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 are looking for a place to swim with your dog, you’ve come to the right place!
The Top 9 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Alberta
1. Newcastle Beach, Drumheller
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 Drumheller, AB |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 24 hours |
| 💲 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: | 24 hours |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- Dogs allowed on-leash only
- Playground and food concessions
- Long stretch of sandy beach on the north side of Gull Lake
- Shady areas and shallow area for swimming
- Clean and well-maintained
3. Boat Launch Park, Alberta Beach
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 Alberta Beach, AB |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- 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: | 24 hours |
| 💲 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
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 Range Rd. 55, Widewater, AB |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 24 hours |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | No |
- 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: | 24 hours |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Off-leash dogs allowed
- 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
| 🗺️ Address: | 📍 Southland Drive SE and Deerfoot Trail, Calgary, AB |
| 🕐 Open Times: | 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| 💲 Cost: | Free |
| 🐕 Off-Leash: | Yes |
- 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 Saturdays and Sundays |
| 💲 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!
Related Reads:
- 11 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Victoria, BC: Off-Leash & On-Leash Places to Visit
- 6 Amazing Off-Leash Dog Parks in Kitchener-Waterloo, ON You Can Visit
Featured Photo Credit: Yulia YasPe, Shutterstock
Contents
- The Top 9 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Alberta
- 1. Newcastle Beach, Drumheller
- 2. Gull Lake Sandy Beach
- 3. Boat Launch Park, Alberta Beach
- 4. Sandy Beach Off-Leash River Access, Calgary
- 5. Devonshire Beach, Widewater
- 6. Three Mile Bend, Red Deer
- 7. Lacombe Lake Dog Park, St. Albert
- 8. Sue Higgins Park, Calgary
- 9. Accidental Beach, Edmonton
- Conclusion
