Dog-friendly Places to Visit with Your Pooch in Prince Edward County 🐶
The County has a wealth of places to take your dog – where Fido fits in your handbag or needs his own sidecar. If your family vacation includes four-legged members too, bring them along! Be sure to tag your pup in the #DogsofTheCounty while you’re here!
Cheers at Closson Chase | Photo Credit: Daniel Vaughan
Dog-friendly Accommodation
First, be sure your accommodation welcomes pets – don’t assume! Sandbanks Provincial Park allows dogs in some camping areas. Angeline’s Inn welcomes dogs at the Walter Suites, for an additional cleaning charge. The newly refurbished Picton Harbour Inn welcomes pups in some rooms, for an extra $10 charge. Twin Birch Suites & Cottages welcomes any type of pet, from lizard to hamster. The Empire Inn + Suites in Bloomfield also welcomes pets for an additional cleaning fee. Miller’s House B&B has its own pooch and will welcome yours too. Huff Estates has a few rooms set aside for travelers with dogs. The Drake Motor Inn isn’t just pet-friendly, it’s pet-lovin’ and provides “woof beds” for its furry guests.
Take a walk no matter the weather! | Photo by Daniel Vaughan
Go for a Walk
Picton has a massive, fenced dog park with a double-gated entrance at the northeast corner of Delhi Park. Park on Lalor Street and continue on foot down the wide path, or park in the Mary Street municipal lot and carefully make your way down the hill. The park has some seating, bowls of water and plenty of space for your well-behaved pooch to roam off-leash.
All of The County’s conservation areas welcome dogs, so long as they’re kept on-leash and cleaned up after. Massassauga Point winds through an old quarry and hickory woods, providing views of the bay. Little Bluff has trails winding through sparse woods, leading to cliffs with dramatic views, and a stony beach. Macaulay Mountain has more challenging terrain, with hilly trails, and Beaver Meadow has some straightforward nature trails. Harry Smith has a small pond and an old sawmill, as well as picnic tables.
On the South Shore, the National Wildlife Area welcomes dogs on-leash. The area is a mix of marsh, woods and grasslands, with several abandoned buildings and a heritage lighthouse. It’s a popular site with birdwatchers.
There’s lots to sniff on the Millennium Trail, a former railway bed that runs from Picton to Carrying Place. The trail has been refurbished from end to end, providing a smooth path shaded by sumac and buckthorn. The trail shares space with the ATVs, walkers, runners, cyclists, skiers, snowshoers and the occasional golf cart or horse.
Be aware that The County has ticks that carry lyme disease. Be sure to give your pooch the once-over after you’ve completed your walk.
Photo Courtesy: @arthurdukeofwellington
Go to the Beach
Sandbanks Provincial Park allows dogs on-leash at a portion of Outlet Beach, and Sandbanks Beach (Richardson’s) only. This is a family-friendly area, often jammed with sun-seekers in the summer time, so it’s recommended that dogs be socialized, easy to control, and on-leash. Wellington Beach also welcomes dogs on-leash.
Get some Culture
Wellington Heritage Museum is pet friendly, with a peaceful and shady heritage garden in the back,
Photo Courtesy: @zeus_the_spoiled_dane
Mia Lane Gallery and Studio welcomes you and your dog to browse their images of the animals and nature, wetlands, swamps and marshes of Fish Lake. Captured with brush and/or camera, you may see a few dogs included in the subject matter!
Feel like kicking back with a good book? Books and Company on Picton Main Street has an excellent collection, including paperbacks, local authors, kids books (even French-language beginners and graphic novels), gift items and more. Bring your pup, and be aware, you may catch a glimpse of their resident muse, Pushkin the Cat.
Shop for local crafts with your dog at The Local Store on West Lake Road. All kinds of locally sourced and handmade gift items, from art to tasty treats and jewellery.
Nourish the Soul metaphysical shop in Picton has the good vibes dogs and their owners love, along with a little helper chihuahua Mochi.
Grab a Pint
The County Cider Company has a breathtaking view, set on a hill with grapevines leading down to Lake Ontario. It also has a patio, pizza stove and rustic restaurant to take advantage of the view, with on-leash pooches welcome on the grass, just off the patio. Settlers Cider, just off the Millennium Trail outside of Wellington, welcomes dogs with the potential to be friends with Lagan, their own perfect pooch. 555 Brewing Company, in the heart of Picton, has a dog-friendly patio for enjoying pizza and pints. Same with Barley Days Brewery just west of Picton, and Parsons Brewing east of town.
Or if you’re picking up a pint of ice cream be sure to drop into Wellington’s The Old Greenhouse Ice Cream Shop, where they serve an Abby cup for your pup: a small cup of soft ice cream with a doggie bone!
Cheers at Three Dog Winery | Photo Credit: Daniel Vaughan
Have a snack
The Bean Counter Café in downtown Picton is an easygoing bakery/cafe serving espresso and gelato along with pastries, sandwiches & other light fare. Your pet is welcome at their summer outdoor patio, and could get a treat there too!
Tabersnack in Consecon has a pet-friendly outdoor space where you can enjoy their mouth-watering poutine, burgers and chicken. Many gluten free options here as well.
Take in a Wine Tasting
In The County, it might be quicker to list the wineries that don’t welcome dogs. But we’ll start with those that do:
Broken Stone Winery, By Chadsey’s Cairns, Closson Chase, Del-Gatto, Devil’s Wishbone, Exultet Estates, Grange of Prince Edward, Gravel Hill Vineyards, Half-Moon Bay, Harwood Estate Vineyards, Hillier Creek Estates, Hinterland Wine Company, Hubbs Creek, Huff Estates, Karlo Estates, Keint-He Winery & Vineyards, Lacey Estates, Rosehall Run, Sandbanks Winery and Stanners Vineyard all welcome dogs.
Sugarbush Vineyards has two golden retrievers, while Three Dog Winery has three golden retrievers. So whether you’re traveling with your pups or just feeling the need for a snuggle with a dog, they’ve got you covered. Both welcome dogs and both have trails that make lovely dog walks.
Go on a Picnic
Dogs are verboten at restaurants – unless they’re registered service animals – but they can be the star of the party at a picnic. Grab a blanket and pick up charcuterie or picnic items at Hagerman Farms or the Agrarian Market and find a chill-out spot at a public park, conservation area or dog- and picnic-friendly winery. Remember to always clean up after your dog (that includes putting the poop-bag into a waste bin – not just the side of the trail).
Not sure if it’s cool to bring your dog somewhere? Just ask! You never know who’s hiding a special stash of doggie-biscuits handy for visiting pups.
Written by Karen Palmer [updated January 2020]
