The Bruce Peninsula's Best Kept Secret
This month we had our second campout at Cape Croker Park. It is a wonderful campground owned and operated by the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. Nestled between high limestone bluffs on the eastern shore of Bruce Peninsula, Cape Croker Park has welcomed visitors of all ages since 1967. With 315 campsites, incredible hiking, scenic vistas and waterways, it is the perfect destination for families, couples and explorers seeking a rustic escape into nature.
The park has electric at each site, but I believe the water sites are likely just the seasonal sites up in the top level of the park. The dump station is on the way out and easily accessible. The lower sites nearest to the water have good washrooms and the upper campground has the shower house and laundry facilities. There is also a small store and if you time your visit just right there may be a cultural celebration taking place on the parade grounds.
If you want to get away without an RV there are also cabins available.
The trip itself is somewhere around 4 hours from London, Ontario heading north towards Tobermory. There is lots to see along the way. We stopped at The Black Donnelly's Brewing Company on the way. It's a fun little microbrewery with a great (and good graphic design). It appealed to my interest in the notorious family that I read about when I was a kid.
https://www.black-donnellys.com/
If that stop appeals to you it is only a short detour to get to Cowbell Brewing Company in Blyth. We didn't stop there this time but we have in the past and the facility itself is very impressive. They have great food too but I recommend calling ahead. On weekends the place is very busy.
The last town you pass through before getting to the park is Wiarton. Wiarton, Ontario is most famous as the home of Wiarton Willie, the legendary weather-predicting groundhog who makes a global Groundhog Day forecast every February. Although he is off duty during camping season you can still drop by the visitor centre to maybe get a glimpse of Ontario's most celebrated rodent.
A word of advice. We found out the hard way that there are NO GAS STATIONS in Wiarton. We decided we better backtrack 15 minutes or so to the previous town of Hepworth to use their small gas station.
I got in there with a 28 foot Airstream, but it might be a challenge for anything larger than that.
So if you would enjoy a trip through rural Ontario with beautiful scenery the whole way and all secondary roads, then a visit to Cape Croker Park might be just what you need. Their website is very thorough and up to date and reservations are pretty much a must. Be prepared with binoculars and a camera because the views and wildlife are stunning.
Happy Trails!
https://capecrokerpark.ca/. Here is a link to the parks website.
