Prince George isn't the kind of place that ends up on glossy travel lists. It's a working northern city — lumber mills, rail yards, two rivers, and a lot of forest in every direction. But that's what makes it remarkable for dogs. Where other BC destinations give you curated trail systems and artisan dog treat shops, Prince George gives you 1,500 hectares of wilderness parkland inside city limits and nobody asking you to move along.
We stopped here on the way north and ended up staying longer than planned. Our dog had the time of her life.
Getting There
Prince George is the crossroads of northern BC, sitting at the junction of Highway 97 (the main north-south corridor) and Highway 16 (the Yellowhead Highway running east-west).
From Vancouver: About 8 hours via Highway 97 through the Cariboo region — Cache Creek, Williams Lake, Quesnel. The drive is long but genuinely beautiful once you're past Hope, with rolling ranch country giving way to dense boreal forest. Break it into two days if you can; 100 Mile House or Williams Lake make good overnight stops.
From Edmonton: About 5.5 hours west on the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) through Hinton, the Rockies, and Mount Robson Provincial Park. One of the most scenic approaches to any city in Canada.
From Jasper: 4 hours west on Highway 16. If you're already in the Rockies, Prince George is a natural extension.
Parks & Trails
This is where Prince George earns its place on the list. The city has an exceptional trail network for its size, and the surrounding backcountry is vast.
Forests for the World
The signature outdoor space in Prince George — 1,500 hectares of boreal forest, lakes, and trails on the city's northeast edge. It feels like backcountry but it's a 10-minute drive from downtown.
Shane Lake Loop is the most popular route: a 5 km circuit around the lake through spruce and pine forest. Well-maintained, well-signed, and beautiful in every season. Dogs on leash throughout.
In winter the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing, but dedicated snowshoe and walking trails remain open for dogs. In summer the lake is swimmable and Gracie was in the water before we'd finished reading the trailhead sign.
Cottonwood Island Park
A riverside park at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako rivers, right in the city. Paved paths, river access, and mature cottonwood forest. This is the local dog-walking spot — you'll see more dogs than people on a weekday morning.
The Heritage River Trail connects Cottonwood Island to other parks along the river system. You can walk a 10+ km loop without leaving the trail network. Flat, accessible, and surprisingly wild-feeling for an urban path.
Cranbrook Hill Greenway
A forested trail on the south side of the city that runs along a ridge above town. Views of the Nechako valley and the mountains to the west. Less busy than Forests for the World — if you want a quieter walk, this is the one.
Huble Homestead / Giscome Portage
About 40 minutes north of town. A heritage site on the Fraser River with walking trails through riverside forest. Dogs on leash. The portage trail itself is a short but historically interesting walk — this was a fur trade route connecting the Fraser River to the Arctic watershed.
Ancient Forest / Chun T'oh Whudujut Provincial Park
About an hour east of Prince George on Highway 16 — and genuinely one of the most remarkable trails in British Columbia. A boardwalk through a rare inland temperate rainforest with western red cedars over 1,000 years old. The trees are enormous and the forest floor is thick with moss and ferns.
Dogs are permitted on leash on the main boardwalk trail. The Universal Boardwalk loop is about 2 km and fully accessible. The longer Big Tree loop adds another 2 km through the heart of the old growth.
Eskers Provincial Park
About 40 km northwest of Prince George. A chain of glacial esker ridges (long, narrow gravel ridges left by retreating glaciers) with trails, lakes, and sandy swimming beaches. Dogs on leash in the park. The terrain is unique — open pine forest on sandy ridges with lakes in between. Excellent swimming, excellent walking.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants & Patios
Prince George's dining scene is more limited than Vancouver or Whistler, but there are solid options with dog-welcoming patios in summer.
- Nancy O's — popular downtown restaurant with a patio; well-known locally, dog-friendly on the terrace
- Twisted Cork — wine bar with seasonal patio seating; leashed dogs welcome outside
- Betulla Burning — Neapolitan-style pizza with outdoor seating in summer
- White Goose Bistro — locally sourced menu, patio available in warm months
- Crossroads Brewing — craft brewery with a taproom; check for patio availability and dog policy (policies can shift seasonally)
Where to Stay
Prince George has standard highway-style accommodation and a growing number of vacation rentals.
- Courtyard by Marriott Prince George — newer hotel, pet-friendly rooms with a fee; clean and central
- Sandman Hotel Prince George — reliable chain option, allows dogs with a deposit
- Airbnb/VRBO — vacation rentals in residential areas often have yards and fewer restrictions; our preferred option for multi-day stays
- Bee Lazee RV Park & Campground — south of town, dogs welcome, full-service sites
- Purden Lake Provincial Park — 60 km east on Highway 16; lakeside camping, dogs on leash; beautiful setting
Vet & Emergency Info
- VCA Canada Prince George Veterinary Hospital — full-service clinic with emergency hours
- Northern Pet Care Animal Hospital — another well-regarded local clinic
- SPCA Prince George — emergency services and lost pet assistance
- Nearest 24-hour emergency: Check current availability; Prince George vet clinics rotate emergency coverage — call ahead. The nearest major referral centre is in Kamloops or Edmonton
Seasonal Tips
Summer (June–August): The best season for visiting. Long daylight hours (sunrise before 5am, sunset after 10pm in June), warm temperatures (25–30°C), and all trails fully accessible. Mosquitoes and blackflies are real — bring bug spray for yourself and consider a dog-safe insect deterrent.
Fall (September–October): Beautiful. The birch and aspen turn gold, the bugs vanish, and the trails are empty. Temperatures drop quickly — be prepared for frost by late September. Hunting season begins; wear blaze orange on backcountry trails and keep your dog leashed.
Winter (November–March): Cold. Genuinely cold. Temperatures of -20°C to -35°C are normal in January and February. If you're travelling with your dog in winter, plan for short outdoor excursions, dog booties for ice and salt, and a warm vehicle. Forests for the World is still beautiful in snow but limit exposure time.
Spring (April–May): Mud season. Trails can be soft and wet. The rivers are high with snowmelt. Temperatures warm through May and by late May it starts to feel like a reasonable time to be outside again.
Practical Notes
- Leash rules: On-leash in all City of Prince George parks. The city has several designated off-leash areas — check the City of Prince George website for current locations and hours
- Wildlife: Black bears are active spring through fall in all green spaces including Forests for the World. Moose are common and can be dangerous — give them space. Keep your dog leashed in bear and moose country
- Cell service: Good in the city; spotty to nonexistent on highways between towns, especially Highway 97 north and Highway 16 west
- Supplies: Pet stores and vets are available in the city; stock up before heading into the backcountry — the next town with full services might be hours away
- Water: The rivers are not always clean enough for dogs to drink safely — carry your own water on trails
The Honest Take
Prince George is not glamorous. It doesn't have the mountain-town polish of Whistler or the beach appeal of Tofino. What it has is space — real, honest, northern BC space. Forests for the World alone would justify a stop, and the Ancient Forest is one of those places that changes how you think about this province.
For dog owners driving north on Highway 97 or east-west on the Yellowhead, Prince George is worth more than a fuel stop. Give it three or four days. Walk the rivers, explore the forests, and let your dog discover what boreal wilderness smells like. You'll both be better for it.
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