of wilderness spread across 21 properties with more than 70 miles of pet friendly trails in the York Regional Forest.
Meet the local pups and have a splash at the Cherry Beach Off-Leash Dog Park in Toronto.
Hop aboard the pet friendly ferry for a trip to Toronto's Centre Island. You and your pet can explore on foot, or rent a bike, canoe, kayak, or standup paddleboard to get around. The kids will love Centreville Amusement Park, where pets are welcome, too!
Inspired by a loyal labrador mix named Snoopy, Black Lab Brewing in Toronto welcomes you and your pup to their taproom. Enjoy the quality beers and tempting fare from visiting food trucks.
Join tens of thousands of dogs and their faithful humans on Toronto's beaches for the annual Woofstock festival. Typically held in May, it's the largest festival for dogs in North America.
