Pacific Spirit Regional Park Off-Leash Trails (Vancouver, BC)
Pacific Spirit Regional Park is one of the best places in Vancouver to walk your dog, offering a massive network of forested trails just minutes from downtown.
Located beside UBC, this park spans over 800 hectares and features kilometres of shaded, well-maintained trails, making it ideal for year-round dog walking.
What makes Pacific Spirit truly unique is the mix of leash-optional and on-leash trails, giving dog owners flexibility depending on their dog’s training and comfort level.
🐕 Dog Areas
Pacific Spirit Park is known for having some of the best off-leash trail access in the Vancouver area.
- Many trails are leash-optional, allowing dogs to explore freely
- Some trails are leash-required — always check posted signs
- Dogs must be under control at all times, even when off-leash
Unlike fenced dog parks, this is a natural off-leash experience, with winding forest paths, open sections, and quieter side trails.
This makes it especially great for:
- Dogs that need long walks or runs
- Dogs that enjoy sniffing and exploring
- Owners who prefer a less crowded, more natural setting
Important:
- Trails can switch between leash and off-leash
- Some areas (like streams and sensitive habitats) require extra care
Pacific Spirit is one of the few large urban parks with extensive off-leash access, which is why it’s so popular with local dog owners.
What the Trails Are Like
One of the biggest advantages of Pacific Spirit Park is the variety and quality of its trails.
- Wide, flat gravel paths (great for all fitness levels)
- Dense forest with shade year-round
- Quiet side trails for dogs who need space
- Minimal elevation — ideal for casual walks
The forest canopy keeps things cool in the summer and sheltered in the rain, making this one of the best all-season dog walking spots in Vancouver.
📸 These are real photos from our walks — expect lush green trails, peaceful surroundings, and plenty of space to explore.
Other Areas & Amenities
- Multiple access points around UBC and West 16th Ave
- Parking available near main trailheads
- Washrooms available at select locations
- Popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists
Because this is a shared-use park:
- Expect bikes and other users on main trails
- Always keep your dog close when passing others
Things to Know Before You Go
- Dogs must be leashed at trail entrances and near roads/streams
- You must pick up after your dog
- Wildlife is present — keep dogs from disturbing habitats
- Some trails can be confusing — watch for signage
There have been ongoing discussions about simplifying leash rules due to safety and confusion, so it’s especially important to pay attention to posted signs during your visit.
Our Experience
Pacific Spirit Park is one of our go-to spots when we want a quieter, longer walk.
It doesn’t have the open play areas of a typical dog park — but what it offers instead is:
👉 space
👉 calm
👉 and a true “get out of the city” feeling
If your dog loves exploring trails more than playing fetch in a field, this is one of the best places in Vancouver to go.
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Be aware that there are active plans to restrict leash-optional trails throughout the entire southern (largest and most accessible) part of this park as of the summer of 2025. If you do not support this, you must act now to voice your concerns. There will be a meeting on March 6, 2025 and there is an active petition. Please do not significantly limit Vancouver’s primary leash optional park network!!!
Metro Vancouver is planning on the most accessible part of Pacific Spirit Park (the whole section south of 16th) on-leash only. Pacific Spirit Park the largest accessible off-leash park in Vancouver and the only off-leash trails in the region area outside of the North Shore.
https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/1iikfk4/metro_vancouver_looking_at_simplifying_and/
If Pacific Spirit Park having accessible off-leash trails is as important to you and your dog as it is to me and mine, please email your feedback to [email protected] before this change is made permanently.
Note that while the section north of Chancellor looks like it will remain off-leash, it is the least safe part of the park for off-leash dogs – the majority of the trails there run along steep canyons of cliffs over the road.