Animal Bar

General Information for Hikers

NOTE: All map references are from The Bruce Trail Reference, Edition 26 - see item 2 below

1. Two Remote Over Night Rest Areas, Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada – "People intending to campat either of the Overnight Rest Areas listed below must regaister and pay a fee in advance with the Park office. Tenting platforms, composting toilets and strict limits on the number of campers will help to ensure the continued enjoyment of this remote, environmentally sensitive area by future generations. Call 519-596-2503 or 519-596-2233 for information."

  • a) High Dump Emegency Shelter – 137.0 km, Map 41. A short side trail leads to this wilderness site with an emergency shelter, nine tent sites at the shore, animal-proof storage boxes and a composting toilet. No fires please. Use a portable stove. Group camping is not permitted.
  • b) Storm Haven – 145.9 km, Map 41. A short path leads down to the shore where there are eight tent platforms, animal-proof storage boxes and a composting toilet. No fires please. Use a portable stove. Group camping is not permitted.

>> Visit the Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada Camping web page.

2. Cyprus Lake & Campground, Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada

Refer to km 147.7, Bruce Trail Reference Map 41, Ed. 26. If you are on the main trail near Cyprus Lake (consult Bruce Trail Reference Map 41, Ed. 26) you you may follow one of three marked trails (Horse Lake trail, Georgian Bay trail or Marr Lake trail) of the Bruce Peninsula National Park to the Head of Trails parking lot. The Park office is located 2.6 km from the Trail. A fee is charged for camping. All facilities are available including interpretive programs and fire pits. Great for groups. Forinformation on Cyprus Lake Campground reservations call 1-877-737-3783, 7 am - 7 pm. TTY 1-866-787-6221. For Online Resrvations Information go to Parks Canada Campground Reservation Service.

3. Purchase the Bruce Trail Reference

The Bruce Trail Conservancy is funded by membership fees and sales of maps, guides and other materials. The guidebooks are indispensable for long hikes and for a full appreciation of the ecology, history and scenic features of the Niagara Escarpment.

The Bruce Trail Reference, 26th Edition - is available online and at bookstores and hiking supply outlets. Asturdy, portable and complete set of over 40 maps (maps are multicoloured and based on topo maps), with step-by-step descriptions of the Trail and items of interest along the way. It can be purcahes in a ring binder format for easy updating and addition of supplementary information.

Other Bruce Trail Products - For other products (books, clothing, etc) sold by the Bruce Trail Conservancy visit the BT Store.

4. Purchase the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club Day Hike Guide

See a sample map and two sample day hike descriptions on the Day Hike Guide web page.

5. Purchase PBTC End-to-End Badge

See details on the Badges web page.

6. PBTC Hikes - regular, easy walks and end-to-end

See three hike schedules at www.pbtc.ca/hikes.html

7. Peninsula B & B’s – www.bbcanada.ca

See www.bbcanada.com/ontario/southwestern_ontario and check Wiarton, Lion’s Head, Cape Chin North, Tobermory

8. Peninsula Home to Home Hikers Program

9. Bruce Trail Opportunities: Membership, Donations, Volunteer

Website: www.brucetrail.org and see links to membership, donations and volunteer

10. Taxi Services

  • Grab a Cab, Wiarton – 519-534-2474
  • Bluewater Taxi, Wiarton – 519-534-1086
  • Inquire at Information Centre at Tobermory Community Centre for taxis in Tobermory.

11. Camping and Overnight Rest Areas – Peninsula Section (Wiarton to Tobermory)

  • Blue Water Beach Park, Wiarton – Map 35 (Commercial)
  • Cape Croker Indian Park – Map 36 - (Commercial)
  • Hope Bay Campground – Map 37 (Commercial)
  • McKay’s Harbour Wilderness Overnight Rest Area – Map 38 & 38-2, restrictions apply see Map 38-2 for details (e.g. no fires)
  • Lion’s Head Beach Park campground – Map 38. 34 site campground, including 5 tenting sites. 519-793-3522 X 222. The Municiplaity of Northern Bruce Peninsula.
  • Reed’s Dump – Wilderness Overnight Rest Area – Map 39, restrictions apply see Map 39-2 for details (e.g. no fires)
  • High Dump – refer to item 1 at top of this web page
  • Storm Haven – refer to item 1 at top of this web page
  • Cyprus Lake Campground – refer to item 2 at top of this web page
  • Tobermory Village Campground & Trailer Park – near the northern terminus of the Bruce Trail, Map 42 (Commercial)

12. Links to other Bruce Peninsula relevant websites

See the > www.pbtc.ca/links.html

13. Hike Safety

Hike with a friend in remote and rough territory. Inform others of where you are hiking and when you expect to return. Plan your hike in advance. Wear suitable clothing in layers and sturdy footwear. Carry a daypack with extra clothing to protect against sun, cold, and rain. Bring a lunch and high-energy snacks, as well as water or other non-alcoholic drinks. Carry a basic first aid kit.

14. Wildlife and Plant Life

You are hiking in backcountry. The Peninsula section is home to black bears and the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, among other species. These creatures will move away from you if you give them plenty of warning. They are timid and it is true, they are more afraid of you than you are of them. You can and will encounter poison ivy on parts of the trail. Beware and protect yourself.

15. The Bruce Trail Volunteers

The Trail is built and maintained by dedicated volunteers. Please respect the work of these volunteers by staying on the treadway and observing the Trail Users Code.

  • Hike only along marked routes, especially on farmland - do not take short cuts
  • Do not climb fences - use the stiles
  • Respect the privacy of people living along the trail
  • Leave the trail cleaner than you found it; carry out all litter
  • No open fires are allowed on the Trail. Use a portable stove
  • Leave flowers and plants for others to enjoy.
  • Do not damage live trees or strip off bark.
  • Keep dogs on a leach, especially on or near farm land
  • Protect and do not disturb wildlife
  • Leave only your thanks and take nothing but photographs.

16. Plan Hikes Carefully and Never Hike Alone

Plan your hikes and consider the distance, degree of difficulty, and capabilities of all people in your group before going on a long hike.

Hiking Difficulty Ratings

  • Strenuous – Difficult footing and/or steep slopes on major portions of the section.
  • Moderate – You will encounter some rocky, uneven footing and/or moderate slopes.
  • Easy – This section is gently rolling, with mostly smooth treadway

 

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