Sandbanks Provincial Park
RV Guide
Introduction
RV campers who also love the water will find Sandbanks Provincial Park, located in Ontario, Canada, the ideal mix of camping and lakefront fun. Sandbanks Provincial Park is home to the world’s largest barrier dune formation and some of the best beaches in the area. The park, flanked by Lake Ontario, East Lake, and West Lake, is a beautiful facility that offers recreational activities and numerous camping locations; RV campers who stay at Sandbanks Provincial Park will find the park is simultaneously exciting and relaxing.
The park is a seasonally operating facility that frequently hosts events such as interpretive programs, holiday celebrations, and festivals as well as local cleanup days and community events. Sandbanks Provincial Park spends the warmer months of the year providing people of all ages and interests something to see and do within the park’s boundaries. Because of all of the activities taking place at the park, it is a favorite seasonal place to visit for both locals and out of town guests.
Aside from activities within the park, the area around Sandbanks Provincial Park draws visitors year round because of the numerous vineyards, wineries, and art galleries located within a ten mile (16 km) radius. If you enjoy trying local wines, schedule a wine and vineyard tour and see what makes this area of Ontario a popular destination for wine tastings.
RV Rentals in Sandbanks Provincial Park
Transportation
Driving
Sandbanks Provincial Park, located near Prince Edward, Ontario, Canada is a 221 km drive northeast of Toronto. The park is located 288 km southwest of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Guests visiting the park must pay a daily vehicle permit fee as well as an overnight camping fee for more than one vehicle. Prices vary depending on the residency and ages of the guests. Fees are payable upon entry.
Campers who wish to have a campfire must secure a campfire permit and purchase wood within the park. It is against camping rules and regulations to have a fire outside of approved areas. All wood used for fires must be obtained from the campground.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Sandbanks Provincial Park
Campsites in Sandbanks Provincial Park
Reservations camping
Woodlands Campground
The Woodlands Campground, located between East and West Lake sectors of the park, is a pet-friendly camping area that operates seasonally. The sites have 15-30 amp electrical spaces, and each space has a fire ring with a grill grate. The grass and natural ground cover driveways permit RVs and trailers over 32 feet, with many sites accommodating larger rigs. To check if your RV or trailer will fit, check the site specifics when reserving your campsite. The campground provides trash and recycle bins, a dump station, drinking water, and comfort stations featuring flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
Richardson's Campground
Richardson’s Campground, located near the West Lake sector, is a small pet-friendly, seasonally operating camping area that sits along the banks of Lake Ontario. The sites are a mix of non-electric and 15-30 amp electrical spaces, and each space has a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill grate. The grass and natural ground cover driveways permit RVs and trailers up to 32 feet, with many spaces accommodating larger rigs. To check if your RV or trailer will fit, check the site specifics when reserving your campsite. The campground provides trash and recycle bins, drinking water, vault toilets, and it is close to the beach area and parking. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
Cedars Campground
The Cedars Campground, located in the East Lake sector, is a pet-friendly, seasonally operating campground located close to the beach. The dry camping sites have natural surface driveways and accommodate RVs and trailers up to 32 feet in length, and all of the sites have a picnic table with a fire ring and grill grate. The campground has vault toilets and comfort stations with flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities, as well as trash and recycle bins. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
Outlet River Campground
The Outlet River Campground is a two-loop campground that is pet-friendly and operates seasonally. Both loops have spaces with 15-30 amp electrical hookups, as well as dry camping spaces, and all of the sites have a picnic table with a fire ring and grill grate. Some of the natural surface and sand sites have pull-through driveways accommodating RVs and trailers up to 32 feet. The waterfront campgrounds are close to the day use areas, East Lake, and Ontario Lake. Both campgrounds have vault toilets and comfort stations with flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities as well as trash and recycle bins. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
Seasonal activities in Sandbanks Provincial Park
Off-Season
Birding
Birdwatchers who plan their camping trips around birding opportunities will love the chance to see many different species of waterfowl and birds in and along the marshes and waterways of Sandbanks Provincial Park. Bring your binoculars and cameras and stop by the Friends of Sandbanks Nature Shoppe to pick up a local birding checklist. Ask the staff where some of the birds have been spotted recently, and then see if you can find one of your favorite or must-see birds on your quest. Besides the waterfowl that inhabit the area, the park sees a variety of migratory birds during the fall and the spring, and both seasons are prime birdwatching seasons for the vicinity.
Visitor Center / Park Store
RVers and visitors who like to learn about the places they visit or people who want to window shop should stop by the Visitor Center and the Park Store. The Visitor Center contains a smaller facility called the Friends of Sandbanks Nature Shoppe. The Friends of Sandbanks Nature Shoppe has many unique items to look at as well as clothing, art, books, guides, and local souvenirs for sale. The park store, Currah’s Park Store and Grill, is located near Outlet Beach and has camping supplies, food, ice, and beach gear. It also has a restaurant, so if you are hungry and don’t feel up to cooking, let the grill cook you up something tasty!
Day Use Areas
If you don’t want to swim, but you like to spend time waterfront, then visit one of the day use areas. Pack a lunch and head to the picnic areas near Dune Beach. There are three small shelters available for picnickers available on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as drinking water, a playground, comfort stations, and access to the dunes. All of the swimming areas have day use facilities, so you can choose from one of the swimming areas if Dune Beach doesn’t meet your needs. The park is large and has many amenities located throughout the park, so wherever you plan to spend your day, there will be something for you to do nearby.
In-Season
Boating
Water activities are popular at Sandbanks Provincial Park because of the easy access to the lakes or rivers near the campgrounds. If you enjoy the water, plan to spend some of your time on one of the lakes. Whether you enjoy paddling, fishing, or exploring, there is something for you to do. If you have a powerboat, use one of the boat launch areas on Lake Ontario, East Lake, or West Lake. Canoes and other small hand-carried boats may enter the water anywhere, as long as a launch isn’t needed. Canoers who want to explore should try paddling the Outlet River. If you don’t have your own boat, the woodlot rents canoes, kayaks, and other personal flotation devices.
Swimming
The soft, sandy beaches that line the lakes provide some of the best swimming and beach activities in the area. Choose from one of the three natural sand beaches, and plan your day of family-friendly fun. In the East Lake sector of the park, visit Outlet Beach. Near Lake Ontario, swim at the Sandbanks Beach. If you are closer to the West Lake sector, try Dunes Beach. All swimmers should enter the water cautiously. Each swimming area has general water hazards, and the beaches do not have lifeguards on duty, so swimmers should enter the water at their own risk. All of the swimming beaches are close to day use areas or campgrounds, so there are restrooms, drinking water, and changing areas close to the shore.
Trails
The trails at Sandbanks Provincial Park offer everything from scenic interpretive walks to beachfront or fully wooded hikes, so there is a trail to suit many people’s liking. Some of the trails permit both foot traffic and biking, so hikers and bikers should be prepared to share the path. The longest trail is about two miles (3.5km) long, and the trail surfaces vary. Depending on which route you pick, you can see everything from water and sand dunes, marshes and wetlands, to rolling hills and farmlands. Hikers and bikers should pick up a trail guide before heading out. Trail guides are available from the trailheads as well as the Nature Shoppe. Be aware of your natural surroundings. Many of the trails have poison ivy. Don’t touch or rub up against the plant because itching while enjoying nature isn’t fun!
