10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

For the lucky folk, who call Vancouver home, beautiful dog parks are a dime a dozen! Vancouver is well-known for being one of the most dog friendly cities in Canada. Dogs can be seen in stores, on public transit, walking down the street, and even at the beach. This city is heaven for dog lovers and pup parents alike. If you live in Vancouver, BC, you've probably heard of these stunning dog parks. Check out our top 10 near Downtown!

10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

For the lucky folk, who call Vancouver home, beautiful dog parks are a dime a dozen! Vancouver is well-known for being one of the most dog friendly cities in Canada. Dogs can be seen in stores, on public transit, walking down the street, and even at the beach. This city is heaven for dog lovers and pup parents alike.

If you live in Vancouver, British Columbia, you’ve probably heard of these stunning dog parks. Check out our top 10 near downtown!

10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

1. Hadden Park and Dog Beach

Location: 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver, BC.

Status: Off Leash

Hadden Park is probably the greatest hot spot for dogs on the planet. No joke! The grass is green, the flowers are in bloom, and there’s even a private dog beach.

The beach is located on Vancouver’s beautiful oceanfront. There are sticks everywhere, toys galore, and lots of room for dogs to romp up and down the beach. The sand feels warm under your toes, and there are driftwood logs to relax against. The beach is usually bustling with happy pup parents, but the evenings are quiet and calm. Enjoy a picnic while your dog plays, or take a stroll along the beautiful pathways of Hadden Park.

This will become your own little slice of heaven.

10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

2. Devonian Harbour Park

Location: 1929 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC.

Status: Off Leash

Devonian Harbour Park is located just before the entrance to Stanley Park, Vancouver’s largest public green space. The park is fully fenced, close to downtown, and nestled along the famous seawall, overlooking Vancouver’s harbour.

The main crowd here is a mix of smaller and medium sized dogs, usually spotted playing frisbee or fetch. This is the perfect spot for parents living in the downtown core, who wish to exercise their pup without having to travel too far from home.

The park is lush with green grass, rolling hills, and a little doggy swimming zone for those wanting to cool off from the summer heat.

10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

3. Queen Elizabeth Park

Location: 4600 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC.

Status: Off Leash Designated Area

Queen Elizabeth Park is 130 acres of pure bliss. The park is complete with grassy hillsides, lush trees, and all the amenities a person could want. Queen Elizabeth Park is a daily destination for many athletes, who take advantage of the free tennis courts, pitch and put, lawn bowling, basketball, and disc golf. Many people also visit here for the beautiful gardens and conservatory.

The park is also home to one of Vancouver’s best off leash areas. Though the park is not fully fenced, dog owners greatly appreciate such a large green space in the middle of the city. Dogs can be seen romping through the fields, or enjoying naps in the shade.

Pack a picnic and spend a day basking in the beauty of Queen E Park!

10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

4. Nelson Park

Location: Bute St. and Nelson St., Vancouver, BC.

Status: Off Leash

Nelson Park is located in the heart of Vancouver’s West End neighborhood. The West End is well known for being the most dog friendly area in Vancouver. Dogs are found in almost every home, and it’s strange to see someone walking without a furry companion at their side.

Those who live in the West End frequent Nelson Dog Park, as it is fully fenced and central to major destinations like Coal Harbour, English Bay, Davie St., and Robson. The pathways throughout Nelson Park are beautiful and well kept, surrounded by the community garden plots, making for a lovely stroll on the way to the off leash area.  There are benches and picnic tables for the humans, as well as large trees shading the park from the hot sun.

The park provides a safe place for dogs to play fetch, roll around in the dirt, or have a snooze in the shade.

10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

5. Sunset Beach Park

Location: 1204 Beach Ave., Vancouver, BC.

Status: Off Leash

Sunset Beach is located near Vancouver’s famous English Bay, and directly across from Granville Island. Tucked under the beautiful Burrard St. Bridge, Sunset Beach is the perfect spot for parents to spend an evening with their pups, watching the sunset.

The water is clean, and the sand is squishy. There are lots of rocks to overturn, making “crab spotting” fun for kids. This place is great for parents looking to take their pups for a dip in the water after a lovely walk along the English Bay seawall.

Above the beach is a grassy hill, where parents can relax under tall trees as they wait for their dogs to dry off!

10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

6. Emery Barns Park

Location: 1170 Richards St., Vancouver, BC

Status: Off Leash Designated Area

Emery Barns Park is perfect for urban pup parents, who want to enjoy some play in the city. The park is well known by small dog parents for it’s well maintained pathways, fountains, and playgrounds. The park is frequented by young families with their dogs, and is usually filled with the sounds of childish laughter.

This park is located just off of a busy road, but traffic noise is low due to the surrounding buildings. The grass is green and well kept. There are water fountains for dogs and humans, as well as public restrooms.

Emery Park is close to many well-known dog shops and boutiques, and is a hot spot for Vancouver’s trendy crowd. Grab a coffee at the nearby Starbucks, and watch your dog make some cool new friends.

10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

7. Coopers Park

Location: Cooperage Way and Cambie St., Vancouver, BC

Status: Off Leash

Coopers Park is home to Yaletown’s dog loving crowd, as many parents make this their daily hangout. Located close to the poshest neighborhood around, Coopers Park is busy with dogs of all shapes and sizes.

The pristine pathways make for a great stroll along the waterway, continuing under the Cambie St. bridge and into the heart of Yaletown. There are many dog shops nearby, including a few specialty boutiques. Food trucks are also parked along the water, providing parents with affordable and tasty snacks during their afternoon walk.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also catch a ferry from here to visit Granville Island with your pooch!

10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

8. Charleson Park

Location: 999 Charleson Rd., Vancouver, BC.

Status: Off Leash Designated Area

There’s no doubt that Charleson Park has the best view in the entire Greater Vancouver Area.

The breathtaking skyline of Vancouver’s downtown can be seen overlooking False Creek. Located near the trendy Cambie Village area, Charleson Park is a destination for all dog lovers. This park is easily accessible by the seawall, or W 6th Ave., making it a no brainer for parents looking to exercise their dogs. Like a few of the other parks we’ve mentioned, there’s also a dog friendly swimming beach.

Pack a picnic, sit on the seawall, and enjoy BC’s unique sunset.

10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

9. CRAB Park

Location: 101 W Waterfront Rd. Vancouver, BC.

Status: Designated Off Leash Area

CRAB Park, located just outside of Vancouver’s famous Gas Town, is one of the most popular places to take your pup for a swim. The water is clean, kind of a standard for beautiful British Columbia, and the views are fantastic.

The grass is well kept, and there are benches lining the neat pathways throughout the park. Dog parents can be seen laying in the shade of trees, or relaxing on the beach as their pups have a blast in the water. There are lots of large dogs here, as it provides the perfect space for big guys to run amuck. There’s an abundance of sticks and drift wood to chew on, as well as nearby restaurant patios to visit.

This is a somewhat hidden gem for the dog parents of Vancouver, as the beach is fairly unpopulated.

10 Hip Dog Parks Near Downtown Vancouver

10. Spanish Banks Dog Beach

Location: 4801 NW Marine Dr., Vancouver, BC.

Status: Off Leash

Spanish Banks is a well known sight for Vancouver’s wealthy residents. With houses averaging in the millions of dollars range, most of the locals are fairly well-off. But who says they need a beach all to themselves?

Spanish Banks is located a short drive out of downtown Vancouver, but it feels like a whole other world. The tide often reaches out to what feels like the middle of the ocean, giving dogs and dog lovers miles and miles of space to run. The sand is white and sprinkled with shells. With the open ocean to your left and the city to your right, this spot is a little piece of heaven.

Dogs are welcome off leash on the beach, as well as the wooded hiking trails of Pacific Spirit Park located across the street. Bring your dog and prepare for the greatest day of your life.

Which of these parks is your favorite?

Angus Off Leash

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