Sandbanks Dunes Beach is a less know section of Prince Edward County, located on the shores of Lake Ontario.

This unique and beautiful Sandbank beach section of the park boasts miles of pristine sandy beaches, stunning sand dunes, and a variety of walking trails that are perfect for more secluded beach areas.

I’ve been going here since I was a teenager. It is still one of our favorite Lake Ontario sand banks beaches and trails.

Sandbanks are considered to have the largest bay mouth bar-dune formation in the world, making it a unique landscape and a beautiful destination to see.

It’s this very reason the dunes beach park gets so busy during the warmer months here in Prince Edward County.

Where is Sandbanks Dune Beach?

The beach is part of Ontario Parks and is located in a section of Prince Edward County called West Lake Ontario.

It’s on the west shore of the Hallowell Township facing Lake Ontario.

Following County rd 12 off Highway 62 in Bloomfield will take you through West Lake to the Sand Dunes Beach.

My Tips For Beating The Rush At The Dunes Beach

During the peak season, late June, July, and August, the park can get quite crowded, making it difficult to fully enjoy the beauty of the area.

It’s hard to get parking, picnic bench areas, good spots on the beach area or younger kids splash you and are noisy.

Here are some tips for beating the crowds and making the most of your visit to Sand Dunes Beach Park.

1. Visit during the week: Weekdays tend to have a less crowded beach than weekends, so if you have the flexibility to plan your trip during the week, you’ll find the park much less crowded.
2. Get there early: Arrive at the park as early as possible, before the crowds start to build. This will give you a chance to experience the beauty of the dunes and beaches before they get too busy.
3. Explore the less crowded areas: While the main beach areas close to the parking lot and bathrooms are popular, there are also many secluded areas of dunes within the park that are less crowded. Try exploring these areas for a more peaceful and relaxed experience.
4. Take advantage of the walking trails: These trails are never busy. The park has several walking trails that offer beautiful views of the lake and dunes. Not only will you get some exercise, but you’ll also avoid the crowds on the beach.
5. Visit during the off-season: If you can plan your trip outside of peak season, you’ll find the park much less crowded. The off-season (spring and fall) are a great time to visit and still enjoy the beauty of the dunes and beaches. Mind you even late into the spring Lake Ontario is still very cold.
6. My favorite time to beat the crowds is after supper time. All the crowds have left by then and the beach is less busy.

Check out this video below of what the beach area looks like after supper in August.

Why Visit the Amazing Sand Dunes Beach?

One of the most popular attractions is the Outlet Beach section of Sandbanks Park and Dunes Beach is always less crowded.

Mainly because there is a lot more walking involved to find a nice place to park yourself.

This is a more secluded beach area of the Park making it a favorite with us locals who appreciate a more natural, untouched environment.

Dunes Beach is known for its beautiful soft sand and the towering sand dunes that are truly a sight to behold.

The reason we go to Dunes Beach is to enjoy the amazing sand dunes for ourselves by taking the Sandbanks Dunes Trail, a walking trail that winds its way through the dunes.

Also, you can swim on the Lake Ontario side or the West Lake side.

Don’t forget to visit Dunes Beach you still require the provincial park day passes to get in.

The Outlet Beach Is In The Area

While Dunes Beach is the most secluded of all the beaches in the park, there are three beaches in the park that offer a similar experience.

Outlet Beach and Richardson Beach are two examples of more crowded beaches in the areas.

See this article about the secrets of the Sandbanks provincial park.

There really isn’t a public beach on East Lake although I get asked that a lot.

But as you know the popular parks are the Sandbanks, making it very busy whereas Richardson Beach can get very busy too!

The Dunes area is perfect for those who want to avoid crowds and find a more relaxing and quiet spot to spend their day.

Explore the Park’s Lakeshore Beach

For those who prefer a more traditional beach experience, Lakeshore Beach is the perfect place for small family groupings to visit.

It’s just the opposite side of West Lake. This beautiful beach is located on the shores of Lake Ontario and is known for its very nice white sands and clear, calm waters.

Visitors to Lakeshore Beach can enjoy various activities, including sunbathing, swimming, and picnicking.

Do You Have To Pay To Go To The Sandbanks Beach?

Yes, you do have to pay an entry fee as this is part of the Ontario Parks.

The cost goes up every year of course but you can expect to pay $21 for day use or buy an annual pass for $111.

Parts of the Lake Ontario walking trails are open year-round so the annual pass may be better for you.

Take a Stroll on the Park’s Walking Trails

In addition to its stunning beaches, Sandbanks Provincial Park is also known for its walking trails.

The park has a number of trails that are perfect for those who enjoy hiking, walking, and exploring the great outdoors.

The trails range from easy walks along the lakeshore to more challenging hikes through the sand dunes.

Visitors to the park can experience the beauty of the dunes and the lake up close and personal by taking one of the park’s many walking trails.

Plan Your Visit to Sandbanks Provincial Park

Sections of the Sandbanks Provincial Park are not open year-round but others will close late in the fall around the middle of October.

The Park office is open year-round and many people still use the hiking trails through the winter for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

If you plan on coming I’d encourage you to purchase their day passes in advance, as the park can get crowded during the peak summer season.

There are also picnic areas, washrooms, and a number of other facilities available in the park to make your visit more comfortable.

If your looking for overnight camping close to the beach or in the shaded forest I would encourage you to check out this post about all the camping options at Sandbanks Park.

Sandbanks Provincial Park camping is very popular for a reason.

Did you know that you can book dunes beach tours now?

Yes, you can just call the park office and tell them you’d like to experience the dunes beach area with a guide and they can set it up.

The park office is located at 3004 county rd. 12 Picton Ontario.

When Can You Swim in Lake Ontario?

When it comes to swimming in Lake Ontario the water stays cold until around the middle of July.

I know many people that swim much earlier but I like cool refreshing water not freezing, numbing cold.

It’s really nice swimming in Lake Ontario in August, Sept, and even October although the air is much cooler later in the summer and early fall.

The Sand Dunes part of the park is on the West Lake side and warms up much sooner.

This is the main reason we locals call this the best beach in Sandbanks.

Whether you’re looking for beautiful soft sand beach dunes and a unique beach experience, or just a peaceful place to spend the day surrounded by nature, Sand Dunes Beach is the better choice.

So why not plan your visit today and discover the beauty of the sand dunes and beaches at Sandbanks Provincial Park?

In conclusion

We hope this helped you understand Sandbanks Dunes Beach in Prince Edward County a bit better!

If not, at least now you know all the nearby restaurants and attractions to check out while visiting.

And if you’re still feeling lost, just follow the signs for the provincial park – it’s pretty hard to miss. Thanks for reading and we’ll see you at the beach!