Sandbar Lake Provincial Park is located in northwestern Ontario, above Lake Superior. Sandbar Lake is one of many lakes that form a chain interconnected waterways in the region. The township of Ignace, Ontario, which is located halfway between Thunder Bay and Kenora, is the ideal spot to stay for a night or two either coming or going from other popular points of interest within the province.
Sandbar Lake Provincial Park is located fifteen minutes from the township of Ignace. The land is green and forested, and it’s known as the gateway to Ontario’s wilderness. The numerous rivers, lakes, and waterfalls help to create some of the most adventurous outdoor activities such as fly fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and hunting, and the small townships and cities have outfitters, guides, and other recreational facilities to help get adventurers ready for whatever excursion they desire.
If you plan to bring or rent an RV, you won’t be disappointed with the campground and day-use area at Sandbar Lake Provincial Park because the facilities cater to RVers and campers who want the best of the outdoors with some of the comforts of home. The views of the water paired with both electrical and non-electrical sites create the ideal campsite, and once you’ve set up camp for the night, there is plenty to see and do within walking distance of your RV or trailer, so you are never far from the things you might need. Plan your trip ahead of time by reserving your spot during the seasonal operating schedule, and see why people love staying a Sandbar Lake Provincial Park.
Sandbar Lake Provincial Park is located within a short drive from the township of Ignace, Ontario, Canada. The park is located 158 miles (255 km) northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, and accessible from the Trans-Canada Highway. The drive takes guests through small cities and towns and across small bodies of water with bridges and overpasses.
If you are coming from the United States, please remember that you are crossing international borders. Both the United States and Canada have regulations transporting food, animals, and plants between the countries. Before planning your trip, be aware of the rules and regulations of each country, and be sure you have an up to date passport for each member of your party.
Sandbar Lake Provincial Park is located 329 miles (529 km) northeast of Duluth, Minnesota. The drive skirts Lake Superior and the views along the route are breathtaking.
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.
The Sandbar Lake Campground is a seasonally operating, pet-friendly campground with views of Sandbar Lake. The campground has a mix of non-electrical sites, and sites with 15 and 30- amp electrical hookups. Each space is large, with many driveways accommodating RVs and trailers over 32 feet in length, and every site has a fire ring and a picnic table. The campground offers a comfort station with showers, vault toilets, laundromat, drinking water, trash and recycle bins, firewood, and a dump station. Campers staying at the Sandbar Lake Campground have proximity to hiking trails and a boat ramp. Campers who choose non-electrical sites may operate their generator as long as they adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
Cruising Sandbar Lake with your boat is a fun and exciting experience for both experienced and inexperienced canoers and kayakers. If you don’t have a boat, the Park Office rents canoes and kayaks, so all interested paddlers have a chance to explore the lake. If you are an experienced paddler, there are day-long and week-long canoe trails that pass through Sandbar Lake. The lake is one of the lakes in a chain of Ontario waterways that is ideal for canoeing. If you need detailed trail information, or you have questions about boat rentals, contact the Park Office.
The park’s day-use area is complete with facilities that are sure to entertain almost every member of your group. After setting up camp, head over to the picnic area, and prepare your meal outside while watching the kids burn off some energy at the playground. Once dinner is over, the sandy beach and the swimming area is a great place to watch the sun go down and cool off. You won’t have to go far once you get to the day-use area because there are drinking water taps and vault toilets within walking distance. Because the park’s day-use area is convenient and fun, there is no need to go anywhere else to find outdoor excitement!
During the summer months, Sandbar Lake Provincial Park hosts a series of events and activities for guests of all ages. These events are a part of the province’s Discovery Program, an informative and entertaining series of events created to teach guests about nature and the outdoors through hands-on learning and interpretive programs. The activities vary depending on interest and the time of year, so if you are visiting the park, it’s always best to ask about what might be happening during your stay. Kids who are interested in becoming Discovery Rangers can complete a series of tasks to earn a Discovery Ranger button. Stop by the park office for more information on the program.
It’s time to dust off your hiking boots and put together your day pack. When you get to the park, pick up a trail map from the Park Office, and then head to the trailhead. Sandbar Lake Provincial Park has three trails that wind through the pine forest and wetlands. The trails rate from easy to moderate level difficulty, so there is a path that suits a variety of abilities. The shortest trail is a self-guided path and is .31 miles (.5 km) long. The longest trail is 2.5 miles (4 km), and it takes hikers across the green landscape and traverses past the park’s historical features.
Sandbar Lake is part of a chain of interconnected waterways in northwestern Ontario. The lake produces the best catches during the spring once the ice has melted, but anglers will have luck fishing year-round. Sandbar Lake is best known for its Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, and walleye. Anglers may bring a boat or rent one from the Park Office and then head to the boat launch, located in between the day-use area and the campground. When you catch a fish, the park makes it easy to prepare your fish without having to deal with a mess. Take your catch to the fish-cleaning station, and use the lighted facility with fish-cleaning tables to prep your fish. Ontario requires fishing licenses, but the rules for permits vary by residency and age. Visit Ontario’s travel and recreation department for fishing information before heading out on the lake or river to fish to ensure you adhere to all fishing rules and regulations
People visiting the park who enjoy riding bikes should bring their bikes, bike gear, and helmets with them during their visit and explore the park on two wheels. The park doesn’t offer off-road or mountain bike trails, but the paved roads inside the park make an excellent place to ride. Riding in the spring and the fall is especially scenic because the trees are blooming or the leaves are changing. Cyclists should always ride with awareness since bikes and cars share the same path, and all people are required to wear helmets while riding bikes within the park’s boundaries.
