The Travelling Maple Leaf

Introduction

Sandbanks Provincial Park is a beautiful park located in Prince Edward County in Ontario, Canada. If you are looking for information about what to see in the park or you’re wondering if it’s worth the drive, keep reading! This provincial park is personally one of my favorite places to visit in the summer months, maybe it will become yours too!

How to Get To Sandbanks Provincial Park

Sandbanks Provincial Park is conveniently located approximately 2.5 hours from Toronto, 3 hours from Ottawa, and 1.5 hours from Kingston. The most common method of transportation to the park is by car as public transit to the park can be difficult to organize.

Trains and busses run from all of the above cities to the town of Belleville which is located roughly 30 minutes from the park. However, there is no public transport from Belleville to the park other than a taxi. Even though the park can be tricky to access using public transport, it is worth the journey.

When to Visit the Sandbanks Provincial Park

Sandbanks is open seasonally from May to October. The park is typically at its busiest during the summer months in the late morning and early afternoon. I find weekdays in September to be the nicest time to visit the park as there are far fewer people than in the summer months.

Beaches in Sandbanks Provincial Park

Lakeshore Beach

I am so excited to discuss my favorite beach in the park, Lakeshore Beach! Imagine a beautiful light sand beach with clear water and warm waves crashing against the shore.

This beach will make you feel like you are at a tropical destination with peaceful strolls along the shoreline and picturesque views. If you can only visit one beach in the park, I highly recommend Lakeshore Beach as it is the perfect place for a swim, to read and relax, or to spend time with family.

Outlet Beach

Another beautiful sandy beach located in the park is Outlet Beach. Outlet has a long shoreline that spans 2 kilometers along the edge of Lake Ontario. Unlike other beaches in the park, Outlet had less of an abrupt drop-off as its sandbar is more gradual than others. This beach has a reputation for being the most popular and can become overly crowded during the park’s peak season. Despite its business, this beach is still worth a visit!

Dunes Beach

Sandbank Provincial Park is home to the world’s largest freshwater dunes. This beach is the perfect place to enjoy warm sunny summer days with beautiful views of these dunes. Walking up and down the dunes can be challenging but the climb is worth the view.

Dunes Beach is still a popular swimming location but its abrupt drop off makes it a less desirable swimming spot than some of the other beaches in the park. Nonetheless, this beach is perfect for experienced swimmers or an afternoon relaxing on the shore in the sunshine.

This beach also has a beautiful nature trail that is informative and fun. The nature trail follows a raised pathway which makes it an easier venture than climbing the dunes. Dunes Beach is a great place to connect with nature and explore a new area of Ontario.

Considerations for Entering Sandbanks Provincial Park

Especially in the summer months, Sandbanks can get very busy and the beaches can become crowded. The park has a daily capacity which means that just showing up to the front gate may not guarantee entry. However, there are options to book in advance online for day passes or campsites. There are different types of campsites and different day passes depending on what activities you are doing. Make sure to research what pass you require in advance!

Free Weekday Use for Armed Forces Members & Veterans

In addition, Ontario Provincial Parks are free to enter for vehicle day use during the weekdays for Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans who reside in Ontario. This is a great opportunity for current and past members to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors.

You can either buy your pass at the gate and present your valid armed forces identification card or reserve the pass online and show the gate your identification card when you enter. If you are a current or former member who lives in Ontario this is a great opportunity for you!

Restaurants in the Park

If you are searching for restaurant recommendations in and near the park, you’ve come to the right place. There are only a few restaurants inside the park but there are others nearby as well. Both Outlet Beach and Dunes Beach have restaurants where you can find grilled food, salads, and ice cream.

Nearby, will find Up In Smoke Pizza with delicious wood-fired pizza and a mini gold course to enjoy while you wait for your to-go order.

Another option that is a bit more formal than the previously mentioned restaurants is the Sand and Pearl Oyster Bar. This bar serves fresh seafood on their large patios, in their welcoming dining room, and by the campfire. Sand and Pearl is the perfect post-beach stop as it’s a short 6-minute drive away from Sandbanks.

If you can imagine yourself enjoying the warm weather on a beautiful beach or exploring the largest freshwater sand bar in the world, plan a trip to Sandbanks Provincial Park. The beauty of Prince Edward County and its parks stands out as some of the most picturesque and fascinating destinations in Ontario. If you’ve visited Sandbanks Provincial Park, comment on your favorite beach or activity!

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