The Travelling Maple Leaf

Introduction

Prince Edward County is a beautiful region of Ontario with amazing beaches, wineries, cuisine, and more! Today, we’re focusing on the stunning beaches to help you decide which ones you’re adding to your next trip to the County.

Keep reading to learn more about the beaches in Sandbanks Provincial Park as well as others across the County!

How to get to Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County is located off Lake Ontario. The County is approximately a 2-hour drive from Toronto or a 3-hour drive from Ottawa.

Unfortunately, there are no bus routes that can take you directly to the County. However, you can catch a bus from Ottawa, Toronto, or Kingston and arrive in the nearby city of Belleville then use other services such as a taxi or Uber to find your way to the County.

Sandbanks Provincial Park

How to access the Park

To access Sandbanks Provincial Park, you need to purchase a park pass. This pass can be purchased at the gate to the park or in advance online.

If you purchase the pass online, be sure to print out a copy and bring it with you as it will need to be displayed on your dashboard while in the park.

In addition, this park is very popular and during peak times in the summer months, the park often reaches capacity. Therefore, I recommend purchasing a pass in advance or even visiting outside of peak times such as May or September.

Please keep in mind that purchasing a pass at the gate does not guarantee entry and you may want to purchase and reserve a pass online to ensure you can enter the park on your desired day.

Beaches in Sandbanks Provincial Park

Dunes Beach

One of the most well-known beaches in Prince Edward County is Dunes Beach located in Sandbanks Provincial Park. This beach contains one of the longest freshwater dunes in the world!

You can choose to climb the dunes to enjoy a relaxing day sitting on the banks and looking out over the water. Or you can rent kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards to enjoy on the water.

In addition, this beach has a nature trail that takes you through the dunes and provides information about the park and the beach on plaques along the route.

Dunes Beach is a breathtaking sight that provides spectacular views of Lake Ontario and endless possibilities for a fun day outside.

Outlet Beach

Outlet Beach is one of the most popular beaches on this list. With a beautiful 2km light sand shore and a gradual drop off into the water, this beach is the ideal location for families.

This beach is truly stunning! However, its popularity can make it a bit crowded during peak times so plan accordingly.

Lakeshore Beach

Lakeshore Beach is a smaller but lovely beach also located in the park. With beautiful light sand, water crashing against the shoreline, and plenty of space to relax, Lakeshore is a great location for a beach day.

Lakeshore Beach has a sharper drop-off than Outlet Beach making it less desirable for families with small children. However, it is still a great location depending on your individual needs and preferences.

North Beach Provincial Park

Imagine the sound of waves crashing against a beautiful light sand shore as you enjoy the sunshine with family or friends. You may not have to travel far to experience this tranquility!

North Beach Provincial Park is a beautiful beach in Prince Edward County, Ontario! This beach is often used as an alternative to the busy and well known beaches in Sandbanks Provincial Park.

However, given its beautiful shores it is still very popular in the spring and summer. Therefore reserving a pass in advance gives you the best chance at scoring a spot to set up your beach chair.

You can reserve a park pass on the Ontario Provincial Parks website.

Wellington Beach

This beach is located in the community of Wellington. Given its proximity to great restaurants and shops, Wellington Beach is the perfect option for those seeking both a day of shopping and some time at the water.

Unlike the beaches in the provincial parks, Wellington Beach is free for public use and does not have restrictions on capacity.

This beach has a rocky shore and good shoes are recommended. Wellington beach has lots to offer such as stunning blue water and a beautiful lighthouse with breathtaking views.

Little Bluff Conservation Area

A picturesque stone shore with a large cliff in the background and the sound of waves crashing against the rock formation. This is Barrier Beach located in Little Bluff Conservation Area.

Although this beach is not as ideal for sitting on a towel and enjoying the warm sun, there are still many ways this beach can be enjoyed. You can hike to the top of the cliff and look out across the lake, bring a lawn chair, and enjoy the view, or read a book with the relaxing sound of waves in the background!

There is also a network of trails totaling 1.5 km that range from beginner to advanced levels. This is a beautiful area to hike with amazing panoramic views!

Some things to keep in mind, this conservation area is closed for vehicle traffic from roughly December to March depending on seasonal conditions. During these months, you can still access the area by foot.

You must pay to park in the conservation area. They charge a daily parking rate that you pay onsite using their electric parking system. Once you pay, your pass is valid from 6 am to 8 pm on the day of your purchase.

Additionally, the road to access the conservation area can be bumpy and broken up at times. Please use caution and drive to the conditions to ensure you arrive safely!

Long Point Road Beach

This beach is a lesser-known stop with a stunning shoreline and views of Lake Ontario. Long Point Road Beach is located about 35 minutes from Picton, Ontario.

This beach is part of the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area which has public washrooms, trails, and day-use parking.

Long Point Road Beach is often unsupervised but there is a list of approved activities for this area since it is a National Wildlife Area. Approved activities include wildlife viewing, hiking on designated paths, participation in a group meal or group event, swimming at designated beach areas, boating, sport fishing from the shoreline with required permits, and more!

Overall, the beaches of Prince Edward County are vast and breathtaking. With amazing views and many fun activities, you can spend days exploring just the beaches let alone the other treasures scattered across the County. If you’ve visited any of these beaches, comment below your experience and favorite beach!

Disclaimer: I can only attest to my personal experiences and I am therefore not liable for any negative experiences you may encounter.