North Beach Provincial Park is a beautiful day park that offers long sandy beaches along Lake Ontario and its enclosed bay – 2000 meters of sandy beach to be specific!
Located in Prince Edward County, just a short drive from its more famous neighbor, Sandbanks, it is a popular spot for beach lovers and is often at capacity throughout the summer.
This year, you must reserve your day-use permit in advance to guarantee entry.
Ready to plan your trip? Here’s everything you need to know to have a fun and organized visit:
1. Can I purchase a day pass before arriving?
Yes. Reserve your permit in advance to guarantee entry.
Our park is becoming increasingly popular, but we only have space for a limited number of visitors each day.
Daily vehicle permits will be available at 7:00 am, five days in advance. of your arrival date. Reservations can be made online (here’s a tutorial on how to book, including how to use your seasonal permit).
Parking is not permitted outside the park to ensure easy access to the park in the event of an emergency. Please obey all signs. Visitors who park along North Beach Road outside the park could be fined and have their vehicles towed.
2. How do I know when North Beach is full?
North Beach is in Twitter! On busy days, weekends, and when online daily vehicle permits are fully booked, park staff will provide capacity updates on Twitter.
You can also visit our reservation website to check if there are places available on the date of your visit.
3. When is the best time to visit?
North Beach is only open during the summer season (June 11 to October 1, 2023). The park is usually at capacity during pleasant summer weekends, while weekdays (Monday through Thursday) can be less crowded.
Do you have your permit reserved? Your access is guaranteed no matter what time you arrive, but if you want to select your perfect spot on the beach, we recommend arriving a little early. The park is busiest between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on hot summer days.
Visit our Alerts page for updates on park and beach conditions.
4. Where can I go when North Beach and/or Sandbanks are full?
If North Beach or Sandbanks are already full, we recommend visiting Presqu’ile Provincial Park and Darlington Provincial Park if you’re coming from the GTA.
Please note that these parks get busy on weekends. They also require that you reserve your daily vehicle permit in advance to guarantee access.
Presqu’ile is a 35-minute drive west of North Beach and Darlington is east of Oshawa off the 401.
Please visit their social media accounts and our website for capacity updates and early bookings.
5. What else can I do in the North Beach area?
If you’ve had enough sun on the beach and want to make the most of your day trip, take the opportunity to explore Prince Edward County and downtown Belleville.
NOTE: Please confirm that each attraction is available before you go.
You could:
6. What else can I do in the park besides relax and enjoy the beach?
Bird watching: Bring your binoculars and look up! Visitors to North Beach can see hawks, saw-whet owls, and vultures.
Fishing: Anglers visiting North Beach will be able to catch largemouth bass, pike, perch and sunfish. Personal flotation devices are available for loan at the park (refundable deposit required).
North Beach Cantina
7. Where can I have lunch?
North Beach is a wonderful place to have a picnic on a summer day! Picnic tables are conveniently located along the beach.
The park has a small dining room. located on the main road of the park, where you can buy traditional fast food and drinks along with park souvenirs.
Is the canteen a little busy? Head into town for lunch and enjoy the rich flavors of the county or enjoy a local patio.
Do you want to cool off and enjoy a meal after a long day at the beach? Discover the delicious variety of cafes, restaurants and patios that downtown Belleville has to offer.
8. What are the park hours?
North Beach is open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday and 8:00 am to 9:00 pm Saturday and Sunday from June 10 to October 1, 2023.
9. How much does it cost to enter?
Day use is $18 (remember to make your reservation in advance to guarantee access!).
10. Is it safe to swim at North Beach?
Yes, unless otherwise stated. The beach water quality is tested every week. Any notice will be posted on the Ontario Parks Alerts page.
North Beach has three beach areas: Lake Ontario, North Bay, and a dog beach on the North Bay side of the park.
Note rip conditions on Lake Ontario during windy days and drop-off in North Bay..
Visitors are reminded that there are There is no lifeguard and water safety is your responsibility. Please monitor the weather and exercise caution.
Personal flotation devices are available for loan at the park.
11. What type of accessibility does the park offer?
During peak summer, the park features Mobi Mats that create an accessible path through the sand, starting at the park store and reaching the beach. These mats help make the beach more accessible for anyone using assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.
12. Can I bring a barbecue?
Yeah! Barbecues are permitted, but please note that they must be self-contained and the park does not have charcoal disposal facilities. Propane barbecues are recommended; Otherwise, be prepared to take the used charcoal home.
Note: If the park is under a fire ban, charcoal barbecues are not allowed, but propane barbecues are. Learn more about what equipment is allowed during a fire ban.
13. Can I bring my dog?
Absolutely! Just make sure you keep them on a leash (no more than 2m in length). The park offers a dog-friendly beach on the north side of the Bay that your pup will love.
14. What should/shouldn’t I pack?
What you should definitely pack:
- sunscreen
- hat
- water
- appetizers
- swimsuits
- life jackets for children and non-swimmers (or borrow one)
- change of clothes
- towels
- insect repellent (DEET)
- reusable picnic items
what you should not pack:
- alcohol (prohibited in the park)
- firewood (campfires are not allowed in the park)
- drones
Us I do not recommend it packaging:
- large beach structures like volleyball nets
- oversized umbrellas or awnings (may be difficult to place on busy days)
- radios
- Single-use plastics (such as water bottles, glasses, plates and cutlery).
- inflatable water floats Find out why it is not recommended to bring a float to the beach.
*Trash cans are located throughout the park, and we encourage visitors to practice the “pack up and take out” method. Be prepared to take home larger trash items (such as broken chairs or beach umbrellas).
fifteen. Why is access restricted in some areas?
On your trip to the beach you may encounter post and rope fences and restricted areas, but why?
Like many of our visitors, our environment may also require rest and relaxation, getting away from the pressures of everyday life to recharge.
Some of our most popular beach areas and picnic spots can succumb to overuse and need time to regenerate and prevent long-term damage. Additionally, our dune grass workers need space to do the work of stabilizing our dunes and keeping the formations in place.
Please respect the boundaries and signs posted by park staff and allow the elements of North Beach’s hard-working ecosystems to recover and do their work. Use designated entry and exit points on and off the beach to avoid causing unnecessary damage.