Point Pelee National Park
National Park (Parks Canada) / Dark Sky Preserve · Leamington, Ontario
Point Pelee National Park is a narrow wedge of marsh, forest and beach reaching into Lake Erie in far southern Ontario, and its tip is the southernmost point of mainland Canada. It is one of the smallest national parks in the country, but it sits on a major migration route, and in spring thousands of warblers and other songbirds drop in after crossing the lake. A famous May birding festival draws people from around the world, so confirm dates. In autumn, monarch butterflies gather here in September and October before flying south. The two classic stops are the Tip, reached on foot or by a seasonal visitor-centre shuttle, and the Marsh Boardwalk through cattail wetland. It suits birders, families and anyone after an easy half day outdoors. Windsor is about 45 minutes away, and Pelee Island and local wineries are nearby. Expect mosquitoes, deer ticks and poison ivy, a very busy May weekend, and a Tip that is smaller than the name suggests.
1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, Ontario, N8H 3V4, Canada
The park is generally open daily, with longer hours in summer and shorter hours in winter, and the gate times change by season, so confirm before you go. The visitor centre is seasonal, and a shuttle from it to the Tip runs in the warmer months, commonly spring to autumn, with times and fares to confirm. During the May bird migration, the festival period brings early arrivals and full car parks, so check whether the park opens earlier for birders. A Parks Canada pass or day fee is normally needed. Camping, including oTENTik-style tents, is limited and booked ahead, so confirm what is available. In winter, roads and facilities may be closed and trails icy.
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