Bruce Peninsula National Park is a perfect destination for a fall camping trip. The summer crowds dwindle after Labour Day weekend and you can really enjoy the natural beauty of the Bruce Peninsula. The park encompasses over 250 km of shoreline, limestone cliffs and dense forests. The autumn foliage puts on a spectacular show of vibrant reds, oranges and yellows set against the backdrop of the endless blue waters of Georgian Bay.
I visited the park for the first time in mid-October 2021 and camped for two nights. It was my third time visiting the Peninsula but my first time at the park! It was also my first time an an Ontario National Park! If you prefer watching to reading check out my video of my solo fall camping trip at Bruce Peninsula National Park to see what you can expect!
Hike to the Grotto from Cyprus Lake Campground
30 minutes – Easy – Out and Back
The Grotto is the most well known spot to visit at the park and for good reason! I was skeptical of if it would live up to expectations but it truly did not disappoint. AND it was made better by the few number of people there!
This isn’t one of those instagram vs reality situations where you have to strategically place your camera to make it look like theres no one there… there just really were not many people! At some points I even had the place to myself! That is something that would never happen in the summer and is why visiting in the fall, despite the rain, was so worth it to me.
The hike to get to the grotto is pretty accessible. Its about a 30 minute walk (each way) from the Cyprus Lake Campground on fairly flat terrain. Once at the Grotto you can extend your hike down the shoreline which is all beautiful! When hiking along the rocky shoreline and over the bluffs is a bit more technical and requires good shoes especially in the rain when rocks are slippery.
Cyprus Lake Loop
5 km – Easy – Loop
The Cyprus Lake Loop can also be easily accessed from the Cyprus Lake campground. It is a 5 km long loop around the lake. It was a bit muddy in sections when I did the trail but it fairly flat and easy to walk. My favourite part of this trail and another great part of fall was all of the mushrooms! I saw mushrooms in almost every colour of the rainbow!
Considerations for a Fall vs Summer Trip
I really enjoyed my trip to the park in the fall BUT there are some downsides to take into consideration.
- Depending how late into the fall you visit many of the tourist shops and some restaurants in Tobermory may be closed for the season
- The water is too cold to swim
- Rainy weather – although it can rain in the summer as well, rain in the fall is accompanied by a cold dampness that few people enjoy. This can be combated by checking the forecast and packing appropriately.
All that being said, the pro of having no crowds made the fall experience well worth it for me. Also you don’t have to make reservations the second that they open in the spring! The competition for sites in the summer is crazy. Since less people are willing to camp in the cooler weather you can make a more last minute reservation. For more on Fall and Winter in the park you can visit the official Parks Canada website here.
Halfway Log Dump
1.0 km – easy – Out and Back
Another area of the park that is worth a visit is Halfway Log Dump. Parking at halfway log dump you can take a quick 30 minute walk down to a rocky beach that is beautiful. Again, visiting in the fall there were very few people around!
Land Acknowledgement
I would like to acknowledge that Bruce Peninsula National Park is located on the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway First Nations. I travel with respect in the National Parks knowing that these lands were stolen from those to whom they first and rightfully belonged.
