For the first camping trip of the season, we head east of Toronto. Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario near the town of Brighton, about two hours drive from the city. It is well known for its marshland and sand spits, and popular during spring and fall for bird watchers in particular, as the peninsula is an important stopover point for migrating birds.

Car camping is the only option available at Presqu’ile, and this early in the season we pretty much had the campground to ourselves. Sections with electrified access were busy with trailers and RVs, since tent sleeping was still pretty chilly at night (as we would find out). Beautiful waterfront sites make this a great summer destination.

The park has a nice mix of bike and easy hiking trails, including a short boardwalk over the wetlands and cattail marsh. Long sandy beaches line the western side, a great place for watching the sunset over Lake Ontario. At the eastern tip of the peninsula, you’ll find Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse, which is currently undergoing some restorative work. You can also rent a canoe (we brought our own) and explore Presqu’ile Bay and the marshland up close.

All in all, a great start to the season, despite the cooler than usual spring temperatures.

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