Today I’m sharing my top pics for off-leash dog parks in Nanaimo, including Invermere Beach, May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park and Cable Bay Trail! There are also some other more fenced-in off-leash dog areas but I’m not a fan of those and won’t be mentioning them in this post but you can find their locations online easily.
Our first stop takes us to stunning Invermere Beach dog park, located on the scenic shores of North Nanaimo. This picturesque park is accessed from the bottom of Invermere road where it becomes a cul-de-sac and is street parking only. Be warned, there is a pretty large set of stairs leading down to the off-leash beach which you will have to hike back up! Once you reach the beach you’ll be greeted by an open space for your dog to enjoy what I consider doggy-heaven. I always check the tide charts to make sure there is enough sand to play on, otherwise, you’re just on rocks. When the tide is out be careful of some of the rougher areas with clams and barnacles that can cut your dog’s paws. Have a look up in the nearby trees and you’ll most likely spot some bald eagles, super cool.
Also located in North Nanaimo is May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park which I will be referring to as Pioneer Park. This is a haven for active and energetic dogs in the heart of North Nanaimo and my local favourite. Pioneer Park is a dream come true for dogs and owners alike as it’s tucked into the city and provides plenty of space for dogs to run, jump, and play. You’ll often run into other dogs here, it’s pretty popular, especially on weekends. I like to go in the quiet times in the morning and later evenings and have built a nice community with the regulars and their dogs! To access the park, you can enter either off Dickinsen road or off of Schook road. The park had a fence installed this year which encloses it from the traffic of the nearby roads. There is one spot where your dogs can sneak out onto the fields near where the water tap is for dogs so just be mindful of where your dog is when you reach this spot on the southwest side.
Pioneer Park and Invermere Beach are such huge bonuses to living in North Nanaimo if you like to be active with your dog, besides everything else I mentioned in my video highlighting this neighbourhood! It’s known for its waterfront properties and beautiful residential areas but location is everything and imagine living just a stone's throw away from these fantastic dog-friendly destinations!
Lastly, we make our way to the breathtaking Cable Bay Trail, a hidden gem for dogs and their owners. The drive is about 30 minutes out of North Nanaimo but totally worth it. You can access the trailhead by driving to the end of Nicola Road in Cedar. This trail, surrounded by lush greenery and towering trees, provides a fantastic opportunity for your four-legged friends to stretch their legs and explore nature's wonders. The walk to the ocean is just over 2km but is an easy walk for just about anyone Once you reach the end, the trail opens up to a really nice ocean playground with plenty to explore and frequent marine life sightings. Even though the walk down is easy enough make sure you have decent footwear for making your way down the rocks to the ocean bed when the tide is out, and also for climbing back up! Cable Bay Trail is situated near popular neighbourhoods like Cedar and Yellow Point, offering a rural and serene living environment with larger properties and acreages. You and your furry companion can experience the best of both worlds—secluded trails and a peaceful neighbourhood.
And there you have it! We've explored three incredible off-leash dog parks in Nanaimo: Invermere Beach, Cable Bay Trail, and May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park. If you’re a dog lover like me, I know you want to ensure you have some great places to take them. As someone who used to live in North Vancouver where outdoor recreation is huge, Nanaimo has pleasantly surprised me and isn’t lacking places to explore with my dogs!
