When I was in high school on our last day before the summer break we would skip school and all meet at Sandbanks Park. This was the place to go and now it’s one of the main attractions for Prince Edward County.

Sometimes great destinations like this have things that you wish you knew before traveling to them and I can help.

If you are planning on visiting I will suggest some things you should know before you come. These are things I’ve learned about visiting the Dunes during the summer months!

Sandbanks Provincial Park is one of the busiest parks in Ontario, welcoming over 750,000 visitors every summer! The Summer of 2020 is expected to hit record visitors with Covid restrictions lifting.

Top Tips For The Sandbanks Provincial Park

• Plan to visit early in the day as the summer has very long lineups to get in. Often gates can be closed by 11 am as the park is at capacity.
• Lineups waiting to get into the Park can be very long so plan your bathroom breaks.
• Bring a sun shield or beach tent as there is not much shade and you will be in the Sun for hours.
• Back into your parking spot where you can as pulling out can be challenging with heavy traffic, people, and vehicles all day.
• To avoid heavy traffic and crowds visit much later in the day when everyone has left for the day.
• Bring footwear, the summers are very hot and the sand becomes too hot to walk on.
• Plenty of sunscreens as it washes off or comes off with perspiration.
• Keep your park pass in the front window so it can be easily seen to avoid unnecessary hassles with authorities.
• Stay put. The park is very busy so once you settle in on the beach I wouldn’t move around much.
• Keep all your valuables in your car. Things do come up missing with so many people on the beach.
• Before you visit the beach check out the E Coli warning as the beach may be closed to swimming. Alerts are found HERE.
• Bring at Diphenhydramine if you have allergies, as the water can sometimes make the skin break out with higher levels of bacteria in the water. I bring Benadryl.
• DO NOT Litter, Be respectful. This is a beautiful part of Prince Edward County let’s keep it that way.
• If you don’t mind walking you can head to the far ends of the beach where there will be fewer people and traffic.
• Visit in the Spring and Fall before the peak season in the summer.
• Swim at your own risk. There are no lifeguards at any of the beaches in this park.
• There is park security which is nice.
• Beach is not nude-friendly. Keep all your clothes on people. Thongs are welcome!
• Sections of Sandbank park are pet friendly. Look for signs.

What can you do at the Sandbanks?

• Camping
• Swim
• Fish
• Hike
• Kayak
• Make Sand Castles
• Snorkel
• Walking Paths
• Dune Jumping
• Boating
• Bird watching
• No Drones (Prohibited)
• Sea-Doo
• Wave Runners
• Metal Detector
• Bicycle
• Rent scooters
• No Alcohol on the beach – Only on the Campsite
• Paddling

You can walk around Sandbanks and enjoy the sand dunes. There are many amazing dunes that the winds have created. I’ve jumped off many in my day and landed in the soft tan sand.

There are literally miles of walking paths to explore and there are always cyclists on the roads. If you buy a day pass and scout around you will find something to do in the park.

Can you camp on Sandbanks beach?

Yes, you can! There are designated campsites and some are on the beach side. I’ve camped there many times and I have to tell you when the sun sets you’ll want to be on the beach to witness it.

Hint: The Sandbanks Camping is so popular you will need to book well in advance! I’d suggest booking campsites a year in advance.

How much is the parking at Sandbanks Beach?

The new rates for day use have gone up to $21 but it’s best to check the website for current rates HERE.

Keep in mind that the cost to get into Picton Sandbanks is $21 and this includes your vehicle and everyone in it.

The walk-in price is only a few dollars for each person.

How Far is Sandbanks Beach from Toronto?

The distance between Toronto and Sandbanks Provincial Park is 170 km. It will take you around 2 Hrs to drive it.

The fastest way from Toronto is to take the 401 east to Wooler Road and follow County Road 40 to County Road 33 turn right and drive through Carrying Place Ont.

There are over 50 wineries in Prince Edward County now and still growing. 80% of these wineries are in the western part of Prince Edward county. Hillier and Wellington area has rich soil that helps produce many types of award-winning wines.

Keep driving through Hillier Ontario and you will notice signs for many popular wineries in the county, worth a stop on the way to the Dunes.

Once through Wellington you arrive in Bloomfield Ont. Lots of small shops and ice cream. You’ll even find a microbrewery called Matron Fine Beer.

Turn right (East) onto County Road 33 but get ready to take right onto Stanley Street County Road 12. Follow until you get to West Lake

The Sandbanks Dunes Park is on the right just follow the signs.

For the Sandbanks Provincial Park, you will need to take County Road 18 located on the left before you reach the Sandbanks Dunes Park. Look for the big White Church (West Lake Community Church).

How Far is Sandbanks Beach from Montreal?

The driving distance from Montreal to the Sandbanks is 377.3 Km and around 4 hr.

When driving west on the 401 you will want to get off at the Marysville turn-off to County Road 49 south. You will be entering the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory so be sure to fill up on inexpensive fuel, smokes, or many other things. Great shopping opportunity.

Stay south on 49 until you come into Picton, Ontario. Be sure to stop and shop while you pass through. There are lots of great restaurants, wineries, and micro breweries.

Drive down the main street of Picton and turn left at the lights by the liquor store and head out of town on County Road 10. Keep driving until you get to Sandbanks Park.

An alternate way to look for Ridge Road on the right when driving out of Picton on County Road 10, which will take you to West Lake. Caution the Ridge road is narrow and has hills and tight corners. Be safe!

Do you know where you’re going? There is more than just one beach at the Sandbanks. Let me help you navigate the area.

Outlet Beach Sandbanks

Most people call this area “The Sandbanks” but there are actually 4 different parts. Most of the locals call it the Outlet beach which is actually “The Sandbanks Provincial Part”.

When you come to visit make sure you know which beach section you’re interested in. There are pros and cons to all areas.

The Sandbanks Provincial Park aka Outlet Beach

This is the main entrance to the Park that everyone is more familiar with. This is a long stretch of sandy beach with camping sites close to the Salmon Point area. There is a canteen here for you to purchase food and paddle board rentals etc.

There are two sand bars off this beach. The first sand bar is out at around 4ft deep. The next sand bar is out at around 5.5 ft.

When you walk up on these it gets around 2 or 3ft deep. The cool part is that you are out in the water approx 150 ft and you are still not over your head.

By far this will be the busiest beach out of all areas of the park.

The Sandbanks Dunes Park

This area is known for its massive sand dunes. Although popular it requires more walking up and around sand dunes to get to a part of the beach you can call yours. The water gets deep faster with a smaller section for swimming with children.

There is a smaller section of the flat beach when you first arrive. Most families set up in this location making it difficult to find a spot.

The fact is…the farther you walk out into the dunes the fewer people you will see out there. If you walk far enough you will arrive in Wellington, Ontario.

Lakeshore Beach

By far the longest section of the sandbanks yet most people do not come here like they do at the Outlet part. It’s self check-in area where you purchase a park pass from a Kiosk and display it on your dash. Hint! Go later in the day and there will be a significantly less amount of people here.

This part still has lots of sand dunes, and some trees for shade and it stretches for 7 km all the way to the village of Wellington. 

This is a popular beach for windsurfing starting in the early spring and late into the fall even after the beach closes for the season on November 1 every year.

Note: There are no lifeguards at any of the Sandbanks beach areas. It is swim at your own risk. Parents and/or guardians are solely responsible for their children’s and/or guests’ safety.

Wellington Beach

A smaller section of rocky beach. It’s very busy here too. If you can swim the channel in wellington harbor then you will have access to a very long stretch of sandy, Sandbanks beach.

The fact you have to swim here to get to the sandy beach means you can’t take much with you. Locals with boats frequent this section as it’s less busy and much more secluded.

See you out there…be safe!