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Finest Collingwood Seashores
For those who’re visiting Collingwood and Blue Mountain in Ontario on a summer season weekend, the clear clear waters of Georgian Bay are certain to lure you in.
Right here’s a complete information to the most effective seashores to go to, with my private opinions on all of them.
In regards to the Seashores of Southern Georgian Bay
Southern Georgian Bay round Collingwood and Blue Mountain is a superb summer season vacation spot identified for its diversified panorama, clear waters, and outside adventures.
That’s why my husband and I moved right here.
Situated about two hours north of Toronto (relying on visitors, which could be horrendous), this gorgeous space gives quite a lot of bayside landscapes, from sandy shores to rocky coastlines.
The Predominant Seashores
The three main seashores within the space are Sundown Level Seaside in Collingwood, Northwinds to the west and Wasaga to the east.
Seashores Off the Predominant Observe
There are additionally many lesser-known spots that provide a quiet enchantment, and are a superb various to the Large Three particularly on sizzling sunny weekends.
Finest Spots to Lay Your Towel From Wasaga to Thornbury
This information highlights seashores on Southern Georgian Bay inside a straightforward stroll, cycle or drive from Collingwood and Blue Mountain Village.
The checklist runs from Wasaga east of Collingwood to Christie Seaside west of Thornbury.
Try another enjoyable issues to do at Blue Mountain.
Issues to Know About Collingwood Seashores
- Typically the water round Collingwood is shallow.
- Wasaga excepted, most seashores are a mixture of sand, shale and pebbles. (Hey, it’s not the Caribbean. We take what we are able to get.)
- Seashores are typically unsupervised so use warning.
- Many seashores don’t enable tents or different buildings.
- During the last couple of years they’ve began charging for parking nearly all over the place, so be ready to pay or hoof it a good distance.
- If there are excessive waves and the water is murky, stirred up by the wind, I don’t go in.
- Sunsets could be INCREDIBLE.
Sundown Level – The Finest Seaside in Collingwood
For those who’re on the lookout for a seashore smack within the city of Collingwood, Sundown Level Seaside is your house.
It’s a scenic spot throughout from among the ritziest properties on the town, and intensely well-liked with each day trippers and locals.
There’s one sandy space within the centre that’s the greatest for households with youngsters, and Sundown Level’s Chipper snack bar is thought for it’s crisp scrumptious fries.
My go-to spot is the grassy space on the west finish of Sundown Level the place there are just a few benches, picnic tables, a small playground and much more tranquility.
It’s no picnic (except you’re, after all, really having a picnic) to get into the water at this finish because it’s a shallow shale space, however the water is obvious (and also you’ll usually discover me lazing round right here with a e-book through the week – not that that’s a draw).
Sundown Level Seaside can get loopy crowded on summer season weekends and parking could be difficult however the seashore is massive, with a good bit of room to unfold out in.
It additionally has accessible well-maintained washrooms and a beachfront promenade.
For those who don’t reside in Collingwood, parking throughout the road is $10 per hour to a most of $50 per day, and on a weekend it could actually refill quick.
The place is Sundown Level Seaside? It’s at 79 St Lawrence St, Collingwood.
Craigleith Provincial Park
Hold an eagle eye out for fossils on the fractured shale on the seashore at Craigleith Provincial Park, the place the 400-million-year-old rock holds secrets and techniques from the previous.
Day charges can be found for this admittedly non-beachy seashore, the place you’ll see campers and day trippers picnicking, paddling or pulling up garden chairs and sitting with their ft within the water.
Costs are cheap, averaging about $15 for the day, although it varies considerably.
The place is Craigleith Provincial Park? The campground itself is an extended slender strip of land that runs between Freeway 26 and the waterfront.
Northwinds Seaside at Craigleith
Northwinds is the best-known seashore within the City of Blue Mountains, (which, by the best way, is a municipality, not a city and consists of the city of Thornbury and Blue Mountain Village.)
Situated simply off Freeway 26 on the backside of Gray Highway 19, Northwinds is the closest seashore to Blue Mountain Village, which makes it a perennial hit with vacationers staying at one of many resorts there.
A Relaxed Vibe
When my husband and I have been on the lookout for a house round Blue Mountain, we rented a rental throughout the street from Northwinds Seaside for 3 months and shortly fell in love with its relaxed environment.
It has a extra pure really feel than the city park-like vibe of Sundown Level Seaside, and has each shady and sunny areas, loos, a small playground and a few grassy spots to lie out on.
It’s additionally a superb place to launch your rise up paddleboard or kayak.
Sandy or Rocky? Northwinds is Each
There’s some sand however, relying the place you go in, it may be rocky, so water sneakers are a good suggestion.
There’s paid parking on the seashore however it fills up rapidly. It’s in all probability simpler to strive for parking on the Craigleith Heritage Depot throughout the road.
Journey Tip: Take care when crossing the freeway and cross solely on the lights. There’s plenty of visitors alongside there, and we’ve seen a few accidents.
The place is Northwinds Seaside? It’s 10 km west of Collingwood on Freeway 26. It’s additionally an ideal cease on the Georgian Path in the event you’re biking or mountain climbing.
Blue Mountain Personal Seaside Membership
For those who don’t thoughts paying for the privilege, Blue Mountain Village has a non-public white sand seashore that is likely one of the nicest within the space.
For those who’re staying on the Village, examine together with your resort to see if entry is included. It’s undoubtedly included within the Play All Day Move.
Nice Facilities
There are plenty of facilities on the seashore membership like a snack bar, volleyball web, non-motorized boats (included within the admission charge), and cabanas (for an additional cost).
Parking is proscribed so in the event you’re a resort visitor, take the non-public shuttle from Blue Mountain Village. There are two accessible parking areas and accessible washrooms.
The place is Blue Mountain Seaside? A ten-minute shuttle journey from the Village, Blue Mountain Seaside is west of Collingwood previous Craigleith.
Council Seaside – An Insider’s Secret
When the larger seashores are overrun with solar seekers we head to Council Seaside, an unprepossessing seashore recognizable by an enormous hulking boulder simply offshore.
There’s a swing set, a transportable bathroom, a few picnic tables, and a little bit of tree shade in the event you’re after some reduction from the solar.
The place is Council Seaside? It’s simply off Freeway 26 at Lakewood Drive (Gray Highway 40). There’s a small quantity of paid parking, and from there a brief path takes you to the seashore.
Peasemarsh Conservation Space
Peasemarsh Seaside is one other little hideaway set in a nature protect simply east of Thornbury off Freeway 26.
This smaller, quiet seashore is far much less identified than Sundown Level or Northwinds, and is an okay mixture of sand, rocks and pebbles.
Set in Nature
The encompassing Peasemarsh Conservation Space has a straightforward community of shady trails superb for a wood-scented nature stroll, and is bordered by the gradual inexperienced waters of Indian Brook.
Whereas the seashore itself is just not massive, it’s a pleasant off-the-beaten-path expertise for guests in the event you’re not craving many facilities.
There’s a paid parking zone and primary transportable bathroom services.
The place is Peasemarsh Conservation Space? It’s 18 km west of Collingwood off Freeway 26.
Little River Seaside Park in Thornbury
Thornbury is an upscale city on Georgian Bay with inviting cafes, boutiques and a preferred ice cream store named Pom Pom.
The seashore is adjoining to the pier and it’s a detailed stroll to the principle avenue. (For ice cream. Did I point out ice cream?)
Facilities
Facilities embrace good washrooms, benches and a pleasant playground. There’s some parking proper alongside the seashore.
The reality is that Mark and I hardly ever go there, in all probability as a result of it was closed for restoration once we first moved to Collingwood and we by no means bought into the behavior.
After we’re in Thornbury we go to Bayview Park.
The place is Little River Seaside? You’ll discover it at 4 Harbour St, Thornbury.
Bayview Park in Thornbury
Whereas the small seashore at Bayview Park is nothing to crow about, the park itself is serene and spacious with plenty of grass to put your towels out on, a path alongside the waterfront, a sheltered picnic space and serviceable washrooms.
It’s nearer to Collingwood than Little River Park (one thing to think about in the event you’re biking there on the Georgian Path), however not as near the retailers on the principle avenue.
There’s parking alongside the road by the park.
The place is Bayview Park Seaside? It’s at 60 Bay Road East, Thornbury
Christie Seaside
One other seashore within the Blue Mountains area is Christie Seaside. It’s a primarily sandy seashore in the direction of Meaford off Freeway 26 on the finish of Christie Seaside Highway and is frequented by locals.
It’s family-friendly however not tremendous massive so it could actually refill on weekends.
Additionally notice that it’s bordered by non-public cottages – please respect the boundaries and don’t trespass onto their property.
There’s parking, however not a lot of it. Washrooms can be found.
The place is Christie Seaside? It’s 28 km west of Collingwood between Thornbury and Meaford.
Wasaga Seaside East of Collingwood
Wasaga is likely one of the most well-known seashores in Ontario and a full vacation spot in its personal proper – however we regularly drive up for a day because it’s solely 20 minutes away.
Operating alongside Georgian Bay for a whopping 14 kilometres, Wasaga is the longest freshwater seashore on this planet, and it’s a sensational sandy spot with a classic vibe.
The seashore is so lengthy it’s divided into a number of seashore areas and the environment could be fairly totally different.
Which Seaside Space to Select at Wasaga
The most effective parking, on the romantically-named Seaside Space 1, isn’t my favorite stretch of seashore (too frenetic) however it’s probably the most business, with eating places, just a few beachy-type retailers, paid parking and public washrooms.
I want the sleepier west finish seashore areas, although it’s more durable to seek out parking there. We’ve been identified to deliver our bikes and cycle down from the paid parking space at Seaside Space 1.
The place is Wasaga? It’s 20 km east of Collingwood and 150 km north of Toronto.
Are Collingwood Seashores Value It?
A seashore day on Georgian Bay is a unique expertise from typical cottage nation lounging.
Masking 15,000 sq. kilometres, it’s an enormous physique of water and the horizon is huge.
Barely mysterious, particularly when the waves are up and the water a robust steely blue, the bay additionally has a playful aspect when the solar is shining, the seashore parasols are out and the water is pale turquoise.
Ever altering, the bay round Collingwood is endlessly charming and one of many prime summer season spots in Ontario.
