Point Pelee National Park

Point Pelee National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Canada, but it more than makes up for its size in what it offers visitors. Encounter a great variety of flora and fauna, especially birds, in the forests, marshes, savannahs and beaches.

Point Pelee National Park is the most southern national park in Canada, as well as its most ecologically diverse. It’s also one of the premier spots in North America for birdwatching, thanks to the park’s proximity to two dedicated migration flyways.

Visit the Point Pelee National Park website

Two people hike along a wooden boardwalk across marshlands. — Point Pelee National Park | Destination Ontario

How to get to Point Pelee National Park

Location: 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington

By car: Located in Essex County, Point Pelee is about an hour’s drive south of Windsor. Parking is available on-site.

By transit: VIA Rail provides train service to Windsor. From Windsor, take Transit Windsor to Leamington. Use Leamington’s On-Demand Transit to get to Robson Road and Turn Around Circle. Point Pelee Park is a 30-minute bike ride or two-hour walk south.

Know before you go

Day-use areas, including beaches, are open during park hours only. Park operating hours change seasonally.

Vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas. There are multiple picnic areas, including grills, throughout the park. Dogs much be kept on leash.

See accessibility features

Things to do at Point Pelee National Park

Discover more activities and experiences.

Watch the bird migration

Witness the park come alive with the calls and songs of migrating birds. Over 370 bird species have been spotted in the park.

Hike the trails

Explore various landscapes including beaches, savannahs, forests and marshes along eight trails that cover over 14 kilometres.

Paddle the waters

Rent a kayak or canoe to explore the park by water.

Gaze at the night sky

Designated as a dark sky preserve, Point Pelee features millions of stars visible to the naked eye.

Enjoy cozy camping

The campsite at Camp Henry offers 24 spacious shelters with mattresses for six people, a living area, heat and a natural gas barbecue.

Take home a piece of Point Pelee

Stop by the Visitor Centre and Nature Nook Gift Shop to purchase a unique souvenir, including toys and books that support Canadian parks.

Articles and itineraries

Get ideas and inspiration for your next trip.

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A person hikes along a wooden boardwalk through a lush forest. — Point Pelee National Park | Destination Ontario

Interesting facts about Point Pelee National Park

“Pelee” comes from the French word “pele,” meaning bald. Point Pelee is on a landmass that juts 15 kilometres into Lake Erie. This odd-shaped peninsula was formed over time by sediment deposited along the beach and now the area is full of marshes and forests.

The area became a Canadian national park in 1918, and in 1987, it was named a Ramsar site under the jurisdiction of the Ramsar Convention, which promotes the conservation of wetlands.

Point Pelee beach is 20 kilometres long, making it the longest continuous beach in Essex County.

Accessibility Features

Accessible entrances/exits

A sufficiently wide, hard surfaced, unobstructed path, no steps or equipped with ramp connecting to a public entrance or exit and identified by signage. Automatic door openers, adequate manoeuvring room in front of door.

Accessible hotel bathroom

Accessible tub or roll-in shower; transfer bench, grab bars, handheld showerhead. Toilet grab bars, manoeuvring room by toilet; accessible door handle/lock; sink with knee clearance; lever or automatic faucets for bath/sink.

Accessible hotel bedroom

Adapted room with adequate clear floor space around all room fixtures, (i.e. bed, closet) for people using mobility devices: bed at proper height for a transfer and clearance under bed to slide in a portable lift.

Accessible parking

At least one identified, reserved parking space with a safe, clearly marked accessible route from the designated parking area to an accessible building entrance.

Accessible recreation trails

One or more accessible trails with firm and stable surface. All slopes, ramps, handrails, boardwalks and signage comply with the technical requirements of Ontario's accessibility laws.

Accessible seating

Reserved space with a clear view of the event/activity for someone who is seated, good sound quality, and adequate manoeuvring room for a mobility device.

Accessible transportation

Accessible public transportation and/or accessible shuttle buses serve the site.

Accessible washroom

An accessible washroom stall has adequate manoeuvring room for mobility devices. Includes grab bars, transfer space, accessible door latch, sink with knee clearance, and lever handles or automatic sensor faucets.

Service animals welcome

Service animal can be identified by visual indicators (guide dog or other animal wearing a vest/harness); or documentation available from a regulated health professional to confirm the animal is required due to a disability.

Wheelchair accessible

Unobstructed path through public hallways that are wide enough to allow people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices to move easily through the building.

Wheelchair and/or mobility devices available

Wheelchairs and/or mobility devices are available, free of charge, or for rent.

Last updated: November 25, 2024