Toronto 
Overview
About Rouge Beach Park & Rouge Marsh, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Rouge River that flows from Oak Ridges Moraine to Lake Ontario, forms the provincially significant wetland, Lower Rouge Marsh at its southern end – where it meets Lake Ontario. Past the marsh, the Rouge River flows into Lake Ontario through a sandy channel. The expansive sandy beach at Lake Ontario is one of the eleven swimmable beaches in the City of Toronto.
The Rouge Beach is now part of Rouge Urban National Park.
What to do at Rouge Beach Park?
Attractions & Things to do
- Have a beach day at the easternmost beach in the City of Toronto.
- Walk the sandy beachfront trail that connects the waterfront trail.
- Bird watch.
- Explore the largest wetland and marshes in Toronto through boardwalk or canoeing.
- Fish (license required) at the marsh.
- Enjoy beautiful sunsets and moonlit nights at the beach.
- You can also join for canoeing, paddle boarding classes here which are conducted by Pickering Rouge Canoe Club. They also have summer camps for kids.
When to visit Rouge Beach Park?
Rouge Beach Park Hours
Year round – dawn to dusk.
Vehicular access is not allowed after 9:00 PM and the gates are locked at this time.
Lots reopen between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. daily.
Trails are not maintained in winter and no vehicular access in winter.
Time required to visit:
One hour or more depending on interest.
How much to visit Rouge Beach Park?
Free Admission.
Pedestrian Bridge over the River.
How to get to Rouge Beach Park?
Rouge Beach Park is located at eastern border of Toronto at 195 Rouge Hills Drive, Toronto. Take Port Union exit from 401 or Highway 2, go south on Port Union Road and turn left at Lawrence Ave E to reach the park.
You may like to hike: Doris McCarthy Trail
By public transit –
TTC – #54A Starspray loop at Lawerence Avenue East.
Rouge Hills Go station is located near the park. Walk the waterfront trail from the station for ~ 1.5 km to reach the beach.
It is also connected from Pickering Waterfront Trail (First Nations Trail).
Free limited parking available on-site. The parking lot is locked at 9 p.m. daily. Lots reopen between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. daily. Parking not available in winter.
Overflow Parking.
What about Amenities & Accessibility at Rouge Beach Park?
Board Walk is accessible. Accessible washrooms. Wash rooms are open from May long weekend to Labour Day.
No rentals available – Bring your own equipment. Motorized boats are not permitted.
The city of Toronto no longer staffs Rouge Beach as it is under Parks Canada. The above images were taken in 2018.
Easter weekend, the park is busy with folk enjoying a walk or cycle. Why are the washrooms locked up? The closest washroom to the Rouge River is at West Rouge Go Station. Seems cruel!
when do they open the gates and washrooms?
I have been going here for years what is going on its locked up all the time now for car access can you possibly tell me why?
This beach has been closed to the public for a while now even before COVID 19 due to the flooding in the parking lot. Any idea as to when the beach is expected to open again.
Toronto staff are NOT taking care of the beach. People are lighting camp fires all over the 4k walk, and the washrooms are closed early in the season. Lets see some enforcement officers there and extend the washroom hours so people can actually use the park.