Frequently Asked Questions
The information below is provided as a service to park visitors, and is collected from the Ontario Parks website. blog and social media posts. Park use policies and fees are not the responsibility of the Friends of Presqu’ile Park.
Have a question that is not answered here? Please submit your question to us or the park directly by clicking here.
Admission / Entry Fee / Day Pass / Permit
See our Day Use page on our website for information about fees, park passes and day use reservations.
Alerts
Please click on the Alerts page on Presqu’ile’s website to find the answers to the following questions:
- Is the beach closed?
- Is there a fire ban?
- Is there a boil water advisory?
- On what days is waterfowl hunting taking place?
- What areas of the park are closed on these days?
- When are the islands open to the public?
Bicycles
Is there a bike trail in the park?
Bicycles are permitted on the paved multi-use lanes on the far right of both sides of the main road as you enter/exit the park. South of the Park Store, there is no bike lane, but there is a bike path that starts past the curve that leads to the campgrounds. In the campgrounds there is an old bike path along the southern shore, but due to erosion and wave action, there are sections that are now covered in rocks.
The multi-use lane is present on the one-way ‘loop’ road in the south eastern section of the park.
Bicycles are NOT permitted on walking trails (Jobes’ Woods, Marsh Boardwalk, Newcastle, Pioneer and Owen Point trails.)
The rules of the road in provincial parks are the same as on provincial roads, so bicycle helmets are required for children under 18.
Bursary
See our Student Bursary page for information about our bursary program and nomination forms.
Christmas at Presqu’ile
Christmas at Presqu’ile has been permanently discontinued and will no longer be taking place. We sincerely thank our attendees, vendors, and volunteer for your past support and loyalty.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome at Presqu’ile, but there are some important rules to follow. For information about dogs in the park, please read this article from Ontario Parks. Failure to comply with the rules may result in a minimum $75 fine. Please contact park staff if you have specific questions about pets in the park.
Is there a dog beach at Presqu’ile?
No, there is no specific dog beach in the park, however dogs are allowed to swim in the water at the rocky beach on the southern shore of the park (Day Use picnic area.) Dogs are never allowed on the sand beach at any time of year, as it is important habitat for migrating birds.
Equipment Rentals
There are no bicycle, canoe or kayak rentals in park. Businesses outside of the park may rent items. Presqu’ile Park Place, just outside the park gates, rents scooters by the hour.
Hunting
Is there hunting in the park?
There is a regulated waterfowl (duck) hunt in Presqu’ile from the fourth Friday in September to the third Saturday in December. Hunting occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Access to certain parts of the park (including Owen Point) is limited on those days.
Hunting in this park is subject to the Ontario Hunting Regulations. Certain restrictions apply. For more information, contact the park (613-475-4324) or a Ministry of Natural Resources office.
Kiteboarding
Is there hunting in the park?
There is a regulated waterfowl (duck) hunt in Presqu’ile from the fourth Friday in September to the third Saturday in December. Hunting occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Access to certain parts of the park (including Owen Point) is limited on those days.
Hunting in this park is subject to the Ontario Hunting Regulations. Certain restrictions apply. For more information, contact the park (613-475-4324) or a Ministry of Natural Resources office.
Lighthouse
Can you go inside/climb the Presqu’ile lighthouse?
No, you cannot go inside or climb to the top of the lighthouse. You can see what the inside of the lighthouse is like by observing the model lighthouse inside the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre.
Museums
Presqu’ile has two interpretive centres: the Nature Centre (natural history) and the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre (cultural history.) These are both open daily from 10am to 4pm in July and August. They may be open on weekends in the spring and fall. Check for the hours on our calendar of events.
Park Hosts
Presqu’ile no longer has a Park Host program. The program was discontinued by Ontario Parks and has been replaced by the Park Ambassador Program, which teaches camping skills to park visitors.
Ticks
Please be aware that ticks capable of transmitting Lyme disease can be found at Presqu’ile. Ticks are members of the spider family that feed on blood from living bodies. They are found in long grasses, brush or leaves where animals live. Ticks travel by crawling or hitchhiking on animals – they do not fly or jump. There are many different species of ticks and not all of them carry the bacteria for Lyme disease. The most common tick you may encounter is the American Dog Tick, which does NOT carry the bacteria. The only tick that carries the disease in Ontario is the Black-legged (or Deer) Tick.
Tourism Information / Local Attractions / Things to Do
Visit these local tourism websites for information about local accommodations, events, and activities to do outside the park:
Washing Dishes
Campers can wash their dishes in the metal sinks located outside the comfort stations in the High Bluff, Hidden Valley, and Maples campgrounds.
Never wash dishes at a water tap or bathroom sink.
If washing your dishes at your campsite, follow these tips from Ontario Parks about being a considerate camper, then dispose of the dirty dishwater in a vault toilet, not on your campsite.
