Blankets of purple cascading across wide open fields is a photo opportunity that’s hard to miss, and even more so with your pup by your side. Mid-July and (maybe) early August is prime lavender blooming time for this versatile fragrant plant. And lavender farms are blooming up across Southern Ontario – some are even dog-friendly lavender farms.
Can I take my dog to a lavender farm?
Whether you can take your dog to a lavender farm depends on two criteria: first, does the farm permit dogs and second, does your dog chew plants?
Clearly, the first one is up to the farm – and after some research, I discovered that is about half the lavender farms I contacted. So, check with the farm (if it’s not on this list) before you are visiting because outdoors and rural don’t always mean Fido is welcome.
The second one is up to your discretion, depending on your pup’s habits. In a nutshell, dogs should not chew lavender. Lavender can be toxic to dogs in large quantities – small amounts can cause stomach upset. Dogs should definitely not be exposed to essential oils, either applied or diffuse. Oils are highly concentrated and therefore far more toxic.
Is lavender safe for dogs?
Lavender is on the ASPCA list of plants toxic to dogs because lavender does contain linalool and linalyl acetate which cause gastrointestinal distress in large doses. Symptoms of lavender toxicity may include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should never be applied directly to a dog’s coat or used in diffusers anywhere near pets.
Sniffing lavender in the fields is ok – it might even be calming. But keep dogs from chewing it at all to be safe. Leave the plants alone, and you can get some great photos of your dog among the flowers. What dog doesn’t look great in purple? Some farms have even set up photo opt stagings, like Apple Hills Farm in Norfolk County, Ontario.
If you’re in (or near) Ontario this lavender season, here’s a list of pet dog-friendly lavender fields you can stroll through with your leashed fur buddy. (As always, please clean up after your dog).
Dog-friendly Lavender Farms in Ontario
Durham County: Christel Lake Lavender Farm
Farm: Christel Lake Lavender Farm
Location: 1381 Scugog Line 12, Greenbank (Near Port Perry).
Description: Open Fridays, Sundays, Saturdays, and holiday Mondays from 10 am to 4 pm, this lavender farm is about the stroll through 57 acres of plants and a long a river. Play area with trampoline for the kids.There’s 19 different varieties of lavender and a gift shop.
Tours and admission: No tours, but reservations are required for a visit.No cost for reserved admission, but picnic table rental is $10 per four people.
Pet dog policy: Dogs are welcome on leash if they are comfortable around kids and other dogs. Mention your pup during the reservation process. Only one dog per family is permitted.
Wellington County: Erin Hill Acres
Farm: Erin Hill Acres
Location: 5837 3 Line, Hillsburgh, Ontario (nearErin)
Description: Erin Hill Acres is a dog-friendly farm offering themed events throughout the year. (Check out our winter visit here). Erin Hills Acres is a 36-hectare Christmas Tree Farm that also includes a field of lavender, during lavender season, and nature trails, wagon rides, and visits with farm animals including Highland cows.
Tours and admission: No tours, but reservations are recommended for a visit. $12 per adult admission. Thursday to Sunday.
Pet dog policy: Dogs are welcome on leash.
Dufferin County: Avalon Lavender Farm
Farm: Avalon Lavender Farm
Location: 347036 Mono Centre Road, Mono
Description: Wander through more than 30,000 lavender plants and visit a Celtic Stone Circle, fully restored 1881 heritage barn. Cut-your-own lavender options available and lavender food products are the specialty in the gift store. Note there are barn cats, bunnies, free-range hens, and three horses on site.
Tours and admission: no tours but many special events. Lavender fields are open on the weekend and admission is $17 per person.
Pet dog policy: Dogs are welcome on-leash but must not interfere with the animals onsite.
York County: Lavender Polo Farm
Farm: Lavender Polo Farm
Location: 20132 McCowan Road, East Gwillimbury
Description: Lavender Polo Farm boasts 155-acres of lavender fields and more than 100,000 blooms on both English and Spanish lavender plants. The farm hosts a number of events including a polo in the fields on August 16, 2025.
Tours and admission: Guided tours are offered multiple times a day. The farm is open Thursday to Monday and admission is $16 per adult.
Pet dog policy: Dogs are welcome on leash but note there are two farm dog ‘mascots’ who run free on the property.
Norfolk County: Apple Hill Lavender
Farm: Apple Hill Lavender
Location: 1795 Windham Road 11, Windham Centre, Ontario
Description: Apple Hill is a family-operated farm in Norfolk County, and the seasonal lavender fields are part of that farm. Photo ops are set up around the field – but professional photo sessions must be arranged with the farm. Gift store on site sells a variety of gift items including lavender products. The shop is open May to December.
Tours and admission: No tours but open seven days per week. $10 admission during the day. Friday and Saturday evening sunset strolls from 7 to 9 pm are $20.
Simcoe County: Purple Hill Lavender Farm
Farm: Purple Hill Lavender Farm
Location: 7484 6/7 Sideroad Nottawasaga, Creemore, Ontario
Description: This is a family-run lavender farm in Creemore offering lavender-themed products such as gift sets, cooking essentials and bath products. The lavender fields are open on weekends, 10 am to 5 pm, to a limited number of guests – tickets should be purchased in advance of your visit.
Tours and admission: No tours but admission is $15 per person.
Pet dog policy: Leashed dogs are permitted during the day for general admission but not at the evening picnics or special events.
Grey County: Bluewater Lavender
Farm: Bluewater Lavender
Location: 441016 Elm Street, Georgian Bluffs, Ontario
Description: Located at the base of the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula, this family-owned farm grows five different kinds of lavender that blooms at different times of the lavender season: dark purple, pink and white English lavender varieties are the first to bloom followed by lighter purple French varieties.The farm also hosts the annual Wiarton Lavender Festival on July 26 and 27 with live music, shopping and farm tours.
Tours and admission: Tours are available on Saturday and Sunday in June and August from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free, but fees apply to activities such as yoga in the fields.
Pet dog policy: Leashed dogs are welcome.
Niagara Region: Neob Lavender
Farm: Neob Lavender
Location: 933 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Description: Neob Lavender is an established lavender farm and lavender product producer. The shop includes all the product Neob Lavender has developed, including a pet shampoo bar developed for dogs. Visitors can wander the fields, take photos, and/or pick your own boutique.
Tours and admission: No tour available. Admission is $12 per person or $27 for admission and pick your own lavender boutique option.
Pet dog policy: Leashed dogs are welcome.
Hastings County: Woodland North Lavender Farm
Farm: Woodland North Lavender Farm
Location: 14716 North Highway 62 and 7, Madoc, Ontario
Description: Woodland North Lavender Farm is open June to September every Thursday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. Visitors can explore the fields, harvest their own lavender and attend workshops and special events. Lavender Festival happens July 19–20, 2025.
Tours and admission: Admission fee is $10 per person and includes an educational “Lavender Learning” experience, a mini bouquet, a lavender-infused drink and a cookie.
Pet dog policy: Pets are allowed on-leash only. Please do not allow them to interact with the lavender and keep away from flowers and herbs.
Huron County: Lavender Works Co.
Farm: Lavender Works Co.
Location: 44702 Newry Road, Brussels, Ontario
Description: Lavender Works Co. is a family farm that grows approximately 2000 lavender plants in eight varieties. Wander the fields, experience sunset picnics, and enjoy the retail store that also sells lavender ice cream.
Tours and admission: No tours are offered, but many different workshops are. General admission is $10, or the $25 cut-your-own-lavender-boutique options includes general admission.
Pet dog policy: Dogs are welcome if friendly towards other dogs and on leash. Note that farm dog Willow has free run of the farm.
Have you been to these or any other lavender farms with your dog? Let us know in the comments below. And if we missed one of your favourites, definitely tell us in the comments, so we can add it to the list.
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!
