9 interesting things to know about Bruce Peninsula National Park

The Bruce Peninsula is one of Ontario’s most precious ecological treasures. There are so many things that make it spectacular, from the crystal-clear blue waters and rocky cliffs of Georgian Bay to the soft sand beaches of Lake Huron. Much of the northern end of the Bruce Peninsula is included in Bruce Peninsula National Park. This 140-square-kilometre federally protected parkland within the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

Bruce Peninsula National Park is worth visiting for its unique vistas and excellent hiking opportunities. But there’s much more going on in the park you may not be aware of. Some of these tidbits of information are very cool, while knowing others will help you plan a safe and enjoyable stay. Here are nine interesting things to know about Bruce Peninsula National Park.

We’ve enjoyed many visits to Bruce Peninsula National Park, both independently and on media tours hosted by Bruce Grey Simcoe and Destination Ontario. Have questions about planning a visit to Bruce Peninsula National Park? Join our Facebook community!

You need a reservation to access Bruce Peninsula National Park’s most popular areas

Bruce Peninsula National Park and its surrounding area have become very popular destinations. To help manage crowds and protect the park’s fragile ecosystems, Parks Canada has implemented a reservation system in the parking lots at the park’s most frequently visited locations.

From May to October, you’ll need to make a parking reservation in advance to park at some or all of the most scenic spots along the Georgian Bay coast. These include access to the Grotto, Halfway Log Dump, and Little Cove. Park day-use fees are included in the cost for reservations, which are offered in four-hour time slots.

It’s not a good idea to go to Tobermory without reservations. Be sure to book well in advance to secure parking permits for Bruce Peninsula National Park and nearby accommodations to avoid disappointment.

Check out our ultimate guide to things to do in Tobermory >

If you camp within Bruce Peninsula National Park, you don’t need a parking reservation for the Grotto

There’s only one exception to the mandatory parking reservations for the Grotto. If you camp overnight at Cyprus Lake Campground within Bruce Peninsula National Park, you can hike to the Grotto from your campsite without having to book a separate reservation.

This makes it worthwhile to book one of the park’s 232 campsites or 10 yurts when they’re available. Cyprus Lake Campground is a very popular overnight option in Tobermory. You’ll need to book well in advance to secure a campsite during the busiest seasons.

Flowerpot Island is not part of Bruce Peninsula National Park

You’ll often hear travellers talk about hiking on Flowerpot Island while they’re visiting the Bruce Peninsula. Flowerpot Island is protected by Parks Canada, but did you know it’s not part of Bruce Peninsula National Park? Technically, the hiking trails and tower immediately behind the visitor centre in Tobermory aren’t, either!

These areas fall within Fathom Five National Marine Park. It became Canada’s first federally protected area of marine conservation when it was established in 1987. The two parks work closely together to make their most popular experiences seamless for visitors.

Find out how to get to Flowerpot Island >

The park protects one of the largest uninterrupted stands of forest left in Southern Ontario

With a total area of 140 square kilometres, Bruce Peninsula National Park conserves the single largest stand of contiguous forest remaining in Southwest Ontario. It’s remarkable for its globally rare ecosystems and old growth forest, including white cedar trees that are over 1,000 years old!

There are also more than 30 species of ferns and 34 distinct orchid species within the park. That’s two-thirds of all the orchid species found in Ontario. One of these is the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid, one of the rarest in all of North America.

One of the best ways to get a feel for the scale of this forest is to climb the 112 steps up the tower at the Parks Canada visitor centre in Tobermory. When you reach the top, you’ll have a 360-degree view of northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula. It’s truly awe-inspiring, and it will change your perspective once you’re back on the ground and gazing up at the trees!

Bruce Peninsula National Park is one of the last remaining Massasauga rattlesnake habitats

Did you know Bruce Peninsula National Park is home to Ontario’s only venomous rattlesnake? The Massasauga rattlesnake was once common throughout the province. Today, the park is one of the few natural habitats it has left.

If you stay on marked trails within Bruce Peninsula National Park, your odds of encountering a Massasauga rattlesnake are very low. (See how we don’t have a photo of one to share? In all our visits to the park, we’ve never seen a Massasauga rattlesnake once.)

If you do come across one, please don’t harm it! The Massasauga rattlesnake is a threatened species. These snakes are very timid, and they’re not quick to bite humans. They’ll always try to hide or escape rather than strike if given the chance.

Massasauga rattlesnakes don’t always rattle if humans approach, but if you hear the signature rattle, pause, look and listen. Once you spot the snake, wait for it to leave before continuing on your way. If you can’t see where the noise came from, consider turning around or taking a wide detour.

In the highly unlikely event you’re bitten by a Massasauga rattlesnake, stop what you’re doing, call 911 (or send someone else to call 911 if you’re outside of mobile signal), clean the wound, and move as little as possible until help arrives.

Bruce Peninsula National Park is black bear country

It’s the rugged beauty of the Bruce Peninsula that attracts human visitors, but we’re not the only ones who appreciate it. Bruce Peninsula National Park is home to a population of black bears, and a genetically distinct one at that. To keep both us and them safe, it’s so important to follow Parks Canada’s Bare Campsite guidelines to ensure bears aren’t attracted into areas where humans frequent.

When not in use, food and scented items like soaps and toothpaste should be kept in a food locker or a hard-sided vehicle like a car or camping trailer. Never leave these items in a tent or out in the open. And when you go hiking, be sure to bring any waste back from the trail with you for proper disposal. Visit the Parks Canada website to earn more about bear safety at Bruce Peninsula National Park.

Bruce Peninsula National Park has a beautiful sandy beach

Bruce Peninsula National Park is best known for the blue waters and rugged cliffs of the Georgian Bay shores. But did you know there’s a beautiful and shallow sandy beach within the park, too?

Singing Sands Beach is on the Lake Huron side of the Bruce Peninsula. Like many of Lake Huron’s beaches, it’s a wonderful place for families with small children. The sand is soft and the water remains shallow for a long distance. Even if you don’t have young ones along, it’s worth visiting Singing Sands Beach just to appreciate how different the environments are on the Bruce Peninsula’s two shorelines.

Unlike other areas of the park, you don’t need to buy a parking permit in advance to visit Singing Sands Beach. Parking does fill up quickly on sunny summer days, so plan to arrive early to secure your spot.

Tick safety is important within Bruce Peninsula National Park

One side effect of climate change is that warmer weather is pushing some species further north than they’ve traditionally been found.

Ticks used to be a rarity as far north as Bruce Peninsula National Park, but they’re now being seen increasingly often. This includes the black-legged tick, which carries Lyme disease, a serious medical condition caused by bacteria transferred from the tick when it bites. Ticks are still less common at Bruce Peninsula National Park than in many surrounding areas, but it’s important to be prepared nonetheless.

Wear long pants, socks, and closed-toed shoes when hiking. Use insect repellant that contains DEET or icaridin. Carry a set of tweezers in your first aid kit so you can remove any attached ticks promptly. Ticks find you by hanging out at the ends of long leaves and grasses, so the best prevention is to stay on established trails and away from vegetation. Visit the Government of Canada’s website for more information on how to stay tick safe outdoors.

Bruce Peninsula National Park is the starting point for the Bruce Trail

Did you know Bruce Peninsula National Park is the starting point for Canada’s oldest established footpath? On the Bruce Trail, you can start in Tobermory and walk for 900 kilometres along the Niagara Escarpment to reach Queenston, a community located just north of Niagara Falls!

Hiking the entire Bruce Trail is a monumental undertaking, but many people choose to tackle it in smaller sections. You can follow the Bruce Trail along Georgian Bay throughout Bruce Peninsula National Park, including overnight stays at the backcountry campsites if you wish. From there, you can continue past the park boundary.

The Bruce Trail connects to more local trail systems. These include the Lion’s Head Lookout trail, the Greig’s Caves Trail, and the Devil’s Monument Loop Trail. The Bruce Peninsula is truly a place where you can choose your own hiking adventure!

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