Darlington Provincial Park
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Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★
1600 Darlington Park Rd, Bowmanville, ON, L1C 3K3 (905) 436-2036 No. of Sites (322) - 186 non-electrical sites, 136 electrical sites, 2 group sites, 0 walk-in sites, 0 Yurts, 0 cabins Wheel Chair Accessible Campsites - 2 (sites 32 and 33) which are next to a barrier free comfort station Operating Dates: May 3, 2024 to October 15, 2024 for camping but is open for day use year round. |
Terrain: Gentle hills with mostly second-generation regrowth, as the park was reforested in the 1960s after being cleared for farmland. There are
marshy areas and cliffs along the borders. The park shore lines are along Lake Ontario.
Staff: Friendly and cheerful
Bathrooms: Clean, and in pretty good condition with flush toilets. The hand dryer could use an update but still works just fine.
Comfort stations are centrally located in Lakeside, Cliffside and Hilltop Campgrounds. The Lakeside Campground comfort station is
equipped with showers. Showers are also available at the Hilltop A shower building, conveniently located between Hilltop and
Cliffside Campgrounds. There is also a comfort station at day use Area #2, close to the beach.
Shower: Warm water that is turned on by pushing a button. There is no way to adequately control the temperature but it is not too hot and not too
cold. Laundry facilities are available at the Hilltop A shower building.
Beach: There is a beautiful stretch of sandy beach, perfect for swimming, on the shores of Lake Ontario. One end is sectioned off and is off limits
due to the nesting grounds of the Piping Plover that are an endangered species that reside there. The other end of the beach runs along
the bottom of the cliffs.
Outdoor Water Faucets: Plenty of them, easy to find and good, clean drinking water
marshy areas and cliffs along the borders. The park shore lines are along Lake Ontario.
Staff: Friendly and cheerful
Bathrooms: Clean, and in pretty good condition with flush toilets. The hand dryer could use an update but still works just fine.
Comfort stations are centrally located in Lakeside, Cliffside and Hilltop Campgrounds. The Lakeside Campground comfort station is
equipped with showers. Showers are also available at the Hilltop A shower building, conveniently located between Hilltop and
Cliffside Campgrounds. There is also a comfort station at day use Area #2, close to the beach.
Shower: Warm water that is turned on by pushing a button. There is no way to adequately control the temperature but it is not too hot and not too
cold. Laundry facilities are available at the Hilltop A shower building.
Beach: There is a beautiful stretch of sandy beach, perfect for swimming, on the shores of Lake Ontario. One end is sectioned off and is off limits
due to the nesting grounds of the Piping Plover that are an endangered species that reside there. The other end of the beach runs along
the bottom of the cliffs.
Outdoor Water Faucets: Plenty of them, easy to find and good, clean drinking water
Hiking Trails:
Burk Trail 1.25 km (30 minutes) moderate
This trail moves through fields, meadows and mature forest past a pioneer cemetery to a scenic lookout over Lake Ontario. Watch for the elusive Coopers Hawk at the bluff and songbirds in the meadows.
McLaughlin Bay Trail 1.5 km (1 hour) easy
As you hike this trail from McLaughlin Bay, you travel through a marsh ecosystem into the transitional zone between wet and dry land. Plants and animals abound here, especially nesting waterfowl such as the Great Blue Heron. This trail links to the wildlife reserve and Oshawa Second Marsh Trails system at the west boundary of the park.
Robinson Creek Trail 1 km loop (30 minutes) easy
Starting and finishing at the Visitor Centre, this trail follows the intermittent Robinson Creek through a forested ravine full of mature willow, Staghorn sumac, maple trees and a diversity of plants and wildlife.
Waterfront Trail 2.6 km (1 hour) easy
A small section of the 350 km, multi-use trail that follows the shore of Lake Ontario from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Trenton and passes through Darlington.
Burk Trail 1.25 km (30 minutes) moderate
This trail moves through fields, meadows and mature forest past a pioneer cemetery to a scenic lookout over Lake Ontario. Watch for the elusive Coopers Hawk at the bluff and songbirds in the meadows.
McLaughlin Bay Trail 1.5 km (1 hour) easy
As you hike this trail from McLaughlin Bay, you travel through a marsh ecosystem into the transitional zone between wet and dry land. Plants and animals abound here, especially nesting waterfowl such as the Great Blue Heron. This trail links to the wildlife reserve and Oshawa Second Marsh Trails system at the west boundary of the park.
Robinson Creek Trail 1 km loop (30 minutes) easy
Starting and finishing at the Visitor Centre, this trail follows the intermittent Robinson Creek through a forested ravine full of mature willow, Staghorn sumac, maple trees and a diversity of plants and wildlife.
Waterfront Trail 2.6 km (1 hour) easy
A small section of the 350 km, multi-use trail that follows the shore of Lake Ontario from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Trenton and passes through Darlington.
Pet Amenities: none
Playground: There is a jungle gym down by the beach
Park Store: The park store has firewood, ice, camping supplies, groceries and treats, as well as scooped ice cream.
Rentals: Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's) are available for rent at the park store. Picnic shelters and BBQs in the day use areas are also
available for rent. Reservations can be made online or by phone.
Playground: There is a jungle gym down by the beach
Park Store: The park store has firewood, ice, camping supplies, groceries and treats, as well as scooped ice cream.
Rentals: Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's) are available for rent at the park store. Picnic shelters and BBQs in the day use areas are also
available for rent. Reservations can be made online or by phone.
Things To Do At Darlington Provincial Park
- Fishing (Some fish species in the bay include, perch, pumpkin seed, pike, catfish, and bass. You can borrow fishing rods and tackle at the park
store through the TackleShare program. )
- Birding (Many species of migratory birds can be seen in the park in the spring and fall.)
- Boating (Only motors up to 9.9hp are permitted on McLaughlin Bay. The open waters of Lake Ontario are suitable for larger motorboats and
sailboats.)
- Canoeing (The sheltered waters of McLaughlin Bay are ideal for canoeing)
- Hunting (There is a controlled waterfowl hunt at Darlington which operates from mid-September to mid-December each year. Hunting is only
permitted from designated blinds on McLaughlin Bay and takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. Contact
the park for more information, (905)436-2036.)
- Discovery Program (Daily, during the summer months, there are many opportunities for the whole family to learn about the natural ecology and
cultural history of Darlington and the surrounding area. Many programs are offered including children’s activities, drop-in
programs, and guided hikes. Many special event weekends also take place throughout the season.)
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Fishing (Some fish species in the bay include, perch, pumpkin seed, pike, catfish, and bass. You can borrow fishing rods and tackle at the park
store through the TackleShare program. )
- Birding (Many species of migratory birds can be seen in the park in the spring and fall.)
- Boating (Only motors up to 9.9hp are permitted on McLaughlin Bay. The open waters of Lake Ontario are suitable for larger motorboats and
sailboats.)
- Canoeing (The sheltered waters of McLaughlin Bay are ideal for canoeing)
- Hunting (There is a controlled waterfowl hunt at Darlington which operates from mid-September to mid-December each year. Hunting is only
permitted from designated blinds on McLaughlin Bay and takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. Contact
the park for more information, (905)436-2036.)
- Discovery Program (Daily, during the summer months, there are many opportunities for the whole family to learn about the natural ecology and
cultural history of Darlington and the surrounding area. Many programs are offered including children’s activities, drop-in
programs, and guided hikes. Many special event weekends also take place throughout the season.)
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
Attractions And Places To Go Near Darlington Provincial Park
Closest City (town) - Oshawa, Ontario
- McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve
- The Panic Factory Escape Rooms (in Courtice)
- Harmony Creek Golf Centre
- Neb's Fun World (in Oshawa)
- Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden
Closest City (town) - Oshawa, Ontario
- McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve
- The Panic Factory Escape Rooms (in Courtice)
- Harmony Creek Golf Centre
- Neb's Fun World (in Oshawa)
- Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden
Directions:
Take Hwy 401 and get off on exit 425 between Oshawa and Bowmanville
Warning! Do not follow Lady Google's Instructions! She will take you to the McLaughlin Wildlife Preserve because it borders the Darlington Park borders. Instead, be sure to type in the word "gatehouse" after Darlington Provincial Park or drop a new pin in the correct spot. The park is further tot he east and you need to take exit 425 to reach it.
Take Hwy 401 and get off on exit 425 between Oshawa and Bowmanville
Warning! Do not follow Lady Google's Instructions! She will take you to the McLaughlin Wildlife Preserve because it borders the Darlington Park borders. Instead, be sure to type in the word "gatehouse" after Darlington Provincial Park or drop a new pin in the correct spot. The park is further tot he east and you need to take exit 425 to reach it.
If you are coming from the west then you will drive further past the park and then head back towards the park gate. Do not take exit 419.
Signs For Directions To Park - You don't see many signs for the park until you are almost there. But the ones that you do see are easily spotted.