The best dog-friendly camping in Cape Breton Island

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On Cape Breton Island, camping with your pet means over 140 options where tails and boots hit the trails together. Expect sites that welcome dogs, provide toilets and showers, and put you close to hiking, swimming, and fishing spots. Most campers pay around $35 per night, but you can snag a spot for as little as $25. Locals love places like Big Belle Farm (59 reviews) for open fields and friendly hosts, or Black Rock Stables (57 reviews) if you want your pup to meet some horses. For mountain views and quiet, Smokey View (31 reviews) sits above the treeline. Book ahead in summer, pack for fast-changing weather, and always check leash rules at each site. This isn’t just camping—it’s Cape Breton, with your dog by your side.

87% (322) 58 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Cape Breton Island

2. Hawthorn Eco Retreat

2 sites · Lodging · North East Margaree, NS
Please read before booking. Maybe you love camping but don’t want to pitch a tent tonight—or maybe you just want a simple place to unplug and breathe. If you’re seeking a full kitchen or bathroom, this isn’t the right fit. But if you want a back-to-basics stay that helps you reconnect with nature (without sleeping on the ground), The Spruce is for you. This is close-to-off-grid camping with a twist of comfort: furnished pine cabins tucked into the forest. The Spruce (220 sq ft) offers: Queen Haven mattress in the loft (ladder access) Writing nook with desk + chair Pull-out couch (sleeps 2 more) Direct-vent propane heater Rugs, shelves, mirror, and tall windows for natural light Private deck with dining bench/outdoor seating for coffee or stargazing Sleeps up to 4 guests Cooking & Dining: Butane stove (BYO butane, or add-on available) Cooking essentials (frying pan, pot, utensils, dishes, cups, flatware for 4) Off-Grid Essentials: Outdoor grill counter with space for meal prep and cooking 🚫 No electricity inside (Wi-Fi available at gazebo) 💧 Bring your own water (we can guide you to local springs) 🛏️ Bedding not included — bring your own or add on a bedding set Shared Spaces: Cinderella incineration-toilet bathroom bunkie Covered gazebo with lounge + Wi-Fi — your spot to connect or plan your next adventure Trail to the Margaree River (steep steps — use at your own risk) Add-Ons: Bedding set: $30 Butane canister: $8 Propane canister: $8 Tucked in a forested area of the property, The Spruce is a private off-grid bunkie designed for peaceful rest and deep exhale. Wake to the sound of birds, sip coffee on the deck beneath rustling spruce branches (and neighboring grouse), and watch the light shift through the trees as the day unfolds. Inside, you’ll find a cozy main level with a pull-out couch and tall wood ceilings that draw your eyes up. Climb the ladder to a spacious loft with a queen Haven mattress and a writing nook for slow mornings or quiet reflection — your nest in the trees. The direct-vent propane heater keeps you warm on cool nights, and large windows on both levels let the outdoors in. Outside, you’ll find a rustic outdoor dining area with a handmade wooden table.
Toilets
Wifi
Cooking equipment
from 
CA$120
 / night

3. Cabot Cottage and Seaside Cabins

3 sites · Lodging · Englishtown, NS
Enjoy the beauty of both the forest and the ocean on this 4 acre property off the Cabot Trail, where 3 wilderness cabins and a large 2-level home are nestled among the forest which leads down to the waterfront. The space is perfect for those who love nature and rustic vibes. All of the cabins sleep two people, with a personal fire pit, bbq, kitchenette, drinking water (although no running water), and all the amenities needed to spend a few nights in nature. The shared outdoor bathroom has been hand crafted with lots of natural light, a composting toilet (i.e. non-flushing), hot water shower and two sinks. ------- Shared spaces include the trails, washroom, deck overlooking the bay, adirondack chairs at the lookoff, kayaks, hammocks, wood shed, and checkerboard table. There will be up to 12 people on the property - 6 in the cabins, 4 in the main level of the home, and our on-site property managers stay in the walkout basement of the home. ------- The whole property is essentially on a hill. Parking is near the top, followed by the cabins, the shared bathrooms, the 2-story home, and then the waterfront is a few minutes further down. The paths are not suitable for people with mobility issues and potentially seniors. --------------------------------- Registration Number: STR2526T9953
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from 
CA$103
 / night

On Cape Breton Island, camping with your pet means over 140 options where tails and boots hit the trails together. Expect sites that welcome dogs, provide toilets and showers, and put you close to hiking, swimming, and fishing spots. Most campers pay around $35 per night, but you can snag a spot for as little as $25. Locals love places like Big Belle Farm (59 reviews) for open fields and friendly hosts, or Black Rock Stables (57 reviews) if you want your pup to meet some horses. For mountain views and quiet, Smokey View (31 reviews) sits above the treeline. Book ahead in summer, pack for fast-changing weather, and always check leash rules at each site. This isn’t just camping—it’s Cape Breton, with your dog by your side.

87% (322) 58 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Cape Breton Island

2. Hawthorn Eco Retreat

2 sites · Lodging · North East Margaree, NS
Please read before booking. Maybe you love camping but don’t want to pitch a tent tonight—or maybe you just want a simple place to unplug and breathe. If you’re seeking a full kitchen or bathroom, this isn’t the right fit. But if you want a back-to-basics stay that helps you reconnect with nature (without sleeping on the ground), The Spruce is for you. This is close-to-off-grid camping with a twist of comfort: furnished pine cabins tucked into the forest. The Spruce (220 sq ft) offers: Queen Haven mattress in the loft (ladder access) Writing nook with desk + chair Pull-out couch (sleeps 2 more) Direct-vent propane heater Rugs, shelves, mirror, and tall windows for natural light Private deck with dining bench/outdoor seating for coffee or stargazing Sleeps up to 4 guests Cooking & Dining: Butane stove (BYO butane, or add-on available) Cooking essentials (frying pan, pot, utensils, dishes, cups, flatware for 4) Off-Grid Essentials: Outdoor grill counter with space for meal prep and cooking 🚫 No electricity inside (Wi-Fi available at gazebo) 💧 Bring your own water (we can guide you to local springs) 🛏️ Bedding not included — bring your own or add on a bedding set Shared Spaces: Cinderella incineration-toilet bathroom bunkie Covered gazebo with lounge + Wi-Fi — your spot to connect or plan your next adventure Trail to the Margaree River (steep steps — use at your own risk) Add-Ons: Bedding set: $30 Butane canister: $8 Propane canister: $8 Tucked in a forested area of the property, The Spruce is a private off-grid bunkie designed for peaceful rest and deep exhale. Wake to the sound of birds, sip coffee on the deck beneath rustling spruce branches (and neighboring grouse), and watch the light shift through the trees as the day unfolds. Inside, you’ll find a cozy main level with a pull-out couch and tall wood ceilings that draw your eyes up. Climb the ladder to a spacious loft with a queen Haven mattress and a writing nook for slow mornings or quiet reflection — your nest in the trees. The direct-vent propane heater keeps you warm on cool nights, and large windows on both levels let the outdoors in. Outside, you’ll find a rustic outdoor dining area with a handmade wooden table.
Toilets
Wifi
Cooking equipment
from 
CA$120
 / night

3. Cabot Cottage and Seaside Cabins

3 sites · Lodging · Englishtown, NS
Enjoy the beauty of both the forest and the ocean on this 4 acre property off the Cabot Trail, where 3 wilderness cabins and a large 2-level home are nestled among the forest which leads down to the waterfront. The space is perfect for those who love nature and rustic vibes. All of the cabins sleep two people, with a personal fire pit, bbq, kitchenette, drinking water (although no running water), and all the amenities needed to spend a few nights in nature. The shared outdoor bathroom has been hand crafted with lots of natural light, a composting toilet (i.e. non-flushing), hot water shower and two sinks. ------- Shared spaces include the trails, washroom, deck overlooking the bay, adirondack chairs at the lookoff, kayaks, hammocks, wood shed, and checkerboard table. There will be up to 12 people on the property - 6 in the cabins, 4 in the main level of the home, and our on-site property managers stay in the walkout basement of the home. ------- The whole property is essentially on a hill. Parking is near the top, followed by the cabins, the shared bathrooms, the 2-story home, and then the waterfront is a few minutes further down. The paths are not suitable for people with mobility issues and potentially seniors. --------------------------------- Registration Number: STR2526T9953
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from 
CA$103
 / night
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

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