Sandbanks Provincial Park
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Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ Sandbanks
3004 County Rd.12, RR#1 Picton, ON, K0K 2T0 (613) 393-3319 No. of Sites (598) - 330 non-electrical sites, 268 electrical sites, 2 group sites, 2 cabins Wheel Chair Accessible Campsites - 1 (site 38) , 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. Operating Dates: January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 |
Terrain: World’s largest bay-mouth barrier dune formation. Some dunes can reach 25 metres (82 ft) high. Behind the barrier dunes lies a series of
foredunes that is sparsely vegetated and further back, pannes, back dunes, and reforested sand ridges. In the forested areas, creeping
juniper, white cedar, eastern hemlock, sugar maple, balsam fir, white spruce and three types of pine tree are common.
Staff: Friendly and super helpful. Some staff members went out of their way to offer a rest in their airconditioned vehicle on a super hot day.
Bathrooms: Comfort stations complete with showers, flush toilets and laundry facilities are located in all campgrounds at Sandbanks with the
exception of Richardson campground, which has no comfort station at all.
Shower: Showers are located in all campgrounds at Sandbanks with the exception of Richardson campground, which has no comfort station at all.
Beach: Sandbanks is famous for its beaches and swimming. It has three long natural sandy beaches. Outlet Beach is located in the East Lake
sector of the park and is perfect for families, with shallow waters and gentle drop off. Lakeshore beach is located in the Lakeshore day use
area off Lake Ontario and Dunes Beach is located in the Dunes day use area off West Lake. Outlet and Lakeshore beaches have gradual
drop-offs, but the Dunes Beach has a steep drop off and swimmers should take extra caution. There are no lifeguards posted at
the beaches.
Outdoor Water Faucets: Plenty of them, easy to find and good, clean drinking water
foredunes that is sparsely vegetated and further back, pannes, back dunes, and reforested sand ridges. In the forested areas, creeping
juniper, white cedar, eastern hemlock, sugar maple, balsam fir, white spruce and three types of pine tree are common.
Staff: Friendly and super helpful. Some staff members went out of their way to offer a rest in their airconditioned vehicle on a super hot day.
Bathrooms: Comfort stations complete with showers, flush toilets and laundry facilities are located in all campgrounds at Sandbanks with the
exception of Richardson campground, which has no comfort station at all.
Shower: Showers are located in all campgrounds at Sandbanks with the exception of Richardson campground, which has no comfort station at all.
Beach: Sandbanks is famous for its beaches and swimming. It has three long natural sandy beaches. Outlet Beach is located in the East Lake
sector of the park and is perfect for families, with shallow waters and gentle drop off. Lakeshore beach is located in the Lakeshore day use
area off Lake Ontario and Dunes Beach is located in the Dunes day use area off West Lake. Outlet and Lakeshore beaches have gradual
drop-offs, but the Dunes Beach has a steep drop off and swimmers should take extra caution. There are no lifeguards posted at
the beaches.
Outdoor Water Faucets: Plenty of them, easy to find and good, clean drinking water
Hiking Trails:
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 fields bordered by giant hedgerows and a mature, deciduous woodland where giant oaks and maples tower overhead. There are lots of wildlife viewing opportunities on this path, linking the Main Gate with the Dunes Beach
Sandbanks Dunes Trail – 2.5 km loop, easy to moderate
This trail loops through a unique and fragile dune habitat and travels along the edge of several pannes. The dune system is the largest of its kind in the world and the pannes are a rare wetland habitat that supports wildlife and unusual flora.
In addition to the main trail, there is also a one kilometre loop at the beginning of the trail that is barrier-free. Please stay on the trail to minimize your impact and to avoid Poison Ivy, which is common throughout the area. Trail Guide is available at trail.
Lakeview Trail – 2.4km one way, linear, easy, no trail guide
Shade trees and the smell of wildflowers in the fields lead to a breathtaking view along the edge of Lake Ontario. Linking the historical sites of the Lakeshore and Lakeview Lodges, this trail offers a shorter, 1km walking loop at West Point.
Richardson’s Trail – 1 km one way, linear, easy, no trail guide
The smell of pines and the buzz of cicadas greet you on this shortcut through the old pine plantations. These reforested areas, now linking Dunes Beach to Richardson’s campground, were established to slow the destructive movements of the dunes.
MacDonald Trail – 1.5 km one way, linear, easy, no trail guide
A useful connection between Woodlands Trail and the Lakeland Lodge Day Use Area, this trail bisects the fields and forest in the center of the park to provide a safe and speedy way for users to venture between the east and west parts of County Road 12.
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 fields bordered by giant hedgerows and a mature, deciduous woodland where giant oaks and maples tower overhead. There are lots of wildlife viewing opportunities on this path, linking the Main Gate with the Dunes Beach
Sandbanks Dunes Trail – 2.5 km loop, easy to moderate
This trail loops through a unique and fragile dune habitat and travels along the edge of several pannes. The dune system is the largest of its kind in the world and the pannes are a rare wetland habitat that supports wildlife and unusual flora.
In addition to the main trail, there is also a one kilometre loop at the beginning of the trail that is barrier-free. Please stay on the trail to minimize your impact and to avoid Poison Ivy, which is common throughout the area. Trail Guide is available at trail.
Lakeview Trail – 2.4km one way, linear, easy, no trail guide
Shade trees and the smell of wildflowers in the fields lead to a breathtaking view along the edge of Lake Ontario. Linking the historical sites of the Lakeshore and Lakeview Lodges, this trail offers a shorter, 1km walking loop at West Point.
Richardson’s Trail – 1 km one way, linear, easy, no trail guide
The smell of pines and the buzz of cicadas greet you on this shortcut through the old pine plantations. These reforested areas, now linking Dunes Beach to Richardson’s campground, were established to slow the destructive movements of the dunes.
MacDonald Trail – 1.5 km one way, linear, easy, no trail guide
A useful connection between Woodlands Trail and the Lakeland Lodge Day Use Area, this trail bisects the fields and forest in the center of the park to provide a safe and speedy way for users to venture between the east and west parts of County Road 12.
Pet Amenities: There is a pet beach down by the Lakeshore beach. Pets are not permitted on the beaches except in the designated pet area.
There are no pet exercise areas in this park.
Playground: There is a children's play structure at the Dunes beach.
Park Store: 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.
Currah’s Park Store and Grill located at the Outlet Beach day use area offers visitors a full line of camping supplies, ice, beach toys,
groceries and souvenirs. The restaurant features fresh salads, vegetarian dishes, and traditional grill favourites.
Currah’s Dunes Grill and Patio is located at the Dunes Beach overlooking the sand dunes and offers ice cream and grill favourites.
Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks and Stand-Up Paddleboards are available for rent at the wood yard. Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) are available
for loan with a $30 refundable deposit. Visitors can also borrow free of charge fishing rods and tackle through the Tackleshare program.
Sandbanks has an all-terrain (beach and shoreline) wheelchair and one floating (more submersible) wheelchair available to borrow. These
are loaned with a $100 refundable deposit on a first come basis commencing July 1st when the rental location is fully operational.
There are no pet exercise areas in this park.
Playground: There is a children's play structure at the Dunes beach.
Park Store: 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.
Currah’s Park Store and Grill located at the Outlet Beach day use area offers visitors a full line of camping supplies, ice, beach toys,
groceries and souvenirs. The restaurant features fresh salads, vegetarian dishes, and traditional grill favourites.
Currah’s Dunes Grill and Patio is located at the Dunes Beach overlooking the sand dunes and offers ice cream and grill favourites.
Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks and Stand-Up Paddleboards are available for rent at the wood yard. Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) are available
for loan with a $30 refundable deposit. Visitors can also borrow free of charge fishing rods and tackle through the Tackleshare program.
Sandbanks has an all-terrain (beach and shoreline) wheelchair and one floating (more submersible) wheelchair available to borrow. These
are loaned with a $100 refundable deposit on a first come basis commencing July 1st when the rental location is fully operational.
Things To Do At Sandbanks Provincial Park
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Canoeing
- Boating
- Birding
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Canoeing
- Boating
- Birding
- Picnicking
- Biking
Attractions And Places To Go Near Sandbanks Provincial Park
Closest City - Belleville, Ontario
- Westlake Willy Water Park
- Mad Dog Gallery
- Mustang Drive-In
- Caddy Shack Mini Golf in Picton
- Rhino Sports And Playland in Belleville
- Tyendinaga Caverns and Caves in Belleville
Closest City - Belleville, Ontario
- Westlake Willy Water Park
- Mad Dog Gallery
- Mustang Drive-In
- Caddy Shack Mini Golf in Picton
- Rhino Sports And Playland in Belleville
- Tyendinaga Caverns and Caves in Belleville
Directions:
It is about a three-hour drive from Toronto along the ON-401 East. Take Exit 522 onto Hwy 40 which will eventually join up with Loyalist Pkwy/County Rd 33 (a right hand turn at the intersection. You will see signs for Picton). You will make a left onto Prince Edward County Rd 1. Make a right onto Hwy 62and continue onto Bloomfield Main St/ON-33 E. Turn right onto County Rd 12 and follow it for about 9 km. You will come to a sign that gives you the option to go to the East Gatehouse or the West Gatehouse (East Gatehouse is used mostly by tenters and the West Gatehouse is used mostly by RVs but either gatehouse will gain you entrance and get you to where you need to go. There is no wrong choice). To go to the West Gatehouse, just continue straight. To go to the East Gatehouse, turn left at West Lake onto County Rd 18. After driving about 2 km, turn right onto County Rd 12. Stay in the left lane to get to the registration office.
It is about a three-hour drive from Toronto along the ON-401 East. Take Exit 522 onto Hwy 40 which will eventually join up with Loyalist Pkwy/County Rd 33 (a right hand turn at the intersection. You will see signs for Picton). You will make a left onto Prince Edward County Rd 1. Make a right onto Hwy 62and continue onto Bloomfield Main St/ON-33 E. Turn right onto County Rd 12 and follow it for about 9 km. You will come to a sign that gives you the option to go to the East Gatehouse or the West Gatehouse (East Gatehouse is used mostly by tenters and the West Gatehouse is used mostly by RVs but either gatehouse will gain you entrance and get you to where you need to go. There is no wrong choice). To go to the West Gatehouse, just continue straight. To go to the East Gatehouse, turn left at West Lake onto County Rd 18. After driving about 2 km, turn right onto County Rd 12. Stay in the left lane to get to the registration office.
It is about a 1.5 hour drive from Kingston via the ON-401 West. Take Exit 566 onto Hwy 49. Continue on ON-49 S. In the town of Prince Edward, turn left onto Lake St/ County Rd 33. After about 5 km turn right onto County Rd 11. This road will eventually turn into County Rd 12 and will take you straight to the East Gatehouse.
Signs For Directions To Park
The signs are not the worst but you are going to want to use GPS or a map because you are going to be going down a whole lot of backroads once you are off the 401 Hwy. The place that gave us an unexpected two second panic was when we had to quickly decide if we were going to the East gate or the West gate. Knowing ahead of time which gate you want will help, but in the end there is no wrong choice and you can get into the park at either entrance.
The signs are not the worst but you are going to want to use GPS or a map because you are going to be going down a whole lot of backroads once you are off the 401 Hwy. The place that gave us an unexpected two second panic was when we had to quickly decide if we were going to the East gate or the West gate. Knowing ahead of time which gate you want will help, but in the end there is no wrong choice and you can get into the park at either entrance.