Sand Banks Provincial Park in Ontario

Clarion Inn & Suites Belleville Fishing at Sandbanks Events at Sandbanks

Sandbanks Provincial Park Beaches. Sandbanks Park boasts three spectacular sandy beaches - Outlet Beach, Sandbanks Beach and Dunes Beach. With golden sand and sparkling waters, they are among the largest and most beautiful beaches in all of Ontario. The wide, sandy beaches and shallow waters at Outlet Beach and Sandbanks Beach on Lake Ontario and Dunes beach on West Lake are ideal for family swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and boating. Swimming starts sooner at Dunes Beach as the inland water warms up faster than Lake Ontario. Two of the finest bay mouth sandbars and coastal sand dune systems in the province can be found at Sandbanks.

Sand Banks Provincial Park Hiking & Cycling Trails. Sandbanks Provincial Park features two beautiful trails - Cedar Sands Trail and Woodlands Trail. Cedar Sands Trail is a 2km interpretive self-guided trail over the East Lake sandbar that explains the ecology of the famous sand dunes. Woodlands Trail is a 5 km trail (2.5 hour walk) from Outlet Beach to Dunes Beach beside West Lake. Walk or cycle through Woodland Campground, woodlands and pastures along this beautiful trail as you view diverse wildlife. Cycle along the Woodland Trail and then explore the picturesque countryside and lakeside vistas of Prince Edward County. During the winter, you can cross-country ski and snowshoe along 10 kms of groomed trails and warm up along the way at a cabin with a wood stove. The trails at Sandbanks feature stairs over the steepest dunes to protect the delicate vegetation.

Boating, Sailing & Canoeing at Sand Banks. The tranquil waters around Sandbanks Provincial Park are ideal for motorboating, sailing, sailboarding, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. The Park features 2 boat launches, and you can rent canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and surfbikes at the Wood Yard and Boat Rental Facility on Outlet River. Sandbanks Park is an ideal destination for sailboarding and windsurfing as the wind and water conditions are considered perfect.

Fishing at Sandbanks Park. East Lake and West Lake are excellent fishing spots for large and small mouth bass, walleye, pike, perch and a variety of panfish. The nearby Bay of Quinte is well-known as one of the best locations in North America for catching walleye (pickerel). The eastern end of Lake Ontario also hosts a variety of other species, depending on the season, including Chinook salmon, which draw the attention of anglers looking to catch the "big one."

Wildlife at Sandbanks. The diverse habitats at Sandbanks are home to an interesting mix of flora and fauna, wildflowers and wildlife. Efforts to stabilize shifting sands have revived distinctive dune plants such as bluets, butterfly weed and sand spurge. Visitors can view a wide variety of indigenous wildlife, such as small mammals, frogs and reptiles. You can also see a variety of birds that live in the park, as well as migrating species that stop here in the spring and fall. Viewing platforms and a boardwalk that overlook Outlet River and the Baymouth sand dune complex are ideal for wildlife viewing.  [Top]

Events at Sandbanks Provincial Park. Sand Banks Provincial Park offers educational programs and special events during the summer, including guided trail walks and hikes, evening slide and film presentations, campfires and children's programs. At the Visitor Centre, you can view exhibits about the park's history and natural attractions. During "Theatre in the Park,” the Interpretive Staff dress up in historical costumes and provide an evening of drama, comedy and music presenting the history of Sandbanks in an entertaining venue.

Camping at Sandbanks Provincial Park. Sandbanks Park provides four campgrounds with a total of 549 campsites and a special area for group camping. Camp sites provide picnic tables, fire grills and drinking water taps. Throughout the campgrounds, you’ll find comfort stations with showers, a laundry and washroom facilities. The Park Store sells camping supplies and souvenirs, and a restaurant serves breakfast and light meals. Reservations are recommended during July and August.  [Top]