Pets in Parks

Dogs are required to be on a leash at:

• Ayum Creek Regional Park
• Brooks Point Regional Park in the area designated as the Environmental Protection Zone
• E&N Rail Trail on the Humpback Connector
• Francis/King Regional Park on the Elsie King Trail
• Galloping Goose Regional Trail
• Island View Beach Regional Park, campground only
• Jordan River Regional Park, campground only
• Lochside Regional Trail
• Mayne Island Regional Trail
• Sea to Sea Regional Park
• Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park
• Sooke Potholes Regional Park

Dogs are not allowed in designated beach or picnic areas between June 1 and September 15, except to pass through on a leash without stopping. 

Dog restriction zones are located at:

• Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park at Beaver Lake beach, Hamsterly beach, Eagle beach and Water Ski beach
• Island View Beach Regional Park in all beach areas above the natural boundary of the sea
• Matheson Lake Regional Park in the main beach area
• Mount Work Regional Park on Durrance Lake main beach, Killarney Lake foreshore, and Pease Lake foreshore
• Thetis Lake Regional Park in the Prior Lake beach and dock area, and Thetis Lake main beach
• Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park beach areas above the natural boundary of the sea, except Tower Point

Parks are natural areas with potential hazards that are difficult to anticipate for visitors and their pets. To protect themselves and the natural environment, dogs need to be under control and within your line of sight at all times, and kept on leash where required.

Some examples of common hazards to watch out for include:

• Poisonous mushrooms
• Moulds growing on decomposing matter, such as feces, grains, and nuts (mycotoxins)
• Unstable or slippery terrain
• High and fast-moving water in streams and ditches
• Other wildlife, e.g., deer or cougars
• Fleas and ticks

Lakes may also be subject to blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms, which occur naturally as part of lake ecosystems. Blooms are not always harmful but can contain toxins. Be alert for water with a blue-green sheen, surface scum, pea soup appearance or what appears to be grass clippings or suspended globules. Blooms can also have a brown or reddish appearance. You can find more information on blue-green algae at the links below:

• Healthlink BC
• Health Canada

The number of visitors to our regional parks and trails increases each year, and many people bring dogs with them. We recognize this is an enjoyable activity for many visitors, but it can also lead to potential conflicts between dogs owners and those without dogs, between individual dogs, and between dogs and wildlife. There may also be long-term impacts to sensitive natural and cultural values within the regional park system.

To balance the recreational benefit for dog owners and their pets against the need to protect and conserve important environmental values, and to provide enjoyable and safe outdoor experiences for all visitors, Regional Parks implemented a dog management policy in 2019.

Read the Dog Management Policy [PDF/247KB]

Horse are allowed on designated bridle or multi-use trails in these regional parks:

• Bear Hill Regional Park
• Devonian Regional Park
• Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park
• Francis/King Regional Park
• Horth Hill Regional Park
• Matheson Lake Regional Park
• Mount Work Regional Park
• Roche Cove Regional Park
• Sea to Sea Regional Park
• Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park
• Thetis Lake Regional Park
• Witty's Lagoon Regional Park

Follow these simple habits on the trails:

• Keep manure to the trail edge.
• Be alert and visible. Wear reflective gear.
• Use caution at road crossings.

Please note that hikers and cyclists must yield to horses. Leash dogs immediately for the safety of  you and your pet as well as the horse and rider.

Learn more about general trail etiquette for regional parks and trails.