Buntzen Lake is a popular place to walk with a dog, with forest trails, designated off-leash areas, and a lakeside area where dogs can swim. However, there are specific rules about where dogs are permitted and where they may be off leash.

The most important rule is simple: dogs must be leashed on Buntzen Lake hiking trails unless they are within a designated off-leash area or on the designated dog off-leash trail.

You may see dogs off leash elsewhere around the lake, but the regular hiking trails, including the Buntzen Lake Loop, are not designated off-leash trails.

Buntzen Lake Dog Rules at a Glance

• Dogs are permitted on the hiking trails, but they must be leashed.
• Dogs may be off leash only in the two designated off-leash areas or on the designated dog off-leash trail.
• A grassy off-leash dog park with a picnic table is located beside the first asphalt parking lot as you enter the main parking area.
• The dog off-leash trail is approximately 0.6 km long, one way, and begins southeast of the main parking lots.
• Dogs are not permitted in the main South Beach swimming and picnic area. Use the designated route around the beach.
• A fenced dog recreation area near South Beach provides access to the lake for dogs to swim.
• A covered picnic shelter with two tables is located inside the fenced dog area.
• A dog wash-off station and a separate short-term Dog Parking enclosure are available near the South Beach washrooms.
• Dogs must remain under their owner’s control at all times, including in off-leash areas.
• Always pick up after your dog and carry waste bags to a garbage bin or take them home.

Where Can Dogs Be Off Leash?

BC Hydro provides two designated off-leash areas at Buntzen Lake, along with a dedicated dog off-leash trail. The off-leash areas give dogs places to exercise without using the regular hiking trails.

The two designated areas are the grassy off-leash dog park beside the first asphalt parking lot and the dog recreation and swimming area near South Beach. There is also a dedicated dog off-leash trail beginning southeast of the main parking lots, approximately 0.6 km long, one way.

Outside the designated off-leash areas and trail, dogs must be leashed. Watch for signs identifying the boundaries of each area.

Grassy Off-Leash Dog Park Near the Parking Lots

Buntzen Lake also has a grassy off-leash dog park near the main parking lots. As you drive into the recreation area, turn right into the first asphalt parking lot. The dog park is immediately to your right, on the east side of the parking lot.

You can view the exact location of the grassy off-leash dog park on Google Maps.

The park has a grassy clearing surrounded by trees, with a picnic table for visitors. There is a fenced entrance, although the area is not completely enclosed by fencing, so keep an eye on your dog.

According to the posted BC Hydro rules, dogs must remain under control, aggressive or rambunctious dogs are not permitted, and owners must clean up after their pets.

Dogs on the Buntzen Lake Loop

Dogs are welcome on the Buntzen Lake Loop and other hiking trails around the recreation area, but they must remain on a leash. The off-leash exception applies only within the designated areas and on the designated dog off-leash trail.

This means the west-side trail, North Beach sections, suspension bridge area, east-side trail, and other regular hiking trails are not general off-leash areas.

Although off-leash dogs are commonly seen on the hiking trails, that does not change BC Hydro’s leash requirement.

During longer walks around the lake, keep your dog close when passing other hikers, cyclists, children, and other dogs. Be especially considerate on narrow or busy trail sections where there may be little room to pass.

South Beach Dog Area and Swimming

Dogs are not permitted in the main South Beach swimming and picnic area. If you are arriving with a dog, follow the signs directing you around the beach and toward the designated dog areas.

BC Hydro directs dog owners to use the trail beside the beach, which leads toward the off-leash area near Buntzen Creek. Do not walk your dog through the main swimming beach as a shortcut.

The fenced dog recreation area near South Beach provides space for dogs to exercise off leash and includes designated access to the lake for swimming. It’s a useful option for dogs that enjoy the water, without bringing them into the main public swimming area.

The fenced area also contains a covered picnic shelter with two picnic tables. This provides a place for dog owners to sit and take a break while visiting the designated dog area.

Even in the designated dog swimming area, owners should supervise their dogs closely, particularly around the water and other dogs. Buntzen Lake is a reservoir, and water temperatures, levels, and shoreline conditions can vary.

Dog Parking and Wash-Off Facilities

Two useful facilities are available near the fenced South Beach dog area: a short-term Dog Parking enclosure and a dog wash-off station. Both were confirmed during my visit on 21 October 2026.

Short-Term Dog Parking

Beside the washroom building, outside the fenced dog recreation area, there is a separate enclosure signed Dog Parking. It allows an owner to leave a dog in the designated enclosure briefly while using the adjacent washroom.

The posted rules specify one dog at a time and a maximum stay of 15 minutes. This facility is intended for short washroom visits, not for leaving a dog unattended for an extended period.

Dog Wash-Off Station

A dedicated dog wash-off station is located near the fenced dog area. It has a faucet, hose, and drainage grate, making it convenient for rinsing mud or sand off your dog before returning to your vehicle.

The wash-off station is separate from the general public drinking-water facilities. Water availability may vary seasonally, so don’t assume the hose will always be operating.

Keeping Your Dog Under Control

Even within an off-leash area, BC Hydro requires dogs to remain under their owner’s control. This is particularly important at Buntzen Lake because the recreation area can be busy with hikers, runners, children, cyclists, other dogs, and wildlife.

Not every person or dog is comfortable being approached by an unfamiliar dog. If your dog is off leash in a designated area, make sure you can call it back and prevent it from bothering other visitors or animals.

Wildlife also uses the forests surrounding Buntzen Lake. I’ve encountered bears on several occasions during my hikes, and allowing a dog to chase or approach wildlife can create unnecessary risks for both the dog and its owner.

Clean Up After Your Dog

Most dog owners at Buntzen Lake do a good job of cleaning up after their pets, but occasionally you’ll find dog waste or filled waste bags left beside the trails.

Garbage bins are available around the recreation area, including at South Beach, North Beach, and near the west side of the floating bridge area. However, there are long sections of the hiking trails without garbage bins.

Dogs often do their business shortly after arriving, when a garbage bin may be nearby. But if your dog goes halfway around Buntzen Lake, it’s your responsibility to carry the filled waste bag until you reach the next bin or take it home.

Please don’t leave filled dog waste bags beside the trail, even if you intend to collect them on your way back. They’re still litter, and nobody else should have to pick up after your dog.

It may be a small inconvenience to carry a dog waste bag for part of your hike, but it’s part of being a responsible dog owner. Keeping waste off the trails helps protect the environment and makes Buntzen Lake more enjoyable for everyone.

For more ways to help protect the trails, forests, and wildlife, read my Leave No Trace at Buntzen Lake article.

Before Bringing Your Dog to Buntzen Lake

Buntzen Lake can be extremely busy on warm weekends and holidays. If you’re driving, check the current Buntzen Lake parking information before heading out, and allow enough time to finish your visit before the recreation area gate closes.

Bring a leash, dog waste bags, and anything else your dog may need for the outing. For longer hikes, consider your dog’s fitness, the weather, and whether it can comfortably handle the distance and trail conditions.

Facilities, rules, and access arrangements can change. Always follow the posted signs and check the latest official information before visiting.

For current dog rules, recreation-area information, and trail closures, consult the BC Hydro Buntzen Lake recreation page and the BC Hydro Buntzen Lake trails page.