Growing up in Michigan I was privileged to live only a short 1hr 45min drive from the border of Canada. When I turned 18 there was only one thing I wanted, to see Canadian trees! I mean come on, we lived so close to Canada, how could I make it to 18 without seeing the mighty Canadian trees?
Bless my parents who were incredibly gracious and showed me mercy on my 18th birthday taking me across the famous Ambassador Bridge into the wonders of Canada! So now that we made it to Canada where do we visit? Point Pelee of course!
Where is Point Pelee?
Have you ever wondered where the southernmost point in Canada is? I got news for you, Point Pelee National Park wins the prize for the furthest south you can go in Canada. Crazy right! Point Pelee park shoots right into Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes. Its location makes it a prime environment for almost 400 species of birds and over 70 different types of trees!
Looking into how to get to this unique park you have a couple of options. If you are coming from Detroit, Michigan then it is only a 1hr 11min drive. Coming from the Toronto area then you are looking at just under a 4 hour drive. If flying is your style then you would want to fly into the closest airport which is Windsor International airport at only 45 min away.
Cost
To get into the park you will have to pay a small fee.
Adult – $8.50CAD (April – October) or $6.50CAD (November – March)
Kids – Free for all kids under 17
Senior – $7.25CAD (April – October) or $5.75CAD (November – March) This is anyone 65 and up.
You can also look at the latest prices here.
If you need help planning a trip make sure to check out this travel planning guide to help you get on your way!
What is there to do at point Pelee?
Great question! Point Pelee offers many activities for any traveler. Some of the things offered at this park include…
Camping – The park offers overnight camping in their own raised A-frame canopy tents. The tents are heated with electrical outlets allowing for year-round camping. They sleep 6 per tent cutting the cost to $21.33CAD per person. They have two sites marked for pet owners and four sites if you need more space for a wheelchair.
If you want to camp but don’t want to pay that price tag you can stay at Campers Cove just outside the park located right on Lake Erie!
Kayaks & Canoes – If you like water activities you’ll love kayaking or canoeing around the peninsula here! If you don’t have your own Kayak or Canoe don’t worry as you can rent them right in the park. They offer rentals at $20CAD/hr for a single kayak or $30CAD/hr for a double or Canoe. While the price is a bit on the higher end, grab a friend and split the cost to enjoy paddling around Lake Erie for the afternoon!
Biking – Is biking more your style? Don’t worry they also offer miles and miles of trail riding! If you don’t own a bike or don’t want to lug your bike to the park they do have bike rentals. This is a great way to see this huge park if you are short on time or only get a day here.
Bird Watching – Like mentioned above Point Pelee is home to almost 400 different types of birds! If you are a bird watcher this park has to be on your bird bucket list. During fall and spring Point Pelee is famous for the migration that takes place. If you are planning your visit around the birds make sure to come in May when you can attend the famous Festival of Birds that takes place during the spring migration! They have different lookout points dedicated to bird watching so make sure to bring your binoculars.
You can even attempt the 100 species challenge on your visit to the park! If you find and document 100 different bird species you will win a special 100-species pin!
Artist-in-Residence – If you are an artist looking for new inspiration the park offers a program just for you! No matter your medium you can apply to live at the park for 5 days with the goal of producing a piece of art inspired by your stay. If you get accepted you will be allowed to bring up to five people with you and stay in one of their A-framed tents for free! This program takes place July 19-24, you can find more details here.
Hiking – Of course, we can’t forget hiking on this list! With miles of trails, there is a place for everyone to explore on foot the wonders of Point Pelee. They offer dirt trails, gravel trails, and paved trails if you have a wheelchair or stroller. There are plenty of loops to make your time in the woods as enjoyable as possible!
Frequently asked questions
Q. Are dogs allowed in the park?
A. Yes! As long as your dog is on a leash they are more than welcome in the park!
Q. How long do I need at the park?
A. While one day would be enough to explore most of the park, a night camping in or around the park would make your time so much better!
Q. When Exactly is the Festival of Birds?
A. The Festival takes place between April 30 – May 23.
Q. Is there a way to get more involved at the park?
A. Yes! There is a list of volunteer opportunities open to anyone! There are positions ranging from 6 weeks, just on the weekends, or seasonal. If that is something you are interested in you can get more information here.
There we have it!
That is everything you need to know before visiting Point Pelee, Canada! This park is such a unique place and home to many unique species that it is definitely worth the visit. It is easily accessible to anyone living in the midwest making it the perfect weekend getaway!
I hope this answered any questions you may have had or introduced you to a new hidden gem tucked away in Canada! If you want to find more North American adventures make sure to check out this interactive map! As always if I missed something or you have a suggestion don’t hesitate to let me know!
Until Next Time, Olivia Grace❤️
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