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Finest Collingwood Seashores
In case you’re visiting Collingwood and Blue Mountain in Ontario on a summer season weekend, the clear clear waters of Georgian Bay are certain to lure you in.
Right here’s a complete information to the perfect seashores to go to, with my private evaluations on all of them.
Concerning the Seashores of Southern Georgian Bay
Southern Georgian Bay round Collingwood and Blue Mountain is an excellent summer season vacation spot identified for its assorted panorama, clear waters, and out of doors adventures.
That’s why my husband and I moved right here.
Situated about two hours north of Toronto (relying on site visitors, which may be horrendous), this gorgeous space presents quite a lot of bayside landscapes, from sandy shores to rocky coastlines.
The Most important Seashores
The three main seashores within the space are Sundown Level Seashore in Collingwood, Northwinds to the west and Wasaga to the east.
Seashores Off the Most important Monitor
There are additionally many lesser-known spots that provide a quiet attraction, and are a superb different to the Large Three particularly on sizzling sunny weekends.
Finest Spots to Lay Your Towel From Wasaga to Thornbury
This information highlights seashores on Southern Georgian Bay inside a simple stroll, cycle or drive from Collingwood and Blue Mountain Village.
The record runs from Wasaga east of Collingwood to Christie Seashore west of Thornbury.
Try another enjoyable issues to do at Blue Mountain.
Issues to Know About Collingwood Seashores
- Typically the water round Collingwood is shallow.
- Wasaga excepted, most seashores are a mixture of sand, shale and pebbles. (Hey, it’s not the Caribbean. We take what we will get.)
- Seashores are usually unsupervised so use warning.
- Many seashores don’t permit tents or different buildings.
- During the last couple of years they’ve began charging for parking nearly in every single place, so be ready to pay or hoof it a good distance.
- If there are excessive waves and the water is murky, stirred up by the wind, I don’t go in.
- Sunsets may be INCREDIBLE.
Sundown Level – The Finest Seashore in Collingwood
In case you’re searching for a seashore smack within the city of Collingwood, Sundown Level Seashore is your home.
It’s a scenic spot throughout from a number of the ritziest houses on the town, and intensely in style with each day trippers and locals.
There may be one sandy space within the centre that’s the finest for households with youngsters, and Sundown Level’s Chipper snack bar is understood for it’s crisp scrumptious fries.
My go-to spot is the grassy space on the west finish of Sundown Level the place there are a number of benches, picnic tables, a small playground and much more tranquility.
It’s no picnic (until you might be, in fact, really having a picnic) to get into the water at this finish because it’s a shallow shale space, however the water is evident (and also you’ll typically discover me lazing round right here with a e book in the course of the week – not that that’s a draw).
Sundown Level Seashore can get loopy crowded on summer season weekends and parking may be difficult however the seashore is massive, with a good bit of room to unfold out in.
It additionally has accessible well-maintained washrooms and a beachfront promenade.
In case you don’t stay in Collingwood, parking throughout the road is $10 per hour to a most of $50 per day, and on a weekend it could refill quick.
The place is Sundown Level Seashore? It’s at 79 St Lawrence St, Collingwood.
Craigleith Provincial Park
Preserve an eagle eye out for fossils on the fractured shale on the seashore at Craigleith Provincial Park, the place the 400-million-year-old rock holds secrets and techniques from the previous.
Day charges can be found for this admittedly non-beachy seashore, the place you’ll see campers and day trippers picnicking, paddling or pulling up garden chairs and sitting with their toes within the water.
Costs are affordable, averaging about $15 for the day, although it varies considerably.
The place is Craigleith Provincial Park? The campground itself is a protracted slender strip of land that runs between Freeway 26 and the waterfront.
Northwinds Seashore at Craigleith
Northwinds is the best-known seashore within the City of Blue Mountains, (which, by the way in which, is a municipality, not a city and consists of the city of Thornbury and Blue Mountain Village.)
Situated simply off Freeway 26 on the backside of Gray Street 19, Northwinds is the closest seashore to Blue Mountain Village, which makes it a perennial hit with vacationers staying at one of many inns there.
A Relaxed Vibe
When my husband and I have been searching for a house round Blue Mountain, we rented a apartment throughout the street from Northwinds Seashore for 3 months and shortly fell in love with its relaxed environment.
It has a extra pure really feel than the city park-like vibe of Sundown Level Seashore, and has each shady and sunny areas, loos, a small playground and a few grassy spots to lie out on.
It’s additionally a superb place to launch your get up paddleboard or kayak.
Sandy or Rocky? Northwinds is Each
There may be some sand however, relying the place you go in, it may be rocky, so water sneakers are a good suggestion.
There may be paid parking on the seashore however it fills up shortly. It’s most likely simpler to attempt for parking on the Craigleith Heritage Depot throughout the road.
Journey Tip: Take care when crossing the freeway and cross solely on the lights. There may be quite a lot of site visitors alongside there, and we’ve seen a few accidents.
The place is Northwinds Seashore? It’s 10 km west of Collingwood on Freeway 26. It’s additionally an ideal cease on the Georgian Path if you happen to’re biking or mountaineering.
Blue Mountain Personal Seashore Membership
In case you don’t thoughts paying for the privilege, Blue Mountain Village has a non-public white sand seashore that is among the nicest within the space.
In case you’re staying on the Village, test together with your resort to see if entry is included. It’s undoubtedly included within the Play All Day Move.
Nice Facilities
There are quite a lot of facilities on the seashore membership like a snack bar, volleyball internet, non-motorized boats (included within the admission charge), and cabanas (for an additional cost).
Parking is proscribed so if you happen to’re a resort visitor, take the non-public shuttle from Blue Mountain Village. There are two accessible parking areas and accessible washrooms.
The place is Blue Mountain Seashore? A ten-minute shuttle experience from the Village, Blue Mountain Seashore is west of Collingwood previous Craigleith.
Council Seashore – An Insider’s Secret
When the larger seashores are overrun with solar seekers we head to Council Seashore, an unprepossessing seashore recognizable by an enormous hulking boulder simply offshore.
There’s a swing set, a conveyable bathroom, a few picnic tables, and a little bit of tree shade if you happen to’re after some aid from the solar.
The place is Council Seashore? It’s simply off Freeway 26 at Lakewood Drive (Gray Street 40). There’s a small quantity of paid parking, and from there a brief path takes you to the seashore.
Peasemarsh Conservation Space
Peasemarsh Seashore is one other little hideaway set in a nature protect simply east of Thornbury off Freeway 26.
This smaller, quiet seashore is way much less identified than Sundown Level or Northwinds, and is an okay mixture of sand, rocks and pebbles.
Set in Nature
The encircling Peasemarsh Conservation Space has a simple community of shady trails ultimate for a wood-scented nature stroll, and is bordered by the gradual inexperienced waters of Indian Brook.
Whereas the seashore itself will not be massive, it’s a pleasant off-the-beaten-path expertise for guests if you happen to’re not craving many facilities.
There’s a paid parking zone and fundamental transportable bathroom amenities.
The place is Peasemarsh Conservation Space? It’s 18 km west of Collingwood off Freeway 26.
Little River Seashore Park in Thornbury
Thornbury is an upscale city on Georgian Bay with inviting cafes, boutiques and a preferred ice cream store named Pom Pom.
The seashore is adjoining to the pier and it’s an in depth stroll to the principle road. (For ice cream. Did I point out ice cream?)
Facilities
Facilities embody good washrooms, benches and a pleasant playground. There may be some parking proper alongside the seashore.
The reality is that Mark and I hardly ever go there, most likely as a result of it was closed for restoration once we first moved to Collingwood and we by no means obtained into the behavior.
After we’re in Thornbury we go to Bayview Park.
The place is Little River Seashore? You’ll discover it at 4 Harbour St, Thornbury.
Bayview Park in Thornbury
Whereas the small seashore at Bayview Park is nothing to crow about, the park itself is serene and spacious with quite a lot of grass to put your towels out on, a path alongside the waterfront, a sheltered picnic space and serviceable washrooms.
It’s nearer to Collingwood than Little River Park (one thing to think about if you happen to’re biking there on the Georgian Path), however not as near the outlets on the principle road.
There may be parking alongside the road by the park.
The place is Bayview Park Seashore? It’s at 60 Bay Avenue East, Thornbury
Christie Seashore
One other seashore within the Blue Mountains area is Christie Seashore. It’s a primarily sandy seashore in direction of Meaford off Freeway 26 on the finish of Christie Seashore Street and is frequented by locals.
It’s family-friendly however not tremendous massive so it could refill on weekends.
Additionally observe that it’s bordered by non-public cottages – please respect the boundaries and don’t trespass onto their property.
There may be parking, however not a lot of it. Washrooms can be found.
The place is Christie Seashore? It’s 28 km west of Collingwood between Thornbury and Meaford.
Wasaga Seashore East of Collingwood
Wasaga is among the most well-known seashores in Ontario and a full vacation spot in its personal proper – however we frequently drive up for a day because it’s solely 20 minutes away.
Operating alongside Georgian Bay for a whopping 14 kilometres, Wasaga is the longest freshwater seashore on this planet, and it’s a sensational sandy spot with a classic vibe.
The seashore is so lengthy it’s divided into a number of seashore areas and the environment may be fairly completely different.
Which Seashore Space to Select at Wasaga
One of the best parking, on the romantically-named Seashore Space 1, isn’t my favorite stretch of seashore (too frenetic) however it’s essentially the most business, with eating places, a number of beachy-type outlets, paid parking and public washrooms.
I favor the sleepier west finish seashore areas, although it’s more durable to seek out parking there. We’ve been identified to carry our bikes and cycle down from the paid parking space at Seashore Space 1.
The place is Wasaga? It’s 20 km east of Collingwood and 150 km north of Toronto.
Are Collingwood Seashores Value It?
A seashore day on Georgian Bay is a special expertise from typical cottage nation lounging.
Masking 15,000 sq. kilometres, it’s an enormous physique of water and the horizon is huge.
Barely mysterious, particularly when the waves are up and the water a robust steely blue, the bay additionally has a playful aspect when the solar is shining, the seashore parasols are out and the water is pale turquoise.
Ever altering, the bay round Collingwood is endlessly fascinating and one of many high summer season spots in Ontario.
