Turkey Point Provincial park

Located on the north shore of Lake Erie, Turkey Point Provincial Park will always hold a special place in my heart. Back in 2002, it was the first park that we experienced as a family, with a small tent and 3 kids, all under the age of 4.

Many things have changed; the kids are all bigger, we camp in a trailer for the most part, and our dog Rosie accompanies us now. One thing that hasn’t changed is our family’s love of camping and the outdoors.

We decided to start the 2010 camping season with a return trip to Turkey Point and found that it hadn’t changed at all and is still a beautiful destination with lots to offer.

Booking a little late this year, we camped at site 208, which is in the middle of the Whippoorwill campground. The site was a great size but a little more open to the neighbours than I like. The best sites in the park are around the outer perimeter; particularly 107 and 109 (get these 2 if you want 2 amazing sites together!) Other great sites are 108, 117, 118, 121, 122, 123, 128, 153– 158, 159 and 161. These sites are large, private and have the added benefit of having nothing but woods behind them. They are a mixture of electrical and non-electrical sites, so check out the details when you are booking.

Turkey Point Park is not right on the water but is less than a 5 minute drive away. The park maintains a parking lot right on the beach and your park parking pass gives you parking privileges there. In my opinion, the beach is just average and if you are looking for a good beach day, my recommendation is to do the 20 minute drive to Long Point Provincial Park. Your parking pass grants you there as well and the beach is spectacular. (article to follow.)

All in all, Turkey Point is a great choice, particularly for families with kids as the park features 2 playgrounds, an interactive kids program and is in close proximity to Long Point and Port Dover.

Hamilton Brantford Rail Trail

As we prepare for what promises to be another great hiking, camping and mountain biking season, it’s great to be getting back outside to begin conditioning for the new year. As a lot of the trails are still soft and not quite ready for hiking, I like to start getting out on the rail trails. Rail trails are a great place for walking and cycling. As railroads have been abandoning their unused lines, progressive communities have turned them into multi-use trails for bicycling, hiking, and horseback riding. The one closest to me is the Hamilton Brantford Rail Trail.
This is actually two connecting trails, the West Hamilton - Jerseyville Trail maintained by the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority, and the Jerseyville - Brantford Trail of the Grand River Conservation Authority. They are both excellent and together make for a continuous ride of about 40 km.
The West Hamilton - Jerseyville trail was the first to be constructed, in 1993. It begins on the west side of Hamilton, near McMaster University, following the Dundas Valley for 18 km to the community of Jerseyville. The surface is an excellent fine granular. Past Jerseyville the trail is newer, having been constructed in 1996. The surface is of similar construction.
The trail weaves through an ever changing landscape. As you pass through and ascend out of the Dundas valley, the trail is enveloped with trees, opening periodically to afford spectacular views of meadows and forest. There are a number of side trails including the famous Bruce Trail that cross the rail trail offering plenty of opportunity to explore. The wildlife is plentiful with birds and deer and the trail centre located at the 6 km marker provides interpretive information as well as a snack bar. A large scale map is posted there detailing the rail trail as well as the network of hiking trails in the area.
Once out of the valley the trail is flat and the scenery is mostly farmland interspersed with small stands of forest. The trail here is lightly travelled and very peaceful as you pass through the historic village of Jerseyville. As you get closer to Branford, the trail again passes through forest and crosses an old trestle bridge. It takes you back in time as you imagine steam locomotives travelling through the area, hauling their wares.
The trail is well maintained with markers posted each kilometre from the Hamilton end, and some benches are provided. Attractive plantings and signs have been installed at road crossings, and a few parking lots have been constructed. Water, toilets and a snack bar are available at The Trail Centre in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area, about 6 km from the Hamilton end. The snack bar has limited hours, and the indoor washrooms may also be closed at times. The water is available at an outside faucet near the trail.
How to Find
At the Hamilton end the trail starts near the Fortinos grocery store at Ewen Road and Main Street. There are places to park at numerous spots along the trail wherever the trail passes a road. There is also parking and access from The Trail Centre in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area.