Sauble Falls Provincial Park is a family-friendly park located along the Sauble River in South Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, Canada. The park is a blend of scenic waterfront camping and river recreation. The park and campground operate during the warmer seasons of the year, so guests have the opportunity to experience camping and activities during the summer as well as the beautiful transitional seasons.
The park rests along a portion of the Sauble River, which eventually flows into Lake Huron. Water activities are the main draw to the area because of the proximity to the river and one of the Great Lakes. Anglers, kayakers, canoers, paddle boarders, and boaters who crave the water but want a smaller, less populated area to stay, choose Sauble Falls Provincial Park as the place to stay and play. If you'd like to boat, but don’t have one, don’t worry! The park rents canoes and kayaks so guests can try paddling on the river.
If you are partial to beach vacations, Sauble Beach is 3.5 miles (5.9 km) south of Sauble Falls Provincial Park. Staying at the park will allow you the quiet atmosphere that many campers want with a close location to a bustling destination. Make Sauble Falls Provincial Park your basecamp, and travel during the day! Staying here is the best of both worlds.
Sauble Falls Provincial Park, located in South Bruce Peninsula in the northwestern portion of Ontario, is 139 miles (224 km) northwest of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From Buffalo, New York, the park is located 211 (339 km) miles northwest. If you drive across the border, bring your passport! Also, if you travel with a dog, be aware that Canada may have rules about vaccinations when crossing international borders. Do your research so you won’t have any implications getting into the country.
Parking, camping, day use, and other facility fees are in effect for Sauble Falls Provincial Park. Fees vary depending on residency, time of year, and activity.
Campers who enjoy radio-free camping next to the sounds of a river will want to stay at the West Campground. The West Campground is a pet-friendly camping area that is open during the park’s seasonal operating season. The campground has 15 and 30 amp electricity sites on natural surface driveways that accommodate RVs and trailers up to 32 feet in length. Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit, and most sites are close to drinking water, and either a vault toilet or a comfort station. The campground has trash and recycle bins so guests won’t have to travel far to dispose of their trash.
The East Campground is a riverfront campground that allows leashed pets. This campground is open during the park’s seasonal operating season. The campground has 15 and 30 amp electricity sites on natural surface driveways that accommodate RVs and trailers up to 32 feet in length. Some sites may be able to accommodate larger RVs. If you are curious if your RV will fit at a particular site, contact the park for site specifications. Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit, and most sites are close to drinking water, and either a vault toilet or a comfort station. The East Campground has a dump station and a water filling station, as well as trash receptacles and a recycle bin. This campground also has a group camping area, and it is located near the park’s hiking trail. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
If you are a road biker, the roads that weave throughout the park are ideal for cycling. The park’s trail is a hiking trail, and bikes are not permitted on the path, so the only biking in the park is for road cyclists. Bring your bike, helmet, and other biking gear, and acquaint yourself with the roads before heading out to the trails. More information about cycling in the park is available at the park.
If you bring your kids to the park, you will want to know if there are fun things for the kids to do. During the summer, Sauble Falls Provincial Park holds drop-in programs where kids can learn about plants, animals, and the park’s facilities. After completing activities with the help of the park staff, kids can take the Discovery Ranger Pledge and earn a Discovery Ranger Button. To find out more about the program, ask a member of the park staff or for times and locations of the Discovery Program, find one of the posted calendars.
Spend your day in the Sauble River, meandering downstream with your kayak or canoe. The park has a canoe launch, making it is easy to enter the water. The launch is located at the portage near the north side of the falls across from the day use area. There are other popular routes to take, depending on how long you’d like to paddle. Stop by the boat rental area to ask about the best routes to take. If you don’t own a boat, rentals are available. The rental facility is located on the north side of the Sauble River near the parking lot.
The hiking trail, which is accessible from the east campground, is an easy day hike perfect for novice hikers. Before you head out on the trail, pick up an interpretive guide so you can learn about the history of the land in and around Sauble Falls. The trail is a 1.5 mile (2.5 km) path that passes through a red pine plantation as well as through some ancient sand dunes. Since this is an easy hike, hikers of many abilities will enjoy this trail.
While fishing seems like it should be a summer activity, fishing is a sport people can do year round. During the spring and fall at Sauble Falls, rainbow trout and chinook salmon spawn, and the fish moving upstream help to make excellent fishing conditions. During spawning season, it is possible to see the fish jumping upstream over the falls. Fishing is not allowed near the falls, but it is a spectacle to witness. Anglers may fish from the shorelines or a boat. To access the water, use the boat launch at the portage near the north side of the falls across from the day use area. Generally, anglers 16 and older need a fishing license to fish in freshwater areas. Contact Fish and Wildlife for fishing specifics, and rules and regulations vary on location, fish type, and season.
Birdwatchers understand that one of the best places to view birds is often near a source of water. The Sauble River and the park’s surrounding trees create the ideal habitat for birds. Birdwatchers who wish to stay near the campground will have luck spotting a variety of bird species. During nesting season, osprey nest in the area near Isaac Lake. The beautiful birds also tend to rest near the mouth of the Sauble River.
