Bruce Peninsula National Park

Bruce Peninsula National Park

Ontario Canada Parks and Hiking Trails

Bruce Peninsula National Park is a stunning natural reserve located on the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada. Known for its dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear turquoise waters, dense forests, and diverse wildlife, the park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Spanning over 1,000 square kilometers, the Niagara Escarpment offers an array of hiking trails, including the famous Bruce Trail, which stretches along the edge of the escarpment and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

Highlight of the Bruce Peninsula National Park

One of the park's most iconic features is the Grotto, a picturesque sea cave located along the coastline of the park. The Grotto is renowned for its striking beauty, with its clear, bright blue water and the cave's entrance that opens to the stunning expanse of the bay. Visitors can swim in the cool, clear waters of the Grotto or explore the cave, where sunlight filters through the water and creates an ethereal glow. This captivating location is a popular spot for photography, hiking, and swimming, making it one of the must-see destinations within Bruce Peninsula National Park.

Bruce Peninsula National Park Camping, Campgrounds and Campsites

Bruce Peninsula National Park offers semi-wilderness, yurts and backcountry camping, in ideal locations for your park adventure.

Campers staying at the Cyprus Lake Campground can hike to the Grotto from their campsite. If you’d like to park in the Grotto parking lot, you will need to book a parking space in the same manner as anyone else.

Camping in the park is popular, reservations are required from May through October. Weekdays in the spring and fall offer opportunities with fewer people, natural attractions, bird migrations, spring flowers and fall colours.

Certain rules and regulations apply when camping at Bruce Peninsula National Park. Regulations are designed to protect you, the visitor, and also the park for enjoyment by future generations. It is your responsibility to be aware of the regulations.

Hiking At Bruce Peninsula National Park

The Niagara Escarpment runs as the backbone to the Bruce Peninsula, creating a mosaic of habitats to explore. Hiking trails wind through the forests and along the rocky end of this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, including part of the 782 km Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest footpath.

Hiking within the park can allow you access to some of the most spectacular scenery along the shoreline, but please wear proper footwear and be prepared so you’ll enjoy your experience while out on the trails. 

Trails of Bruce Peninsula National Park

Here is a selection of popular trails in the park:

Cyprus Lake Area

Georgian Bay - Marr Lake Trail to Indian Head Cove and the Grotto
3km, 3.0 hours, difficulty varies from moderate to difficult

The Georgian Bay Trail is the quickest path to the park's scenic cliffs and shore. At the shoreline, this trail meets the Bruce Trail, giving hikers two route options. Halfway Rock Point offers an excellent vista: on the northern horizon lie Flowerpot and Bear's Rump islands in Fathom Five National Marine Park. From here the trail enters Indian Head Cove, favoured by both swimmers and SCUBA divers. West of this cove are two sea caves, the Natural Arch, and further along, the Grotto. These caves were carved from the rock face by centuries of waves beating on the porous dolomite of the cliffs. At least two underwater entrances lead into the Grotto from the Bay.
The return route via Marr Lake is identified by signs on the cobble beach west of Indian Head Cove. Be careful. This route is rough as it crosses the boulders along the shore between the Grotto and Marr Lake.

Horse Lake Trail
1km, 0.5 hours, moderate difficulty 

This trail skirts the eastern side of Horse Lake and wanders through a great diversity of habitats (i.e. marsh, lake edge, woodland shoreline). The trail ends at a boulder beach on Georgian Bay. Here the options are to return the same way or continue along the shore in either direction on the Bruce Trail.

Cyprus Lake Trail
5km, 2.5 hours, low difficulty 

For the less rugged experience, follow this trail around Cyprus Lake. A watchful eye will note the charred stumps from forest fires of the early 1900s. There are many access trails from the Cyprus campground and campers are encouraged to use this trail as their path to the Head-of-Trails.

Halfway Log Dump
1km, 0.5 hours, moderate difficulty 

This short trail from the parking lot will bring visitors to a rugged cobble beach along the Bruce Trail. Hikers are treated to the stunning view of sheer cliffs and white cobble stone beaches. When exploring in either direction along the Bruce Trail or shoreline, hiker should be prepared for extremely rugged terrain. 

Note:  Hiking to the Grotto from Halfway Log Dump should only be attempted by experienced and well prepared hikers.  The trail is rugged and requires roughly 3 hours each way.  There are no taxi or shuttle services between park destinations.

Singing Sands Boardwalk
200m, 5 mins, low difficulty

Take this short stroll to admire the small but astonishing plants that grow in the Singing Sands Fen habitat. This extremely delicate wetland is home to a variety of orchids and insect eating plants.

Wild Garden Trail
3km, 1.5 hours, moderate difficulty

Head though the woods and dunes along Dorcus Bay toward the rare alvar habitat. This exposed bedrock may seem barren, but mosses, lichens and some rare flower species flourish in this harsh environment.  

Visitor Centre

Little Dunks Lookout
800m, 25 mins, low difficulty

After climbing the tower at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre, head out along the trail to a platform view of Little Dunks on Georgian Bay, and easy glimpse of the crystal clear blue waters of the area. 

Bruce Peninsula National Park

Ontario Canada National Parks and Trails