Dog Days of Winter: Cold Noses, Warm Trails Across South Eastern Ontario

Wouldn’t it be cool, at least once this winter, to drive somewhere that isn’t your same three blocks with a dog who already knows every lamppost by smell?

One tank of gas, water, snacks and paw protection in your backpack can turn winter into a full day out across South Eastern Ontario, without apologies for bringing the dog. 

Respect the rules. Scoop and leash where it’s required. Do that, and winter stops being the obstacle and becomes the reason to go.

Why winter works for dogs

“Winter is often when dogs are happiest,” says Kendra MacKinnon, owner and head trainer at Zenful Dog Training near Monkland. “They’re not overheated, there are fewer distractions, and the cooler air helps them focus.”

That focus becomes obvious once you stop trying to outrun winter and start moving with it.

Cornwall and SD&G: where the trip begins

Cornwall offers one of the strongest starting points for winter outings with dogs. Its extensive waterfront trail system stretches for kilometres along the St. Lawrence River, combining open shoreline, forested sections and groomed multi-use paths that remain workable in winter. Snow settles the environment, foot traffic thins, and your dog can move with purpose instead of reacting to every squirrel, dog or other human that passes by.

MacKinnon points to the city’s connectivity as a major advantage for visitors travelling with dogs.

“You can spend the morning on the trails and be downtown for coffee within minutes,” she says. “That combination is what makes the area special.”

Beyond the waterfront, forested trail systems such as Guindon Park connect back into the same network, offering longer loops and quieter sections while staying close to the city core. Groomed winter surfaces support hiking, canicross, kicksledding and snowshoeing, with space shared respectfully among users.

When it is time to warm up, Cornwall makes lingering easy. Carrots N’ Dates restaurant is known to welcome dogs on its enclosed patio, while several small shops along Pitt Street allow dogs inside, turning a winter walk into a full day rather than a quick loop and retreat home.

“These kinds of places let people stay longer and explore more,” MacKinnon says. “It turns a walk into a day.”

Beyond the city: longer routes, quieter miles

For those looking to extend the outing, MacKinnon recommends heading just outside Cornwall to the Peanut Line Trail and Alexandria Forest.

The Peanut Line follows former railway corridors through open countryside, offering long, straight stretches with reliable footing in winter. Marked distances and gentle grades make it well-suited to cold-weather experiences.

Close to the trailhead is Cafe Butte & Bine, where you'll find picnic benches outside and a fire pit, perfect for grabbing a bite after your hike.

Alexandria Forest provides deeper forest cover and longer routes for dogs and owners looking for quiet mileage. Groomed winter trails support multiple activities while remaining accessible to those without specialized gear.

For a more technical experience, Limoges Forest is a cold-weather standout. Known across eastern Ontario for its dedicated dog sport community, the forest offers groomed winter trails used for skijoring, sled dog training, and kick sledding. Snow-covered loops wind through pine and hardwood forests, creating a quiet, controlled environment that feels purpose-built for canine-powered adventure. Access to the Mush Larose trail system requires a seasonal pass or membership, and dogs must be harnessed and under control at all times. This is not a casual wander spot. It is a place for people and dogs who love winter and love moving through it together.

MacKinnon recommends using the AllTrails app as a starting point. Both areas deliver the kind of winter outing that leaves dogs content and people unhurried.

From there, winter routes stretch west, trading shoreline bustle for distance and quiet.

Cataraqui Trail: steady winter distance without drama

Frontanac’s Cataraqui Trail offers kilometres of packed, predictable surface through farmland and forest. When the leaves are gone and the fields fall silent, the trail becomes a winter mile-maker.

This is where canicross shifts from chaos to coordination. A belt around your waist moves force to the hips instead of the shoulders. A bungee line absorbs early surges that would otherwise end in a sudden stop.

The Cataraqui Trail is one of the safest places in the region to try kick-sledding without unnecessary risk.

Kemptville area: short loops, reliable winter walks

Around Kemptville, the pawsitivly dog-friendly trails offer scenic winter walking without committing to an all-day drive. Rideau River shoreline paths and nearby forest trails suit dogs who need movement more than mileage, with easy access and manageable distances.

The Ferguson Forest Dog Park is just minutes from downtown Kemptville and offers the peace and quiet of Ferguson Forest. It offers separate fenced areas for both large and small dogs to play and socialize. With beautiful areas and lots of space for exercise, it’s a must-visit site to attend and get those tails wagging.

These routes are ideal for working off winter restlessness before warming up in town.

Brockville and Gananoque: winter walking with town access

Not every winter day demands backcountry. Sometimes you want cleared paths, river air and predictable footing.

Brockville’s Brock Trail links the historic downtown to river parks, the Railway Tunnel (closed in winter), Blockhouse Island and Rotary Park, with many sections cleared in winter. Mac Johnson Wildlife Area offers calm loops through wetland and woods where snow smooths movement better than sidewalks.

Gananoque provides similar shoreline routes for shorter winter outings when time or daylight is limited.

Heritage Rideau Canal: stone, snow and slowed time

Deep-winter lockstations along the Rideau Canal feel close to private. No motors. No wakes. No public crush. Just stone, metal and snow in a slowed register. Keep dogs on land and treat ice transitions as off-limits. A quiet hour at Jones Falls or Newboro is enough.

Kingston and area: everyday winter ground

In Kingston, Lemoine Point delivers dependable winter walking when crowds thin. Wind, shoreline scent and forest edges give dogs enough sensory work without overload. Fields offer soft footing, and lake loops allow leash tension to settle.

The park generally operates from morning to dusk and supports hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing alongside dog walkers. Dress for wind at the point and salt at entrances, then just walk.

Just east of Kingston, you’ll find Grass Creek Park as it becomes a wide-open playground for dogs that still need to move, no matter the temperature. The fenced off-leash dog area stays popular year-round, offering space for high-energy pups to run, wrestle and burn off steam even after a fresh snowfall. Packed snow makes footing easier for dogs in winter, and the open layout gives you visibility to keep track of your pup, which helps keep play calmer and more predictable. Outside the dog park, leashed walks along the river offer cold-air exercise and scenic views, especially on crisp, sunny days. Dress for the wind off the water, bring water, and expect muddy patches during freeze-thaw cycles. This is a practical, no-nonsense winter stop for dogs that do not believe in taking the season off. 

Nearby, Frontenac Provincial Park offers a slightly deeper winter experience without theatrics. Packed interior routes, quiet lake edges and early sunsets reward preparation rather than speed. The park suits dogs who prefer purpose to noise and people who value silence over spectacle.

Prince Edward County: horizon, wind and space

In Prince Edward County, summer chatter drops away, and space takes over. At the Dunes Nature Trail, snow-etched dunes and lake edges create a unique winter outing. Dress dogs for wind, stay on land and treat ice edges as non-negotiable. The payoff is room to roam.

The Millennium Trail, running across the County along a former rail corridor, stays level and straightforward in winter. It suits cold-weather walking or a short snowshoe session without turning the outing into an expedition.

Dress for cold, pack for paws

“Salt, ice and packed snow can be hard on pads, even for dogs that seem built for cold,” MacKinnon says.

She recommends Musher’s Secret as a protective barrier against salt and ice, with booties as backup for longer or colder days. Carry water year-round. Hydration matters in winter, and a towel in the car saves seats and your sanity.

“And carry a shoe horn,” MacKinnon says, as those booties are meant to be snug.

Winter in South Eastern Ontario is a season that finally matches a dog’s pace. Let them pull safely, track reasonably, and the cold air do what it is meant to do. This day on the trails will help alleviate the noise and give you and your canine pal room to move and breathe.