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Lake Erie’s Ontario shores are dotted with several parks, conservation, and protected areas.
Credit: Credit: Michael Krahn/Unsplash
These areas help to preserve the rare beauty and escape that these shores offer, plus all the critters who call it home. For one of the quieter escapes in the area with any amenity you’d need on a trip, Port Burwell Provincial Park is a perfect summer or fall destination. The park covers a smaller 2.5km stretch of shoreline and extends north to cover the forested areas to the west of Big Otter Creek.
Within this wooded part of Port Burwell Provincial Park is where you’ll find the beautiful campgrounds, the park trails, or access to Big Otter Creek. To the south, day-use visitors and campers can get access to one of Lake Erie’s nicest beaches. Any of these locations in Port Burwell Provincial Park will offer great opportunities for birding, wildlife viewing, nature photography, and stargazing.
Port Burwell Provincial Park is within walking or cycling distance from the town of the same name. Port Burwell is a quieter community, but it is where campers can access great local food and shopping, a second beach, and local history and culture.
2.5km of Lake Erie Beach
Enjoy the southern waters of Ontario’s Lake Erie shores for a dip in the shallow parts, a rigorous swim, or relaxing on the sand. There is 2.5km of that sand!
- Port Burwell Provincial Park also boasts a separate dog beach. Here, pups are free to swim or frolic off-leash.
- The park’s beach amenities include volleyball nets, a playground, picnic tables, washrooms, and showers.
Late Summer & Fall Birding near Port Burwell
Port Burwell Provincial Park is considered to be one of the best places in southwestern Ontario to see the spring and fall migrations. It is an incredible sight as many of the birds which pass over the area are of the larger species.
- See owls, eagles, and hawks passing by in large numbers. Also watch for the bright colours of the migrating bluejays!
- Beyond the birds, this area is also the setting for other migrations: monarch butterflies and dragonflies are known to fly over on their way south.
Hike the Beach or Ravine
The provincial park hiking trails take you between the beach and campground or into the wooded ravine.
- Use the 1km Ravine Creek Trail to learn more about the park’s natural surroundings and history. The interpretive trail will have 11 stops with signage to help explain more about the flora and fauna around you.
- Get the best views of Lake Erie from Port Burwell Provincial Park’s Beach Trail. The trail gives campers easier access to the beach and includes a 20m-high lookout point over the lake and bluff.
- Port Burwell Provincial Park host educational and interpretive tours throughout the spring, summer, and fall. These commonly involve a guided hike or walk with different themes for each like park animals, park trees and plants, bugs, or stars and astronomy.
Fishing & Boating the Big Otter Creek
The Big Otter Creek acts as a dividing line between the Provincial Park and the town of Port Burwell. While not technically in the park, the creek is still close and within walking distance of the beach or campgrounds. Fishing is best done along the creek as opposed to the lake shore, with chances for a variety of fish species.
- Hurley Street in Port Burwell provides access to the local boat launch areas for launching onto the Big Otter Creek, or Lake Erie access. Boaters are warned that the creek and lake junction equal choppy waters meant for experienced boaters. But with this comes great windsurfing conditions!
- For those without gear but still looking for fishing or boating adventures, South Coast Charters offer guided trips from June to September.
Tent & RV Camping
There are three campgrounds within the Provincial Park for tents and RVs. Plus, 153 of these sites offer electricity hook-up. The campgrounds are within walking distance from the beach, washrooms, laundromats, showers, and a camp store. Group campsites are also available!
Exploring Port Burwell
Walk, bike, or drive across Big Otter Creek to explore the many attractions and things to do in town. Get a taste for the local cuisine, spend a day at the local Port Burwell beach, shop the local stores, or learn through the museums and theatre.
- After a day at the Provincial Park beach, make time for the town’s public beach across the creek from the park. The Port Burwell beach offers everything you’d need for a picnic or day in the water including tables and benches, plenty of sand, washrooms, and a volleyball area. Find a few local food trucks parked right at the beach, too!
- For more local food in Port Burwell, follow Robinson Street. Along the way you’ll find ice cream shops, patios, takeout, and more.
- Port Burwell is home to a few local and notable cultural attractions including the Museum of Naval History and the HMCS Ojibwa, Port Burwell Marine Museum and Historic Lighthouse, or the Port Burwell Periscope Playhouse.
Planning your Trip – Port Burwell Provincial Park
What: the park covers and protects part of the Lake Erie shoreline west of Big Otter Creek and the town of Port Burwell. The park is an important location for spring and fall bird migration seasons, and for protecting other parts of the shoreline area. The Provincial Park offers a great deal of campsites, a large beach, and some of the best birding in southwestern Ontario.
Location and how to get there: on the Lake Erie shoreline across the Big Otter Creek from the town of Port Burwell
Use Highway ON-42, south of ON-3, to access the park or town
Cost: ON Parks day use permit $18
Best time to go: May-October
For more information:
Top Things to Do on a Summer Trip to Port Burwell on Lake Erie
