Off-Leash Dog Parks in Edmonton: Fenced Parks and Rules

Edmonton has more than 60 off-leash areas, from the huge river-valley run at Terwillegar to small fenced parks downtown. Most off-leash areas list hours of 5 am to 11 pm. Everywhere else your dog is on a leash of up to 2 m, and every dog over six months needs a City licence ($38 a year if spayed or neutered). Here’s where to go and what to know, checked against the City’s pages in October 2026.

The big river-valley parks

Terwillegar Park. The one most people mean, at 504 Heffernan Drive NW: wide open trails with river access, not fenced and not lit. Washrooms are on site May to September. Part of the south end is closed for EPCOR work through November 2026.

Buena Vista Park, Laurier Heights. A small beach and river access, with year-round washrooms open 9 am to 9 pm. Not fully fenced.

Dawson Park. Along the North Saskatchewan near 89 Street, with a paved path cleared of snow and year-round washrooms. Closed for work from May to 1 November 2026, so check before you go.

Mill Creek Ravine. Two stretches: the north one along a gravel path through the ravine, the south one with a creek. Neither is fenced or lit.

Gold Bar, Capilano and Hawrelak Trail. Gravel paths through the river valley, good for a long walk rather than a game of fetch.

Jackie Parker and Callingwood. Open off-leash parks with parking; Callingwood has forest and gravel paths.

The full list and map are on the City’s off-leash page, which also lists closures.

Fenced dog parks

Eleven parks are fully fenced, with 1.2 m fencing: Lauderdale, Paisley, Alex Decoteau, Manning Village, Braithwaite (Garneau), Eastwood, Glengarry, Alberta Avenue, Inglewood, Pleasantview and O-day’min. The Orchards has one too, run by the developer.

• O-day’min Park, downtown. Lit and fenced, with artificial turf, by the washroom pavilion at 10150 107 Street.
• Lauderdale and Paisley. Both have a separate small-dog area, and Paisley has agility equipment.
• Alex Decoteau. Artificial turf and lights downtown, but no parking.

Community leagues also run about 26 temporary dog parks, some only for a season, in rinks or tennis courts (community league dog parks).

The rules

• Leash on the way in and out of every off-leash area, and keep your dog under control inside.
• Everywhere else, a leash of up to 2 m. The fine is $250 (Animal Care and Control Bylaw). Some City pages still say $100; the bylaw was replaced in May 2026.
• No dogs in playgrounds, sports fields or picnic areas, even on a leash ($250).
• Pick up and bin it. $250 for leaving it. Bagged poo can go in any public bin.
• Vaccinations and deworming up to date, says the City. Aggressive dogs aren’t allowed in off-leash areas.

Licence

Every dog over six months needs one, even an indoor dog, renewed every year (licence page):

• $38 a year if spayed or neutered, $78 if not (2026)
• Half price for seniors and people on income support, for a spayed or neutered dog
• Free for guide and service dogs
• $250 fine with no licence, and $100 if your dog isn’t wearing the tag

Apply online at selfserve.edmonton.ca, at the Animal Care and Control Centre on 163 Street, or at a bank. It includes a microchip and one free ride home a year if your dog gets lost. You can keep up to three dogs per home.

The river and the ice

• Keep dogs leashed near the riverbank. The City says it’s never safe to swim in the North Saskatchewan, and people and pets get swept away by the current (river safety). If your dog likes the water at Terwillegar or Buena Vista, stay in the shallows and think about a dog life jacket.
• Never walk on the river ice, in any season, and stay off stormwater ponds. Leash your dog near water during freeze and thaw, roughly November to December and March to April (ice safety).
• If your dog goes in, call 911. Don’t go in after it.

Coyotes

Edmonton has coyotes, and they can try to lure a dog away. The City’s advice is to keep your dog close on a leash, and in an off-leash area, leash up if you see one (coyotes). If one comes close, make yourself big, clap, shout or blow a whistle, and don’t run. Many Edmonton coyotes carry a tapeworm, so ask your vet about deworming if your dog catches mice.

Winter

Shorten walks in a cold snap. A dog lifting its paws high or licking its feet is telling you it’s too cold. Wipe paws after walks: salt and ice melt irritate them (pet safety). Fenced parks have their gates cleared within five days of a snowfall, and parking lots within two.

Getting there

Dogs can only ride ETS buses and the LRT in a cage or carrier; only service dogs ride loose. For the river-valley parks you’ll mostly need a car.

Dog parks in other Canadian cities: Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton, Ottawa, Vancouver and Calgary.