Point Pelee National Park

Understand

Point Pelee National Park covers an area of 15 km² (5.8 sq mi). It is Canada's smallest national park. It was established in 1918. The word pelée is French for 'bald'. Point Pelee consists of a peninsula of land, mainly of marsh and woodland habitats, that tapers to a sharp point as it extends into Lake Erie. Middle Island, also part of Point Pelee National Park, was acquired in 2000 and is just north of the Canada–United States border in Lake Erie. Point Pelee is the southernmost point of mainland Canada, and is on a foundation of glacial sand, silt and gravel that bites into Lake Erie. This spit of land is slightly more than 7 km long by 4.5 km (2.8 mi) wide at its northern base. Bird migration was the reason Point Pelee became a national park in 1918. It has since garnered international recognition as an “Important Bird Area” and a UNESCO designated “Wetland of International Significance”. While significant breeding birds call the park home, Point Pelee's greatest importance is to migratory species moving through in spring and fall. Park office: 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, +1 519-322-2365, toll-free +1-888-773-8888, or email: [email protected]

History Aboriginal people lived on Point Pelee at least 6,000 years before European colonization. The largest archaeological site found at Point Pelee is thought to have been occupied between 700 and 900 CE. In the late 1700s, British naval reserves logged the area's white pine for shipbuilding. In 1790, Deputy Indian Agent Alexander McKee negotiated a treaty with Aboriginal communities that ceded a large tract of land, which included Point Pelee, to the Crown. The Caldwell First Nation Chippewa people, who inhabited Point Pelee, were not signatories of that treaty. However, the Crown did not realize this, and their land was ceded nonetheless. They were forced off their land, and Point Pelee remains unceded aboriginal land. This has been publicly acknowledged by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Ca

Getting there

The park is near the town of Leamington. The park is accessible only by car. There is no public transit access to Point Pelee National Park. The nearest train and bus stations are Windsor and Chatham stations. The nearest airports are Windsor International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Point Pelee is 65 km from Windsor, 180 km from London and 355 km from Toronto.

By car From the east (via Highway 401): Follow Highway 401 to exit 48, and turn left (south) on Highway 77. Turn left (east) on County Rd 33. Turn right on County Rd 20. Atter 200 m, turn left on Bevel Line. This road will become Point Pelee Drive, which takes you to the 1 Park Entrance. From the west (via Highway 3): From the Bridge or tunnel, follow the signs to Highway 3 east. From Highway 3, turn left (east) on County Rd 33. Turn right on County Rd 20. Atter 200 m, turn left on Bevel Line. This road will become Point Pelee Drive, which takes you to the park entrance.

Getting around

The park is accessible only by car, though once inside the park, there are bicycle paths as well. There is also a free shuttle from the Visitor Information Center to the tip of the peninsula, which runs every 20 minutes during the day from April to November.

See

Most casual visitors are interested in the novelty of being at the furthest southern point in Canada. Other visitors are dedicated birdwatchers, who are there more commonly in the migration season, which does not overlap with the summertime tourism season.

Do

The park has 8 designated walking trails and one designated canoe circuit. The park also contains a long stretch of beach, most of which where swimming is allowed. The park is one of the Top 15 Birding spots in North America, awarded by Birder's World Magazine, October 2002. It is also a UNESCO designated Wetland of International Significance.

Buy

The Visitors Centre contains a gift shop.

Eat

As with most national parks, you are unlikely to find any restaurants of any note directly inside the park. Leamington is known for the quality of its tomatoes.

Drink & nightlife

There is nowhere to purchase alcohol inside the park. Leamington is the nearest town.

Sleep

Lodging Point Pelee is popular as a day trip from various Southern Ontario cities, but if staying overnight there are all manner of lodgings to be found nearby in Leamington.

Camping Parks Canada offers 24 "oTENTiks" at Camp Henry, tents on raised platforms for $133.25/night (2023) for up to six people (2 queen-sized and 1 double-sized bed with high density foam mattresses). Reserve by calling 1-877-RESERVE (737-3783) or [1]. oTENTik are available year-round, and are heated in the winter. Reservations should be made well in advance.

1 Camp Henry. oTENTik camping only. Refreshments and firewood are available at the campground office. Heated toilets, showers, and dishwashing stations are centrally located. Parking is a short walk away from campsites. (updated Aug 2023) Point Pelee is a rarity among Canadian National Parks, in that there are no tent or RV campgrounds within the park's boundaries. This is due in part to the small size of the park and the fact that a majority of the park is wetland. There are some facilities outside of the park.

Backcountry There are no backcountry sites.

Go next

As a common day trip location, Point Pelee is a place to escape to, not escape from. Many large cities are nearby (Detroit, Toronto, Hamilton).