Two or Three Days at Point Pelee National Park, Leamington, Ontario

Point Pelee National Park sits at the southernmost point of the Canadian mainland, at 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON. This plan covers a two- or three-day stay built around the park's trails, bird migration seasons and Dark Sky Nights programs. Hotel amenities, policies and rates are shown on the booking site, so confirm details with the hotel before you plan each day of your visit.

Before You Go: Location, Seasons and Access

Point Pelee National Park is at 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON. Parks Canada describes it as Canada's second-smallest national park. It sits at the southernmost point of the Canadian mainland.

Check your dates before you set an itinerary. The park runs in off-peak operations from November 1 to March 31. Parks Canada posts temporary closures and road work that can affect access to the park. Check the park's alerts before you travel, and again close to your arrival date, to confirm current access details.

For a stay inside the park, oTENTik A-frame cabins in Camp Henry are available to book all year. For hotels in the area, amenities, parking and check-in times vary, so confirm with the hotel.

Day 1: The Tip Trail and the Marsh Boardwalk

Start Day 1 at the Visitor Centre. From April to October, a shuttle runs from the Visitor Centre to the Tip, and it is wheelchair and walker accessible. Outside those months, confirm with the park how to reach the Tip. The Tip Trail is a 1 km loop, about 20 to 40 minutes, to the most southern point of mainland Canada.

Next, walk the Marsh Boardwalk. This 1 km loop takes about 45 minutes and crosses the park's most diverse habitat: cattail mats, turtles and lily pads. An observation tower with telescopes looks over the marsh. The tower is not accessible.

Park trails are 1.5 m wide and surfaced with crushed gravel and boardwalks. They are suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Together, these two loops cover about 2 km.

Day 2: Forest Trails and the Centennial Hike and Bike Trail

Day 2 focuses on forest trails. The Chinquapin Oak Trail is a 4 km loop that takes about 2 hours. It runs through mixed dry forest that includes Chinquapin Oak. Access is from the Visitor Centre parking lot or the White Pine picnic area.

The Woodland Nature Trail is a 2.75 km loop of about 1 hour through the park's oldest forest habitat. A self-guided booklet is available at the Visitor Centre during operating hours. Operating hours are not listed in this guide, so confirm them with the park.

To cover ground by bike, use the Centennial Hike and Bike Trail, a 6 km trail between the park entrance and the Visitor Centre. The park has more than 12 km of hiking, walking and cycling trails in total. The Anders and Chinquapin cycling loops close to bikes during spring birding season, mid-April through May.

Day 3: Bird Migration and the Festival of Birds

Day 3 focuses on birds. More than 390 bird species have been recorded in the Point Pelee Birding Area. The park sits on major migratory flyways on the north shore of Lake Erie and acts as a 'migrant trap'.

Spring and fall migration are the main seasons. The spring peak comes in May, when the park hosts the Festival of Birds. Festival schedules and program details are not listed in this guide, so confirm them with Parks Canada before you travel.

If you visit from mid-April through May, plan to walk rather than ride on the Anders and Chinquapin loops, since they close to bikes during spring birding season. Use the loops from Day 1 and Day 2 for repeat visits to habitats such as the marsh, with its cattail mats and lily pads, and the park's oldest forest.

After Dark: Dark Sky Nights and Where to Stay

Point Pelee National Park is at 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON. It is a dark sky preserve, and the park runs Dark Sky Nights programs after dark. Program dates and registration details are not listed in this guide, so confirm them with Parks Canada.

Visitors who want to stay in the park after a Dark Sky Nights program can look at the oTENTik A-frame cabins in Camp Henry, which are available to book all year. For a hotel stay instead, room details, parking and late check-in options are shown on the booking site or can be confirmed with the hotel.

Winter visitors should note that the park runs in off-peak operations from November 1 to March 31. The park can also close to visitors for short periods, so check the Parks Canada alerts before a winter trip.

Key points

• Point Pelee National Park is at 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, ON, at the southernmost point of the Canadian mainland.
• The Tip Trail is a 1 km loop, and a wheelchair and walker accessible shuttle runs from the Visitor Centre from April to October.
• The park has more than 12 km of hiking, walking and cycling trails, 1.5 m wide and surfaced with crushed gravel and boardwalks.
• More than 390 bird species have been recorded, and spring migration peaks in May during the Festival of Birds.
• Parks Canada posts temporary closures and road work affecting access, so check the park's alerts before you go.

Frequently asked questions