The Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show is a remarkably popular annual event drawing outdoor travel enthusiasts from the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) to check out nature-inspired travel from around the world. And where there’s outdoors, there’s dogs.

Of course, my reason for visiting the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show in February 2024 at the International Centre near the Toronto (Pearson) Airport was to sniff out dog-friendly outdoor adventures and travel.

And I found it. Along with vendors with socks, window installation, and the best teriyaki sauce from Bollocks Bistro in Yellowknife I’ve ever tasted, one dog rescue represented and even wild owl. But all that’s beside the point – aisles of booths at this public trade show-style event promoted camping, water sports in the Caribbean, safaris in Africa, and culinary exploration in the Yukon.

Of course – other than camping – most global adventures aren’t something suitable for dog travel, especially if you don’t fly with your dog. I don’t.

Dog-friendly outdoor adventure

That’s why I focused on destinations closer to home: Ontario, Up-state New York, and Maine. Representatives from all those areas were ready with answers about which resorts welcomed pets, which hotels allowed dogs (of all sizes), and which campgrounds embraced dog-friendly glamping. Some even had dog swag.

Here’s what my day of research revealed: a new list of dog-friendly adventures for the upcoming 2024 travel season (or any year thereafter) …

5 Outdoor Dog-friendly Adventures dogtrotting.net discovered at the 2024 Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show

1. Dog-friendly Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor, Maine has been on my list to explore with the dog for years. I didn’t get there with my previous dog, and almost got there with my current dog. But the ferry from Bar Harbour to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (our destination) wasn’t running at the time we were driving through, so we ended up crossing at Saint John, New Brunswick instead.

Bar Harbor is actually on Mount Desert Island, seeped in maritime heritage and Victorian Captains’ homes that gives the downtown a historic accent. However, the star attraction is dog-friendly Acadia National Park, and it’s where I plan to spend the bulk of time with my high-energy spaniel when we do get to Maine together.

Acadia National Park is one of the few US National Parks that permits dogs on select trails. Likely, I won’t have the energy to walk the entire park – though my dog will. So, I’ll pre-book a time slot (which is necessary) to drive the scenic Park Loop Road that winds around the park. Eventually, we’ll take in the view from Cadillac Mountain.

I expect to find Bar Harbour easy to navigate with my pup – a lot of dog images grace the promotional catalogs I picked up while at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show, including some ads.

Dog-friendly Accommodations in Bar Harbor

The Ryan Estate cottages rentals showcase its dog-friendly status in an ad promoting its seven acres inside the Acadia National Park. Dogs stay free (with you) and there’s a dog park on the property. Available for rent by the week is a cottage with a fenced dog yard, one smaller cottage, and one apartment.

A less pricey option is the Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA campground at 136 County Road, Bar Harbor. Camp with a tent, a RV, or stay in one of the cabins. KOA is known for dog-friendly policies. Plus, free shuttles will take you and your dog to Bar Harbor downtown or Acadia National Park.

2. Egan Houseboat Vacations, Kawartha Lakes, Ontario

Houseboating was one of the best ways to travel with the dog yet – see our previous adventures here. I’d love to give it a try with my new dog, in a new location. And why not Kawartha Lakes? We’ve explored the Kawarthas by land here, but along the water is even better because every outdoor stop is dog-friendly, and so is the accommodations you’re travelling in.

Egan Houseboat Vacations offers dog-friendly houseboats for rental for three, four, or seven days at a time. Four sizes of boats are available: 32-, 40-, 42-, and 56-foot. According to the representative at the show, dogs are welcome as family members, but there is an extra cleaning fee. Nonetheless, you can travel via water with the dog through the Kawartha Lakes and Trent Severn Waterway. That’s now on my list … maybe this fall.

3. Trails for Tails in Caledon, Ontario

Caledon, Ontario is proudly rural, green, and outdoorsy, yet is a one-hour drive from Canada’s largest city, Toronto. At the Toronto Outdoor Adventure show recently, representatives were at the ready with giveaway portable dog bowls and bandanas for those who inquired about Caledon’s dog-friendly status – like me.

Caledon, Ontario is proudly dog-friendly, and we are making our way there soon to check out the Forks of Credit Provincial Park, along with any of the other trails the area boasts:

• Part of the Trans Canad Trail
• The Caledon Trailway
• Part of the Bruce Trail
• Humber Valley Heritage Trail

Also, family farms such as Campbell’s Cross Farm invite people and their pups to take social media-worthy images with sunflowers late summer and rent snowshoes in the early winter. In addition to spending most of the day outdoors with the pup, Caledon has many pet-friendly craft breweries such as the Caledon Hills Brewing Company – apparently, the heated greenhouse is dog-friendly too. Surprisingly, the Alton Mill Arts Centre allows well-behaved Fidos to enter with you and check out local artisans’ work.

Dog-friendly Accommodations in Caledon

If you want to stay overnight, the luxuries and historical Millcroft Inn and Spa has select pet-friendly rooms (for an extra fee). If down-to-earth without sacrificing creature comforts is more your speed we learned that the Alabaster Acres farm hosts guests (and their dogs – no more than two) in glamping tents decked out with everything you need for a comfortable night on the farm. We’re hoping to check it out, but need to know what animals roam freely, especially birds. My spaniel is particularly attracted to chicken.

4. Ellicottville, New York – Not just for skiing

Ever since I stopped at the Ellicottville dog park on my way to Myrtle Beach, I’ve wanted to return to spend a long-weekend with the dog. But I wondered how easy that would be considering Ellicottville, New York is primarily a ski town – skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

But Ellicottville’s summer is what I’d like to experience – according to the reps at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show, that won’t be an issue. Much of Ellicottville’s highlights are outdoors – hiking trails and yes, an off-leash dog park in the Village Park. Bringing a dog along to any of the summer patios is rarely an issue. Best of all, there are many craft breweries including the Ellicottville Brewing Company most of which allow dogs.

In summertime, Ellicottville’s downtown looked like a tourist-town film set (at least as I was passing through), so my long weekend with the dog will likely be more outdoorsy than adventurous – as long as my dog will walk nicely on leash.

Dog-friendly Accommodations in Ellicottville, NY

Where to stay? Apparently, there are many dog-friendly options and Inn At Holiday Valley is one of them. This rustic ski resort has select pet-friendly rooms; however, there’s a limit of two pets per room and a fee of $50 for one and $75 for two pets for the first night, and $15 per pet each consecutive night. Dogs can only be left alone in rooms in crates for short periods.

5. Otter Pointe Resort, Calvin, Ontario

Otter Pointe Resort was at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure show with a booth to themselves promoting their luxury waterfront camping accommodations – my favourite kind of camping! All the creature comforts of a hotel room with the great outdoors just outside the window for my dog’s amusement. Owners Abi and Ian renovated the properties during the past two years, so there’s a shiny new aura to the resort.

Otter Pointe Resort in Calvin, Ontario (about four hours north of Toronto) offers one four-season rustic cabin, two glamping domes and four camping sites if tent camping is your thing. (Check out my experience yurt camping here). I’ve got my eye on the domes. Private bathrooms are a short walk away, and there are trails for dog walking or cross-country skiing (or dog walking on skis).

Can you bring the dog to Otter Pointe Resort?

That was my first question. And the answer is yes, Otter Pointe Resort is pet-friendly! But with some conditions: there’s an extra $50 per day pet fee. All pets must leashed if not inside or on the water. And guests are responsible for damages and poo pick-up. Otter Pointe Resort is open year-round. Winter bookings are 25 percent off until March 31, 2024. Check out the website.

The final word on dog-friendly outdoor adventure….

Overall, there’s our 2024 road trip list – at least partially. Thanks to leads from the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show, my dog and I will sleep in a dome in Otter Pointe Resort, Ontario; hit the craft breweries in Ellicottville, New York; visit an arts centre in Caledon, Ontario; float on the Trent Severn Waterway in a houseboat; and finally, get to meander Acadia National Park’s trails in Bar Harbour, Maine. This year is looking like a great dog-friendly road-tripping year.

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!