Camping in Sauble Falls Provincial Park, ON

Just three hours north of Toronto, Sauble Falls Provincial Park is a gateway to exploring the Bruce Peninsula. The highlight of the park is Sauble Falls, which once powered a timber mill and generating station. Now, they’re best enjoyed by families and, come fall, spawning salmon and trout. There’s excellent fishing in the area and would-be anglers can rent canoes and kayaks onsite. On the smaller side, the park has just two campgrounds.

• Best for families: The eastern section of West Campground is perfect for families. It has easy access to showers, laundry, and recreation facilities like the basketball and volleyball courts and the playground.
• Best for hikers: East Campground’s easternmost section is next to Sauble Trail, a 2.5-kilometre route that travels through ancient sand dunes.

1. Sauble Fall is a small provincial park, with about 150 camping sites. If there’s a particular site you want (say, with a view of the water), you should book well in advance.
2. You can make reservations up to five months before arrival. However, you cannot cancel bookings more than four months out. As such, should you miss out on a spot at the five-month mark, wait for a month or so when some cancellations come up. 
3. Opting for a mid-week visit or choosing a less popular site (like one that’s further away from the water) will greatly increase your odds of securing a last-minute booking. And if you’re hoping for a truly last-minute spot, you can try calling the park just after noon on the day you want to visit. Campers who leave early will receive a full refund provided they cancel before 12pm on the day of their departure. You might just be able to snag a spot that opens up.

Sauble Falls Provincial Park is open from late April until late October. Like many parks, Sauble Falls bans alcohol on Victoria Day and for the 10 days preceding it. Canada Day (July 1) and the August Civic Holiday (first Monday in August) are two very busy long weekends for the park. Book your reservations well in advance to avoid disappointment. In mid-September, you can see rainbow trout and chinook salmon swimming upstream over the ledges of the waterfall to spawn. 

• If you want to fish at Sauble Falls Provincial Park, you’ll need a license. They’re available from a number of regional businesses. 
• Bruce Peninsula National Park is just a short drive away. The park is home to hiking, birdwatching, camping, and even bouldering. Those keen to climb along the shore might just spot the endangered Lakeside Daisy. 
• Everything from groceries to hardware can be found in the nearby town of Wiarton. Just outside Wiarton is Suntrail Source for Adventure, a comprehensive outdoor outfitter.