Summer is here and it is the perfect time to plan a trip to visit Chatham-Kent with your family, including the furry members! Chatham-Kent is full of dog-friendly activities for the whole family and we've got a few tips for you to enjoy your visit even more while you are here.
1. Go for a run.
Enjoy an off-leash run and meet some new doggy friends at one of Chatham-Kent's Off-Leash Dog Parks.
John Waddell Dog Park, located at 59 Water Street, Chatham, provides a double-gated entrance to 4.5 acres of fenced park along the Thames River, complete with picnic tables and benches. Wallaceburg is home to Happy Tails Off-Leash Dog Park , located at 181 Baldoon Road. Happy Tails offers lots of picnic tables, benches and shade trees within the 2.5 acres of fenced running room. Let your pup blow off some steam and have some fun at these parks! Please make sure that the parks remain a safe and welcoming place for everyone by following the Rules and Regulations of the Dog Off-Leash Recreation Areas.
2. Go for a swim.
Discover the many fantastic sandy and clean beach options for you and your leashed dog available in sunny, southern Chatham-Kent! Between Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair there are over 100 kilometres of shoreline to explore with plenty of sticks to chew along the way.
Check out Rondeau Beach, Ontario's second-oldest provincial park. With Lake Erie providing 11 kilometres of sandy beaches, your pup won't run out of areas to explore. Mitchell's Bay provides warm and shallow waters on Lake St. Clair. After you and your dog finish in the water, Mitchell's Bay beach provides great areas to relax under the trees. Erieau is another great beach option to bring your leashed furry friend, providing long stretches of white, sandy beach, easy beach and water access, and a picturesque walkable pier at the lighthouse. Another great option to bring your pooch for a swim is in Wheatley. Any of these beach options are a great chance for you and your pup to play fetch, cool down and get some exercise in the water! To keep these fantastic beaches welcoming to everyone be sure to clean up after yourself and your pup.
3. Take a hike.
You and your leashed dog can walk for stretches of kilometres across beautiful landscapes throughout Chatham-Kent's many hiking or walking trails.
Spend some quality time with your pup while you see new scenery at any one of Chatham-Kent Trails Council's 58 trails. Chatham Kent's provincial parks offer ten other trails to keep your dog happy and healthy on a hike too. At Rondeau Provincial Park (http://rondeauprovincialpark.ca/activities/hiking/) stroll or run through seven completely unique trails, featuring 30 kilometres of beautiful scenery. Wheatley Provincial Park, meanwhile, offers an easy 4 km loop trail that is perfect for hiking or walking with your pet!
4. Have a bite.
After all of the running, swimming and walking, you and your furry friend will no doubt be ready for bite to eat. Chatham-Kent features a plethora of pet-friendly patios for a variety of tastes and budgets. To pick a patio to visit with your furry friend, check out Chatham-Kent's Patio List that states which patios are pet friendly. For a unique pup-only treat, we highly recommend a stop at The Licker Store in Dresden. This unique boutique pet store features amazing homemade treats, toys, and clothing options for your dog!
5. Take a break.
Once you and your pooch are tired out it's time to rest your heads. This doesn't necessarily mean a long, weary drive home though. Why not take advantage of the pet-friendly hotels that welcome you and your furry family member, including Holiday Inn Express or Comfort Inn both located in Chatham. Looking for another type of stay? Try camping at one of Chatham-Kent's awesome campgrounds – Rondeau Provincial Park, Campers Cove, or Mitchell's Bay Marine Park . Some other area accommodations may also accept your pet, just be sure to call ahead and ask!
We can't wait to see what you and your dog get up to on your visit to Chatham-Kent! Make sure you share the photos of your trip and tag us on social media @VisitChathamKent.
**Attention dogs: Please make sure your owner is holding onto your leash tightly at all times while you visit! All activities are subject to current provincial health restrictions and pet-friendly operational regulations. Please call ahead and check before travelling as some locations may have modified their hours.**
