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Sandbanks Provincial Park
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Image Ontario
Sandbanks Provincial Park
Words by Cassandra Redding
Sandbanks Provincial Park in Ontario's Prince Edward County, is famous for its sand, its water and its beaches. There are three large beaches in the park, which have been rumoured to be among the best beaches in Canada, but the top of the threes has to go to Outlet Beach, which just recently received Blue Flag status.
Have you heard of Blue Flag? "Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-certification for beaches and marinas. When you see a Blue Flag flying, you know a beach or marina is clean and accessible; has great water quality; meets high safety standards; and is working hard to protect local shorelines and ecosystems. Blue Flags are flying at 27 beaches and nine marinas in Canada." Outlet Beach fully deserves this special recognition.
This fact alone is reason enough to visit the Park, but it also has the "world's largest fresh water sand bar and dune system." The expanse of shoreline has something for everyone, including families, dog lovers, and even nude sunbathers. We suggest you put it at the top of your list of places to visit in Ontario.
Sandbanks Provincial Park, run by the government of Ontario, is much more than just beaches, however, and if you do have a chance to visit you may be surprised at what else it has to offer. Here are five more reasons to get there.
Location, location, location. Before you head to the park, you can tour the surrounding area of Prince Edward County, an island in Lake Ontario. It's the perfect starting place to visit wineries, take a bike tour, eat some great food, hunt for antiques and find your next piece of art — maybe all in one day.
Camping. There are six different campgrounds in the park with 620 campsites with over 260 offering electricity. Even so, it's wise to make a reservation for this popular park. There is also cottage on the shores of Lake Ontario, that sleeps up to 6, and the Heritage House - both are available all year round. Each campsite has a picnic table and grill, with drinking water close by. Showers, laundry, and washroom stations are situation throughout the park. There is a great store where you will find supplies and souvenirs. If you don't want to cook, you can visit the restaurant for breakfast and lighter fare. Family-friendly. There is something to do for everyone - the Outlet Beach has shallow waters with a gentle drop off making it super safe for the younger members. There is also daily interpretive programming in the summer.
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Sandbanks Provincial Park
Families can stop by the Visitor Centre to learn about the 1920s Lakeshore Lodge. Young campers can also enjoy the children's programming and campers of all ages can participate in the the evening campfires and slide shows.
Sightseeing. Come for the dunes, stay for sights. Don't pass up the dunes, some of which are 12 to 25 metres high. There are several walking trails that allow you to experience the dunes, but along the way you will also see trees that you won't believe can survive and thrive in the sand. Forests Ontario, along with Friends of Sandbanks, an organization that supports the park, have planted thousands of trees with the hopes of creating more forested lands.
There are also wetland habitats in the park — a perfect spot to witness the great bird migration if you are there in the spring or fall.
The park attracts several kinds of butterflies and if you are visiting in the summer months, you may see the monarchs. Ontario is doing what it can to attract these magical creatures, so they don't disappear all together, by increasing the milkweed population, and Sandbanks seems to be the popular choice for the monarchs to spend the warmer months before flying across Lake Ontario to Mexico.
Recreation. Besides being the perfect place to swim, sunbath and picnic, the park also has several places to walk or hike — enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk overlooking the Outlet River or take the staircases up and down the steep dunes. Walking through the park can make you feel like you're in two different worlds all within the hour. The Woodlands Trail (3.5 km) starts at the Main Gate parking lot, and take you through the Woodland Campground, across old pastures and hardwood lots to the entrance to the Dunes Day-Use area, while the Cedar Sands Trail (2.km) takes you along the shores of the Outlet River with two lookouts that provide scenic views of the marsh. This is an interpretive trail with 12 stops that explain the ecology of the dunes. Trail guides are available at the trailhead or the Nature Shoppe.
Sandbanks Dunes Trail is 2.5 km loop that travels through the amazing dune habitat and along the edge of several pannes —the rare wetlands.
If you have a bike, cycling is also a great way to see the park. Try the two-kilometre cycling and walking trail at West Point - you will avoid the busy beaches by using this trail, and if you get off your bike to view the rock shelves, you may find a millions-of-years-old fossil or two.
Watersports abound at the park. You can rent canoes, kayaks, paddleboads and surfbikes at The Woodyard and take a trip down the river or out onto the lake. The area is ideal for motorboats and small craft sailing, as well.
Looking to try fishing for the first time? You can rent a fishing rod at The Woodyard, too — the park participates in a Tackle Share Program. "Initiated by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and proudly sponsored by Ontario Power Generation, the TackleShare Program gives new and young anglers the opportunity to go fishing at no cost." What a deal.
Grab a rod and head out to East or West Lake where you might be lucky enough to catch bass, pike or perch. There is also the opportunity to catch Chinook Salmon in Lake Ontario, if you are looking to catch the "big one".
Sandbanks truly has almost everything you're looking for in a fun summer RV destination in Ontario.
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