How to Visit With Your Furry Friend

From the long days of summer to the deep days of winter, Nelson is one of the friendliest places on earth to visit with a canine companion. And that should come as no surprise; most of the same stuff that makes the Queen City of the Kootenays amazing for humans is equally awesome for dogs. Few cities have a walkable, cosmopolitan downtown that blends so seamlessly into nature. From a four-legged perspective, there’s easy access to wilderness, inclusive local amenities, and a slew of pet-positive events.

“It’s really the people that make it so great for dogs here,” says Leanne Eve, the owner of Lucky Leash Dog Daycare. She notes that most patios—like at Oso Negro, or even the Nelson Brewing Company—are dog-friendly, and many businesses even keep dog treats at the till. Downtown is small enough to get around by foot, and relatively calm for traffic, making it easy to bring your dog to the farmers’ market, a café or even shopping on historic Baker Street. As a testament, she says, just look to the endless row of water bowls lining the sidewalks. And watch your step!

Parks and Trails

While an open attitude towards doggos is the number-one amenity in town, the next best thing is the Lakefront Walkway Dog Park: a butt-sniffing bonanza along a stretch of Kootenay Lake’s shoreline that could be prime real estate, but instead belongs to roving pooches. At almost two kilometres long, it’s no small stretch of off-leash paradise—serviced by a gravel path and plenty of soft, green landscaping, with a broader fenced area near the Prestige Lakeside Resort. “It is really beautiful,” Leanne says, noting there are plenty of benches to chill at, and just enjoy the scene.

Cottonwood Falls Park also has a small off-leash area, but the other great spot to let the dogs out (click for a good time) is the Great Northern Rail Trail, just above town. There’s about 10 kilometres of free-range roaming between Cottonwood Regional Park and Nelson’s Uphill neighbourhood, which is ultimately connected over 50 kilometres to the town of Salmo via the Trans Canada Trail system. Please note, Cottonwood Regional Park itself is strictly on-leash.

Canine Culture

“This town is full of amazing dog trainers and businesses,” Leanne beams, citing it as one of the reasons she set up her own business in 2012. “There are a lot of local companies that make dog treats, and there's a lady in Salmo who has a raw dog food company that is really awesome. So, there are lots of local people catering to dogs.”

You’ll find spots like The Black Cauldron, where you and your four-legged friend can even play a few rounds of cards on the patio (see header image). Another notable place is Red Light Ramen, a restaurant whose patio is just as packed with tails as it is with sandals in the summer months.

“We were the first primarily dog friendly patio in town,” says owner Korina Langevin. “Since we started advertising it, other businesses have allowed pups. We’ve also had cats, parrots, bunnies and many other friendly four-legged visitors.”

Patrons can even buy a bowl of 48-hour bone broth for their dogs. Yes, Nelson has restaurants that actually serve dogs. Not only that, there are even dog events: From the annual Paws for a Cause Dog Walk every September—with aims to help end animal cruelty—to other periodical pop-up festivities like the Earth Week Dog Walk cleanup at Lakeside Park. Many other outdoor celebrations happen around the calendar, it’s best to check with organizers whether dogs are welcome, but it’s likely that if they can be, they will be.

Hiking, Running, Biking, or Skiing

For humans and pups alike, the options to wear yourselves out are plentiful. Pulpit Rock and the Lyon’s Bluff Trail are classic, moderate hikes that you’ll need a leash for, but are great quick burns—or you can connect them for a bigger day. You can also jump on any of the sanctioned multi-purpose trails extending off the Rail Trail. Though many of them are mountain-bike primary, dogs don’t know the difference.

Sproule Creek, just a few minutes from town, also has an extensive network for hiking and biking framed in by big, old trees, bubbling creeks, and a series of bridges. Pilot Bay and Kokanee Creek Provincial Parks likewise both allow on-leash access to pristine shorelines, old-growth forests, and a fall salmon run that turns the rivers red.

All dogs that love Nordic skiing also get their day in Nelson, with 1.5 kilometres of groomed, free-range schussing elegantly laid on the Great Northern Rail Trail come winter time. The Nordic system near Whitewater Mountain Resort also has sections where your pup can go full sled dog.

Adventuring Apart

Unfortunately not every adventure is appropriate for dogs, whether it be a music festival, a multi-day hike, or a day out skiing. But Nelson has a bevvy of qualified dog walkers and watchers to help.

“There's so much pet care available here,” Leanne insists. “What I get a lot of in the summertime is people visiting and going on a hike deep into a provincial park where they don't allow dogs, or they're doing some type of water activity. So then they just drop their dogs off for the day. They get to play all day, hanging out with other super friendly dogs, and then they pick them up at the end of the day.”

Simple as that. Perhaps a bit maddening for human parents, dog moms and dads can get all the breaks they need!

The Dog House/Where To Stay

There’s a bevvy of dog-friendly accommodations available in town. Camping is always an option, but if the weather looks foul or your pooch is all tuckered out, it’s easy enough to put a roof over both your heads. Just book in advance during the busy season—even for camping.

As for taking care of the basic necessities, there are three pet stores to keep the doggy pantry stocked up while you visit, and four veterinary clinics ensure proper pup care is available 24/7. Your dog will want for nothing on any trip to Nelson—except perhaps to come back again soon. You’ll know when they start suggestively nosing the Himalayan rock salt lamp you picked up while here.