Lake Huron Road Trip Guide

Imagine the smell of fresh country air, some of the world’s most spectacular sunsets, and an endless amount of boutique shops. That’s exactly what you’ll see when driving along one of the world’s largest fresh water lakes. In this Lake Huron Road Trip Guide, I’ll take you through small towns, a visit to hidden beaches and boardwalks, and the chance to see some spectacular lighthouses. As a local to the area, I know all of the hidden gems.

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A road trip along the coast of Lake Huron is one of my favourite road trips in Ontario. Notwithstanding that I’ve done this trip more times than I can count, I never get tired of it.

It’s true that each of the destinations along the route are reachable from Toronto and can be done in a day trip. But in order to make the most of your time and enjoy all that the Lake Huron road trip has to offer, I recommend saving this road trip for a vacation. In one week, you will be able to experience all that this stretch of road has to offer.

Although you can start or end the road trip in Sarnia, which is located on the Canada-US border across from Port Stanley (pssst – Port Stanley has great shopping), I always begin at Grand Bend and end in Tobermory. If coming from Toronto, I recommend beginning your trip in Tobermory and ending in Grand Bend.

🏖️ Top Attractions

Although there are many things to see which I’ll outline throughout this Lake Huron road trip guide, here’s an outline of the main points of interest you’ll find along the way:

• Beaches: Sauble Beach, Grand Bend, Kincardine, and Port Elgin are great for swimming and sunsets.
• Parks: Pinery Provincial Park, Inverhuron, and Bruce Peninsula National Park (near Tobermory).
• Kincardine: Known for its Scottish heritage. Visit on a Saturday evening during July and August to experience the pipe band parade
• Tobermory: Known for turquoise waters, shipwreck snorkeling, and the Grotto hike.
• Manitoulin Island: The world’s largest freshwater island, with Indigenous cultural sites and hiking trails like Cup and Saucer.

Grand Bend, Ontario

Grand Bend is usually my starting point when I do this road trip since I’m coming from Kitchener.

Grand Bend is your typical tourist town, full of families and young adults. It’s a busy summer destination because of the beach. The beach in Grand Bend has earned Blue Flag status, an international eco-certification recognizing clean, safe, and environmentally responsible beaches.

Although the beach is spectacular, so is the Pinery Provincial Park, which offers hiking trails for beginners and advance hikers. There is also a beach at the park and equipment rentals are available for visitors wanting to get out on the water.

If you are able to get to the park during the winter, there are 38 km of groomed cross-country ski trails. Be sure to check road conditions before attempting to drive to Grand Bend in the winter.

Camping is available year round, but reservations are definitely required if you plan on spending the night.

Bayfield

Next stop – Bayfield. Bayfield is a popular shopping spot, and for good reason. You won’t find any large stores in this quaint village. All of the shops are unique, boutique-style shops offering one of a kind goods.

If you’ve packed a picnic lunch for day 1, Bayfield is where you want to picnic. Take the main street to the end and you will arrive at a small park. The park over-looks Lake Huron and has picnic tables for seating, as well as a small playground area if you’re travelling with kids. If you didn’t pack a picnic, there are many quaint restaurants and pubs to grab a bight to eat.

Goderich

Goderich has often been voted as the prettiest small town in Ontario. Once you visit, you’ll understand why. The main street is a circle which surrounds the court house. I recommend parking your car and taking a stroll around town.

Before leaving Goderich, I highly recommend a visit to the Huron Historic Goal. It’s extremely educational and full of history. If you’re old enough to remember hearing about Steven Truscott, this is where he was initially sent until he was sent to Kingston.

Kincardine: Where You’re a Stranger Only Once

Kincardine is one of Ontario’s hidden gems. I recommend spending the night as it has a variety of accommodations, including chain hotels and boutique hotels. With so many free things to do in Kincardine, you will want a full day – especially if travelling with kids.

Kincardine has two main beaches; Station Beach and what I still refer to as the Tiny Tot Beach. Station Beach is great for surfers, whereas the Tiny Tot beach is ideal for kids, as there’s a large playground. There are picnic facilities at both beaches. Kincardine also has many great places to grab a bite to eat.

Driver’s Tip: From the Station Beach, take a stroll down the boardwalk towards the south end of town. From the Tiny Tot Beach, walk down towards the north, past the pavillion to the rock garden and then continue on to Lover’s Lane.

During July and August, join the town residents at the weekly pipe band parade, and after take in one of the world’s most beautiful sunsets.

Port Elgin: Midway Point on the Lake Huron Road Trip

Port Elgin (or Port as the locals call it) is another great night to spend the night. It’s one of the larger towns you’ll pass through on the Lake Huron road trip. You’ll find various types of accommodations, from hotels to B&B’s, and cottages, but reservations are definitely needed.

Port Elgin is known for its long, sandy beach. It also boasts one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, but you won’t miss out on the beauty anywhere along this route.

Hikers can hike the Saugeen Rail Trail, which connects Port Elgin to Southampton.

Sauble Beach

Sauble Beach is just that. It’s a cottage community, which is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Ontario.

Boasting 7 km of white sand, Sauble Beach is a prime summer destination for families wanting to escape the city for some fun and relaxation in the sun.

Southampton

Southampton offers visitors their choice between two beaches; Southampton Beach and Pioneer Park Beach. Both beaches are located at the end of Front Street, near the Saugeen River.

The Saugeen River Canoe Route offers kayakers and canoers 102 km of river to paddle on. Both canoes and kayaks can be rented at Thorncrest Outfitters.

One of the top things to do in Southampton (other than to canoe the Saugeen River) during the summer is to take a tour to Chantry Island. Reservations are required.

Driver’s Tip: When leaving Southampton, you will pass through the Saugeen First Nations Reserve. This is where you want to gas up as it will be awhile before you hit another gas station.

Wiarton

When you see the signs for Wiarton, take highway 6 to get to Tobermory. If you have lots of time, you can also take a detour and take a small road trip to Owen Sound. Owen Sound is the largest City in this part of Ontario and offers some awesome hiking trails. It’s the ideal spot to chase some waterfalls.

Fun Fact: Wiarton is home to Wiarton Willie. For readers not from Canada, Wiarton Willie is a groundhog that predicts the weather in Canada 🙂 . On February 2nd every year, Willie comes out of his home. If he doesn’t see his shadow, that means’ we’ll have an early Spring. If he sees his shadow that means 6 more weeks of winter 🙁

Tobermory: The End of the Lake Huron Road Trip Guide

You’ve finally made it to Tobermory – one of the most beautiful spots in Ontario!

Tobermory is the dive capital of Canada, attracting diver’s from all across the Country. Fathom Five National Marine Park is home to over 20 shipwrecks and several historic lighthouses. Even if you’re not a diver, you can book a boat tour. The water is so clear that you are able to see the shipwrecks from the boat. Your can also take a boat over to Flower Pot Island.

The Grotto, a hiking trail within the Bruce Peninsula National Park is one of Ontario’s most breath-taking trails and is highly recommended. Tobermory is also the most Northern part of the Bruce Trail, which offers over 800 km of hiking over the Niagara Escarpment.

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Manitoulin Island

If you have the time, you can also arrange to take the Che Cheemaun (meaning big canoe) from Tobermory to Manitoulin Island. Manitoulin is the world’s largest fresh water island, and it’s well worth the visit.

The Island Home to six Anishinaabe First Nations, which makes the indigunous culture very evident.

Manitoulin Island is also home to awesome hiking trails, including the well-known Cup and Saucer. This trail offers trails of various difficulty.

Driver’s Tip: If you have all the time in the world, you can drive across the island and take the bridge to Sudbury, which is entering Northern Ontario. Make sure you have fueled up before boarding the Che Cheemaun.

Lake Huron Road Trip Guide: In Conclusion

This post is an overview of what you can expect to see and some of the highlighted experiences when taking the Lake Huron road trip. If you’re a beach lover and lover of nature’s natural beauty, then the Lake Huron road trip is a road trip that you won’t want to miss.

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