Spring is here — and Vancouver’s trails, forests, and beaches are calling!

Nate - Golden Aged Sweetheart Enjoying An Off-leash Forest Walk Before Massage

Spring is here — and Vancouver’s trails, forests, and beaches are calling! Whether your dog loves a rugged mountain hike, a gentle forest loop, or splashing at the beach, we’re lucky to have endless options right outside our doorstep. Here’s a fresh list of off-leash gems (plus a few local favourites) to explore with your dog this season — with tips on keeping them safe, happy, and bug-free!

🌿 Off-Leash Trails & Forest Adventures

🐾 Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area (Burnaby)

• Gentle forest loops and stunning inlet views

• Off-leash allowed on marked trails

• Shady and cool for warmer days

🐾 Brother’s Creek Trails (West Vancouver)

• Forested, moderate trails with streams

• Beautiful bridge crossings and water access

• Great for energetic dogs who love adventure

🐾 Cypress Mountain Trails (West Vancouver)

• Lower elevation hiking trails accessible in spring

• Off-leash friendly in designated areas

• Lush, quiet forest — perfect for weekday hikes

🐾 Hyannis Drive Trails / Seymour River Loop (North Vancouver)

• Easy to moderate forest trail network

• River access for splashing

• Great mix of flat terrain and mild hills

• (Pro Tip: Watch for spring runoff and muddy sections — Bug’s-Off Forest Shield is a must!)

🐾 Robert Burnaby Park (Burnaby)

• Off-leash zone plus forest trails

• Open fields and shady woods combined

• Good for social dogs

🌊 Dog-Friendly Beaches for Spring Splashing & Swimming

🐾 Ambleside Dog Beach (West Vancouver)

• Off-leash beach zone

• Stunning views of Lions Gate Bridge

• Gentle surf for wading and swimming

🐾 Kits Point Dog Beach (Vancouver)

• Small, city-side off-leash beach

• Good for sunset strolls and low-key play

🐾 West Spanish Banks Dog Beach (Vancouver)

• Long sandy beach accessible at high tide for sandy dog play and swimming

• Off-leash freedom on packed sand for kilometers during spring/summer low tides

• Shallow, warm pools perfect for safe swimming and muscle strengthening

💦 Hydrotherapy Tip for Trail and Beach Days

Spring and early summer are the perfect seasons to incorporate natural hydrotherapy into your dog's outdoor adventures!

Benefits of trail or beach hydrotherapy:

• Strengthens muscles safely with low joint impact

• Builds stamina gently (especially for recovering or senior dogs)

• Reduces strain compared to dry land running

Simple Tip:🌊 Walk with your dog in ankle to chest-deep water along firm sand — it’s one of the easiest ways to build strength while letting them have fun!

🌱 Safety Reminder: Beware Fertilized Fields

As much as open fields and school grounds seem perfect, many public parks and sports fields are treated with fertilizers and pesticides — especially in spring. These chemicals can irritate sensitive paws and cause digestive upset, and some pesticides can linger in a dog's lymph nodes for eons. What is on the ground and on the shrubs can easily be absorbed through the paws and skin.

Whenever possible, choose natural spaces like trails, beaches, and forest parks where exposure to harmful sprays is minimal.Your dog (and their paws and long-term health) will thank you.

🌿 Natural Protection for Spring Adventures

Heading outdoors?Protect yourself and your dog with Soul Paw's nature-powered repellents!

• Bug’s-Off Woodland Warrior — premium protection for humans

• Bug’s-Off Mosquito Mist — canine-friendly defense against mosquitoes

• Bug’s-Off Forest Shield — holistic tick protection for dogs

✨ Launching very soon through Soul Paws — keeping your adventures happy, healthy, and bite-free!