Hamilton 
Southern Ontario’s Byng Island Conservation Area, on the Grand River, draws in visitors for camping, picnics, fishing, paddling, boating, hiking, and is, overall, a perfect place for summer adventures. As a conservation area, Byng Island has numerous ways to explore the riverbanks and river, along with all the beautiful flora and fauna connected to the region. But there is one more, and one very large reason, that draws visitors to Byng Island.
Credit: Grand River Conservation Authority
Swimming in Canada’s Largest Outdoor Pool
It is true; Byng Island Conservation Area has an outdoor pool larger than any other in all of Canada. This incredible park feature provides a feeling of being out at the lake or swimming hole. While expansive, the pool is relatively simple to keep to that more natural feel; plus, the entire pool area is surrounded by the Grand Riverbanks’ forests. A ring of grass also surrounds the pool, providing space for towels and beach chairs. Given the pool’s size of 1.85 acres, both the shallow end and the deep end offer tons of space for lazing, floating, swimming, frolicking on the splash pad, and diving off the board. This pool has services like lifeguards on duty, washrooms, change rooms, showers, and a lifejacket loaner station. Campers can get a pre-purchased wristband for daily entry into the pool area.
A Perfect Blend of Nature & Urban Amenities
The dense pine and Carolinian forests around the Conservation Area, campgrounds, and riverbanks help to seclude the park. While Byng Island Conservation Area is conveniently close to Highway ON-3, and the town of Dunnville, the park’s forested riverside setting offers the feeling of an escape into nature.
Overall, the park is considerably large with over 350 campsites within five different loops, a separate trail and forest section, river access points, and one very big outdoor pool. The manmade pool blends into the natural, conservation area setting with the appearance of a large lake, rather than a pool. Time spent at Byng Island could be around the large expanse of pool, around the banks of the Grand River, around the marshes, creeks, or exploring outside of the park.
Dunnville is within a short drive or bike ride from Byng Island Conservation Area and has all the amenities and services required for a getaway while retaining small town charm. Between Dunnville and Byng Island Conservation Area are opportunities to explore a great deal of beautiful riverside nature.
Explore the Forested, Riverside Trails
The three main trails of Byng Island Conservation Area, altogether, total about 2km. Each short loop, the Creekside Trail, Carolinian Trail, and the Pines Trail, bring the hike away from the bustle of the park, campground, and pool, and into the diverse and dense forests of the Grand Riverbanks
- Many locations around the Ontario shores of Lake Erie offer up excellent birding opportunities. And while exploring the smaller creeks or marsh areas around the park, there also may be smaller critters to spot, or bigger birds like bald eagles.
A Day at Byng Island Conservation Area
A day visit to Byng Island Conservation Area could easily take up an entire day! Along with the country’s largest outdoor pool, the park has many other activities to plan for on a day trip. This could include renting canoes or kayaks and exploring the Grand River up close, walking the campground roads for riverside views from a distance, or hiking the forested trails.
- Pack a picnic! Day use visitors have access to an outdoor picnic area with tables and washrooms, and where the use of personal barbecues is permitted. These picnic areas surround the pool area and are near the main trailhead, a playground, and beach volleyball court.
- The town of Dunnville is directly across the Grand River from Byng Island and is home to numerous local eateries, many of which offer food to-go to help create a perfect picnic.
- Head across the Highway 3 bridge to pick up picnic snacks from places like Sunny Side Up!, Pothos Café Breakfast & Lunch, Bob’s Place, or the Dunnville Deli & Snack Bar.
Adventures on the Grand River
The Grand River flows south from the Byng Island Conservation Area and toward Lake Erie, which is about 7km downstream. The section of the river that cuts through the Conservation Area has a few wide, expansive areas, perfect for motorized craft, as well as adjacent creeks, ponds, and small inlets that wind around small islands. These calmer areas are great for a paddle adventure on the Grand, whether that be a canoe, kayak, or SUP.
- The park has two boat ramps: one beside the Willows Campground, and the other next to the Sulphur Creek Campground, which will also provide the fastest passage to Lake Erie. The Willows Campground boat ramp is better for exploring the Grand River before circling back to the park. Find the boat rentals at the ramp next to the Willows.
- That same area with the boat rentals and ramp also has hand-launch areas for the smaller craft and a place for fishing.
- The Grand River offers a chance to catch over 20 different species of fish!
Camping on the Grand River
Among Byng Island’s five campgrounds are over 350 campsites! And with those are 160 campsites with power and water hookup. The five campground loops each offer their own type of camping scenery, like the calmer Creekside at Sulphur Creek, between the pool and the Grand River at the Blue Heron, or where the creek and river meet at Willows and the Island.
- Sulphur Creek campground is set away from the other four loops as a quieter, radio-free area where audio and speakers are not permitted. This loop has only outhouses, while each campsite has a fire pit and a picnic table. Over half of the loop’s sites sit right on the creek banks.
- The remaining four loops are not radio-free, with a few more services such as comfort stations with showers.
Explore More of Dunnville
As a town within a half-hour walk, 10-minute bike ride, or 5-minute drive of Byng Island Conservation Area, Dunnville offers many other itinerary items for a camping or day trip. Those restaurants listed above may also have patio seating, and each will offer dine-in options. For more eateries, head to Dunnville’s Broad Street or Queen Street.
- Visiting the No. 6 RCAF Dunnville Museum will be a convenient first stop, as it is on the same side of the Grand River as Byng Island Conservation Area. The large property has picnic areas outside the museum and a building stocked with photos, memorabilia, artifacts, and vintage aircraft.
- The Dunnville Farmers’ Market (Tuesdays and Saturdays, May-December) will offer even more options for those Byng Island picnics and snacks, plus a whole host of other goodies and wares from local makers and producers to browse.
- As a riverside community, Dunnville certainly boasts beautiful trails for hiking and cycling along the Grand River. Start at Centennial Park, home to trails as well as Muddy the Mudcat, a 27ft.-tall mudcat statue.
25 Things to Do This Summer in Haldimand County
Ontario Road Trip: 50 Things to Do Along Lake Erie Shore
Planning Your Trip – Byng Island Conservation Area
What: The Byng Island Conservation Area is on the banks of the Grand River directly across from the town of Dunnville and near the confluence with Lake Erie. The single island in the park is home to one of the five campground loops, with the other four set on the riverbanks or back into the forests. These areas of the Grand Riverbanks are home to an incredibly diverse array of trees and forests, which turn brilliant shades each fall. There are no swimming areas on the swift Grand River, but it does provide excellent boating, paddling, and fishing opportunities. At the heart of the park, still, is an incredibly large man-made pool to provide some relief on hot summer days. This outdoor pool is the largest in Canada!
Location and how to get there: 4969 County Road 20, Dunnville; 38km west of Port Colborne, and 60km south of Hamilton
Best time to go: May 1 – October 15
Pool: June Mid to Labour Day. (June 26 – Labour Day, 2026 – DAILY from 11:00 A.M. to 6:30 P.M.)
How much:
Day Use:
Preschooler (3 and under): Free
Child (4-12): $4.00
Adult (13-64): $9.50
Senior (65+) / Person with disabilities: $7.50
Pool admission (ages 4+): $3.00
Camping $52.50 -$62.50 per night; Canoe rentals $22.00 per person/hour.
For more information:
