I have been going to Sandbanks Outlet Beach since I was a kid. Growing up in the county had its perks.

The summer months get crazy with the Sandbanks Provincial Park Beach closing due to the park reaching its maximum capacity.

I’ve listed some smart ideas you will want to know about Sandbanks beach resort that will help you get in sooner.

Quick Fact: Prince Edward County Sandbanks dunes have been an attraction since the early 1800s. Still attracts over 750,000 visitors every summer.

When To Go To The Sandbanks

Early summer (May and June) can be a bit cold. There are certain times when the water is too cold to swim and the weather is too hot to sit on the beach.

The months of July through to the end of Sept are the best times to go. Early fall does have some cool mornings but the water in Lake Ontario is still warm.

With that being said, July and Aug are the busiest times of year for the park. Getting in can be a challenge if you don’t go early in the day.

Years of experience have taught me to go later in the summer (the water is warmer). Also later in the day after most of the heavy traffic on the beach is gone.

Many of the tourists pack the beach throughout the day. Later in the day around 6 pm, no one wants to pay the Park fee to get in as the park will close at 10 pm.

Sandbanks Outlet at Sunset

We show up around 7 pm at the Sandbanks and there are usually not many people around.

The beach is quiet and the Sunsets are just amazing. The water is so warm and usually very clear.

Between swimming sessions, we like to scout around the dunes. Later in the day, the sand won’t be scorching hot either.

There are lots of dunes to explore! On one side is Lake Ontario and on the other is West lake.

Quick Fact: Formed by glaciers some 12,500 years ago, Prince Edward County Sandbanks dunes are the world’s largest bay-mouth dune barrier formation, stretching 12km across Lake Ontario.

Where To Go in Sandbanks

Most people who travel to the Sandbanks always seem to go to the Outlet side.

The fact is the Dunes and The Richardson side are much bigger and have fewer people.

The East Lake and West Lake sides are great for water activities such as paddle boards, canoes, swimming, and fishing.

Both sections are less windy and have calmer waters as they are on the opposite side of Lake Ontario. This makes it great for camping.

Outlet Beach Camping

Park camping is very popular at the Sandbanks. You will want to make sure to book your campsite really early in the year or you may not get the campsite you wanted.

Most of the sites right next to the beach sell out fast.

There are around 500 car campsites in five different campground areas that include:

• Outlet River A & B,
• Cedars in the East Lake sector
• Richardson’s in the West Lake sector
• Woodlands Campground is located between the East and West Lake sectors of the park. 

To learn more about the types of campsites and locations visit the Park Website HERE.

Sandbanks Trails

There are walking trails through the Sandbanks that offer hikers access to the dune and wetland habitats of the park.

As kids, we would ride our bikes out to the Sandbanks, hike the trails then ride back home. Where did we get all that energy?

Now you can drive into the park and hike around on a day pass.

When you come to Prince Edward County the Sandbanks are a must for at least one day!

It’s a great place to start when exploring Prince Edward County.

From the Sandbanks, you’ll have just a short way to go to experience bicycle touring, wineries, craft beer, cider, food, museums, and antiques.

Best of luck on your Journey!