Pair your Canada camping adventure with wine tasting and beaches in this Lake Ontario vacation spot.
Food, wine, and sandy beaches draw visitors to Prince Edward County, a historically agricultural region sandwiched between the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario, east of Toronto. These days, the fields mostly grow grapes, and the three dozen wineries make good chardonnay, pinot gris, and pinot noir. Restaurants, inns, and craft breweries fill The County’s three main towns: Picton, Bloomfield, and Wellington. On the south shore, Sandbanks Provincial Park, one of Ontario’s top destinations for campers, is known for its sand dunes near West Lake and its long beaches along Lake Ontario. Campers and RVers can also opt for lakeside sites at nearby commercial campgrounds.
While the busiest season in Prince Edward County is June through early September, both spring and fall can bring pleasant weather and fewer crowds. The campgrounds at Sandbanks Provincial Park are open from late April into October, and book up months in advance for weekend getaways in summer. Come mid-week if your schedule allows. During the cold winter months, from January to March, many businesses around The County close entirely or significantly reduce their hours.