Bruce Peninsula National Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Southern Ontario. It’s famous for rugged natural cliffs and rocky caves that rise out of the turquoise waters of Georgian Bay.
Situated on 156 square kilometres, the park sits atop the Niagara Escarpment with spectacular views and vistas. Established in 1987 and operated by Parks Canada, Bruce Peninsula National Park provides visitors with incredible outdoor experiences, from extensive hiking trails to stargazing and winter camping.
Bruce Peninsula National Park | Destination Ontario
How to get to Bruce Peninsula National Park
Location: Tobermory
By car: Several key sites in Bruce Peninsula National Park are accessible from Highway 6. The Visitor Centre is at 120 Chi sin tib dek Road in Tobermory. Limited first-come, first-served parking is available during the summer at the Visitor Centre and Singing Sands. You’ll need to reserve parking at other locations.
By transit: Parkbus is a private tour company that provides bus service from Toronto to Bruce Peninsula.
By ferry: The Chi-Cheemaun Ferry transports passengers and vehicles between Tobermory and South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island two to three times a day, depending on the season. The ferry operates in the spring, summer and fall.
Know before you go
Reservations for camping and most parking at Bruce Peninsula National Park are required. Make reservations well in advance.
The park is extremely popular from mid-June to mid-September, so consider visiting in early spring, late fall or winter for a quieter visit.
Things to do at Bruce Peninsula National Park
Discover more activities and experiences.
Swim in a stunning natural pool
Take an hour-long hike to “The Grotto,” a limestone sea cave and an underwater tunnel that glows in the sunlight. This is one of the park’s most popular attractions and requires pre-planning and reservations.
Explore coves and beaches
Find unique coves, rock formations and beaches, such as the cobblestone beach at Indian Head Cove, the rare cliff-edge ecosystem at Driftwood Cove and the gorgeous boardwalk at Singing Sands beach.
Connect in nature
From bouldering to birdwatching, geocaching to fishing, canoeing to snowshoeing, there are so many activities and experiences available at the park.
Hike the trails
Hiking trails in Bruce Peninsula National Park lead through mixed forests, along the rugged shoreline and connect to the Bruce Trail, the longest marked hiking trail in Canada.
Enjoy wildlife viewing
Keep an eye out for wildlife, including black bears, snowshoe hares, red foxes, porcupines, deer and diverse species of birds.
Camp year-round
Camping and overnight accommodation options in the park include drive-in sites, group camping, backcountry camping, yurt camping and winter camping.
Articles and itineraries
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Interesting facts about Bruce Peninsula National Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park is located along the Niagara Escarpment, a long cliff created by retreating tectonic plates most famous for producing Niagara Falls. The rock of the escarpment is approximately 400 million years old.
The Bruce Peninsula is an ecological hotspot home to several rare and sensitive plant species. The concentration of over 30 types of rare and unique orchids is higher than any other Ontario location. It also supports half the world’s remaining Dwarf Lake Iris, rare Tuberous Indian Plantain and over 20 kinds of ferns.
The park is also a designated Dark Sky Preserve, which is an area that restricts artificial light pollution, making it ideal for stargazing.
Last updated: May 17, 2024