The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around North Okanagan B

BX Ranchlands, now officially known as sncəcmałqtn Agricultural Park, preserves part of the former BX Ranch on Vernon’s eastern edge. The open fields and farmland reflect the area’s long agricultural history, while nearby trails connect through the wider ranch landscape. The BX name comes from Barnard’s Express, whose horses were raised here for the company’s stagecoach operations. Today, the land combines farming, habitat protection and public recreation.

Mutrie Dog Park is a fenced off-leash area directly beside the BX Ranch Trail, making it an easy stop if you’re walking the route with a dog. There’s a separate fenced section for smaller dogs, while the main area gives larger dogs plenty of room to run. The park also works as a central access point for the BX Ranch Trail, with the route continuing in both directions from the eastern side.

BX Creek Trail follows the water through a cool, shaded ravine on the outskirts of Vernon, with cedar and birch forest, lush undergrowth and several bridges crossing the creek along the way. The terrain is uneven and gets noticeably steeper towards BX Falls, where a long staircase tackles the hillside. Spring runoff can raise water levels considerably, so check conditions before setting out. Dogs are welcome but must stay on leash.

B.X. Ranch Dog Park Trailhead is a large triangular parking lot, with a pit toilet at the B.X. Ranch Dog Park Trailhead. Here there are two trails to explore, and both will loop back around to meet each other again. The northern trail follows B.X. Creek, and in between the loop for both trails there is a huge open meadow, perfect for dogs to run free or play fetch in.

B.X. Dog Park spans an amazing 7 hectares and is a favourite hangout for dogs and dog owners. There's a pond for dogs to swim in, a forest for them to explore, and a nice big field for them to run in. Water fountains are provided at dog level and there are free dog waste bags.

B.X. Creek Trail leaves the open meadow of B.X. Dog Park and follows B.X. Creek into a shady forest, passing small waterfalls and relaxing babbling sections of creek.

This section is one of eight that comprise the Grey Canal Trail system. The upper loop here is located below the Foothills subdivision and consists of a packed path with a few short but steep climbs. Along the trail you can enjoy views across Middleton Mountain, the City of Vernon, Swan Lake, and north into the Spallumcheen Valley. Dogs are allowed on leash and there are interpretive signs and benches located throughout the trail.

This gravel parking area has lots of parking space and serves as an access point for the Foothills section of the Grey Canal Trail and the BX Creek Trail. The Grey Canal Trail continues south from here to its southern terminus at Malim Road, but since that is a residential street without any parking, most prefer to start here when hiking north.