Bruce Peninsula National Park
Ontario
•Est. 1987
Area
125 km² (48 sq mi)
Natural Region
St. Lawrence Lowlands
Annual Visitors
460,435
Established
1987
About the Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park is known for its rugged limestone cliffs, clear blue waters, and diverse forests. It forms part of the Niagara Escarpment UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Park Location
History
Established in 1987, the park was formed from lands previously designated as Ontario's Cyprus Lake Provincial Park to protect the unique ecosystems of the Bruce Peninsula.
Landscapes
The park features dramatic cliffs, rocky shores, dense forests, and clear lakes. The Grotto, a sea cave with clear turquoise water, is a popular attraction.
Wildlife
Inhabited by species such as black bears, massasauga rattlesnakes, red foxes, and a variety of bird species.
Activities
Offers hiking on the Bruce Trail, swimming, camping, and bird watching. The park is also popular for its dark skies, ideal for stargazing.
Visitor Information
Best Time to Visit
Late May–September for hiking, swimming, and kayaking; early October for fall colours.
Nearby Towns/Cities
Tobermory, Lion's Head, Wiarton.
Facilities
Interpretive visitor centre, campgrounds (frontcountry and backcountry), yurts, restrooms, picnic areas, boat docking facilities.
Services
Guided hikes (seasonal), interpretive programs, kayak/canoe rentals, shuttles to major sites, information desk.
Top Highlights
The Grotto, Georgian Bay shoreline cliffs, Cyprus Lake, Bruce Trail, Flowerpot Island (accessible by boat tours).
Scenic Drives
Highway 6 to Tobermory; shoreline routes around Georgian Bay.
How to Get There
By car via Highway 6 (approx. 4hrs from Toronto); boat access to Flowerpot Island; nearest airport: Wiarton (limited commercial flights).
Parking
Paid parking at main park lots and The Grotto (reservations required in peak months).
Park Features
Natural Beauty
Pristine Wilderness
Wildlife
Native Species
Activities
Outdoor Adventures
Scenic Views
Photo Opportunities
Similar National Parks You Might Enjoy
Discover more natural wonders like Bruce Peninsula National Park. These parks share similar features, landscapes, or geographical locations that you might find interesting.
Rouge National Urban Park (Urban)
Location
Ontario
Established
15 May 2015
Area
79.1 km² (31 sq mi)
Rouge National Urban Park, Canada’s first national urban park, is located in the Greater Toronto Area and spans parts of Toronto, Markham, Pickering, and Uxbridge. The park features an extraordinary mix of natural, cultural, and agricultural landscapes, including rivers, forests, farmland, and wetlands. It provides a rare opportunity to explore nature within a large metropolitan area and is home to a wide variety of wildlife and plant species.
Thousand Islands National Park
Location
Ontario
Established
1904
Area
24 km² (9 sq mi)
Annual Visitors
109,284
Thousand Islands National Park, formerly known as St. Lawrence Islands National Park, is the oldest national park east of the Rocky Mountains. It encompasses 21 islands and several mainland properties scattered along the St. Lawrence River, within the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve.
Point Pelee National Park
Location
Ontario
Established
29 May 1918
Area
15 km² (6 sq mi)
Annual Visitors
492,122
The first national park established for conservation, Point Pelee is the southernmost point of the Canadian mainland, and also includes the southernmost point overall on Middle Island. The marshy wetland environment is a known stop for migratory birds and monarch butterflies, and since 1987 is a Ramsar Convention Wetland of International Importance.