Nothing says “summer” like a day at the beach! With the season just around the corner, now’s the time to start planning some beachy getaways.
You don’t have to travel far, however, to find white-sand beaches with crystal-clear water — within a few hours of Toronto, you can visit several Ontario provincial parks that are home to gorgeous swimming beaches.
Whether you want to take a dip in the warm waters of Lake Eerie or marvel at rolling sand dunes, these provincial parks are sure to be a hit.
Here are eight provincial parks near Toronto with stunning beaches to check out this summer. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
Address: Wasaga Beach, ON
Why You Need To Go: Wasaga Beach is a classic swimming spot in Ontario, and for good reason. The beach is the longest freshwater beach in the world, with more than 14 kilometres of white sandy shores along Georgian Bay.
Visitors flock here for the soft sand, warm, clean waters and panoramic mountain views across the Bay.
The park also features biking and hiking trails and a historic site that tells of Wasaga’s naval history.
There are eight different beach areas you can visit in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, each with its own parking lot and nearby amenities. The popular Beach 1 Area gives off tropical vacation vibes, while other sections of the beach like 2 and 3 are perfect for families and low-key days spent lying on the sand.
Be sure to stay until sundown to catch a marvellous sunset over the water.
Accessibility: Beach is wheelchair/stroller accessible. Some other accessible services offered at the beach.
Rock Point Provincial Park
Address: 215 Niece Rd., Dunnville, ON
Why You Need To Go: Just under 2 hours from Toronto, you’ll find Rock Point Provincial Park,
Located on the shores of Lake Eerie, the park is home to a pleasant, sandy beach with serene blue waters perfect for swimming.
A platform overlooking Lake Eerie and built on top of the park’s sand dunes can be reached via the park’s Woodlot hiking trail, a 2-kilometre trek through wetlands and old farm fields that delivers gorgeous views.
You can also find exposed fossils of a coral reef dating back over 350 million years ago embedded in limestone along the beach, a unique feature of the park.
If you do go swimming, be cautious — the beach gradually drops off and is not marked with a buoy line, and no lifeguards are posted at the beach, according to Ontario Parks.
Pinery Provincial Park
Address: 9526 Lakeshore Rd. RR2, Grand Bend, ON
Why You Need To Go: A visit to Pinery Provincial Park in Grand Bend is a must this summer if you want to swim in blue waters that will have you thinking you left Canada for the Caribbean.
Located on the shores of Lake Huron, Pinery Provincial Park offers world-famous sunsets and beautiful sand dunes for a true beachy getaway about 3 and a half hours from Toronto.
The park offers several scenic hiking trails that will take you through dense forests and to lookout spots, as well as opportunities for canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking.
There are also 124 different species of birds nesting in the park, creating some great viewing opportunities for birdwatchers.
The most beautiful feature of the park, though, has to be its sandy stretch of beach. Here, you’ll find 10 kilometres of Lake Huron shoreline where you can swim in some of the bluest water in Ontario.
Accessibility: All-terrain wheelchairs available.
Inverhuron Provincial Park
Address: 19 Jordon Rd., RR#2, Tiverton, ON
Why You Need To Go: Lying on the shore of Lake Huron next to the village of Inverhuron, this provincial park is home to a warm, sandy beach, rolling sand dunes, nature trails and jaw-dropping sunsets.
The beach is located on the same shore as Grand Bend Beach, so you’ll find that same mesmerizingly blue water here.
Located about 3 hours from Toronto, you can visit this beach on a day trip, stay in the neighbouring towns of Kincardine or Port Elgin, or even camp at one of three campgrounds at the park.
The shallow, sandy beach is ideal for swimming, and the waters off Inverhuron are also a popular area for watersports like paddle boarding, windsurfing, and waterskiing.
According to Ontario Parks, the nearby Saugeen River provides excellent canoeing and kayaking opportunities.
Port Burwell Provincial Park
Address: 9 Wilson Lane, Port Burwell, ON
Why You Need To Go: Called “the jewel of Lake Erie’s north shore,” Port Burwell Beach in Port Burwell Provincial Park is a 2.5-kilometre sandy beach with warm water.
The beach has volleyball courts and even has a designated dog beach where you can bring your furry friend.
In addition to the clean, sandy beach, you’ll find hiking trails, camping, a cold-war era submarine, a marine museum and historic lighthouse, two marinas, and more here.
According to Ontario Parks, Port Burwell is also a great place for spotting birds, including hawks, vultures and eagles.
Accessibility: All-terrain wheelchair available for loan.
Killbear Provincial Park
Address: 35 Eddie Ramsay Pky., Nobel, ON
Why You Need To Go: Killbear Provincial Park is known for its rugged, rocky shoreline and beautiful views of windswept pines on rocky islands.
However, you may not know that the provincial park also has some great swimming spots.
The park is home to seven campgrounds, each with its own designated beach, as well as a beach in the park’s day-use area.
The beaches here are clean, with golden sand and sparkling water. According to the park, there are also kilometres of adjacent shoreline, some rocky and some sandy, where you can take a refreshing dip surrounded by stunning views.
Besides swimming, there are also a number of hiking trails in the park that lead to lookout points with incredible views of Georgian Bay.
Accessibility: All-terrain wheelchairs available.
North Beach Provincial Park
Address: 440 North Beach Rd., Consecon, ON
Why You Need To Go: North Beach Provincial Park is a beautiful day-use park with long sandy beaches along Lake Ontario and its enclosed bay.
Located in Prince Edward County, the beach is a great alternative for its more famous neighbour, Sandbanks Provincial Park, and offers a quieter atmosphere.
The park’s sandy beach is a great place to picnic on a summer day, and you can swim or boat in the sheltered waters of the bay or the more open Lake Ontario.
If you get hungry, there’s a small canteen located on the park’s main road where you can get fast food bites and drinks.
Sandbanks Provincial Park
Address: 3004 County Rd.12, Picton, ON
Why You Need To Go: Located in Prince Edward County, Sandbanks Provincial Park has everything you need for the perfect summer day.
Here, you’ll find the world’s largest baymouth barrier dune formation, huge sand dunes that were formed by glaciers more than 12,000 years ago.
The park is perhaps most famous, however, for its beaches. You’ll find three natural sand beaches here each more scenic than the last: Outlet Beach, located in the East Lake sector of the park, Lakeshore Beach, and Dunes Beach.
While each beach offers soft white sand and gorgeous water, to see the park’s huge sand dunes, you’ll want to head to the aptly named Dunes Beach.
There are also several hiking trails that will take you past the dunes and other areas of the park.
Accessibility: All-terrain wheelchairs available.
Enjoy!
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
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