Destination-Rich Southwestern Ontario

While agriculture is king, vast expanses and many natural attractions make for a great destination to explore anytime.

October 13, 2020

12:00 AM

Words by William Ennis

Many people see Southwestern Ontario as a region of farms and flat land. Yet, there are many attractions for all ages found here. Let’s focus on a few along the northwest shores of Lake Erie.

Point Pelee National Park is possibly the largest natural draw to this region. The park is located at the tip of a triangular-shaped peninsula, which projects deeply into Lake Erie putting it on the same latitude as Northern California. It’s Canada’s most southern point of mainland.

It’s basically a sandy spit consisting of glacial sand and gravels. As such, it contains a mixture of marshy terrain with islands of grass and trees. As you can imagine, the temperature of the park is influenced by the proximity of Lake Erie on both sides. As a result, it’s not too cold in winter, but it’s extremely warm and humid in the summer, which is probably alleviated a little by the winds off Lake Erie.

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The scenic, unique land of Point Pelee National Park.

At only 1,560 hectares (3,900 acres), this is the smallest National Park in Canada. But in that small area are some 70 varieties of trees and 47 species of reptiles and amphibians. Many bird species also make this area their summer home for breeding before heading south. Its five habitat zones provide places for a huge variety of creatures to live, ranging from sand, swamp and marsh to dry-land grass and trees. It was also the first Canadian National Park to be allocated as a ‘dark sky preserve.’

The park is a great place for walking or hiking and its expansive, notable boardwalk leads out on the marsh offering closer views of the red-wing blackbirds and turtles among the cat tails. Other trails here are as long as 4 km (2.5 mi) and lead among forests or wet lands – the choice is yours.

Destination Ontario

The park’s acclaimed board walk.

With such an abundance of bird life, the park is popular among birders. It’s located right under the routes of migration and with more than 390 species, there are many opportunities to view them. Spring migration tends to be a hurried affair as birds head to the northern nesting areas. The fall migration, which can start as early as the end of June, tends to be slower as they take their time before heading across the lake and points south. Monarch butterflies also hold up here for a few days in the fall. They don’t stay long since they have to endure their extensive trip to the wilds of Mexico before winter.

The park boasts great swimming on both sides of the peninsula, claiming about 20 km (12 mi) of sandy beach admirably suited for building sand castles or just lazing on after a swim. Be aware though, the water can be hazardous if the wind picks up, causing the waves to hit hard against the shore, which can potentially cause dangerous rip currents – so be sure to keep a close eye on conditions.

Destination Ontario

Vast farmland dominates the landscape.

If you wish to stay overnight, you can rent an oTENTik, which is similar to a tent on a platform. It holds six, has a couple of queen-size beds and assorted chairs. These are walk-in sites only. Other camping opportunities are only 1 km (.6 mi) from the park at the Sturgeon Woods Campground.

Looking for more lodging options? About 30 minutes east of Point Pelee is Wheatly and Wheatly Provincial Park, which is great for camping. There’s Boosey Creek Campground with several treed camping loops with water taps and restrooms. It’s also ‘radio free’ and not suitable for larger trailers or motorhomes. A popular activity here is canoeing along some of the meandering creeks through Boosey Creek to Sugar Creek, which about 3 km (2 mi).

Other camping options here include Highlands Campground (with some electric sites, restrooms and laundry facilities) as well as Middle Creek Campground featuring select sites (with electrical) right on the creek.

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Come thirsty with the many wineries.

Both Boosey and Sugar Creeks offer good fishing and is especially popular with kids. Wheatley Harbour Wharf is another popular area to wet a line. For best results, launch a boat to access big water where Lake Erie Pickerel and Rainbow Trout lurk. A testament to the area’s excellent fishing is the pickerel offered in the many local restaurants. It’s delicious.

Being one of the more moderate climates in Ontario, summer is the time to take advantage of a wine tour and pick up some freshly grown produce. Just west of Point Pelee are a series of wine estates, a brewery and many farmers markets that always offer seasonal fruits and vegetables.

To the south and a two-hour ferry is Pelee Island, which has a population of approximately 300 (although it quadruples in the summer). This island is just about as far south as you can get in Canada. It’s also blessed with a milder climate than the mainland, which has led to the development of vineyards and the 700-acre Pelee Island Winery. A modest fee allows you to visit the Pelee Island Pavilion and gain insight on growing grapes and the history of wine production through the years. End your visit in the wine tasting room and then relax in the outdoor wine garden with a little local vino and a light snack.

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Two great aspects of the region – fishing and sunsets.

Biking is also a popular way to enjoy the charm of this remote island. A combination of paved and gravel roads will take along a leisurely 28 km (17 mi) ride around the island. The terrain of the island is quite flat and scenery alternates between fields and forest. On the south end of the island is Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve. It contains one of the best beaches for swimming and relaxing. There is also a sandy spit that narrows, so it feels like you’re surrounded by water. To access this area, leave your bikes and take a leisurely 15-minute walk in.

It’s the nature of the island that makes this area a popular place to unwind. Take time to learn about Pelee Island by visiting the Pelee Island Heritage Centre near the ferry terminal. If you are into diving, there are upwards of 200 wrecks between the island and Point Pelee. The area has a long history of being hazardous for sailing.

Southwestern Ontario has a lot going for it, but you won’t realize it if you stay near Highway 401. Go south and explore. The country roads are dotted with farmers’ roadside stands offering fresh vegetables, the scenic byways offer a beauty all their own, and the wineries’ expertly crafted vintages qualify as some of the best in Canada. With all this and more, you’ll quickly realize there’s a lot of interesting things to do and see in Southwestern Ontario.

Destination Ontario

Beaches are also expansive and are great for any age.

Explore More: 3 Attractions Unique to Southwestern Ontario

Explore the Talbot Trail

The Talbot Trail is a scenic 200 km (124 mi) drive mostly along Highway #3 (with detours on County Road 38 and County Road 3) from Windsor to Fort Erie. A great alternative over the hectic, often-congested Hwy 401, the Talbot Trail leads through several pristine and scenic rural communities (many along the shores of Lake Erie). It provides a great chance to experience rural Ontario at its finest.

Fishing Lake Erie

If you’re an RVer who loves to fish, you’ll be glad to know Lake Erie is a prime fishery. In fact, we can’t say enough about the fishing here. Countless professional and amateur fishing derbies are hosted every season and active species such as perch, large/smallmouth bass and the ever-abundant walleye are enough reason to drop a line for some freshwater action.

Savour the Spirits

Southwestern Ontario is not only known for its rich agriculture. Many communities are home to local craft breweries and distilleries. Several of these are celebrated with the Barrels Bottles & Brews Trail, which consists of 12 stops (10 craft breweries and two distilleries) throughout Kingsville, Windsor, Amherstburg, and Tecumseh – a great and exciting way to experience the region. For more information visit www.barrelsbottlesbrews.ca