What if we told you that there’s an Ontario park that has white sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters just hours away from Toronto? Don’t mistake Sandbanks Provincial Park for a tropical getaway – although it may seem like it is. This piece of paradise is a must-see and has some of the best beaches in Ontario’s wine country.
Located less than three hours away from Toronto, Sandbanks Provincial Park is a popular destination among neighbouring cities.
Though it does offer plenty of leisurely activities like hiking, with several trails to choose from, boating, and canoeing, it’s most definitely known and praised for its three sandy beaches.
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Fun fact: this park is home to the world’s largest bay mouth dune barrier formation that stretches 12km across Lake Ontario.
“The dunes, formed by glaciers 12,500 years ago,” according to the Prince Edward County site.
“They were once grazing land for the cattle of early settlers, and today, make up three beaches, hiking trails, and campsites as part of Sandbanks Provincial Park.”
That being said, it has three natural sand beaches: Outlet Beach – located in the East Lake part of the park, Lakeshore Beach – located in the Lakeshore day use area off Lake Ontario and Dunes Beach – located in the Dunes day use area off West Lake.
“Outlet and Lakeshore beaches have gradual drop-offs, but the Dunes Beach has a steep drop off and swimmers should take extra caution,” shares the Ontario Parks site.
“Please note: there are no lifeguards posted at the beaches and pets are not permitted except on the designated pet area.”
Though you may want to spend the day at the beach, if you do feel inclined to explore the county, we definitely think you should.
Prince Edward County is known for its bicycle touring, food, antiques, and wineries. There are over 40 wineries in the county just waiting for you to discover. You can check out the list here.
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Fee
According to Ontario Parks, the cost of a Day Use permit depends on the time of the year whether it be on or off-season, and by park. Entry fees for vehicles start at $12.25, but for Sandbanks in the summer season, the cost is $18.58 plus tax. And for park-specific fees, contact the park directly.
If you’re still itchin’ to discover more beautiful Ontario experiences, why not check out hidden turquoise lakes and the almost endless number of beaches in the province? Though Sandbanks is a top choice, we’re blessed with many others across Ontario.
There are only a few weeks left of summer so make it count!!
Sandbanks Provincial Park
Where: 3004 County Rd. 12 RR#1 – Picton, ON
Information on Sandbanks Provincial Park is from Ontario Parks, and is accurate as of publication date.
Karen Doradea
Senior Staff Writer, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Netflix, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.
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