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Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Nanaimo’s City page lists 12 off-leash parks. Stay within each signed off-leash area, carry a current licence, clean up waste and keep no more than two dogs per person.
Key information
Nanaimo’s City page lists 12 off-leash parks. Stay within each signed off-leash area, carry a current licence, clean up waste and keep no more than two dogs per person.
On this page
Boundaries and owner responsibilities
A park name does not make the entire park off-leash. Westwood’s designated area is along the power lines at the back of the lake, and Colliery Dam’s area is on the upper-dam trail. Keep dogs leashed until entering the actual designated area.
Stay with the dog, keep it in sight and under control, and prevent jumping on people. Remove choke-chain collars before fenced areas. Dogs in heat and puppies younger than four months are not allowed. Leashed dogs are not allowed inside penned off-leash areas such as Beban and Northfield because of conflict risks.
Sources: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
Waste, exclusions and seasonal rules
Pick up waste and put the bag in a designated garbage bin. Do not toss bags into bushes. Each off-leash site has signs, a bag dispenser and a bin, but bring your own backup bags.
Dogs are prohibited in playgrounds, sports fields, cemeteries and Buttertubs Marsh. Seasonal exclusions include Pipers Lagoon April 1 to October 31 and Departure Bay Beach May 1 to September 30. Restricted or vicious dogs are barred from off-leash parks and must be leashed and muzzled on trails.
Sources: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
Complete City-listed scope
The 12 sections below cover every location in the City off-leash list checked October 14, 2026. They are off-leash-area access notes, not a claim that every trail, water edge or field in each park is designated.
Map queries use the listed park address or right-of-way name. Nicola Road is a right-of-way trail approach, and the island site requires separate travel planning. These are not verified accessible entrances. For infractions, Animal Control is 250-616-0233 and Bylaw Enforcement is 250-755-4422.
Sources: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
All 12 listed off-leash areas
| Park | Listed approach | Area note |
|---|---|---|
| Beban Park | 2300 Bowen Road | Access off Dorman Road. Two fenced areas separate small dogs from the area typically used for larger breeds. |
| Cable Bay Trail | Nicola Road right-of-way | Follow signs to the trailhead. The off-leash trail leads down to the water; the source supplies a right-of-way rather than a numbered entrance. |
| Westwood Lake Park | 381 Westwood Road | Use the parking lot, then keep the dog leashed until the signed off-leash area at the back of the lake along the power lines. |
| Colliery Dam Park | 635 Wakesiah Avenue | The main lot leads to a walk toward the upper-dam trail. A smaller Harewood Mines Road lot is closer to the upper designated area. |
| Beaufort Park | 69 Lorne Place | Partly fenced grassy area, accessed off Chelsea Road. |
| Wardropper Park | 2957 Departure Bay Road | Fully fenced grassy off-leash space with views of Departure Bay. |
| Diver Lake Park | 2430 Black Franks Drive | The large field beside the parking lot is designated off-leash throughout the year. |
| St. George Ravine Park | 980 Terminal Avenue North | The park includes open grass, a trail and a designated off-leash area. |
| Invermere Beach Park | 6420 Invermere Road | The off-leash beach is at the bottom of stairs. Check tide conditions to confirm there is enough exposed beach. |
| May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park | 6700 and 6780 Dover Road | The designated forested area has trails beside the main park. |
| Gallows Point Light Park | 208 Colvilleton Trail, Protection Island | The source identifies this as Protection Island’s only off-leash area. Plan island access separately. |
| Northfield Rotary Lookout Park | 2430 Northfield Road | The fenced off-leash area is behind the visitor-information kiosk at the Parkway rest stop. |
Sources: City off-leash areas
Quick reference
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| City-listed locations | 12 |
| Dogs per person | Maximum two |
| Minimum puppy age | Four months |
| Before entry and after exit | Leash required |
| Inside penned off-leash areas | Remove leash and choke-chain collar |
| Infractions | 250-616-0233 or 250-755-4422 |
Sources: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
Steps to follow
- Choose
Read the individual area’s approach and fencing notes.
- Prepare
Bring licence, bags and leash, and check seasonal restrictions.
- Respect boundary
Use only the signed area and keep the dog in sight and controlled.
Sources: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
Service locations
Maps locate the source-listed site or address. They do not verify an accessible entrance, internal counter or route.
Beban Park
2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, British Columbia
Access off Dorman Road. Two fenced areas separate small dogs from the area typically used for larger breeds.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
Cable Bay Trail
Nicola Road right-of-way, Nanaimo, British Columbia
Follow signs to the trailhead. The off-leash trail leads down to the water; the source supplies a right-of-way rather than a numbered entrance.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
Westwood Lake Park
381 Westwood Road, Nanaimo, British Columbia
Use the parking lot, then keep the dog leashed until the signed off-leash area at the back of the lake along the power lines.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
Colliery Dam Park
635 Wakesiah Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia
The main lot leads to a walk toward the upper-dam trail. A smaller Harewood Mines Road lot is closer to the upper designated area.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
Beaufort Park
69 Lorne Place, Nanaimo, British Columbia
Partly fenced grassy area, accessed off Chelsea Road.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
Wardropper Park
2957 Departure Bay Road, Nanaimo, British Columbia
Fully fenced grassy off-leash space with views of Departure Bay.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
Diver Lake Park
2430 Black Franks Drive, Nanaimo, British Columbia
The large field beside the parking lot is designated off-leash throughout the year.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
St. George Ravine Park
980 Terminal Avenue North, Nanaimo, British Columbia
The park includes open grass, a trail and a designated off-leash area.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
Invermere Beach Park
6420 Invermere Road, Nanaimo, British Columbia
The off-leash beach is at the bottom of stairs. Check tide conditions to confirm there is enough exposed beach.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park
6700 and 6780 Dover Road, Nanaimo, British Columbia
The designated forested area has trails beside the main park.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
Gallows Point Light Park
208 Colvilleton Trail, Protection Island, Nanaimo, British Columbia
The source identifies this as Protection Island’s only off-leash area. Plan island access separately.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
Northfield Rotary Lookout Park
2430 Northfield Road, Nanaimo, British Columbia
The fenced off-leash area is behind the visitor-information kiosk at the Parkway rest stop.
- Scope
- Signed off-leash area only
Questions and answers
How many off-leash parks does the City list?
12.
Source: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
Is all of Westwood Lake Park off-leash?
No. The area is at the back of the lake along the power lines.
Source: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
Is the main Colliery Dam parking lot itself the off-leash area?
No. Walk to the upper-dam trail’s designated area.
Source: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
How many dogs can one person take into an off-leash area?
At most two.
Source: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
Are puppies under four months allowed?
No.
Source: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
Are dogs in heat allowed?
No.
Source: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
Should a dog stay leashed inside a penned off-leash park?
The City says leashed dogs are not allowed inside those penned areas.
Source: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
Must I pick up waste in an off-leash area?
Yes. Put it in a designated garbage bin.
Source: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
When are dogs excluded from Pipers Lagoon?
April 1 through October 31.
Source: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information
When are dogs excluded from Departure Bay Beach?
May 1 through September 30.
Source: Official Nanaimo off-leash dog parks and access rules information