Bruce Peninsula National Park
Established in 1987, Bruce Peninsula National Park is one of the largest protected areas in southern Ontario and is administered by Parks Canada. As the name implies, it is found on the Bruce Peninsula, and is 300 km (186 miles) northwest of Toronto. It is the most heavily touristed national park in the province of Ontario, receiving almost half a million visitors annually.
Located between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, the Bruce Peninsula is part of the Niagara Escarpment, which starts near Rochester, NY and stretches through Ontario and the states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. A portion of the escarpment was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1990, starting at Lake Ontario and ending at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula.
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Highlights of Bruce Peninsula National Park
The Grotto is a picturesque cave located right on the crystal-clear waters of Georgian Bay. It is the most popular and well-known feature of Bruce Peninsula National Park. Parking for the Grotto in the summer months must be reserved in advance, due to its popularity.
Indian Head Cove is a popular swimming spot in the summer, with its turquoise colored waters and flat limestone “beach.” Indian Head Cove is a short distance to the east of the Grotto.
Wildlife in Bruce Peninsula National Park
Like most national parks across North America, Bruce Peninsula National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife such as the following:
- Red foxes
- Squirrels
- White-tailed deer
- Black ears
- Coyotes
- Porcupines
Visiting Bruce Peninsula National Park
Located approximately 4 hours from Toronto, Bruce Peninsula National Park offers many hiking and camping opportunities. In the summer high-season, campsite reservations are usually required in advance, as they generally sell out. If camping isn’t your thing, staying in nearby Tobermory is your best bet.
Tobermory is also where the Parks Canada Visitor’s Centre is located. If you plan on visiting the Grotto or the Cyprus Lake trail in the fall/winter (like I did), you must self-register for parking at the kiosk at the Cyprus Lake Office.
I would highly recommend a visit to Bruce Peninsula National Park in the winter months. It is quite possible that you could have the entire place to yourself, which is a rare thing with some of the more well-known parks in Canada.
