An advance booking system is in place for day use at Sandbanks and North Beach Provincial Parks. Visitors should not head to these Provincial Parks without an advance reservation which can be made online or by phone up to 5 days in advance. More info here.
Full Answer
Do you need a day use permit to visit sandbanks?
Many summer days — especially weekends — Sandbanks hits capacity and can’t welcome any more visitors. This year, you need to book your day use permit in advance to guarantee entry. We really hate to turn away visitors, especially knowing many have driven several hours to get here. Planning a trip to Sandbanks?
What is there to do at Sandbanks?
Comfort stations complete with showers, flush toilets and laundry facilities are located in all campgrounds at Sandbanks with the exception of Richardson campground. Day Use. Outlet Beach, Lakeshore and Dunes Beaches are popular day use areas. All three have sandy beaches with emergency phones (but no lifeguards). Picnic tables are also available.
Are there boat launch facilities at Sandbanks State Park?
Other boat launch facilities are available outside the park. Although there are no formal canoe routes at Sandbanks, the Outlet River is ideal for those just learning to canoe and who wish to explore the marsh habitat. During the summer, park staff offer a variety of fun, interactive educational programs.
When is the best time of year to visit sandbanks?
One of the best times to visit Sandbanks is during the spring and fall shoulder seasons. Beat the crowds by visiting in May/June or after Labour Day. Please visit our Alerts page or social media accounts for updates to park and beach conditions. 4. I made a camping reservation — do I wait in the same line?
How do I book a day pass to Sandbanks?
How to obtain a daily vehicle permit for one of the participating parksOnline at reservations.ontarioparks.com.By phone by calling 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275) – Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.28-May-2021
Do you need a reservation to go to Sandbanks beach?
Do I need a reservation? Yes. This year, you need to book your permit in advance to guarantee entry.12-Jun-2021
Do I need a day pass for Sandbanks?
Information about Provincial Parks: Advance reservations for day use vehicle permits are required to access Sandbanks and North Beach Provincial Parks. Bookings can be made five days in advance at reservations.ontarioparks.com.
How much is a day pass at Sandbanks?
Day Use Fees - 2019Daily Vehicle PermitBase FeeTotalRegular (Age 6 - 17)$0.89$1.00Regular (Age 18 +)$1.77$2.00Ontario Senior$1.55$1.75Ont. Persons with Disabilities * (Age 6 - 17)$0.44$0.5036 more rows
Can anyone go to Sandbanks beach?
Considered one of the best beaches in Britain, Sandbanks has won the prestigious Blue Flag award more than any other UK resort. The beach has soft, golden sands and breath-taking views. There are beach guidelines to follow so that everyone can enjoy beaches in Poole.
Which is the best beach at Sandbanks?
Dunes BeachBest beach in sandbanks - Dunes Beach, Picton Traveller Reviews - Tripadvisor.
Are Ontario provincial parks free for day use?
Even if you have a seasonal or commercial vehicle permit, accessing a park that offers daily vehicle permits in advance is subject to park capacity limits. You will be required to obtain your day use spot in advance at no extra charge using your seasonal or commercial vehicle permit's serial number to guarantee access.
Do I need a reservation for Ontario Parks?
While encouraged, there is no requirement to reserve ahead of time. Where we have availability, Ontario Parks will continue to accommodate last-minute arrivals who don't have reservations.28-Nov-2019
Are provincial parks still free in Ontario?
Ontario Parks will offer free day-use visits and issue free permits on those days. Visitors will still need a permit to visit parks from Fridays to Sundays. At all other parks (except the 17 parks with advance pass), daily vehicle permits are available on arrival at the gatehouse or at a pay and display machine.28-May-2021
What is the best provincial park in Ontario?
Top Provincial Parks in OntarioAlgonquin Provincial Park.Quetico Provincial Park.Killarney Provincial Park.French River Provincial Park.Bass Lake Provincial Park.Petroglyphs Provincial Park.Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park.Lake Superior Provincial Park.23-Apr-2017
How much is a vehicle permit Ontario Parks?
Day Use Fees - 2021Daily Vehicle PermitBase FeeAnnual Vehicle Permit - (valid from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021)$99.00Summer Vehicle Permit - (valid from April 1, 2021 to November 30, 2021)$75.00Winter Vehicle Permit - (valid from December 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022)$60.00Walk-in fees - per personBase Fee36 more rows
Can I buy an Ontario Parks Pass online?
Thank you for visiting the Ontario Parks Online Store. Paddle route maps, Ontario Parks gift cards and 2022 Seasonal Vehicle Permits are now available for purchase through the online store.
Where is the Friends of Sandbanks Nature Shoppe?
The Friends of Sandbanks Nature Shoppe is located at the Visitor Center and the main park office and is stocked with a variety of Sandbanks souvenirs, clothing items, artwork, nature books, guides and much more. The Shoppe is open daily during the operating season.
Where is the Discovery Center in Sandbanks?
The Discovery Centre is located in the West Lake Campground gatehouse across from the Dunes Beach. The Discovery Center has brand new displays and offers an opportunity to learn more about Sandbanks history and natural features through displays including a “dig site” to look for artifacts and a live turtle.
Is Sandbanks Dunes barrier free?
Barrier Free. All comfort stations within the park have barrier-free access. A one kilometre loop at the beginning of the Sandbanks Dunes Trail is barrier-free.
How many people visit Sandbanks Provincial Park?
How to beat the crowds at Sandbanks. Sandbanks Provincial Park is one of the busiest parks in the province, welcoming over 750,000 visitors every summer! At peak times, visitors might wait over two hours just to make it inside the gate. Many summer days — especially weekends — Sandbanks hits capacity and can’t welcome any more visitors.
What is the Blue Flag in Sandbanks?
Sandbanks Provincial Park holds a Blue Flag designation, meeting international standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education, safety, and services. The park is one of only 35 Blue Flag holders in Canada.
When is a campsite permit valid?
A campsite permit is valid upon check-in after 2:00 pm on the day of arrival and until 10:00 pm on the day of departure. Be aware: on busy days, all roads going into the park can be backed up for hours, so campers arriving at peak times may still face long waits to access these bypass options. 5.
What is Sandbanks Beach famous for?
Sandbanks is famous for its beaches and swimming. It has three natural sand beaches: Outlet Beach is located in the East Lake sector of the park, Sandbanks beach is located in the Sandbanks day use area off Lake Ontario and Dunes Beach is located in the Dunes day use area off West Lake. Outlet and Sandbanks beaches have gradual drop-offs, but the Dunes Beach has a steep drop off and swimmers should take extra caution. Please note: there are no lifeguards posted at the beaches and pets are not permitted except on the designated pet area.
Can you bike in Sandbanks?
Biking. Sandbanks does not have dedicated bicycle trails but cyclists can explore the park along campground roads. Prince Edward County, beyond the boundaries of the park, is a favourite destination for bicycle touring.
How many people can you accommodate at Sandbanks?
Sandbanks has two group campsites that vary in size and can accommodate from 30 to 50 people. Water taps are nearby and vault toilets are on site. Outlet Beach is approximately 1 km away.
How many campsites are there in Sandbanks?
Sandbanks offers over 500 car campsites in five campground areas: Outlet River A & B, Cedars in the East Lake sector, Richardson’s in the West Lake sector and the Woodlands Campground located between East and West Lake sectors of the park.
Is Woodlands Campground a sunny campground?
The Woodlands Campground offers both shady and sunny sites. Sunny sites are preferred by fall campers when temperatures are cooler. All sites in the Woodland Campground offer electrical service. Swimming, boating and the Visitor Centre are only a short distance away.
How many parks in Ontario have day use permits?
As part of the plan to encourage people to get outside as we recover from the pandemic, the Ontario government is providing free day-use permits at more than 100 provincial parks. The day-use permits will be available for use at 115 provincial parks from Monday to Thursday until September 2.
How far in advance do you need a permit to visit Ontario parks?
Visitors will be able to obtain a daily vehicle permit in advance for select provincial parks up to five days prior to arrival.
What parks in Ontario have a daily permit system?
Ontario Parks announced today that a new daily vehicle permit system will be implemented at 17 select provincial parks, including Sandbanks Provincial Park and North Beach Provincial Park.
Is Wellington Rotary Beach included in the daily permit system?
View the latest update on the Wellington Rotary Beach reservation system. The Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park is not included in the daily vehicle permit system. Ontario Parks has, though, instituted paid parking to encourage traffic flow throughout the day at the popular destination.
How far in advance can you cancel a reservation at a campground?
For Camping and Day-Use Parks, reservations must be cancelled a minimum of three (3) days in advance of the reservation/check-in date in order to receive a refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee and non-refundable reservation fee.
How many days before a courthouse wedding can you cancel a reservation?
For Courthouse Wedding Reservations, reservations cancelled at least 60 days out will be refunded the full site fee minus the non-refundable reservation fee.
How many times a year can you visit provincial parks?
Explore provincial parks for an entire year (January 1 to December 31). Visit 5 or more times a year and it pays back. Go for a hike, to the beach, for a picnic, drop a fishing line and so much more. If you are a private individual or family, this pass is for you.
When will the daily permit be available in 2021?
Daily vehicle permits will be available in advance at 17 parks starting June 7 , 2021. You can buy advance permits up to 5 days before arrival.
When does the Ontario Parks permit expire?
Ontario Parks is extending the expiry date of the following permits for one year: The 2021 Annual and Commercial Daily Vehicle Permit expiry date will be extended from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022.
Biking
Birding
Boating
- Powerboats are allowed on Lake Ontario, East and West Lake but not near the swimming areas or on the beach. A boat launch is located in the Outlet River A Campground. It is suitable for boats less than 18 feet. Other boat launch facilities are available outside the park.
Canoeing
- Although there are no formal canoe routes at Sandbanks, the Outlet River is ideal for those just learning to canoe and who wish to explore the marsh habitat.
Discovery Program
- During the summer, park staff offer a variety of fun, interactive educational programs. Join a Park Naturalist as you explore the hiking trails, stop by the Visitor Centre to learn about the 1920s Lakeshore Lodge, bring your young campers to the children’s programs and take the whole family to the evening campfires and slide shows!
Fishing
- East and West Lake are popular fishing lakes for Yellow Pickerel, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and various pan fish.
Hiking
- Cedar Sands Nature Trail – 2 km loop Walk along the shores of the Outlet River and stop at the two lookouts providing scenic views of the marsh. This is an interpretive trail with 12 stops. Trail guides are available at the trailhead or the Friends of Sandbanks Gift Shop. Woodlands Trail - 3.5 km, linear,(7km total out and back) easy, no trail guide Immerse yourself in old agricultural field…
Swimming
- Sandbanks is famous for its beaches and swimming. It has three natural sand beaches: Outlet Beach is located in the East Lake sector of the park, Sandbanks beach is located in the Sandbanks day use area off Lake Ontario and Dunes Beach is located in the Dunes day use area off West Lake. Outlet and Sandbanks beaches have gradual drop-offs, but the D...