Ontario Destination: Prince Edward County (PEC) ⛺️ 🌊 🗺️

If you’re looking for a getaway that may not even be too far from your home, but feels like it’s somewhere tropical, allow me to introduce you to Prince Edward County. Located on the Eastern shores of Lake Ontario, Prince Edward County is a location with something for everyone – lush beaches, taste of lake life, delicious food, camping, glamping, so many opportunities await you here.

There is still more for me to explore in this area, so I will be updating this post every time I discover something in this area. For now, here are some of the things I highly recommend for you to check out.

Locations – Swim, Hike, Explore

I have a feeling that photos are going to be more convincing than my words in this section. Every spot here is just so scenic.

Sandbanks Provincial Park

With 3 huge and beautiful beaches, as well as 6 hiking trails, this park is a must-see in my personal opinion. The three beaches are different from eachother, the Dunes Beach is very unique looking and it felt like I was on a deserted island. It did not feel like Ontario! The other two beaches are more popular for having a beach day, swimming and sandy activities.

If you hike to the most Southern point of Lakeshore Beach, there are some beautiful rocks that you could swim at and it’s less populated there as well. Overall, Sandbanks is such a great Ontario gem.

North Beach Provincial Park

This park is quite small but offers a great beach that is perfect for a beach day. Most of the beach is lined with the dreamiest sand, but there is also a portion of flat rock that works great for sun bathing on. I especially recommend this beach for families with young children as the water is quite shallow for a ways out, and it’s very clean.

Point Petre Conservation Area

I am going to include a screenshot here so you know where to park and walk in, but you can also drive in if your vehicle is built for the small hills, mud and puddles. I was not sure with what to expect at this location as Google only had a few images of sunsets, but this was in my top 2 favourite stops of my most recent trip to PEC. The water is so blue, there are beautiful rock formations that remind me of a mermaid’s dream landscape, and it was not very busy here on a hot Saturday midday which is pretty hard to come by.

Little Bluff Conservation Area

I think this spot would be great for paddling on a calm day. It is pretty similar looking to Halfway Log Dump in Tobermory. The only spot here I missed was of the ruins so I certainly have to make it back here. The water looks very clear here, which makes the colour of the water so vibrant. There are beautiful rock formations to see, as well as some short hiking trails.

Lake On The Mountain Provincial Park

This is a small Provincial Park located in PEC. It has a view platform of the lake with a short walkway and a picnic table. This lake is thought to be ancient as it is from being a small pocket of softer limestone and is from the glacial lake that used to cover this county. The narrow ridge of rock that separates the lake from the cliffs overlooking Lake Ontario makes this a very scenic spot.

Stays – Camping + Glamping

Glamping

I had the chance to visit my friend who was staying at the cutest stay. It’s an Airstream called The Nomad by TinyStays and it was so cozy. It has a hammock, firepit, outdoor bath/shower, deck, and inside of the Airstream is decorated so perfectly down to the smallest details. There are a total of 4 different similar stays on this property near the water that you can book on Airbnb all owned by TinyStays. Definitely worth checking out!

Camping

I camped at the Woodlands Campground in Sandbanks Provincial Park and it was a great frontcountry site. Some sites in this particular area of Sandbanks are more field with bushes, and some have more trees surrounding the sites, so be sure to take a look at the photos when booking your campsite on the Ontario Parks website.

Eat – Food, Snacks, Beverages

There seems to be a lot of great food stops in PEC so I need to return immediately for a little food tour!

The Bean Counter

Coffee stop anyone? Be sure to check out The Bean Counter in Picton – they also have some yummy smoothies!

Slickers Ice Cream

Who can say no to Ice Cream? That’s right, no one. Especially when it’s made with Ontario cream and local ingredients.

~ As I said, I will certainly be updating this page as I explore more in this area! But for now, I hope this helps you start planning your next trip to PEC.

Until next time,

Katie 🥾 🌲

Looking for more recommendations? Check out The Adventure Girl Podcast