Sandbanks Provincial Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Sandbanks Provincial Park offers exceptional RV camping across five campgrounds with over 600 sites, featuring the world's largest freshwater bay-mouth barrier dune formation, three stunning beaches along Lake Ontario, and year-round outdoor adventures in Prince Edward County. Strategic RV rental access through Kingston RV rentals and Belleville camper van options positions you perfectly to explore this 1,551-hectare paradise that welcomed approximately 750,000 visitors annually, making advance reservations essential for this celebrated Ontario beach destination.
What Makes Sandbanks Provincial Park the Ultimate RV Destination?
Nestled on the southern shores of Prince Edward County, where turquoise waters meet towering sand dunes, Sandbanks Provincial Park captures the magic of a tropical getaway without leaving Ontario. Famous for containing the world's largest bay-mouth barrier dune formation, this provincial park sprawls across 1,551 hectares (3,832 acres) of stunning lakefront, providing RV campers with an unforgettable mix of beach relaxation and outdoor adventure.
You'll discover three distinct beaches during your RV trip to Sandbanks. Outlet Beach, recognized with Blue Flag status for its exceptional water quality and safety, stretches wide with gradual slopes perfect for families. Lakeshore Beach, also called Sandbanks Beach, offers a similar gentle entry into Lake Ontario's refreshing waters. Dunes Beach on West Lake presents a steeper drop-off but warmer waters, flanked by the park's iconic 25-metre-high shifting sand dunes that extend for 12 kilometres.
The summer months bring peak season to Sandbanks, with pleasant temperatures reaching 25-30°C (77-86°F) and sunshine-filled days ideal for swimming, paddling, and beach activities. Late spring (May) and early fall (September-October) offer milder weather with fewer crowds, making them perfect for RV campers seeking a more peaceful experience. These shoulder seasons provide excellent opportunities for birding, as the park sits along an important migration route where you might spot shorebirds, waterfowl, and even rare species.
Beyond the beaches, Sandbanks serves as your gateway to exploring Prince Edward County, affectionately known as "The County." This renowned culinary and wine region features over 40 wineries, farm-to-table restaurants, artisan breweries, charming galleries, and antique shops—all within a short drive from your campsite. The County's laid-back atmosphere and picturesque countryside roads create the perfect complement to your beach camping adventure.
The park experienced its most popular year in recent memory, with visitor numbers approaching capacity by mid-morning during peak summer weekends. This makes advance planning essential for securing campground reservations, especially if you're targeting waterfront sites or visiting during July and August when the park can host thousands of visitors daily.
RV Rentals in Sandbanks Provincial Park
Transportation
Driving
You can access Sandbanks Provincial Park via County Road 12, with the park entrance located approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) south of Picton, Ontario. From Toronto, the drive takes roughly 2.5-3 hours via Highway 401 East. From Ottawa, expect a 3-hour journey via Highway 416 South and Highway 401 West. Kingston visitors will find Sandbanks just 1.5 hours away via Highway 401 West and Highway 49 South.
The roads leading to Sandbanks accommodate RVs comfortably, with two-lane highways maintained year-round. County Road 12 runs directly through the park, connecting the various campground areas and day-use facilities. Most roads inside Sandbanks can handle RVs up to 32 feet, though some sites accommodate larger rigs—always verify your specific site dimensions when booking.
Where Are the Best Gateway Cities for RV Rentals?
Eastern Ontario Access: Kingston RV rentals position you perfectly for exploring both Sandbanks and the Thousand Islands region, located just 90 minutes west. Kingston offers a full range of RV types with multiple pickup locations, plus easy highway access via Highway 401 and Highway 49 South directly to Prince Edward County.
Bay of Quinte Gateway: Belleville camper van rentals provide an excellent starting point just 45 minutes north of Sandbanks. This gateway city offers convenient access to the Loyalist Parkway, a scenic route through Prince Edward County featuring historic sites, farm stands, and waterfront vistas. Belleville's location also makes it ideal for multi-park adventures, combining Sandbanks with nearby Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
Parking
You'll find ample parking throughout Sandbanks at designated day-use areas, campgrounds, and beach access points. The park features nine parking areas distributed strategically: four large lots serve the main day-use areas, while five additional lots support the campgrounds (two at Outlet River, two at Cedars, and one at each of the other campgrounds). Parking can fill quickly during summer weekends, with the park sometimes reaching capacity by 10 AM. Arriving early or booking a campsite guarantees your entry.
Public Transportation
While direct public transportation doesn't serve Sandbanks, VIA Rail provides regular train service to Belleville. From there, local taxi services or ride-sharing can transport you the remaining 45-minute journey to the park. Many RV renters choose delivery options, where your host brings the RV directly to a campground, eliminating the need to drive.
Campgrounds and parking in Sandbanks Provincial Park
Campsites in Sandbanks Provincial Park
Reservations camping
West Lake Campground
Though smaller and less publicized, West Lake Campground offers all-electric sites with good spacing and privacy. Located near the Dunes Beach entrance, this area provides quick access to the spectacular sand dune formations without the crowds of Outlet River. Sites here work well for RVers seeking electrical hookups combined with proximity to unique natural features.
Outlet River Campground
Campground A
The crown jewel of Sandbanks camping, Outlet River A, features the park's most sought-after waterfront sites with direct beach access. This bustling campground offers a mix of electric (15-30 amp) and non-electric sites, with some pull-through options accommodating RVs up to 32 feet. Sites 6-18, 20, 21, 23-39 provide coveted waterfront positioning, though they're grouped relatively close together with limited privacy. Site 39 stands out as a favourite, offering slightly more seclusion while maintaining excellent beach access.
Amenities include comfort stations with flush toilets and hot showers, laundry facilities, drinking water taps, picnic tables, and fire rings with grill grates at each site. The campground buzzes with activity during peak season—expect families, beach-goers, and a lively atmosphere. For more information, check the Outlet River camping experience at RV parks and campgrounds.
Campground B
Located just inland from Outlet River A, this campground follows the scenic Outlet River and provides a quieter alternative with better privacy. The highlight here is the electrical pull-through loop, perfect for larger rigs, and waterfront sites along the river, ideal for kayakers and canoeists who want to launch directly from their campsite. The river access opens up paddling opportunities to explore East Lake and the connecting waterways.
Outlet River B offers similar amenities to its sister campground: comfort stations with showers, laundry, drinking water, and standard camping furnishings. Generator use is permitted throughout both Outlet campgrounds, with quiet hours enforced from 11 PM to 8 AM.
Cedars Campground
Families seeking shelter, privacy, and a more relaxed pace gravitate toward Cedars Campground in the East Lake sector. This non-electric campground nestles among mature trees, providing generous shade and spacious sites that feel more secluded than the bustling Outlet areas. While none of the 100+ sites offer direct beach access, sites 310, 311, 312, 315, 317-320, 323, 325, and 328 position you closest to beach pathways.
The tradeoff for privacy and space? You'll sacrifice electrical hookups, making Cedars ideal for tent campers and RVers comfortable with generator use or solar power. Comfort stations, laundry facilities, water taps, and a dump station serve the campground. The location near the park office makes checking in convenient, and the reduced vehicle traffic creates a more peaceful environment for families with young children.
Richardson's Campground
One of Sandbanks' newer additions, Richardson's Campground, sits in the West Lake sector along the Lake Ontario shoreline. This campground strikes a balance between waterfront access and modern amenities, offering both electric and non-electric sites scattered across grass and natural ground. Some sites accommodate RVs up to 32 feet or larger—verify site-specific dimensions when booking.
Richardson's features vault toilets and is conveniently located near beach areas and parking. The West Lake location provides easy access to Dunes Beach, where you can hike the spectacular sand dunes and enjoy the warmer, slightly more protected waters.
Woodlands Campground
Positioned between East and West Lake sectors, Woodlands Campground offers 15-30 amp electrical service at all sites, making it particularly popular with RV campers who prefer full electrical hookups. The central location provides easy access to both lake sectors without being directly on the waterfront, creating a quieter middle-ground option.
This pet-friendly campground features comfort stations with flush toilets and hot showers, plus the standard picnic tables and fire rings. The Woodlands Trail connects through this area, providing hiking access to explore the park's diverse ecosystems. A dump station and water fill station serve campers near the campground entrance.
Alternate camping
Alternative Camping Options
Group Camping
Sandbanks accommodates organized groups at a dedicated group camping area near Outlet River Campground, across County Road 18. Two group sites accommodate 30-50 people each, though only tent camping is permitted—no RVs or trailers. These sites feature nearby water taps, vault toilets, and are approximately 1 kilometre from Outlet Beach.
When Sandbanks reaches capacity (which happens frequently during summer), nearby alternatives include Darlington Provincial Park near Oshawa, Presqu'ile Provincial Park near Brighton, and Ferris Provincial Park near Campbellford. Private campgrounds like Sandbanks River Country Campground sit a 5-minute walk from Outlet Beach via two access trails, offering overflow camping with short-term reservations.
For a unique experience year-round, consider booking Maple Rest Heritage House, a four-bedroom Victorian home furnished with antiques that sleeps eight, or Jacques Cottage, a 1.5-story lakeside cottage sleeping four. Both roofed accommodations are reservable through Ontario Parks.
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!
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For more Ontario lakefront camping adventures, check out our Darlington Provincial Park guide. Planning a road trip through Ontario's provincial parks? Explore our complete collection of RV parks and campgrounds across North America.
