6 Dog-Friendly Activities in the Outaouais
Ready for an adventure? You’re turning the doorknob, getting ready to leave your house, when you see your four-legged friend looking up at you with his little eyes sparkling, begging you to take him with you on your trip. Fortunately, we have a few suggestions of activities to do with your dog that will allow you to bring him with you worry-free!
Base de plein air Air-Eau-Bois
Get away from it all with your canine best friend at Base de plein air Air-Eau-Bois. Spend the night in a campsite, micro-chalet or micro-refuge. You’ll be perfectly situated to take full advantage of the forest. Just a stone’s throw from your rustic, comfortable accommodations, explore over 15 km of trails. Encounter hidden lakes, waterfalls and views of Lac du Poisson Blanc along the way.
Depending on the type of accommodation, the list of amenities included may vary.
Downtown Gatineau's Culture Trail
Whether you love art and culture or are simply curious, head to Downtown Gatineau to walk the Culture Trail, a 3 km–long path of public art. It’s a golden opportunity to take a well-deserved walk with your dog while admiring the works of art that colour the city centre! Who knows, maybe your four-legged best friend is an art lover too? Check out the map to see the various points of interest along the trail.
Gatineau Park
You can’t miss the Gatineau Park for a great hike with your dog! All throughout the year, you can walk the Lauriault, Sugarbush, Pioneers and Capital Pathway trails. Other park trails are also dog-friendly from April 15th to November 30th. In addition to getting a breath of fresh air, enjoy the majestic panoramas you’ll see on certain trails and have a good time under the open sky with your pooch! Check out the map to find the next trail to take with your best friend.
Your dog must remain on a leash at all times. For conservation reasons, dogs are not allowed on the Equestrian, Pink Lake, King Mountain or Luskville Falls Trails.
Ice Cream
Finished your walk with your dog in Gatineau Park and ice cream is calling out to you? Head to Old Chelsea Square and make a pit stop at La Cigale. The dairy bar has around 70 flavours of ice cream! Dogs are welcome and there’s even a water bowl in the waiting line so that they can stay hydrated. For gelato and sorbet, head to Cassis in Aylmer! Your dog is sure to love this shop, as you can even order a specially designed gelato for him!
Camping
When you head into the forest for a camping trip, you can bring your dog too! A canoe-camping trip to Parc régional du lac 31 Milles (if your dog isn’t afraid of water!), a glamping trip in a yurt at Borefüge (for an additional $15 per dog per night), or even a rustic camping trip to La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve or Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve, are all interesting and accessible options.
Dogs are allowed on SEPAQ’s wildlife reserves, but not on all campgrounds. Make sure to check before booking!
Au feel de l'eau Aqua-Taxi
Hop on the Aqua-Taxi, a 100% electric river shuttle service that goes between Gatineau and Ottawa, and navigate the Ottawa River following in the footsteps of Samuel de Champlain. Good news: pets are allowed on board! There’s nothing better than visiting the Gatineau-Ottawa region with your pooch while getting from A to B quickly and in style.
Fairmont Le Château Montebello
A stay at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello resort attracts you, but would be incomplete without your pet? Don’t worry! You can travel with your dog and they can even sleep in the hotel with you for an additional $55 per room per night. A metal cage and food bowl will even be provided upon your arrival. The resort is a real paradise, so enjoy it with the whole family, whether they have four paws or not! A 4.7 km trail is available at the Château and hiking trails are also accessible nearby at Kenauk Nature.
Dog-sitting services are available upon request for a minimum of 3 hours and at the price of $25 per hour for 1 or 2 dogs and $35 an hour for 3 or 4 dogs.
Camping Timberland
What could be better than a stay in the great outdoors with your canine best friend? Sleep in a teepee or bring your tent to one of Camping Timerbland‘s magnificent unserviced sites. Surrounded by a splendid red pine forest, take a walk with your dog on over 16 km of sandy trails. Enjoy the calm of the surroundings and the wild beauty.
Campsites: $40 excluding taxes per night | Ready to camp - teepees: $70 excluding taxes per night
Book at least 24 hours in advance | Arrival between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Parc des Montagnes Noires de Ripon
Summer and winter alike, set off on an adventure along the hiking trails of the Parc des Montagnes Noires de Ripon. An 800-acre playground in the heart of Petite Nation wilderness. Try your hand at canicross or take a leisurely stroll with your dog along the belvedere trail. A 4 km loop takes you to an observation tower. Along the way, take a break at the lookout located at the summit of Mont Grand-Pic, at a height of 426 metres. Pure pleasure from dawn to dusk!
Your dog is always thinking of you; he’s your closest companion. Don’t forget to think of him when you’re choosing activities. He’ll be eternally grateful! Woof!
