If youre only doing the easy trails, you should wear running shoes at a minimum. I dont recommend doing the hike this quickly unless you are short on time. They may be accessed through the Head of Trails and parking is located at Cyprus Lake P1 parking lot. I did a two day backpacking trip in the park and stayed at a campsite in High Dump. Hey Jennifer! Generally considered a challenging route. V5: Cotation(s) agre(s) par la communaut V5: private: thique. I paid 30 dollars for the reservation ( all due to COVID ). You do have to pre book a reservation Parking spot to stay. You can hike to The Grotto from Halfway Log Dump, though it's about 7 km each way. However, you do it, definitely spend the night in the park! We are more of recreational hikers but it was interesting to see what a "difficult" Bruce Trail is like. Once you've parked at Half Way Log Dump (gawwwwd, I hate typing that name), make your way north toward Georgian Bay Beach and head west on the Bruce Trail. The parking lots are not large, and there tend to be way more cars than the parking lots can accommodate. That means you need to end where you start, so keep that in mind when choosing your route. There are also rock formations to the East but less swimming/climbing friendly it seems. Each campsite has a wooden tent platform, guaranteeing a flat place for you to put your tent. The Grotto is a shoreline sea cave with beautiful blue waters. A grotto is a natural or artificial cave, and The Grotto near Tobermory is so spectacular it has been dubbed THE Grotto. But thanks to your inspiration and work I really want to give backcountry camping a go this summer at Bruce Peninsula! The trail to access it is a path of 900 meters, very easy. It really is beautiful. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Grotto of course overrun by people, more like an amusement park. Hey Ben! Plan and reserve entry in advance. This is a gorgeous trail- youre walking on top of the escarpment so lots of rocks/walking on top of boulders etc. You can access Halfway Log Dump in Bruce Peninsula National Park via turning east on Dyers Bay Road and then making a left on Crane Lake Road. You should probably book well in advance for weekends. If you want to know specifics about backpacking in Bruce Peninsula National Park, check out this page on the Parks Canada website. They looked great, but Im a bit afraid of that cave, too! Take your time and be careful! Each campsite has its own fire pit and picnic table. Part of the trail is wide, smooth and flat. Continue around the trail to the west for about 275 m, taking in the stunning views across the water until you arrive at the Grotto, a weathered hole in the escarpment that will allow you to peer down into the water below. The map below is by Parks Canada. Because we mean itthese views are out-of-this-province gorgeous. There is even a pool! When this happens, walk along the rocky beach close to the lake until you find the trail again. By patlv23 " Beautiful sidekick " Jul. I was thinking of camping over on the side near site 9, but for the life of me, I cant remember what the sites were like. I went through the Stormhaven campground but didnt stay there myself. Although it's still popular enough to require parking reservations. An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works November 1 to April 31: Visiting in the fall and winter seasons There are two different destinations in the park, depending on what youre doing: Visitors Centre: This is where you go if you want to learn about the park or if you will be spending time in the adjacent Five Fathom National Marine Park. I encountered a few makeshift campfires on the beach so I know people break the rules. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Below Ive embedded the video I made about my overnight trip to Bruce Peninsula. You can view the point-to-point map on AllTrails. Download my cookbook now! Parking at The Grotto is 4 hours max. Fern Grotto: Follow Old Cove Landing Trail from the parking lot to the Ohlone Bluff Trail. The Bruce Peninsula is very popular for a reason, however, summer is much too busy for my personal liking. Follow it a short distance to reach the parking lot. Doing the whole stretch will reward you with all the views, but even doing a few km is still worthwhile :). The Bruce Trail enters the national park at Crane Lake and then traces the coastline to Little Cove. On the east side of the peninsula is Georgian Bay. This is a 5 km loop that takes about 2.5 hours. There is a parks canada gate at Emmette lake road, book in advance if you want in because the bureaucracy has put in restrictions on the outdoors. Once you've pushed through this rocky hike, you'll be rewarded with aquamarine beauty and refreshing breezes. There were very few people in the park, the leaves were turning yellow and it was overall a really enjoyable experience. She previously worked as a canoeing guide in Canada, and spent a season guiding hiking and kayaking tours in the high Arctic. Wear breezy long pants not leggings as the suckers will bite through your clothing! A shoreline sea cave with the beautiful blue waters, the Grotto is a unique natural wonder and memorable place to experience. While out on the trail, you will hike along the rugged shore and experience some beautiful views across the waters of Georgian Bay to the north, as well as the peaceful expanse of the forest to the south. I wasnt disappointed its a technical, exciting hike with a near-perfect effort/reward ratio. Quick things to know about Bruce Peninsula National Park camping: TIP: Campfires are prohibited when backcountry camping in Bruce Peninsula NP. From my understanding, the campsites are suitable for car camping and tent trailers but are not suitable for large RVs. The best time to secure a spot is between 08:30 . Huge drop if not careful. Dont risk it; book your parking in advance! The trail is fairly rugged and the park deems it difficult. There are a few other easy hikes in this area as well. Hi, loved this review. Campers staying at the Cyprus Lake Campground can hike to the Grotto from their campsite. Visit early in the morning: This works best if you are already camping in the park. Halfway Log Dump Trail is a wide trail that used to be a logging road. Nous avons fait 15.8 km aller retour et nous avons pris le sentier trail horse partir du 2e parking pour revenir. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! SO, youre not supposed to and I dont encourage people to go against park staff. Looking for a detailed trip report for a canoeing or backpacking route? Have a great time! The trail from Halfway Log Dump to High Dump was my favourite section of all the hiking I did, so I highly recommend choosing a route that takes you along this section of the trail. You definitely cant bike to the Grotto itself. Both High Dump and Stormhaven have nine campsites. And Ill include information on reservations, permits, parking, facilities and more. Stormhaven is just 3 km from Halfway Log Dump and about 4 km from Cyprus Lake Campground. But on the morning I was scheduled to leave the region, I instead got up at 5:00 AM to get there on time to secure a spot. The Grotto is beautiful, but it can be a busy nightmare at the wrong time. Read this. This would be an excellent way to camp in Bruce Peninsula National Park if you dont have all your own camping gear. This is a great alternative if you arrive for a day trip and the Cyprus Campground Parking Lot is full. I dont believe so. Reaching a four-way intersection with some washroom facilities, take the trail on the left and follow it through the forest to hike parallel to the shoreline of Georgian Bay, receiving some nice intermittent views across the water in the process. Took 5.5 hours. Well marked. I hope this guide has proved helpful in planning your trip to the Bruce Peninsula Grotto. Im going later in the year, and very much want to do both of those things. I was just wondering, when did you go camping, and did you encounter snakes during your trip? Just curious if you found out whether parking for backcountry camping needs to be booked ahead of time? Great time of the year to go. The Lod Dumo trail is an easy trail to the shore. I am definitely of the optional that camping Bruce Peninsula National Park should be on any Ontarians bucket list. Hiked Halfway Log Dump towards the Grotto years ago and that direction is much more challenging, but Halfway Log Dump allows 6 hours of parking. I am planning an early Nov trip to Stormhaven. The campground has both electric and non-electric campsites, washrooms and paid showers. The ULTIMATE Guide to Camping in Bruce Peninsula National Park, Paddling & Hiking Near Kingston: Discover the Frontenac Arch Biosphere, My Top Must, Should and Could Things To Do in Kauai, My Favourite Things to do in Vancouver The Ultimate Locals Guide, 22 Must-Read Outdoor Adventure Books (Updated 2022), 11 Ontario Canoe Trips With Little-to-No Portaging. When I finally got in, I was excited and a bit nervous. This popular destination is great for taking photos of a stunning rocky shoreline that would not feel out of place somewhere in the Mediterranean. . Make a left onto Halfway Log Dump Road and continue on for 1.4 km to arrive at the parking area. An underwater tunnel extends from the pool inside the cave through the cliff to Georgian Bay. It is also a very popular and busy location, especially during the peak season of July and August and on long weekends. The flies were AWFUL, not bad for the walk but when you actually get to the beach they bite HARD. We only came across a few other people as this area is far less crowded compared to the grotto. You can spend an hour on pebble beach. You can also walk along the Bruce Trail in either direction, but youll need to return the same way you came. I did the two night trip listed below: However, rather than staying at Stormhaven for a second night, I passed through it and went back to the parking lot. The walk from the parking lot to the water is very easy, I wore sandals with no issue. To help you plan, however, Ive also included the main locations in the park on the Google Map below. The Grotto via Marr Lake / Horse Lake This is the most popular trail in the park and a relatively easy one. I havent stayed at any of these properties myself, so I cant attest to how nice they are. If camping in cooler temperatures, ensure you have a sleeping pad warm enough. It was super challenging. This is thee equipment I brought for my backpacking trip. Feel very accomplished!!!! Expect traffic, long wait times and full parking lots. Your email address will not be published. There is a jump of about 40' at the grotto. Very rocky trail, and in some places the trail completely disappears. The body adjusts though, eventually. This is enough time to view explore The Grotto. However, if youd rather stay at a campsite outside the park, there are a ton of options. TOBERMORY | HIKED THE GROTTO AND HALFWAY LOG DUMP | FOUND THE BEST FISHING SPOT - EMMETT LAKE - YouTube We explored the popular site 'The Grotto' in Tobermory. Walking on Emmett Lake Road is not allowed due to safety concerns. Instead, you can swim on the Georgian Bay shoreline nearby. Dont throw anything but toilet paper and the provided wood chips into the composting toilets. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. To get there, take Emmett Lake Road turnoff within the national parks limits, and follow the signs for the Halfway Log Dump parking area. For both the Grotto and Halfway Log Dump, it is highly encouraged to plan on visiting in the shoulder seasons, (spring/fall) and be sure to call ahead and book a reservation. However, I camped in the park and hiked to The Grotto on a Friday morning, so I didnt have to worry about fighting for parking spots and there werent many people there. You should definitely book your campsite in advance. I did the second option and parked at Halfway Log Dump. I was another of Bruce Peninsulas casualties. I wouldnt just lie down on a towel because there are a lot of spiders under the rocks. Reservations must be booked for those visiting Halfway Log Dump between June 18 and Sept. 7, while they are required for those visiting the Grotto and Cyprus Lake area between May 1 and Oct. 31. The trail to the Grotto would be mostly stroller friendly (very wide and level), but around the Grotto itself is quite rocky. Between June and August, weekdays are also pretty busy but theyre still better than weekends. You can also walk along the Bruce Trail in either direction, but you'll need to return the same way you came. All vehicles require a valid permit to enter each area. Bruce Peninsula National Park Map Bruce Peninsula National Park Map: A Guide to the Best Places to Visit and Local Culture Are you looking for a breathtaking natural wonderland? Ive never used a rope for descent. Be careful as these rocks can be really slippery. You can learn more by reading my full disclosure. We stayed for 3 minutes and left, we were lucky to touch the water and run back but the rocks are dangerous. Many tourists love to enjoy some fulfilling snacks by the shores to fuel themselves for the rich calorie-burning trod back. The most amazing views you will see awaits. We recommend this trail! If you are like the rest of us cruising the South Pacific may be a dream for now, so you may have to settle for something closer. Pictures dont do it justice. Great trail. But technically, you could physically get down and explore the caves. I will be hiking from Half Way Log Dump. Envy is a deadly sin largely because of its resentment component, and by The Little Mermaid's halfway point, Ariel has plenty of resentment to spare. Get fit for summer with our fitness planning guide! There are three trails, an easy 900m Log Dump Trail and two Bruce Trails on either side of it. The Singing Sands part of the Bruce Peninsula National Park is located on the opposite side of the peninsula, on Dorcas Bay. so it may be a tight time frame to complete this entire hike. The Grotto is a unique natural wonder and memorable place to experience. Beautiful, clear water, but quite bone-chilling on our July visit. The hiketo the Grotto, Indian Head Cove and the Georgian Bay shoreline is roughly one hour round trip. BUT, my friends have showed me pictures from when they visited on a sunny summer Saturday and it looks like pure madness. The Bruce Trail traces the shoreline for the entire length of the park and is marked as difficult. There is also a composting toilet that is in (surprisingly) excellent shape very clean and well-stocked with toilet paper. That means someone from Parks Canada has to fish those items out of the toilet. As a result, this short day-hike can be quite tiring for some folks, so expect to take plenty of breaks during your four-hour stay if parking within Bruce Peninsula National Park sites. Any recollections? (Grotto) . Infinite secret places to cool off in the icy, yet healing bay. The hike to the Grotto Tobermory is not difficult. I cant find any more info about that and want to confirm. This is an amazing hike that should definitely make it onto your list if you find yourself in the Bruce. Im glad you found the post helpful Genevieve! This is a gorgeous section of the Bruce Trail that is also challenging, but the best portion of this hike is along the top of the Niagara Escarpment, so there will be plenty of sections of this hike that are both precarious and stunning. When Grotto parking is fully booked, there is no more Grotto access at that time. If youre a reader with a question, please contact me here. As Ive gone through the trouble of writing this 2,000-word guide to visiting The Grotto, youd expect my answer to be an astoundingly OF COURSE NOT! but Im actually a little torn. Was tougher and way more rugged than we expected. Halfway Log Dump. 2022 Hope this helps! If Id had their experience, I would totally agree that The Grotto is overrated. You can learn more about specific fees on the parks Fees Page. The highlight of the route are the beaches with the beautiful turquoise water and its tropical vibe. You can read more about the parks fees here. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The hike from the parking lot to Half way Log Dump is 1 km, If you wish to hike towards the Grotto from here it's 4.4 km west on the Bruce Trail to the Grotto, takes about 3 hours. From the trailhead, you should follow the trail markings for Stormhaven, as once you go down to the beach at the beginning of the trail, you have to come back to the sign to get on the trail otherwise you will be beating in the bush looking for a connector path which adds quite a bit of distance. It looks like it's straight out of the Caribbean! So I personally dont think trekking poles are needed, but if youre new to backpacking you might like them when getting used to carrying a backpack. All of the campsites at High Dump are about equal distance to the water. Reserve your time slot for parking beginning February 24, 2022 at 8 am EST. Youre very welcome Simon have a great trip! I had to pay for parking at the park office when I arrived, but I didnt need to book it in advance. Glad you liked it . Easy to expand your hike along the Bruce Trail. Biggest limitation was the time limit on parking but is doable within the allotted time. Hi Mikaela! Bruce Trail The Bruce Trail enters the national park at Crane Lake and then traces the coastline to Little Cove. However, the terrain around the Grotto itself is uneven and very rocky; while it is not physically tiring, navigating the rocks can be a little tricky. Tip: The waves are really big, so youll get wet when you try to fill your pot. This is a stunning part of the province with excellent backcountry and front country camping facilities. Setting out from the Halfway Log Dump parking lot, head to the northwest along the trail as it enters into the forest and arrives at a junction in 250 m. Head right here and continue through this easy part of the hike, enjoying the peaceful forest atmosphere as you make your way toward the water. I barely saw the group next to me and couldnt even hear their dog. Over the years, The Grotto has grown in popularity (as have the nearby parks and town of Tobermory). You can park at Halfway Log Dump and do a quick (~30 minute) walk to the rocky beach. The drive from Tobermory to Cyprus Lake is roughly km. I'm Mikaela and I'm the voice behind Voyageur Tripper, a blog dedicated to outdoor adventure travel. A new reservation system for the 4 hour Grotto parking time slots allows you to plan your trip in advance. The Cyprus Lake Campground contains more than 230 sites throughout three sub-campgrounds (Birches, Poplar and Tamaracks). The Georgian Bay shoreline including the Grotto, Halfway Log Dump and surrounding trails is a popular area of the park. It was nice. As though an outside resident is going to use GCkey or have a card to our banks etc what a mess. Tobermory ON Canada. It is like night and day walking even a few 100m along this trail away from crowds at the grotto - quiet and serene. Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers. While hikers wishing to visit the Grotto along this route will need to follow the directions posted above to access the trailhead, day visitors that arent interested in a longer hike can drive to the Cyprus Lake Campground for a much shorter 45 minute walk to the Grotto. The parking lot can fill up, but people come and go all day long so it doesn't take long to get a spot. Then youll return via the trail to Horse Lake. No questions have been asked about this experience, Halfway Log Dump, Tobermory: Address, Phone Number, Halfway Log Dump Reviews: 4/5, There are washrooms and drinking fountains at the. Be careful here its easy to misinterpret the markings when you return to the Bruce Trail at the other side. By patlv23 " Beautiful sidekick " Jul 2022 Since I did the hike from Halfway Log Dump to Grotto, I hiked both sides of Stormhaven. I wouldnt say its worth it at all. Come to the next best place. When you arrive at the park gate, the ranger will provide you with a map of the park. The campground is very close to The Grotto about 30 minutes of walking (each way), and part of the hike is on a gravel trail. After 1.3 km along this trail, you will climb uphill and come to the Cave Point Lookout, which will provide some stunning views overlooking the rock formations along the edge of the shimmering blue water. So without further ado, lets go hiking! When you arrive at the park, head to the backcountry permits office (right after the gates into Cyprus Campground). Hi Vivienne! Im heading to storm haven for my first back country experience so this was very helpful. Scrambling on rocks, up and down hills, roots, big rocks, little rocks. Halfway Log Dump For example, some have beaches, swimming pools and restaurants nearby. Theres a decent amount of space between sites so you cant really see the platforms next to you, but if there was group you could probably hear them. Grand Marina! Join our community of outdoor adventurers - you'll find trip inspiration, gear discussions, route recommendations, new friends and more! You can hike to The Grotto from Halfway Log Dump, though its about 7 km each way. It was a difficult trail with tree stumps and rocks all over and you had to look down and be careful where you walk. The trail ranking as difficult is accurate! I'll just let photos describe it further, it's beyond my skills with words. Thank you for such great info! Good luck with your trip! Leaving the campsite behind, you will traverse some more of the same rugged terrain for the next 2.5 km, keeping right to hug tightly to the waters edge and enjoy the dual views of the charming woodland setting and the vast expanse of Georgian Bay on your right.