ALWAYS check Alerts and other information on the official website, as conditions and facility availability are subject to change.
New Camping Rules for 2023 (14-night max) – new for 2023 are revised rules about the maximum number of nights you can camp. In this park, if you are camping between July 1 and the Saturday of the Labour Day long weekend, you’ll be restricted to no more than 14-nights at this park. Outside of those dates, it’s still the old 23-night maximum. Ontario Parks promise this will be clear when booking.
Rules for backcountry camping and the roofed accommodation haven’t changed.
Day Use Vehicle Permits: Because of this park’s popularity, it will need permits to be purchased in advance to guarantee park access. This process was started in 2021 and will be kept for 2023.
If you’re smart, grab the permit before any visit, even mid-week. We found this out the hard way at our local Provincial Park.
You can buy the vehicle permit up to 5 days in advance, which guarantees you access to the park on that day. If you have an annual or season pass, you should still book your permit online, but there’s no extra charge.
Facebook and Website Links
Presquile Official website
Presquile Official Facebook
Friends of Presqu’ile Park
Information
Phone #: 613-475-4324
Main entrance co-ordinates: 44.0101, -77.7416
Address: 328 Presqu’ile Parkway, Brighton, K0K 1H0
Opening seasons: January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022 / April 29, 2022, to October 31, 2022
Travel, Directions & Distances
Directions: Brighton to Presqu’ile Provincial Park via County Rd 30 and Ontario St/Regional Rd 66
Activities
Camping & Accomodation
Car Camping
There are eight separate campgrounds in the greater area, all of which can be used for car camping. Five offer services such as comfort stations and water taps during their full season from April through October; these five will accommodate any size vehicle with ease!
High Bluff Campground There are approximately 100 sites in this campground; most of which have electrical service. The open sunny spots are popular for RVs and there is plenty to do with waterfront views too! A comfort station includes flush toilets, showers (some may be ADA accessible), laundry facilities, etc…
Pines Campground The campground is a favorite of RVers thanks to its small size and natural setting. The comfort station has flush toilets, which are perfect for those who want an outhouse experience without all the hassle!
Maples Campground Maples Campground is an ideal place to get away from it all and spend some time in nature. The campsites are spacious, with almost 50 sites that offer both clearings for tents or RVs as well as more secluded spots perfect if you’re looking for a little privacy! There’s even access at one end so your dog can join too – just make sure they stay on their leash because there really isn’t any barriers between people here; only trees throughout most parts of this camp area which provides stunning views no matter where you go within its borders
A comfort station sits southbound along those wanting convenient amenities such as flush toilets & showers.
Lakeside Campground There are non-electrical sites, with a few located right on the lakeshore. The Park Campground Hosts are at Site #212 and it’s not available after Labour Day (it was before). Maples Comfort Station is a short stroll away for emergencies!
Trails End Campground has almost all electrical campsites. This former farm field is now treed with a young forest and shrubs and most sites are nicely screened. Vault toilets and water taps service this campground.
The following three campgrounds are open from the May long weekend until Labour Day.
Craigs Campground has non-electrical campsites in a wooded area and is radio-free. Vault toilets and water taps are located on the site and comfort stations are a short stroll away.
Hidden Valley Campground has non-electrical sites in a mature forest. A comfort station with flush toilets and showers is located on the west side of the campground.
Elmvale Campground has mostly non-electrical sites with a few having electrical service. Three sites are situated directly on the lakeshore. Most sites are in mature forests, with the ones nearer the lake being more open. Vault toilets and water taps service this campground.
Hiking, Biking & Paddling
Hiking
Presqu’ile is a great place to go for walking; its flat terrain and views of Lake Ontario attract walkers all year. A fan favorite route for many is the paved one-way driving loop (Lighthouse Lane and Paxton Drive) around the peninsula. This road has a designated walking/bike lane and is plowed in the winter. This is still a road however and walkers should be cautious, particularly in the busy summer months. For those wanting a more natural experience, Presqu’ile has 12 km of traditional “off-road” trails. All trails are clearly marked with colored plastic blazes and are cleared of deadfall on a regular basis by the amazing people who work at the park.
Jobes’ Woods Trail – 1.0 km, 30 minutes, loop, easy
This old, abandoned trail winds through an area that was once part of a farm settled by Thomas and Ezekial Jobes in 1835. This section contains one of the oldest deciduous woodlots at Presqu’ile which makes for some really interesting hiking!
You’ll be surrounded by old-growth trees on your adventure to see how they’re changing after 100 years. You can take an interpretive guide or download the map if you want more information about what’s around us!
Owen Point Trail – 1.6 km, 45 minutes, loop, easy(This trail is usually wet in spring.)
This scenic and educational trail offers an excellent opportunity to see migrating shorebirds along the natural beach, as well as distant views of waterbird colonies on their island nesting grounds. The pathway can be accessed from either end: south end at High Bluff Campground or west side near blossom Trailhead parking area/camping site (which also has flush toilets).
Hike through a natural, wild beach that is closed to foot traffic between ice-out and ice-in but offers many lookout points for viewing the whole shore. Pets are not allowed on any of these trails at all times; however, they can be taken off lead around Gull Island with an exception made during nesting season (March 10 – September 10).
An interpretive guide to the ecology of the point and the islands is available at the trailhead or can be downloaded in the maps tab.
Marsh Trail – 1.2 km, 30 minutes, loop, easy
The boardwalk includes two viewing towers and a teaching platform that offers visitors the chance to take in all there is seen from 800 meters away. Sixteen interpretive panels along this trail illustrate what lives inside of it, as well!
Pioneer and Newcastle Trails – 8.1 km, 3 hours, two interconnected loops, easy
The diverse forests, old fields, and plantations found in this area of the park will lead you on a journey to discover nature at its finest. You may encounter plants or wildlife such as beech-maple trees that dominate these habitats along with other fascinating creatures!
The Pioneer Trail is 3.8 km and is marked by yellow plastic blazes. The Newcastle Trail is 4.3 km and is marked by orange plastic blazes. The trailhead for both trails is halfway along Lighthouse Lane, though there are a number of other access points along both trails. Both trails use park roadways for part of their length so be cautious of vehicles and monitor children running ahead on the trail.
Lighthouse Foot Path – 300 m, 20 minutes, loop, easy
This loop connects the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre with the lighthouse itself. There are great views of Lake Ontario and Presqu’ile Bay, with waterfowl in winter and spring, and a cool breeze in summer. Interpretive panels illustrate the history of the area.
Cemetery Trail – 300 m, 15 minutes, linear, easy
This path connects the cemetery interpretive panel at the Camp Office parking lot with the site of an abandoned pioneer cemetery. The site itself is marked with a commemorative granite boulder, though no other evidence remains.
Biking
Trails:
With its flat terrain, Presqu’ile is well suited to cycling. There is a dedicated walking/bike lane beside the paved 8 km road loop that provides access to picnic grounds, visitor centres, and trails. An unpaved bicycle path connects the campgrounds with the paved loop, beach, and Park Store.
Paddling
there is a few different routes you can do near Presqu’ile Provincial Park for more information please click here
Boating
Both Presqu’ile Bay and Lake Ontario are accessible to boats. Please note that during waterbird nesting season you must remain a minimum of 200 m away from the two offshore islands (High Bluff and Gull). Nesting season occurs from March 10 to September 10 inclusive.
There is a municipally run boat launch 1 km east of the park entrance.
Canoeing
Presqu’ile Bay and marsh are sheltered enough to allow canoe exploration. Canoes can be put in at the Camp Office viewing platform or at the Calf Pasture picnic area. Canoeing in Lake Ontario is recommended only on the calmest days. Please note that during waterbird nesting season you must remain a minimum of 200 m away from the two offshore islands (High Bluff and Gull). Nesting season occurs from March 10 to September 10 inclusive.
Maps & Resources
Ontario parks have an overview and campground map for presquile so please click here for more information
Ontario Crown Land Use Policy Atlas: most Provincial Parks have excellent signage, maps, and marked trails. If you take up back-country adventures, then it’s not always clear. The Ontario Crown Land Use maps are an excellent resource. You might also want to join one or more of these groups on Facebook
Crown Land Camping Group
Crown Land Camping Ontario
Ontario Parks and Crown Land
Ontario Crown Land Campers
Sharing Ontario Crown Land Camping Spots