Answers to your Frequently Asked Questions
The information below is provided as a service to park visitors, and is collected from the Ontario Parks website. blog and social media posts. Park use policies and fees are not the responsibility of the Friends of Presqu'ile Park.
Have a question that is not answered here? Please submit your question to us or the park directly by clicking here.
Admission / Entry Fee / Passes / Permits
See our Day Use page on our website for information about fees, park passes and day use reservations.
Alerts
- Is the beach closed?
- Is there a fire ban?
- Is there a boil water advisory?
- On what days is waterfowl hunting taking place? What areas of the park are closed on these days?
- When are the islands open to the public?
Beach
Where is the beach?
Presqu'ile has a long sandy beach on its western shore. The far north end is designated for kite surfing. The far south end is designated as a natural beach for wildlife. The centre portion is for swimmers. The lake is shallow, making it suitable for children. Pets are never allowed on the sandy beach.
You can also swim off the rocky shore in the day use areas on the southern shore. Water shoes are recommended. Pets are allowed to swim here.
Why is there green stuff on the beach? Does the beach get cleaned?
Wind and water currents cause natural materials (ex. aquatic vegetation, Cladophora algae) to wash up onto the beach, especially after a storm. As per the park's management plan, the beach is raked between June 11 and Labour Day only. This is to prevent disturbance of migrating shorebirds that feed and rest on the beach.
Can I bring my dog to the beach?
Dogs are never allowed on the sandy beach at any time of year. Dogs are permitted in the water on the southern shore of the campgrounds and in the day use area. These are rocky beaches. Dogs must be on a leash not exceeding 2m at all times in the park.
Are there any supports for people with disabilities going to the beach?
There is an accessibility mat on the beach path at the northern section of the Beach 1 parking lot. An all-terrain wheelchair can be borrowed from the park. Inquire at the Main Gate.
Can I bring a propane bbq or charcoal grill to barbecue on the beach?
ONLY propane barbecues are allowed on the sand beach, NOT charcoal grills. Both charcoal and propane barbecues are allowed in the Day Use (picnic) area. There is a hot coal bin to dispose of charcoal in the Day Use area.
Bicycles
Is there a bike trail in the park?
Bicycles are permitted on the paved multi-use lanes on the far right of both sides of the main road as you enter/exit the park. Past the park store, there is no bike lane so a bike path that leads to the campgrounds. In the campgrounds there is an old bike path along the southern shore, but due to erosion and wave action, there are sections that are now covered in rocks.
The multi use lane is present on the one-way 'loop' road in the southern park of the park.
Bicycles are NOT permitted on walking trails (Jobes' Woods, Marsh Boardwalk, Newcastle, Pioneer and Owen Point trails.)
The rules of the road in provincial parks are the same as on provincial roads, so bicycle helmets are required for children under 18.
Bursary
See our Student Bursary page for information about our bursary program and nomination forms.
Christmas at Presqu'ile
Dogs
Dogs are welcome at Presqu'ile, but there are some important rules to follow. For information about dogs in the park, please read this article from Ontario Parks. Failure to comply with the rules may result in a minimum $75 fine. Please contact park staff if you have specific questions about pets in the park.
Is there a dog beach at Presqu'ile?
No, there is no specific dog beach in the park, however dogs are allowed to swim in the water at the rocky beach on the southern shore of the park (Day Use picnic area.) Dogs are never allowed on the sand beach at any time of year, as it is important habitat for migrating birds.
Equipment Rentals
There are no bicycle, canoe or kayak rentals in park. Businesses outside of the park may rent items. Presqu'ile Park Place, just outside the park gates, rents scooters by the hour.
Hunting
Is there hunting in the park?
There is a regulated waterfowl (duck) hunt in Presqu'ile from the fourth Friday in September to the third Saturday in December. Hunting occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Access to certain parts of the park (including Owen Point) is limited on those days.
Hunting in this park is subject to the Ontario Hunting Regulations. Certain restrictions apply. For more information, contact the park (613-475-4324) or a Ministry of Natural Resources office.
Source: https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/presquile/activities
Lighthouse
Can you go inside/climb the Presqu'ile lighthouse?
No, you cannot go inside or climb to the top of the lighthouse. You can see what the inside of the lighthouse is like by observing the model lighthouse inside the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre.
Museums
Presqu'ile has two interpretive centres: the Nature Centre (natural history) and the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre (cultural history.) These are both open daily from 10am to 4pm in July and August. They may be open on weekends in the spring and fall. Check for the hours on our calendar of events.
Park Hosts
Presqu'ile no longer has a Park Host program. The program was discontinued by Ontario Parks and has been replaced by the Park Ambassador Program, which teaches camping skills to park visitors.
Ticks
Please be aware that ticks capable of transmitting Lyme disease can be found at Presqu'ile. Ticks are members of the spider family that feed on blood from living bodies. They are found in long grasses, brush or leaves where animals live. Ticks travel by crawling or hitchhiking on animals – they do not fly or jump. There are many different species of ticks and not all of them carry the bacteria for Lyme disease. The most common tick you may encounter is the American Dog Tick, which does NOT carry the bacteria. The only tick that carries the disease in Ontario is the Black-legged (or Deer) Tick.
Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from ticks.
Tourism Information / Local Attractions / Things to Do
Visit these local tourism websites for information about local accommodations, events, and activities to do outside the park:
Washing Dishes
Campers can wash their dishes in the metal sinks located outside the comfort stations in the High Bluff, Hidden Valley, and Maples campgrounds.
Never wash dishes at a water tap or bathroom sink.
If washing your dishes at your campsite, follow these tips from Ontario Parks about being a considerate camper, then dispose of the dirty dishwater in a vault toilet, not on your campsite.