Ontario park known for its sandy beaches is about to open for the season
Want to feel like you're on a tropical vacation without leaving Ontario? Pancake Bay Provincial Park is opening for the season soon and has more than three kilometres of beautiful sand beach with Caribbean-blue water to enjoy.
Pancake Bay Provincial Park is located in the gorgeous Batchawana Bay area near Sault Ste. Marie in Northern Ontario. If you're driving from Toronto or the GTA, you can expect the journey to take you around eight hours by car (it's worth it – trust me).
The park is open this year from May 2 until Oct. 14, 2025.
Pancake Bay has one of "the finest beaches in North America." The beach features 3.2 km of fine sand and is sheltered from the open lake by two protective promontories that form the bay.
If you're visiting the beach, be sure to note that there are no lifeguards posted at the beaches and pets are not permitted.
The 14 km Lookout Trail is a rugged backcountry trail, and according to Ontario Parks, proper safety precautions, including wearing a bike helmet, should be taken.
As for hiking, here are your trail options:
- The Pancake Bay Nature Trail – 3.5 km (one to two hours), easy
- The Lookout Trail – 14 km (five to seven hours), moderate for the entire trail – 7 km return (two to three hours) to the lookout
If you're interested in camping at Pancake Bay, there's a wide selection of options, including car camping, tent sites, and even a rustic cabin.
All camping reservations need to be made ahead of time — they already opened last fall — and can be done online.
The provincial park is located at 12729 Hwy 17N, Batchawana Bay, Ontario.
Pancake Bay Provincial Park
