Pets in the Columbia Valley

All dogs must be licensed and it would be a good idea to add a contact number where you can be reached if yours becomes lost. If your dog doesn’t have a license, please get him one before you leave home. You can find out about licensing in the District of Invermere here.

Dogs are NOT allowed in any parks or on beaches in Invermere (even if leashed). The District of Invermere has strictly-enforced bylaws in place, with fines of $50 at Kinsmen Park to $100 at James Chabot Park for dogs found in these areas.

Do NOT leave your dog in a locked car while you are enjoying your day at the beach or browsing in the shops downtown. While it may be a comfortable temperature of 70F (21C)  outside, your dog will be battling for his life in a sealed car that is 100F (38C)! One would think this would only be common sense; however, in a conversation with  Invermere Dog Control Officer, Mark Topliff, we learned that just about every weekend during the summer, he finds at least a half dozen family pets locked in vehicles while their owners are enjoying themselves elsewhere.

If you are planning a day at the beach in Invermere or another family activity, please leave your dog behind. He’ll be much safer and happier at home where it’s cool.

Hiking with your dog on a forest or mountain trail can be a great outdoor adventure for both of you. Please be aware that Kootenay National Park and all the provincial parks are pet friendly, although your dog must be leashed at all times.

After your hike, examine your dog closely for ticks (check yourself as well) as they can easily hide in the hair of the animal. Read about ticks in the Columbia Valley here.

Invermere is the only one of the smaller communities in the Columbia Valley that has an official off-leash area where your dog can run free. The other communities, however, have good pet-friendly spots where dogs can exercise off-leash or perhaps splash in the water, provided you clean up after them.

Invermere

Invermere has opened a new dog park just outside of town. Take the road toward Panorama Mountain Resort and watch for the park by the bridge over Toby Creek. It will be on the left-hand side of the road and you’ll see a new parking lot at the spot.

Dog Control officer, Mark Topliff, suggests that dogs are also welcome to swim in Dorothy Lake, which is the small body of water on the north side of Pynelogs Cultural Centre at Kinsmen Park. You can park your vehicle in the Kinsmen Beach parking lot or if that is full, there is more parking available at the tennis courts and ball diamond on 4th Ave. Then, with the dog on a leash, walk along the path to the dock at Dorothy Lake.

Radium Hot Springs

The Radium Hot Springs Village Office suggests that the very best off-leash area with water to splash and swim in is the Sinclair Creek Trail.

Sinclair Creek Trail

The Sinclair Creek Trail is about 2 km in length, with an entrance and kiosk at each end. The closest entrance and kiosk is at the trail head near the Radium Rotary Park across from the Best Western Prestige Inn. There is street parking adjacent to the park, and all along the main frontage road.

There is also a parking area at the other end of the trail. To access it, turn west at the flashing red light (the intersection where Hwy 93 meets Hwy 95) onto Forsters Landing Road. Follow the road to the bottom of the hill and make a sharp right turn at the mill. You will see the parking lot at the trail-head kiosk.

Fairmont Hot Springs

Pet owners have several options to choose from in Fairmont Hot Springs.

Wills Road

You can turn west off the highway onto Wills Road and follow it to the end. There are a couple of large green open areas. The northeast corner, by the river, is where rafters end their float trips. Note: The water is very deep (strong undercurrent) at this point and not a good place to let your dog swim.

Spruce Grove Frontage Road by the Bridge

Another choice is to turn east at Spruce Grove (one turn past the fire hall), make an immediate left onto Spruce Grove Frontage Road alongside of the highway, then continue on to the small parking area by the River next to the bridge.

Columbia Lake Provincial Park

Turn east at the fire hall (Fairmont Creek Road) and turn right onto Columbia River Road. The road becomes a dirt road and goes down a hill. You will come to the Columbia Lake Provincial Park sign. Keep going for about 10 minutes. You will see an unmarked right turn. Follow that down and you will end up at a small parking area about 50 feet from the water.

Canal Flats

Dogs are NOT permitted on the beach at Tilley Memorial Park. The best spot to exercise your pet is by the bridge at the Kootenay River.

The Bridge by the RV Park

Turn off Hwy 95 at the gas station by the Kootenay RV Park and Campground. Turn left and follow the frontage road past the gas station right down to the river by the bridge.

Kimberley

Here are a couple of great spots in the City of Kimberley where your dog is welcome to explore off-leash.

Kimberley Nature Park

The 1800-acre Kimberley Nature Park is one of the largest inner city parks in Canada, featuring several dozen multi-use trails linking small ponds over the area. Dogs need not be leashed in the park as long as they are non-aggressive. Aggressive animals must be muzzled. You can find more information and an excellent trail map at: http://kimberleynaturepark.ca.

Mark Creek Trail

Mark Creek Trail runs from Kimberley to Marysville along the Mark Creek with lots of spots for pets to splash in the water.The trail is easy to follow with plenty of signage. You can access it at:

Golden

The town of Golden has a pretty laid-back attitude toward pets and aside from the downtown core, there are no established rules about leashing your dog.

Many people take their dogs to run and play in the water at Confluence Park, where the Columbia and the Kicking Horse Rivers come together. The park is located at the Golden Municipal Airport on Fisher Road.

If you are feeling like an easy hike, there is a 1 km trail which runs along the eastern edge of the Columbia River from the park.

Note: Just a reminder that the current in the river is strong enough to possibly endanger your pet. You allow him in the water at your own risk.

Another Note: During extreme high water on the Columbia, there may be parts of the trail which become inaccessible. Here’s how to get there:

Back-Country Adventures

If you want to take your dog hiking, camping or fishing in the back-country, the forestry areas all over the East Kootenay are great places for adventures. These areas are managed by the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resources Operations. Their great website with an abundance of information for you to explore can be found here.

Basically, as long as your dog is well-behaved and quiet, he is welcome to explore these areas off-leash. You will be wise not to let him get too far away from you, though, because of the plentiful wildlife.

Note: Exceptions are national and provincial parks where dogs must be leashed unless otherwise posted.

Contacts - Pet Services

Business Name	Community	Phone	Call	Info	Social	Web
ANIMAL CONTROL
Dog Control – DOI	Invermere	250-342-1707
Dog Control - RDEK	East Kootenay	250-341-7880
ANIMAL RESCUE SOCIETIES
Invermere Companion Animal Network (ICAN)	Invermere	250 341-7888
Global Animal Lovers Society (GALS)	Invermere
DAYCARE
Bow-Wow Meow	Invermere	250 342-5859
Unleashed Pet Care Services	Radium	250-347-9933
DOG GROOMING
Unleashed Pet Care Services	Radium	250-347-9933
Rocky Mountain Pet Resort & Spa	Edgewater	250-347-9911
Hawt Pawz n Clawz	Invermere	778-526-1112
Bow-Wow Meow	Invermere	250 342-5859
DOG TRAINING
Shannonbrook Boarding Kennels	Windermere	250-342-6188
Unleashed Pet Care Services	Radium	250-347-9933
DOG WALKERS
Unleashed Pet Care Services	Radium	250-347-9933
VETERINARY SERVICES
Invermere Veterinary Hospital	Invermere	250-342-7007 Emergency: 250-342-5263
Columbia Veterinary Services	Golden	250-344-5994
Tanglefoot Veterinary Services	Cranbrook	250-489-1655

Stay - Pet Boarding