While many of the trails and parks in the Kootenays are dog-friendly, finding a beach you can take your dog to requires a bit more planning. Here’s a guide to dog-friendly beaches in Nelson, Kaslo, Castlegar, and Trail. If we missed any of your favourites, drop us a comment and we’ll add it to the list!
Dog Beaches in Nelson
Prestige Dog Walk
This dedicated off-leash area is a haven for dogs and their owners. Enjoy the sandy shore, swimming, and plenty of space to run and play. The location and convenience makes this one an easy recommendation.
Fishermans Road
Just past Taghum beach, this is a favourite spot for off-leash pets to stretch their legs and cool off in the lake. While plenty of people walk here for recreation or exercise without dogs as well, you’re likely to run into a furry friend or two on a visit to Fisherman’s Road.
Red Sands
This clothing-optional beach is just outside of Nelson city limits, located past the end of Bealby Point Rd. Don’t let that put you off – this mineral rich sandy stretch is frequented by pups of all shapes and sizes, and its proximity to town makes it a great option for a quick swim in the heat.
Troupe Point
Troupe is accessible by boat, but also via the rail trail by foot or by bike. Its location makes it one of the more private beaches in Nelson and a good thing too! Troupe Point is a white sandy peninsula that’s a perfect destination for an afternoon bike ride down the rail trail.
It’s a 12km round trip, but an easy rail grade makes it an enjoyable time, especially on the way down. If you’ve got a bigger pup, they’ll love the exercise along the way, and the water is always a much needed refreshment at the end of the line!
Taghum Hall
Venture across the Taghum bridge, down Taghum Hall Rd, and right to the water’s edge, and you’ll find a quiet stretch of water the locals call Taghum Hall Beach (not to be confused with Taghum Beach, which is NOT dog friendly). It’s easily accessible by car, with lots of parking, and another great option for you and your dog to hit the lake.
Kokanee Creek Park
While dogs are not allowed on the main beach, this park does have a designated dog beach area on the far side of the boat launch. It’s a bit rocky in parts, but nonetheless one of the biggest and most easily accessible dog-friendly beaches in the area.
6 Mile Beach
Careful of the sandbar here. 6 Mile beach has become pretty popular the last few years, and it’s no surprise. It’s stunning, with a shallow sandy walkout that you and your pups will love. The beach itself is wide and filled with bright, smooth sand.
Just make sure to stay away from the Nelson side of the sandbar, which drops off suddenly, and has a pretty serious undertow. In spite of that, you’ll see this beach packed out with people and pups of all ages all summer long.
1 Mile Beach
This is one you’ll most likely spot right from the road: an interesting concrete/rock walkway that descends to the lake right from the highway, bordered on both sides by a small stretch of yellow sand. It’s a bit on the smaller side, but if you’re there early enough it can be a decent place to hit the lake with your dog. You’ll usually spot a few cars parked along the road here in the afternoon, so you might make a friend while you’re sitting on this small lakefront getaway.
Dog Beaches in Kaslo
Fletcher Falls
Fletcher Falls is only 500m off the road, but once you’ve descended the gently sloping pathway you’ll be completely surrounded by nature. This is a good place for a full afternoon. Come for the waterfall, stay for a great swimming beach that has lots to look at, with the creek meeting Kootenay Lake. There’s a handful of picnic tables, and a beach that ranges between sandy and rocky depending on the height of the lake. It’s a really beautiful spot regardless, and the falls are pretty surreal.
Queens Bay
Queens Bay is a great spot to unwind. It’s a gently sloping beach that looks out onto the main body of Kootenay Lake as the shoreline wraps around one of the biggest continual bays in the area. The shoreline is a bit rocky here, but I doubt any dog will complain while chasing sticks in the lake.
Dog Beaches in Castlegar
Millenium Park Dog Beach
This is the go-to spot for Castlegar dog owners. Enjoy the off-leash area, swimming, and a dedicated space for your furry friend to socialize. It’s even broken up a little bit for dogs of different sizes, so your chihuahua can swim in peace in a different area from the Great Danes of the world if you like.
Nancy Greene
Another beach with a dedicated dog area, this small lake is just 15 minutes up the hill from Castlegar, and it’s well worth the drive. Still, clear, and with some shady spots available, this is a great spot to hangout in the summer. The dog beach is on the right hand side of the main beach near the boat cut-de-sac, and is well marked.
Dog Beaches in Trail
Gyro Park
Gyro Park has a section of dog friendly river access near the boat launch that ends just before the skate park. Pay attention to the signage here, as the parking rules have changed to allow more room for boat trailers. Dog owners and other pedestrians can park before the descent to the beach, and you can follow the boats down to the water, where there’s lots of room for dogs to play along the Columbia.
Notable Beaches That Don’t Allow Dogs
Here’s a few beaches to AVOID. These are not dog friendly as of 2024, although they may have been in the past.
Lakeside Park
Nelson’s defacto swimming beach has a no-dogs policy in the park or on the beach. Not even on a leash.
Crescent Beach
Crescent beach has discontinued access for pets from May 15-Sept 15th, although pets are permitted during the shoulder season.
Taghum Beach
No dogs are permitted on the beach from June 1-Sept 15th. Leashed dogs are allowed in the shoulder season before and after this period.
Shoreacres
Shoreacres beach doesn’t allow dogs on or off leash at any point during the year.
If you know of any other beaches that are pet-friendly, please let us know in the comments and we’d be happy to update our list!
Also, here’s a list of places near Nelson you can walk your dog!
