Ellison Provincial Park near Vernon, BC features an ON-LEASH DOG BEACH called Sandy Beach. It is accessed via a trail located between sites 11 and 12 in the campsite area. It is a nice place to take your dog for an on-leash splash, but if you are not camping at the park you will need to park in the visitors area and walk approximately 5-10 minutes to access the beach trail. Once on the trail it is another 15 minute walk down to the beach area.
The beach area itself is a small cove which is perfect for swimming – for both you and your dog! But wait! BC Parks thinks dogs can swim and play in the water on a leash – which we all know is impractical and unsafe! Can you imagine the chaos? Dogs choking at the end of their leashes, desperate to swim freely, chase a stick or frolic with other dogs; entangled leashes; dog handlers apologizing profusely; etc., etc., etc.
The Dog Network submitted an email to BC Parks (September 10, 2023) for clarification of the official off-leash areas due to confusion from the on-site signage and the BC Parks website. At that time we had numerous people contact us complaining about the off-leash dogs at Sandy Beach at Ellison Provincial Park. At that time we interpreted the on-site signage and website writeup to meant that dogs were allowed to be off-leash at Sandy Beach, but nowhere else – not the trail leading to the beach or anywhere else in the park. (Keep in mind that we have a lot of experience reading and interpreting park signage – we’ve personally visited about 400 off-leash areas).
We received a reply from Kirk Illingworth (Recreation Services Officer, Okanagan, BC Parks | Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy):
In the Okanagan, most BC Parks campgrounds have areas set aside where owners can bring pets with them to the beach. These beaches aren’t strictly pet beaches but are areas where pets can accompany owners to the beach. BC Parks doesn’t have many off-leash pet beaches because those with small children and some others find animals intimidating. Ellison Park follows the saying on a leash and off the beach, this is except for Sandy beach where a leashed pet can attend with an owner. I do agree that our messaging at Ellison park and on the website is confusing so we’ll ensure that it is replaced or corrected as soon as possible.
Thank you again for taking the time and for bringing this issue to our attention.
We were pleased that he acknowledged, “that our messaging at Ellison park and on the website is confusing so we’ll ensure that it is replaced or corrected as soon as possible.” We have confirmed that the wording on the BC Parks website has been updated and does clearly state that, “Pets must be leashed at all times while at this beach.” However, we don’t know if the signage at the park has been updated yet. Please contact us with confirmation and pictures if you’ve visited the park recently.
1 Review on “Sandy Beach (on-leash dog beach), Ellison Provincial Park, Vernon, BC”
Ellison Provincial Park in Vernon, BC, does not have an “off leash” dog beach.
According to the BC Parks web page for this park, the beach where owners can take their dog is named “Sandy Beach”, and according to their website, the dog must remain on the leash at all times.
It also says that dogs, leashed or not, are not allowed on any other beach or in any public building in Ellison Prov. Park.
This all says there is only 1 beach to take your dog, the rest are off limits to all pets.
See the web page for this park: https://bcparks.ca/ellison-park/
Hi Mark,
Thanks for reaching out to us. There has been a lot of controversy about this park – as of September 2023, the on-site signage and BC Parks website writeup was confusing.
The Dog Network contacted BC Parks September 10, 2023 seeking clarification. I’ve updated this post with their reply and changed the park listing to an on-leash park.