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Bruce Peninsula National Park
P.O. Box 189, Tobermory, Ontario N0H 2R0
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our new site for Bruce Peninsula
National Park! |
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| Location: From the south take hwy 70 north of Owen
Sound, then follow the 6 which takes you north through the park. The
park is just south of Tobermory. Driving Distances:
From the north, the best access is provided by the ferry from Manitoulin
Island.
Tobermory to Toronto 4.0 hrs
Tobermory to Ottawa 8.0 hrs
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| The famous Flower Pots on the island of the
same name, are intrigueing rock formations created by erosion. |
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| One of the many caves along the Bruce Trail |
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The park is uniquely situated near the tip of the Bruce Peninsula.
On the east coast of this narrow strip of land, the park is bounded
by the Niagara escarpment which drops off into Georgian Bay. The Niagara
Escapement is the key geological feature of the park. The Escarpment
was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1990.
To the west, you'll find beaches along the shores of Lake Huron,
and surrounding the park land is Fathom Five National Marine Park
which embodies 21 islands and 22 shipwrecks for scuba diving
enthusiasts. The area around tobermory is considered one of the
worlds best diving areas. There are a number of companies which
provide charters, equipment and lessons in the area. |
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our new site for Bruce
Peninsula National Park! |
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| The park has a number of distinct areas, some of which
are separated from each other by sections of private land. The Cyprus
lake area contains the campgrounds and essentially makes up the heart
of the park. The area has easy access to the escarpment trails along
the east side of the peninsula. Just to the south of Cyprus, you'll
find Emmett Lake, which provides access to another distinctive part
of the escarpment. Separate to these two areas, you'll find the Singing
Sands section, which has its own particular flavor, including beautiful
beaches and a self guided nature walk. |
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| Front Country Camping: The park has 242 campsites
in the area of Cyprus Lake. Tamarack (best for tent camping) has 81,
Birches 98 and Poplars 63. There are basic amenities but no showers
in the park. Showers may be had for a fee just outside the park and
in Tobermory.
Backcountry Camping: There are wilderness sites
in the park along the Bruce Trail following the Escarpment. |
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| You can just make out a large double masted
sailing ship off the park's shore. |
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| North of Cyprus Lake is the Loon Lake Camp while The Ledges
and High Dump provide options just to the South. Reservations are essential
and fires are not permitted along the Bruce Trail. |
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our new site for Bruce Peninsula
National Park! |
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| Hiking along the Bruce |
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Hiking: In
the Cyprus Lake area, the trails are accessible from the Head of Trails
area. Except for the Cyprus Lake trail, all of the trails lead to
Georgian Bay and connect to the Bruce Trail. Head north along the
Bruce and have a picnic at the Grotto at Indian Head Cove or south
to Halfway Dump.. Cyprus Lake Trail
is an easy and very nice 5km trail
hike that loops around the lake - access from Head of Trails The
Horse Lake Trail is an easy 1km to
the bay along the shore of Horse Lake - access from Head of Trails
The Georgian Bay - Marr Lake Trail
reaches out to the bay then loops back to the head of
trails. As the name implies, the trail passes by Marr Lake - access
from Head of Trails |
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Singing Sands
self guided nature walk is 1.5km this is an area with a very
interesting ecological history and is well know for its orchids. The trail
is on the west side of the Peninisula in a seperate isolated section of
the park across the highway from the George Lake area. Halfway
Log Dump is accessible
from Emmett Lake via the gated road. This 3km hike will take you to one
of the most spectacular areas of the Escarpment within the park. On
Flowerpot Island you'll
find the Loop Trail which passes the flowerpot sea stacks and allows access
to the light house. There's also an out-and-back in the form of the Marl
Trail which takes you to the western side of the island. The Island is located
off the tip of the peninsula from Tobermory and is accessible by boat. |
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| Backpacking: The Bruce Trail passes through the
park and there are two separate places to camp within the park boundaries.
You might also use the park's front country camping as a base camp
and hike in either direction. Scenically, the trail is spectacular
in this section, particularly down towards Lion Head. For details
on The Bruce Trail, contact the Bruce Trail Association. |
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| A view of the escarpment cliffs |
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| Kayaking is one of the best
ways to enjoy Bruce Peninsula National Park |
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Sea Kayaking: The park is exceptional for sea kayakers
(see the outfitters section if you need a rental or guide). The waters
off the park have endless possibilities for paddlers. For some lazy
paddling, the west side of the park has a lot of beaches and some
easy off-shore areas. To the north and to the east, the park is bounded
by the Escarpment and the paddling is exceptional but should be left
to expert or guided paddlers. |
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our new site for Bruce
Peninsula National Park! |
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| There are a number of sunken wrecks which may be observed
from the waters surface (don't enter these areas when divers are active)
near Tobermory. The area's waters alternate in color from a deep emerald
green to various shades of aquamarine. |
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| The eroding limestone cliffs, large caves and rocky white beaches
make for great exploration.
If you're looking for an overnight trip, you can start from Tobermory
and work your way down to the wilderness campsites in the park.
Check with the park for accessibility and availability. Reservations
are required. |
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| You can rent kayaks or take a tour with a
guide from the town of Tobermory |
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| The rocky outcropping make
great places to explore by kayak in the park |
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Note: The weather in the area is extremely variable
and difficult to predict (even for the meteorologists). The peninsula
is essentially surrounded by an inland sea and the waters can become
dangerous in the blink of an eye. Along the cliffs, landings may be
impossible. Water temperatures are very low at any time of year and
hypothermia is a real danger. |
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| Unless you're an expert, we would suggest contracting a guide.
~ Guides ~ The paddle to the islands, particularly Flower Pot Island, is
deceptively difficult. |
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our new site for Bruce Peninsula
National Park! |
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| Climbing: Some of Ontario's best climbing is just
south of the park, in the Lion's Head area. Contact the park for more
information.
Canoeing: Cyprus Lake is easily accessible to
paddlers and a navigable stream leads through to the larger Cameron
Lake. Emmett Lake has many bays to canoe through. Emmett Lake is
also accessible to canoeists. |
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| The pebble beach is a beautiful
inlet along the coast of the park. The Bruce Trial runs along
its length. |
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| You can also canoe along the park's shores but heed the warnings
in the "Sea Kayaking" section. Open canoes are at even greater
risk in these waters. Mountain Biking: Mountain bikes
are restricted to the roads in and around the park.
Winter Adventures: There are no groomed trails but skiers
can use marked routes within the park to ski to the Georgian Bay and Lake
Huron shorelines. Cyprus Lake campground is open during the winter for
anyone wanting to do some ski camping. In the winter, services are limited.
Contact the park for more information.
You can also snowshoe to the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron shorelines.
The shores of the park can be very dangerous in the winter. Don't venture
onto the ice! |
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| One of the streams
feeding Lake Huron at Singing Sands |
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Literature: The park has a free newsprint
guide which covers most aspects of the park. It's available
at the campground office as well as the visitors center.
Books: Bruce Trail Association - Trail Reference
A very detailed description of the whole of the Bruce Trial
with maps and illustrations from those who know and love it
best.
The park has a basic single page black and white map which
it makes available at the campgrounds and visitors' center.
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| Visit
our new site for Bruce Peninsula
National Park! |
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| Outfitters: Tobermory Adventure Tours - Tours,
Charters and Scuba
The Paddling Gourmet - Sea
Kayaking
Conservation Nature Tours (CNT) -
Nature Tours |
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| Flora and Fauna: Within the park there are also
black bear, white-tailed deer, chipmunk, squirrel, raccoon, porcupine,
snowshoe hare, skunk, snakes, frogs, fox, and the fisher. Pet
Laws: Pets are allowed in the park but must be kept on
a short leash and waste collected for proper disposal. A leash of
three metres (10 feet) is the maximum. |
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| One of the parks inhabitants
- A beautiful red fox Photo courtesy Bruce Peninsula National
Park |
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Note: The Massausaga Rattlesnake
inhabits the park. The snake is amongst Canada's endangered
species. We pose a far greater risk to them, than they to us.
Ensure that you don't disturb them or damage their habitat while
you visit the park. |
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| Visit
our new site for Bruce
Peninsula National Park! |
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| Tourism |
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| A white tailed deer
and a shoe show hare |
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Visit
our new site for Bruce Peninsula
National Park!
Bruce Peninsula National Park is located near the end of an 80 km long
peninsula that follows the 800 km long Niagara Escarpment. Off the northern
tip of the park you'll find Canada's first National Marine park in the
form of Fathom Five. There are dozens of wrecks, easily accessible to
divers in uncommonly clear waters. This is one of the best diving areas
in North America.
There are no showers in the park. Showers may be had for a fee just outside
the park and in Tobermory.
Tourism
Out-There's Central Ontario North - The Muskokas,
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties
Out-There's Ontario
Official Site
Bruce Peninsula - Bruce County
Other Regions in Ontario
Out-There's Greater Toronto
Out-There's Prince Edward County
Accomodations - Nearby
- Beachside Cottages
- Sauble Beach
- Blue Bay Motel - Motel,
Tobermory, Ontario
- Branches from the Bruce
- Buckley's Cottages-
Tobermory, Ontario
- Coach House Inn -
Tobermory, Ontario
- Fiddlehead Resort Cottages
- Sauble Beach area
- Landon Lane Bed and Breakfast
- B&B, Lion's Head, Ontario
- Our Nest - B&B, Tobermory,
Ontario
- Sauble Beach Resort Camp
- Summer House Park - Camping
and Cottages
- Tamarac Island Inn -
Stokes Bay, Ontario
- Tobermory
Village Campground - Tobermory, Ontario
Visit our new site
for Bruce Peninsula National
Park!
Restuarants - Nearby
- Driftwood Restaurant - (519) 422-1332, Sauble Beach, Ontario
- Grandview Dining Room
- Tobermory, Ontario
- Lions Head Inn - (519) 793-4601, Lion's Head, Ontario
- Lobbies Beachfront Restaurant - (519) 422-1524, Sauble Beach, Ontario
- Stone Orchid - Tobermory,
Ontario
- Tamarac Island Inn -
Stokes Bay, Ontario
Weather - Bruce
Peninsula National Park
Towns and Villages - Nearby
Citys or Larger Centers - Nearby
Visit our new site
for Bruce Peninsula National
Park!
Attractions and Sites of Interest -
Nearby
Links of Interest
Transportation
Maps
Map of the Peninsula
- From Bruce Peninsula Tourism
Road Maps of Southern Ontario - From the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario
Official Site: Parks Canada Bruce
Peninsula National Park and Fathom Five National Marine Park
Visit
our new site for Bruce Peninsula
National Park!
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page received over 5000 visitors in the month of July alone. |
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by White Cat Media |