As one of only two land-locked provinces in Canada, Alberta isn’t exactly known for its beaches. While the northern half of the province is filled with beautiful lakes, the southern half is mostly limited to humanmade swimming areas and irrigation ponds. Nonetheless, there are a few beaches in Alberta that are dog friendly. If you’re looking for a place to swim with your dog, you’ve come to the right place!
The Top Dog-Friendly Beaches in Alberta
1. Newcastle Beach, Drumheller
🗺️ Address:
📍 Drumheller, AB
🕐 Open Times:
Any time
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash:
Yes
Rocky beach along the river
Bathrooms nearby
Moderately sized off-leash area
Well-treed with shady spots
2. Gull Lake Sandy Beach
🗺️ Address:
📍 Gull Lake, AB
🕐 Open Times:
Any time
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash:
No, dogs must be on-leash at all times
Dogs allowed on leash only
Playground
Food concessions
Long stretch of sandy beach on the north side of Gull Lake
Shady areas
Clean and well-maintained
Shallow area for swimming
3. Boat Launch Park, Alberta Beach
🗺️ Address:
📍 Alberta Beach, AB
🕐 Open Times:
8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash:
No, on leash only
Clean area for picnicking and fishing
Dogs allowed on leash
Small but typically not busy
4. Sandy Beach Off-Leash River Access, Calgary
🗺️ Address:
📍 Calgary, AB
🕐 Open Times:
Any time
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash:
Yes
Popular spot to cool off on hot days
Shallow water for dogs to swim in the river
Plenty of parking
Garbage cans readily available
Benches and picnic tables
5. Devonshire Beach, Widewater
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgvnc5zuQA6/
Smooth sandy beach and shallow water
Not overcrowded
Bathrooms available
Dogs allowed on leash only
6. Three Mile Bend, Red Deer
🗺️ Address:
📍 Red Deer, AB
🕐 Open Times:
Any time
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash:
Yes
Off leash allowed at all times
Sand beach and rock beach, paved paths, and swimming area
Beware of wildlife, mostly moose and beavers
7. Lacombe Lake Dog Park, St. Albert
🗺️ Address:
📍 St. Albert, AB
🕐 Open Times:
5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash:
Yes
Different areas for dogs
Paved pathways
Fishing and areas for dogs to swim
8. Sue Higgins Park, Calgary
Off-leash dog beach next to the Bow River
Secure gates around off-leash areas
Busy during the summer
Plenty of walking trails
9. Accidental Beach, Edmonton
🗺️ Address:
📍 North Edmonton, AB
🕐 Open Times:
8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, closed Saturday and Sunday
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash:
Yes
Tricky to find
Sand beach with no rocks
No amenities
Named “accidental beach” because it emerged due to LRT construction next to the North Saskatchewan River
Use at own risk due to rapidly changing water levels
Conclusion
While you won’t find many sandy beach areas in Alberta , there are several dog-friendly spots and off-leash areas next to lakes and riverbanks. They offer extensive walking trails, picnic areas, and swimming holes for dogs to cool off. Hopefully, this list has helped you find a fun spot for your next adventure!
Featured Image Credit: Yulia YasPe, Shutterstock