Who’s down for a roadtrip? Pinery Provincial Park is about three hours outside of Toronto, and if you’re looking for a city escape, then this little slice of heaven is the place. The Pinery has a handful of claims to fame including having some of the best cross-country skiing in southwestern Ontario, having one of the top 10 best sunsets according to National Geographic, and 21 square kilometres of area to explore.
The park is open year-round, meaning you can enjoy all the beauty this spot has to offer whenever you want, including in the winter.
Getting to Pinery Provincial Park
If you live in Toronto or the GTA, getting to Pinery Provincial Park will take you around three hours by car. The park is nestled in the heart of one of Ontario’s most popular beach towns, Grand Bend. You will need a day pass to visit the park, starting at $12.25 per vehicle.
Exploring Pinery Provincial Park
First up, cross-country skiing. Ontario Parks describes the Pinery as a “winter wonderland,” heavily due to the fact that the cross-country skiing here is phenomenal, boasting 38 kilometres of packed and groomed ski trails.
Skiers of all levels can enjoy the trails, which include:
- Chickadee Trail: 4.2 km track-set, classic skiing trail, easy difficulty
- Skate Ski Trail: 11 km trail groomed for ski-skating, easy difficulty
- Ausable Trail: 4.7 km track-set, classic skiing trail, medium difficulty
- Huron Trail: 9.6 km track-set, classic skiing trail, medium difficulty
- Dune Ridge Trail: 9.4 km track-set, classic skiing trail, most challenging of the park’s trails
Love a thrill? Tobogganing is a classic this time of year and luckily, there’s a spot to get your fix here. The Pinery’s toboggan hill is near the park’s Winter Chalet. The hill is lit during the evening and open daily through the winter months, weather permitting.
Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots! There’s no shortage of trails, and they each offer something a little different. Some guide you along the Old Ausable Channel, some by the shores of the beach, and some through the Carolinian Forest.
The Carolinian Trail is located in a “floodplain forest dominated by Carolinian plants and wildlife that are at the northern extent of their range.” The hike has stairways, benches and viewing platforms, to make taking in the sights easy.
The Wilderness Trail is the longest trail in the park, taking hikers through the park’s oldest forest growth, which is particularly stunning when covered in a blanket of snow. From there, the path leads along the shores of Lake Huron, a perfect place to end your day and catch a world-class sunset.
If you want to stay a little longer, the Pinery has plenty of accommodations including eight cozy, rustic cabins and six soft-shelled yurts. The cabins sleep five people and include a kitchenette with a microwave, mini fridge, and counter space. The yurts come equipped with two bunk beds to accommodate six people, a table and four chairs, electric lighting and a heater.
Time to go walkin’ in a winter wonderland, Ontario.
Pinery Provincial Park
Where: 9526 Lakeshore Road RR2, Grand Bend, ON
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