Ontario offers hundreds of stunning places to cool off on Canada Day, from shallow, family-friendly beaches on Lake Erie to long stretches of golden sand on Georgian Bay. Whether you’re looking for a lively beach town or a quiet swim in a forested lake, here’s a curated list of some of the best spots across the province to relax, swim, and celebrate July 1st.
Awenda Provincial Park
Awenda Provincial Park, on a peninsula jutting into Georgian Bay near Penetanguishene, offers five scenic beaches (some sandy, some pebbly) tucked between forest and dunes.
With warm summer air (often up to 25 °C) and water temperatures averaging around 20 °C by July–August, it’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. The park features picnic areas, toilets, a PFD-lending program, and a mix of busy family beaches (like First Beach) and quieter options reached by hiking. Water quality is good and monitored regularly.
No lifeguards, swim at your own risk. It also has over 30 km of trails, campsites, and occasional dog‑friendly beach zones. Sources: Ontario Parks stats, Swim Guide, Outdoorsy.
Wasaga Beach
One of the longest freshwater beaches in the world, popular for families and parties. Wasaga Beach stretches 14 km along the southern shore of Georgian Bay, making it the longest freshwater beach in the world.
It’s a classic summer destination with warm, shallow water—averaging around 20 °C in July (and often peaking at 24 °C), perfect for families and casual swimmers. Beach areas 1–6 are accessible off Mosley Street, with additional quieter zones like Allenwood and New Wasaga nearby.
Facilities include washrooms, picnic areas, playgrounds, accessible walkways, parking, and mobi‑mat access. It’s a Blue Flag certified beach, offering good water quality and environmental standards. The town also features a boardwalk, ice cream shops, and food trucks in peak season, while trail networks and historic sites offer variety beyond swimming.
Grand Bend
Grand Bend is a lively lakeside beach town on Lake Huron, featuring a sandy Blue Flag beach spanning about 20 acres. Water temperatures average around 19 °C in July, rising into the low‑20s °C by August, ideal for swimming.
The main beach, open mid‑June to Labour Day, is patrolled by lifeguards and offers amenities like washrooms, a splash pad, boardwalk, playgrounds, beach house, outdoor showers, accessible mats, and lifejacket lending.
No tents or BBQs are allowed; the town strip nearby has shops, restaurants, and beachside entertainment. Additional spots like South Beach offer quieter swimming options. Grand Bend is also wheelchair-friendly, with accessible parking and facilities.
Sandbanks Provincial Park
Sandbanks Provincial Park, located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario in Prince Edward County, features three expansive sandy beaches (Outlet, Dunes, Lakeshore) nestled among the world’s largest bay‑mouth barrier dune formations. Water temperatures average around 21 °C in July and can reach up to 24 °C — excellent for swimming.
The park offers ample facilities including washrooms, picnic areas, barbecues, boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards), personal flotation devices for loan, and accessible walkways. There are no lifeguards, and water quality is tested weekly.
You’ll also find easy hiking trails through dunes and forests, over 500 campsites, interpretive programs, and a discovery centre. Expect popular summer crowds — parking fills early — along with opportunities for birdwatching, fossil hunting at West Point, and scenic nature hikes.
Quick Tips for Best Experience:
- Arrive before 9 AM in summer to secure parking.
- Outlet Beach is family-friendly with shallow water; Dunes Beach offers scenic dunes; Lakeshore Beach is quieter and longer.
- Trails include easy loops like Cedar Sands, Dunes Trail, and Woodlands Trail.
- Pets allowed at the south end of Outlet Beach; bring food/garbage gear as shelters are limited.
- The park is very busy on Canada Day weekend — plan ahead!
Long Point Provincial Park
Long Point Provincial Park sits on a sandy spit into Lake Erie, offering gentle, shallow waters that warm quickly, often in the low 20 °C range by July, making it a great family-friendly swimming spot.
Its wide, gradual shoreline is perfect for kids, providing ample space to spread out. The park has campsites, picnic areas, washrooms, a marina, boat launches, and paddle-sport rentals. Seasonal lifeguards are on duty at designated areas. It’s also a birdwatching destination, with trails through marshes and forested dunes. Expect moderate crowds in the summer, especially on weekends.
Sauble Beach
Sauble Beach stretches along Lake Huron with a seven-kilometre sandy shoreline and shallow, warm water—often reaching the low 20 °C range in summer. It’s a popular family destination featuring a lively beach town atmosphere, boardwalk, shops, restaurants, and seasonal lifeguards at the main beach.
Amenities include washrooms, change rooms, playgrounds, and accessible walkways. For a quieter experience, head north toward Sauble Falls Provincial Park. Sunset views over the lake are spectacular, making Sauble a top spot for summer evenings.
Pinery Provincial Park
Pinery Provincial Park spans nearly 10 km along Lake Huron near Grand Bend, featuring sandy beaches bordered by rare oak savanna dunes and the scenic Old Ausable Channel.
In summer, water temperatures reach around 20 °C in July–August, making swimming comfortable. Although no lifeguards are on duty, the park offers excellent facilities: flush toilets, showers, laundry, barrier-free amenities, park store, picnic areas, accessible walkways, and rental services.
Popular for camping, hiking (including dune and heritage trails), boating, and wildlife viewing, it draws over 670,000 visitors annually. The park is busy on holiday weekends, and daily vehicle permits are required, so book ahead.
Key Details:
- Beach & Ecology: 9.5 km natural beach with oak savanna and dunes, plus the Old Ausable Channel for paddling and wildlife
- Water temps: ~15–17 °C in June, rising to ~20 °C by July–August
- Facilities: flush toilets, showers, laundry, park store, rentals, barrier-free access
- Activities: hiking, camping, paddling, nature programs; over 1,200 campsites (400+ with electricity), yurts
Killbear Provincial Park
Killbear Provincial Park sits on a peninsula projecting into Georgian Bay near Parry Sound, combining sandy beaches with rugged Canadian Shield rock formations and windswept pines.
It features multiple family-friendly beaches like Kilcoursie Bay and Lighthouse Point, each with sandy shores and shallow water ideal for swimming. The park boasts full facilities—washrooms, showers, laundry, picnic areas, fire pits, accessible comfort stations, vehicle permits, and a park store—as well as boat launches, electric vehicle charging, and dog‑friendly pet beaches.
Its hiking trails (e.g. Lighthouse Point Trail, Twin Points Trail) offer scenic viewpoints and beach access. Seasonal lifeguards patrol main beach areas, but water safety remains your responsibility. Water temperatures average around 19 °C in summer, making for refreshing dips.
Killbear is popular, especially on holiday weekends, so book camping early and consider arriving early for day-use parking. It’s also a great spot for birdwatching, wildlife viewing, paddling, and catching Georgian Bay sunsets, with a visitor centre offering nature programs.
MacGregor Point Provincial Park
MacGregor Point Provincial Park is located on Lake Huron near Port Elgin and features two sandy day‑use beaches about 50 m long each, with some large boulders along the shore. The gently sloping sand makes it ideal for casual swimming, though no lifeguards are on duty – water safety is your own responsibility.
Change facilities are available in the day‑use area, and water quality meets safe standards most of the time. The surrounding park covers 12 km² of ecologically diverse shoreline, dunes, wetlands, and forests. Visitors enjoy hiking and cycling on six trails, including the accessible Huron Fringe Trail with a boardwalk. Bird‑watchers often spot species like black‑crowned night heron and great egret, especially during spring migration.
The park also offers camping (including yurts), playgrounds, picnic areas, laundry and shower facilities, a store, and interpretive programming at the Visitor Centre.
Parking, washrooms, and comfort stations are barrier‑free in many areas. Canoeing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing are popular. The park is busiest on holiday weekends, so plan ahead for camping or day‑use.
Point Pelee National Park
Point Pelee National Park sits at the southernmost tip of mainland Canada on Lake Erie, offering a long, shallow sand and pebble beach with gently sloping water, perfect for wading and swimming.
The park features lifeguards on duty during the summer season at the main beach, as well as washrooms, accessible pathways, picnic areas, boardwalks, and a visitor centre. Water depth remains knee‑to‑waist level for dozens of metres out, great for families with small kids.
It’s a hotspot for birdwatching, especially during spring and fall migration and hosts nature programs, boat rentals, wooded trails, and scenic marsh photography platforms. Expect high visitor numbers on Canada Day weekend, especially from late morning onward.
Quick Tips:
- Shallow, child-friendly beach-great for families and wading.
- Lifeguards on duty, along with washrooms, trails, and boardwalks.
- Birdwatching hotspot, with interpretive programs and marsh platforms.
- Busy on holiday weekends: arrive early for parking and space.
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Bon Echo Provincial Park lies on Mazinaw Lake in southeastern Ontario, renowned for its 100 m sheer cliff, Mazinaw Rock, adorned with the largest visible collection of Indigenous pictographs in Canada (over 260), and famed for its echoing acoustics.
The park offers three sandy swimming beaches: Main Beach, South Beach, and North Beach, all buoyed but without lifeguards.
Main Beach at Lower Mazinaw Lake features shaded picnic tables, water taps, and nearby washrooms and showers. The water is generally shallow and warm enough for swimming in summer. A PFD-lending program supports safe boating, and pet-friendly zones include a designated dog-swim beach between Main and South.
For amenities, the park provides wheelchair access, comfort stations, a visitor centre, store, and canoe/kayak rentals. Nearby trails lead to spectacular scenic viewpoints and the cliffs.
Camping options range from over 500 car/RV sites and yurts to backcountry walk-in and canoe-in sites, all serviced with toilets, showers, laundry, picnic shelters, and a park store. Water quality typically passes safety tests over 95% of the time.
Popular for swimming, paddling, hiking, birdwatching, rock climbing, and cultural discovery, the park is a top destination in summer, especially on Canada Day weekend.
Kawartha Lakes
The Kawartha Lakes region offers around 15 public beaches across interconnected lakes like Balsam, Sturgeon, Pigeon, Cameron, and Four Mile. Water temperatures typically rise above 20 °C by July and stay warm through September, often reaching low‑20s °C on hot days – ideal for swimming, paddling, and soaking.
Popular spots include Sandy Beach and Birch Point on Balsam Lake, and Four Mile Lake in Burnt River, all featuring swimming lessons and lifeguard programs in peak season.
Facilities vary by location, but most beaches offer washrooms, picnic areas, launch docks, splash pads, playgrounds, and rentals for bikes, canoes, and kayaks. Water quality is monitored weekly during summer by local health units, with advisories issued if needed.
Beyond the water, the region is great for boating on the Trent–Severn Waterway, fishing, cycling, hiking trails, and visiting charming villages like Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls. Accessibility features, parking, and programs make it a welcoming destination for families.
Dwight Beach (near Huntsville)
Dwight Beach, located in Muskoka’s Lake of Bays region near the town of Huntsville, features a wide sandy shoreline with gradually warming water – often reaching the low 20 °C range during summer.
The beach offers picnic tables, change rooms, washrooms, and day‑use parking. There’s a playground nearby and boat launches for easy access to the lake. While there are no lifeguards, the water is calm and ideal for families with young children.
Rentals for canoes and paddleboards are available seasonally. Dwight Beach is a popular local swimming spot, best visited early on weekends and holiday mornings to beat the crowds and grab a parking spot.
Coon Lake
Coon Lake is a small, peaceful lake located on the southern edge of Algonquin Provincial Park, accessible via Highway 60. It’s known for its calm, clear water, making it ideal for swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. The shoreline is natural and lightly sloped, with forested surroundings and minimal motorboat activity.
Coon Lake Campground provides nearby access, offering basic amenities like vault toilets, garbage/recycling stations, and direct lakefront campsites. There are no lifeguards or designated beach infrastructure, but water quality is excellent, typically rated safe throughout summer.
It’s a great choice for visitors looking for a quieter, more natural swimming experience away from crowds.
Arrowhead Lake (Arrowhead Provincial Park)
Arrowhead Lake features three sandy, motor‑boat-free beaches (Lumby Beach, Beach 1 & Beach 2) nestled in birch-lined forest with calm, clean water ideal for swimming and paddling.
Water quality consistently passes safety testing during summer. The park provides washrooms, change facilities, picnic areas, a park store, and rentals for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes.
No lifeguards are present, and pets are restricted to designated areas. Approximately 15 km of trails offer easy hikes to Stubb’s Falls and waterfront lookout points.
Camping accommodation includes private treed sites, yurts, and backcountry options. In winter, the park transforms with skiing, snowshoeing, and a scenic 1.3 km ice‑skating trail.
Lake Simcoe
Lake Simcoe, just north of Toronto, is the fourth-largest lake entirely within Ontario and a warm, family-friendly swim destination. In July, water temperatures average around 22–23 °C, sometimes peaking near 26 °C, making it ideal for swimming and watersports.
Water stays above 20 °C typically from July through September. Popular public beaches include Willow Beach (Georgina), Centennial Beach (Barrie), Johnson’s Beach and Mara Park (Orillia), each offering sandy shores, calm waters, washrooms, parking, and sometimes seasonal lifeguards.
The Trent–Severn Waterway connection and marinas support boating, paddle sports, sailing, and scuba diving (e.g., the J.C. Morrison shipwreck). The lake is managed by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, with water quality and environmental health under ongoing protection.
Rondeau Provincial Park
Rondeau Provincial Park is located on a sandy peninsula stretching into Lake Erie and offers over 11 km of soft, shallow beaches ideal for family swimming. In June, water temperatures reach 18–19 °C and warm up to 21–23 °C in July and August, making it a comfortable swimming destination from midsummer through early fall.
The beaches are equipped with accessible walkways, wheelchair access, restrooms, showers, and picnic areas. The park also provides a life jacket loan program and mobi-mats, though no lifeguards are on duty—swimming is at your own risk.
Beyond the beach, visitors can enjoy hiking and cycling trails, paddling routes, 262 campsites, and a visitor centre offering birdwatching and nature programs. Rondeau is also recognized as one of Ontario’s top birdwatching destinations, rich in diverse plant and animal life.
Turkey Point Beach (Turkey Point Provincial Park)
Turkey Point Beach is a two-kilometre stretch of sandy shoreline on Lake Erie, located within Turkey Point Provincial Park. Water temperatures reach a comfortable 21–23 °C in July and August, creating ideal conditions for swimming and family fun.
The beach features shallow entry, a buoyed swimming area, and a wide expanse of sand with a gentle slope.
Amenities include washrooms, showers, picnic areas, play structures, mobi-mats, and a life jacket lending program. Nearby you’ll find parking, campgrounds, comfort stations, walking trails, and a designated dog zone. Lifeguards are not on duty, swimming is at your own risk.
Professor’s Lake (Brampton)
Professor’s Lake is a spring-fed, 65-acre artificial lake in Brampton, featuring over 400 feet of sandy beach managed by the Professor’s Lake Recreation Centre.
The facility includes a water slide, inflatable water park, beach volleyball courts, boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards), picnic areas, playgrounds, trails, washrooms, and a park store. Lifeguards patrol the swimming area in summer, and water quality is regularly tested.
A paved 2 km walking loop circles the lake, making it ideal for swimming, paddling, family fun, and light exercise, all within city limits. While crowds gather on warm weekends, the beach is a well-maintained urban oasis offering a range of amenities.
Moon River (Bala)
Moon River flows out of Lake Muskoka at Bala and winds its way through forested shores, charming coves, and the scenic Bala and Moon River Falls before emptying into Georgian Bay.
Along its course are several natural sandy and rock-shelf swimming spots—perfect for a refreshing dip, paddling, or lounging on sun-warmed rocks. Water temperatures in late summer typically range from 18–22 °C.
Access points include Bala Falls, Moon Chutes, and Woods Bay, with nearby facilities such as public docks, boat launches, parking, playgrounds, and picnic spots. The river is ideal for canoe routes, wildlife spotting, fishing, and casual swimming—just be cautious of currents near rapids and swim at your own risk.
Woodbine Beach
Woodbine Beach is Toronto’s largest sandy stretch, stretching from Ashbridge’s Bay westward. It’s a Blue Flag beach featuring over 90 volleyball courts, canoe/kayak/SUP rentals, an outdoor Olympic pool, and groomed sand.
Water temperatures often reach around 20 °C in summer, but occasional upwellings can cause cooler dips. The beach is supervised by lifeguards daily.
Rice Lake
Rice Lake is a shallow, spring-fed lake south of the Kawarthas and north of Cobourg—about 28 km long and 5 km wide. Water temperatures average 17–20 °C in June, rising to 22–26 °C in July and August, comfortable for swimming, boating, and paddling.
Public access points (like Bewdley Beach Park and Sandy Bay Cottages) offer shallow sandy shores ideal for families. There are no developed lifeguarded beaches, but several informal swim-friendly spots exist along its gently sloping shores.
The lake is known for its rich aquatic life, good fishing for bass, muskie, walleye, panfish and features scenic islands and drumlin formations.
Facilities include boat launches, docks, nearby campgrounds, playgrounds, picnic areas, and watercraft rentals. Rice Lake is a popular weekend getaway about 90 minutes from Toronto, though weed beds can be dense in spots—bring water shoes and plan around them.
Guelph Lake
Guelph Lake Conservation Area, just outside Guelph, offers a large, spring-fed swimming pond with a sandy beach, clear water, and a lifeguarded swimming area.
Amenities include change rooms, washrooms, picnic areas, volleyball courts, and a waterside playground. The lake is popular for swimming, paddleboarding, boating, and seasonal interpretive programs—ideal for Canada Day getaways.
Elora Quarry Conservation Area
Elora Quarry features a unique, deep-water swimming hole in an old limestone quarry. The sheer rock walls surrounding the turquoise water create a dramatic backdrop.
While there’s no sandy beach, the grassy shoreline, picnic tables, change rooms, and snack bar make for a great swimming and cliff-jumping spot. Water temperatures are cooler, typically around 18–20 °C in summer.
Rockwood Conservation Area
Rockwood Conservation Area, west of Guelph, is known for its small riverside beaches along the Eramosa River and small quarry ponds. The sandy banks and shallow water are great for paddlers, swimmers, and families.
Facilities include change rooms, picnic areas, walking trails through limestone cliffs, and a cafe in the historic mill building. It’s a charming swim option near Toronto without the beach crowds.
Bruce Peninsula
The Bruce Peninsula offers so many beautiful swimming spots that we’ve dedicated a separate post to its beaches. Check it out here for a full guide.
