Toronto has dozens of designated off-leash dog areas spread across the city — the City of Toronto’s own count puts the number over 80. Here’s a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood rundown of well-known ones, plus the rules that apply everywhere: keep your dog within sight, clean up immediately, and know that small-dog areas are capped at 20 lbs and 12 inches at the shoulder.
Downtown & West End
High Park, off Bloor Street West, is Toronto’s best-known off-leash destination — enough space that even a high-energy dog can properly run, plus trails through the park’s oak savannah if you want to extend the walk. Withrow Park, near Logan and Bain Avenues in Riverdale, is a smaller, more neighbourhood-feel option if High Park’s size feels like overkill for a quick morning outing. Trinity Bellwoods (“The Bowl”), between Queen St W and Dundas St W, is a City-designated off-leash area right in the middle of the neighbourhood — smaller and busier than High Park, but hard to beat for convenience if you’re downtown.
Downtown East & The Waterfront
Cherry Beach / Clarke Beach Park, down on Cherry Street, is one of the most popular waterfront off-leash spots — open space, lake views, and enough room for dogs to properly stretch their legs. It gets busy on weekends, so an early or late visit is easier if your dog doesn’t love crowds. Riverdale Park East, at 550 Broadview Avenue, is a City-designated off-leash field just south of Danforth and Bloor with skyline views. Greenwood Park, at 150 Greenwood Avenue, is a smaller East End option worth knowing if you’re closer to the Danforth.
Midtown
Sunnybrook Park, off Leslie Street, is a large ravine-and-trail off-leash area that’s popular for dogs who prefer sniffing trails to open fields. Cedarvale Park, near Arlington Avenue, and Sherwood Park, near Mount Pleasant Road and Sherwood Avenue, are two smaller midtown options worth knowing if you’re closer to Eglinton or Yonge.
York & Casa Loma Area
Sir Winston Churchill Park, accessed via the Nordheimer Ravine path or from Spadina Road near Casa Loma, has a City-designated off-leash area that reopened in December 2019 after a multi-year closure. Wychwood Barns Park, near St. Clair Avenue West and Wychwood Avenue, is a smaller neighbourhood off-leash spot next to the Wychwood Barns community space.
North York
G. Ross Lord Park, along Dufferin Street, is North York’s best-known off-leash area — a large park with a reservoir and enough trail length for a real walk, not just a quick loop. Earl Bales Park, at 4169 Bathurst Street, is another solid North York option, with hillside terrain and views of the former ski slope.
Scarborough
Scarborough has several solid options: Thomson Memorial Park near Brimley Road, Frank Faubert Woodlot (sometimes called Hand of God Park) near Borough Drive, Colonel Danforth Park near the Colonel Danforth Trail, and L’Amoreaux Park off McNicoll Avenue — all worth checking if you’re closer to the east end of the city.
Etobicoke & West Waterfront
Etobicoke has some of the best waterfront off-leash options in the city. Colonel Samuel Smith Dog Park, on Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive, is a lakeside favourite with mature trees and regular wildlife sightings. Sir Casimir Gzowski Dog Park, on Lake Shore Boulevard West near the Martin Goodman Trail, is another lakefront option that works well if you want to combine an off-leash session with a longer waterfront walk. Right on the Etobicoke–Mississauga border, Marie Curtis Park has a dedicated off-leash area with direct Lake Ontario access — worth the trip if your dog loves the water.
Seasonal Rule Worth Knowing
Dogs generally can’t access designated swimming beaches during the summer season, but the City of Toronto opens that restriction from November 1 through March 31 — a good detail to know if you’re planning a winter beach walk.
For the complete, current list of designated off-leash areas (the city adds and adjusts these periodically), check the City of Toronto’s official off-leash areas page before you go, especially if you’re heading somewhere new.
How to Get There
Off-leash parks tend to be spread out, and not every one is a quick walk from home. If you’re planning a park day across a couple of neighbourhoods — say, a High Park morning followed by a Cherry Beach afternoon — a pet taxi ride between them is a lot less stressful than trying to manage transit connections with a tired, sandy, or muddy dog. For more Toronto outing ideas, see our full guide to pet-friendly activities and our roundup of dog-friendly restaurants and patios for pairing a park visit with a meal out. If you want a sense of the cost first, our fare estimator gives you an approximate price for the route.
FAQs
How many off-leash dog parks does Toronto have?
Over 80, according to the City of Toronto — spread across every district, from downtown to Scarborough and North York.
What’s the rule for small dogs at off-leash parks?
Many off-leash areas have a dedicated small-dog section, capped at 20 lbs and 12 inches at the shoulder, for dogs who do better without bigger dogs around.
Can dogs go on Toronto’s beaches?
Not during peak summer season at most designated swimming beaches, but the City of Toronto lifts that restriction from November 1 to March 31.
Is High Park’s off-leash area fenced?
Portions are, but the off-leash area is large and includes open trail sections — check current signage on-site, since layout details can change.
Are there off-leash dog parks in Etobicoke?
Yes — Colonel Samuel Smith Dog Park, Sir Casimir Gzowski Dog Park, and Marie Curtis Park (right on the Etobicoke–Mississauga border) all have designated off-leash areas with lake access.
Are there off-leash dog parks in York or near Casa Loma?
Yes — Sir Winston Churchill Park (accessed via the Nordheimer Ravine or Spadina Road) and Wychwood Barns Park (near St. Clair Ave W and Wychwood Ave) both have City-designated off-leash areas.
Can Your Dog Butler drive me between off-leash parks?
Yes — a pet taxi ride is an easy way to string together a multi-park day, especially if your dog gets tired and you don’t want to manage a long walk home.
Many of these parks are a drive, not a walk, from home — we serve North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Brampton if you’d rather not drive yourself between parks.
Getting There
Reserve a pet taxi ride to your next park, or call 647-477-5858. Advanced booking is highly recommended to guarantee your spot; limited emergency availability may exist for local taxi needs.
