Woodstock, Ontario is a small town in Oxford County, a one-hour drive west of Hamilton and a 30-minute drive east of London, Ontario. How did my dog and I end up in Woodstock? It was a random decision to take a dog-friendly day trip close to home.

Especially in the winter, planning a trip can be risky considering the unpredictable weather. (We discussed this in detail previously on dogtrotting.net). And motivation is an issue.

As a result, I was deliberating leaving the house one morning, so I logged onto Instagram (as one does to distract oneself when making decisions). The first post I saw was a travel blogger extolling the virtues of the close-to-home adventure. Ok, like a Magic 8 Ball, Instagram made the choice for us.

So, on a clear winter day, we jumped in the car and hit the highway to find out just how dog-friendly Woodstock is.

Is Woodstock, Ontario dog-friendly? Kind of. We found a few canine-curious things to do.

Henry Street Dog Park, Woodstock

Before any trip, near or far, I do as much research as possible to determine what’s dog-friendly …. and considering the energy level of my Springer-cross, I’m a fan of dog parks. Not everyone is. But I sniff them out every trip, usually before I leave home.

We found the leash-free dog park in Woodstock, Ontario under the shadow of a Purina processing plant along Henry Street. Likely, that’s why it’s called the Henry Street dog park. Located at 400 Henry Street between Butler and Finkle Streets, it is a little challenging to find – look for the Purina sign on a tall silo-like building.

At 2.6 hectors in total, there are separate large and small dog areas, which was good because it gave my dog a space for herself. Note that there are two double gate entrances into the small dog area and it’s much smaller than the large dog park. The large park, is well-treed (reforestation as the city claims) and has a circular gravel path, benches, and a water source (from May to October). Parking is along the street.

Dog Park Common Sense

Even during the winter afternoon during the week, there was a steady stream of people and pups coming and going from the park. We tried the large park briefly. But, unfortunately, one large husky bullied my three-year-old Sprocker and we didn’t make it even around the path once. Read the ‘room’ sort of speak, and know when it’s time to remove your dog. I’m getting good at that.

Otherwise, the Henry Street large dog leash-free dog park is a good circular walk for both pups and people.

Note: Woodstock also lists a neighbourhood dog park at 680 Highland Drive, but we couldn’t find it. Also, the city has the standard leash-free dog park rules including full vaccinations but also requires dogs more than seven months old to be spayed or neutered.

Woodstock Conservation Area and dog-friendly trails

The Pittock Conservation area in Woodstock, Ontario is a destination site that’s expansive enough to have several entry points. During the summer, there is camping, pavilions, splash pad a volleyball court, and a disc golf course near the North Shore entrance. (We learned all about Disc Golf at Sudbury’s Kivi Park). But in winter when we visited, it was the trails people were using.

We entered from Pittock Road, parking in a small lot outside the entrance and following other walkers through the gates and into the park. It’s an easy walk along the paved path that borders an active train track on one side and encroaching suburbs on the other. Dogs are only permitted on leash – but it’s a wide trail and easy to walk. Depending on how much time you have, you can walk for kilometres across the river and to the backcountry camping area. (We did not go that far).

Thanks to paved and hard-packed trails, the Pittock Conservation Area trails are easy to navigate (even on leash) and clearly marked. At several points along the well-treed stroll, boardwalks extend over wetlands. Good spot to take photos of your pup … or discourage their water curiosity as I did. Even at a time when temperatures are dropping and leaves have dropped from branches, birds still make the wetlands their home and that is stimulating for my bird dog.

Dog-friendly Woodstock, Ontario Pet Festivals

We might have been in Woodstock, Ontario prematurely – though it’s close enough we’ll head there again – because two dog festivals are on the books for 2024. That’s a lot for a small city.

Woodstock Pet Expo

First, the first annual (possibly) Woodstock Pet Expo is scheduled for March 8 & 9, 2024. Head to the Woodstock Fairgrounds Friday 4 to 8 pm or Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm and take advantage of pet vendor shopping, food truck eating, and animal shows including Little Ray’s reptiles. This is a dog-friendly event.

WienerFest Home Country Festival

Second, WienerFest Home County Festival claims the title of Canada’s largest breed-specific dog event. However, all dog breeds are welcome but there will be a lot of dachshunds running around. Speaking of running, there are races too, which is always cute to watch. This year, the festival runs two days, June 22 and 23, 2024 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds, 875 Nellis Street, Woodstock. Brace yourself for many wiener jokes.

Check out more dog events here.

Antiques and More: Additional stops in Woodstock

If you like shopping in huge warehouses or former industrial buildings, have we got two surprises for you. First, the One-of-a-Kind Antique Mall is the largest of its kind in Canada is located in Woodstock, Ontario and it has three floors of vendors selling anything from records to Fiesta dishes; collectibles and crafts; and fleamarket finds to unfinished wood slabs.

However, the One-of-a-Kind Antique Mall isn’t the best place for dogs (although here’s a list of dog-friendly antique malls), The antique mall is NOT dog-friendly for good reason: walking space is narrow, merchandise is breakable, and old things smell and invite, well… leg lifting. Not desirable indoors.

Second, the other destination store, actually around the corner from the antique mall, is Len’s Mill Store, one of the biggest I’ve seen. It’s part homeware dollar store and part fabric and craft supply store. Again, Len’s Mill Store in Woodstock is not pet-dog-friendly – there’s even a sign on the door that says so. Presumably, many have tried.

If you go….

• The Woodstock Leash-free Dog Park is at 400 Henry Street, Woodstock, Ontario.
• Pittock Conservation Area trails can be accessed at 221 Pittock Park Rd, Woodstock, Ontario.
• The One-of-a-Kind Antique Mall (not dog-friendly) is at 97 Wilson Street, Woodstock, Ontario.
• Len’s Mill Store (also not pet dog-friendly) is at 80 Norwich Avenue, Woodstock, Ontario.
• The Woodstock Pet Expo is May 8 and 9, 2024 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds.
• WienerFest Home Country Festival is June 22 and 23, 2024 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds.

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!