Things To Do in Bruce Peninsula: A Year-Round Guide
Bruce Peninsula is a beautiful part of Ontario, with lush boreal forests, pristine lakes, jagged, picturesque coastlines on both sides of the narrow strip of land, and a rich culture and history. The peninsula juts out into Lake Huron, creating a division between the lake to the west and Georgian Bay to the east. Along the Eastern edge is the Niagara escarpment, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, famous for its towering cliffs that plunge into the clear waters of the lake and the bay. At the very north end is the Bruce Peninsula National Park, capped by the town Tobermory, where you can catch a ferry to Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater Island in the world. With so many things to do In Bruce Peninsula, we created this handy guide to help you make the most out of your trip.
Spring
As spring brings a renewed energy to Bruce Peninsula, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in the fresh weather. If you’re looking to get outside, The peninsula is filled with vibrant nature and beautiful landscapes.
- The Bruce Peninsula National Park, located in the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, with orchids, ferns and black bears, is famous for the towering cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment that plunges into the blue waters of Georgian Bay.
- The Bruce Trail, which runs from the southern part of Lake Ontario, around the lake, past Hamilton, and all the way up to Tobermory, has a long and beautiful section on the peninsula starting in the town of Wiarton, with breathtaking views from the Niagara Escarpment on the peninsula.
Summer
Summer in Bruce Peninsula offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some activities to enjoy under the warm sun:
- Bruce Peninsula is blessed with long, beautiful coastlines on both sides, filled with lovely beaches.
- Sauble Beach Perfect is for sunbathing, beach volleyball, and long walks along the shoreline. It has various water sports and amenities like restaurants and shops.
- Lion’s Head Beach is more secluded. With a mix of sand and pebbles, it is great for swimming, picnicking, and enjoying the views of the cliffs surrounding the area.
- Enjoy one of the many boat tours out of Tobermory with Tobermory Wave Adventures, such as the Shipwrecks, Grottos and Flowerpots tour, and cruise along over 35 kilometers of beautiful turquoise water to explore the caves and national parks of the peninsula.
- Attend a flower festival, like the Bruce Peninsula Orchid Festival, with over 40 orchids indigenous to the peninsula, and the Bruce Peninsula National Park’s Tulip Festival.
Fall
As the foliage turns into a vibrant palette of colours, Bruce Peninsula offers captivating experiences to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and crisp autumn air.
- Enjoy the colourful foliage with a hike or drive along the Fathom Five National Marine Park coastline or the Bruce Peninsula Loop.
- Go apple Picking at one of the many nearby orchards on the Bruce Peninsula Apple Trail.
- Attend a festival, like
- Pumpkinfest in Port Elgin, and
- the Thornbury Cider & Apple Festival.
Winter
When winter blankets Bruce Peninsula in snow, the peninsula becomes a white wonderland. Here are some activities to enjoy during the snowy season:
- Go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on one of the many beautiful trails.
- Snowmobile on the OFSC trail network
- Attend a winter festival, like
- the Wiarton Willie Groundhog Day Festival every February 2nd,
- Winterfest in Sauble Beach in January
A Note About Driving in the Winter
This section is a safety notice geared for the cottage vacationers coming from the south, unfamiliar with a Canadian winter. For locals already accustomed to our snowy climates and icy roads, this paragraph will be old news.
In winter, driving is more hazardous due to the freezing temperatures causing icy, slippery roads, and reduced visibility during snowstorms. Winter tires are an absolute must, and snow chains are a great idea. Make sure your battery is good, as it works harder to start your car in cold weather, and your wipers are working well. A remote car starter is a huge bonus, to allow your vehicle to warm up without you having to go outside to turn it on and then wait. Having a CAA membership is also highly recommended, in case of an emergency, as well as an emergency car kit consisting of gloves, hats, a blanket, a first aid kit, booster cables, a small shovel and a flashlight. As for driving, make sure to follow speed limits, drive defensively, and be prepared for snowplows, using caution when passing them. Knowing how to get your car out of a snowbank may come in handy as well.
Explore the Towns of Bruce Peninsula
Bruce Peninsula has many small, charming towns with interesting history and culture, and good food, that are worth visiting.
- Tobermory is the gateway to Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world. It is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, and is one of the premier freshwater snorkeling and scuba diving sites in Canada. The Fathom Five National Marine Park has submerged geological formations like cliffs, caves, and overhangs, and more than 20 historical shipwrecks. For food, Shipwreck Lee’s Pirate Bistro serves seafood, and you can find locally sourced dishes at Leeside Restaurant & Patio.
- Lion’s Head is a municipality on the Eastern shore, named because if you view the cliffs from Georgian Bay, they resemble the head of a lion. The Lion’s Head Provincial Nature Reserve has epic coastal landscapes and trails, and the Lion’s Head Lookout Trail has magnificent panoramic scenery. Rachel’s Bakery & Restaurant offers delicious comfort food.
- Southampton, located at the mouth of the Saugeen River, offers beautiful Lake Huron beaches, boat tours of the scenic Chantry Island, with its iconic lighthouse. and the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre. Enjoy local cuisine at Elk and Finch Coffee Pub or lakeside dining at The Walker House.
- Sauble Beach is one of the world’s longest freshwater beaches, with sandy shores, water sports, and a vibrant boardwalk. Some good restaurants include Darryl’s Downtown Bar and Grill for fish and chips, and Luscious Bakery Deli Cafe for beachfront dining. Other popular attractions include the charming downtown, and the scenic drive along the Bruce Peninsula Loop.
- Wiarton is famous for the Wiarton Willie Groundhog Day Festival every February 2nd.His statue can be found at Bluewater Park, another popular attraction of the town, as well as Spirit Rock Conservation Area, which has over 5 km of scenic trails, and ruins of the McNeill estate, giving a look back into the history of the settling of Bruce County. Other attractions include the Bruce Caves Conservation Area, and water activities on Colpoys Bay.
While there’s plenty more to experience, we hope our guide of things to do in Bruce Peninsula has given you some ideas of how to enjoy your time there.
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Alex Laframboise
Alex is a champion of Ontario’s cottage lifestyle, leveraging her love for nature and years of management expertise to create unforgettable rental experiences. Cottaging near Lake Nipissing, Alex developed a deep connection to cottage country, which inspires her storytelling and marketing work at Cottage Vacations.
