Jasper playing in the water at War Falls.
While moving from a small town to a city provides endless opportunities for many people, their canine companions may not be as eager to make the change as wide open spaces could be replaced with sidewalks and traffic. When my family moved to Prince George, I was concerned about how the furry members of the family would adjust as my beloved dog Jasper was not one for the leash and had spent most of his life aimlessly exploring the countryside.
Fortunately, Prince George does not lack in dog-friendly adventures. From dog parks to hiking trails, there is no shortage of areas that are right out our front door to explore. No leash required!
In the city – Prince George’s off-leash dog parks
The amazing thing about having a city that is surrounded by a wealth of nature is visiting parks that feel like they are in the middle of nowhere, and there are a variety of off-leash parks that offer this luxury. Rather than being relinquished to a small fenced patch of dirt somewhere, parks like Ginter’s Meadow and Moore’s Meadow Nature Park are a pupper’s paradise. You can spend endless hours visiting every corner of the park while making many new friends and getting much-needed exercise.
Get out of the city – exploring the region with your four-legged friend
Jasper taking a break at the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park.
If you are looking to give your four-legged friend a longer adventure, you don’t need to travel very far. There are a wide variety of trails and parks to explore that are at your fingertips. Trails can vary from short walks for those quick after work adventures to daylong hikes if you really need to help someone burn some energy.
The Caledonia Ramblers produces a local trail guide for the region that shares distances, time and difficulty of trails. They also organize local hikes and provide expert advice as well.
Don’t let winter stop you from getting outside with your dog
When the temperatures drops, there are still many opportunities to get out with your dog. The Otway Nordic Centre has approximately 8 kilometres of dog-friendly trails for cross-country skiers and their dogs. There are also dog-friendly snowshoe trails as well. Before strapping on your skis, be sure to brush up on the trail rules and protocols.
What are some of your favourite spots to go with your dog? Check out this blog for other options for exploring Prince George with your dog and then join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
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