Lake Erie is a national treasure here in Canada. It is famously known to be the shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes, making it perfect for swimming, kayaking, water sports, and fishing. On August 27th, 2024 we will be celebrating “We Are Lake Erie” Day: a day to appreciate Lake Erie and also raise awareness on the threats the lake faces today. Here’s a round-up of five unique national and provincial parks along the shores of Lake Erie that you can visit:
Long Point Provincial Park
Established in 1921, Long Point is one of Canada’s oldest Provincial Parks. It is the place to be in the summer, with over 1.5km of picturesque, sandy beaches along the warm waters of Lake Erie. Long Point is also a fantastic place to birdwatch: hundreds of birders “flock” to the park every year to photograph and marvel at the migrating birds and waterfowl that pass through.
Point Pelee National Park
Point Pelee is the only National Park along Lake Erie and it is one of Canada’s most unique protected areas. This national park is at the very southernmost tip of mainland Canada, jutting into Lake Erie with an otherworldly-looking two-sided beach (Yes – that’s a beach with waves on both sides!). Point Pelee is also known for its famous wetland marsh boardwalk and its annual monarch butterfly migration: a stunning natural phenomenon where thousands of monarch butterflies take a rest stop at Point Pelee before migrating over Lake Erie on their way to Mexico.
Rondeau Provincial Park
Rondeau Provincial Park is a beautiful place to experience the enchanting, old-growth Carolinian forest ecosystem. The Canadian Carolinian forests are exceptionally biodiverse, housing thousands of species, over 500 of which are considered rare. Whimsical, Carolinian trees can be found in Rondeau Provincial Park, such as the pawpaw tree and the tall, fairytale-like tulip tree. Rondeau Provincial Park also offers biking and rollerblading trails for those who enjoy zipping along the Lake Erie coast.
Turkey Point Provincial Park
Turkey Point Provincial Park has something for everyone. With three hiking trails, a shallow beach ideal for children, and plenty of shaded campsites, Turkey Point is a great place for family fun. There’s even a fish hatchery within the park for those curious about government programs to stock Atlantic and Chinook salmon in the Great Lakes. Adjacent to the park, the village of Turkey Point has a bustling Lake Erie marina, shops, restaurants and even a winery.
Rock Point Provincial Park
Rock Point is a special place for history, ecology and geology enthusiasts. The beaches are framed by giant, limestone shelves featuring fossils of ocean animals from 350 million years ago. The park features forests, wetlands, and even sand dunes along the shores of Lake Erie.
How can we protect Lake Erie?
Lake Erie is the crown jewel of these beautiful national and provincial parks. Protecting the lake is a service to these precious places that we enjoy. However, every summer, Lake Erie suffers from HABs – harmful algal blooms – that release toxins, create ecological “dead zones”, and threaten drinking water. With action from the government, we can create regulations that mitigate the dangerous effects of HABs and preserve a healthy Lake Erie for generations to come.
