Pinery Provincial Park
Grand Bend, ON, Canada
Pinery Provincial Park, just south of Grand Bend, Ontario, protects 10 km of Lake Huron sand beach backed by coastal dunes and the largest oak savanna in the province. Behind the dunes are forest trails and the calm Old Ausable Channel. The beach faces west, so sunset over Lake Huron is the main event every clear evening.
Ten kilometres of dune-backed sand with room for everyone, though summer weekends get busy.
How we score beachesRent a canoe or kayak on the Old Ausable Channel in the morning, then head to the beach for sunset.
Numbered beach parking lots along the park road; an Ontario Parks permit is required.
Boardwalks and paths cross the dunes from the lots to the sand.
July and August are peak season, and summer weekends can sell out. The park stays open all year for trails and skiing.
More Great Lakes beaches
Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach
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Freshwater Lake Michigan surf below towering sand dunes, some over 400 feet tall, with water clear enough to rival a coastline and a hike back up the dune to burn it off.
New Buffalo City Beach
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Warren Dunes State Park
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