When I went I was able to book my parking at Half Way Log Dump when I arrived at the park. Great trail. I will contact them to confirm =). I believe you can book parking spaces at both of them in advance. You can learn more by reading my full disclosure. Infinite secret places to cool off in the icy, yet healing bay. About 20 minutes into the hike, we came across this passage on the left hand side, and it led out onto a rock platform. The park ranger will also ask you where you want to park your car, which will depend on the route you choose. This is a great alternative if you arrive for a day trip and the Cyprus Campground Parking Lot is full. The water was stagnant although it seemed rather clean and gave a beautiful reflection of the ceiling of the cave which was lined with large sharp looking stalactites. They have both electric and non-electric sites, in addition to cabins and trailers for rent. Between June 11 and October 31st it needs to be booked in advance due to popularity. Everything you need to know for planning food for long trips + 35+ meal ideas. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The best times to visit this trail are April through November. Front country camping means campgrounds that can be accessed with a vehicle. There are not, however, electric sites for trailers. Have a great time! Dont throw anything but toilet paper and the provided wood chips into the composting toilets. The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Message from the President and Chief Executive Officer, Confirmed reservation required from June 17 to September 5, 2022. This is thee equipment I brought for my backpacking trip. Lots of opportunities to rest and take in the spectacular sights. Reservations are required at those locations. This loop starts from the parking lot at Cyprus Campground. Mikaela has been canoeing, hiking and camping for over ten years. Easy to expand your hike along the Bruce Trail. You can also walk along the Bruce Trail in either direction, but you'll need to return the same way you came. There are two different destinations in the park, depending on what youre doing: Visitors Centre: This is where you go if you want to learn about the park or if you will be spending time in the adjacent Five Fathom National Marine Park. When Grotto parking is fully booked, there is no more Grotto access at that time. Dont risk it; book your parking in advance! Hope this helps! Generally considered a challenging route. It was definitely rocky and lots of roots out of the ground, small passage ways, a few steep inclines etc. . Although there is a small garbage can in the washroom, you shouldnt put any garbage (like food wrappers or scraps) into it. The national park is located at the top of the peninsula, and the easiest way to access the park is by driving. The body adjusts though, eventually. Technically, there are a couple of other parking lots that are on a first-come-first-serve basis, however these require longer hiking distance and are full very early in the morning. Leau est vraiment de toute beaut et le sentier est assez rocheux. (If you click on the map, you should be able to make it larger and download it. Tip: The waves are really big, so youll get wet when you try to fill your pot. Thats awesome! We recommend this trail! Join our community of outdoor adventurers - you'll find trip inspiration, gear discussions, route recommendations, new friends and more! Youre very welcome Simon have a great trip! Lastly, watch the sign at the beginning of the trail and make sure to head towards "stormhaven" as once you go down to the beach at the beginning of the trail, you have to come back to the sign to get on the trail otherwise you will be beating in the bush looking for a connector path like we did (adventurous but not recommended). Make a left onto Halfway Log Dump Road and continue on for 1.4 km to arrive at the parking area. Youre going to get sweaty, and merino wool will keep you warm while it dries. If you are looking for a swimming area, this place is perfect. There is also a parking lot at Halfway Log Dump, which lies in between High Dump and Stormhaven. Rocky in places (definitely be careful in the rain), but some great views of the cliffs. This post may contain affiliate links. There is a jump of about 40' at the grotto. There is a parks canada gate at Emmette lake road, book in advance if you want in because the bureaucracy has put in restrictions on the outdoors. There are three trails, an easy 900m Log Dump Trail and two Bruce Trails on either side of it. If youre a brand looking for a partnership, please visit my Work With Me guidelines. Browse more than 100 reports here! But if crowds arent your thing, I definitely suggest walking a section of the Bruce Trail. Read Next: Complete Guide to Hiking the Highland Backpacking Trail in Algonquin. Any recollections? Definitely choose a site down at the water! We stayed for 3 minutes and left, we were lucky to touch the water and run back but the rocks are dangerous. This is a great alternative if you arrive for a day trip and the Cyprus Campground Parking Lot is full. Getting to the Halfway Log Dump to the Grotto Trailhead To reach the parking area for the Halfway Log Dump to the Grotto Trail from Tobermory, head to the southeast on ON-6S for 13.8 km and turn left onto Emmett Lake Road, following it for 6.5 km. You definitely cant bike to the Grotto itself. Be aware that the area is entirely covered in snow, so youll want to bring winter boots and maybe ice cleats or snowshoes for the hike, depending on the conditions. During the fall and winter season, parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Theres a bear hang for everyone to use and there is a large tent platform (annoying for pegging the tent, but ensure a flat spot). When you arrive at the park, head to the backcountry permits office (right after the gates into Cyprus Campground). The Grotto was awesome when I visited. >>This is a good filter for lightweight backpacking. The parking lots are not large, and there tend to be way more cars than the parking lots can accommodate. Yes, the Grotto is open in the winter! I had to pay for parking at the park office when I arrived, but I didnt need to book it in advance. There is considerable distance between each campsite. >>These are the ones I own. Come to the next best place. Biggest limitation was the time limit on parking but is doable within the allotted time. Some of the most beautiful lookouts in Canada. Not only does this guarantee youll have a parking spot, but it means you can visit The Grotto early in the morning, when there are way fewer people. She previously worked as a canoeing guide in Canada, and spent a season guiding hiking and kayaking tours in the high Arctic. I barely saw the group next to me and couldnt even hear their dog. Take it slow and youll be fine! Setting out from the Halfway Log Dump parking lot, head to the northwest along the trail as it enters into the forest and arrives at a junction in 250 m. Head right here and continue through this easy part of the hike, enjoying the peaceful forest atmosphere as you make your way toward the water. I loved the video.. youre so funny and informative. The hike to the Grotto Tobermory is not difficult. The peninsula is part of the traditional territory of Saugeen Ojibway Nation. Once you turn into the park, there is an entrance gate and a park ranger. Each campsite has a wooden tent platform, guaranteeing a flat place for you to put your tent. When you get to the water, its all rocks and YOU NEED GOOD FOOTWEAR! After 20 minutes we decided we had enough and made our way back again. This stunning cave is a popular tourist destination and swimming spot for adventurous people looking to take a dip in the refreshing waters of Georgian Bay in a serene setting. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! Subscribe for exclusive content, giveaways, new products and more! We are more of recreational hikers but it was interesting to see what a "difficult" Bruce Trail is like. Ive included more information about camping near the Grotto and camping in Tobermory below. Im going later in the year, and very much want to do both of those things. Hi, loved this review. And Ill provide some tips for backcountry camping because this requires a little more planning than staying at a campground. This is such a beautiful area in Ontario. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Grotto of course overrun by people, more like an amusement park. Note: Unlike at the backcountry campsites, you can have open fires at Cyprus Lake so long as they are in the fire pit. If someone was to be injured down there it would be very difficult to do a rescue. Check out this 4.6-mile point-to-point trail near Northern Bruce Peninsula, Ontario. Extreme changes in elevation, rocky and uneven terrain to navigate, and the markings arent always the most clear. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. We were there for 2 hrs. *NOTE: This trail is closed until Ontarios stay-at-home order is lifted. Bruce Peninsula National Park is on the northeast side of the peninsula and is characterized by steep cliffs, rocky caves and tropical blue water. From the parking lot it's 8.0 km to High Dump and 15.5 km to Halfway Log Dump. Have fun!! When Halfway Log Dump parking is fully booked, there is no more Halfway Log Dump access at that time. All of the campgrounds are along Cyprus Lake (however not all individual campsites are along the lake). Brila (/ b r i l /, also US: /-l /, Romanian: ()) is a city in Muntenia, eastern Romania, a port on the Danube and the capital of Brila County.The Sud-Est Regional Development Agency is located in Brila.. If you are like the rest of us cruising the South Pacific may be a dream for now, so you may have to settle for something closer. What restaurants are near Halfway Log Dump? It follows a section of the Bruce Trail along the Niagara Escarpment to a rock beach and cave area that serves as the parks main attraction. Follow that line down and youll see a tiny label for The Grotto. The impact rattles me, but Cassandra is up and moving the moment we land. Le sentier offre plusieurs activits et sa meilleure utilisation est de avril novembre. Omg you are so awesome. Hi Mikaela If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Here you will pay for your overnight pass ($10.02 per person, per night) and your overnight parking pass ($11.95 per night). Nothing compares to the views along this trail, it's an incredible place. Mikaela has been canoeing, hiking and camping for over ten years. While . There is also a composting toilet that is in (surprisingly) excellent shape very clean and well-stocked with toilet paper. 3. If you watched the video above, you would have seen just how steep it is getting down to the campsite. The reservation fee is $11.50 when you book online. The trail to access it is a path of 900 meters, very easy. the shoreline, the Grotto, a lake). You can also order printed visitor, paddling and trails maps for free! This is enough time to view explore The Grotto. You can learn more About Me here. The trail is fairly well-marked and even on Friday it was not crowded. The campground has the following facilities: composting washroom, tent platforms and bear hang station. Indian Head is accessed from the same trailhead as the Grotto so I think youd still have to book the parking. Instead, I opted to camp in the park. Download my cookbook now! Found within the traditional lands of the Huron-Petun and Anishinaabeg First Nations peoples, Georgian Bay was first explored by Samuel de Champlain in 1615-1616 and later renamed by the English in the name of King George IV. The loop is 3 km and takes between 1.5 to 3 hours to complete, depending on the hiking speed. The Georgian Bay shoreline including the Grotto, Halfway Log Dump and surrounding trails is a popular area of the park. Trail is well marked and challenging enough for a good adventure for the whole family! Stormhaven is the second (though more popular) destination for backcountry camping in Bruce Peninsula National Park. Once youre in Bruce Peninsula National Park, The Grotto is a short walk from the Cyprus Lake Campground and the park office. Need hiking boots? Foul. Since I did the hike from Halfway Log Dump to Grotto, I hiked both sides of Stormhaven. Beautiful, clear water, but quite bone-chilling on our July visit. The Halfway Log Dump to the Grotto hike is one of the greatest day adventures in Canada. BUT theres a hole you can use to slide down to where the caves are and you could swim from there, but the park staff are discouraging people from doing that right now (originally because of physical distancing requirements, but they told me theres also concerns around safety, especially considering the large volume of visitors at the Grotto every day). Theres one spot you need to hop over- not too much ascending/descending compared to High Dump to Halfway log dump but need a reasonable fitness level. Superbe rando. From the trailhead, you should follow the trail markings for Stormhaven, as once you go down to the beach at the beginning of the trail, you have to come back to the sign to get on the trail otherwise you will be beating in the bush looking for a connector path which adds quite a bit of distance. Download my cookbook now! Take your time and be careful! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Bruce Trail: Halfway Log Dump to the Grotto est un sentier de point point de 4.8 miles trs frquent situ prs de Northern Bruce Peninsula, Ontario en Canada. Once you've parked at Half Way Log Dump (gawwwwd, I hate typing that name), make your way north toward Georgian Bay Beach and head west on the Bruce Trail. You don't have to do the trails, lol. There is even a pool! Is the trail to the Grotto stroller friendly? For a quieter visit, consider visiting in early spring or late fall. To walk along the waters edge is very tricky and difficult in some spots. This hike is an easy hike from a well signed parking lot down to the beach, and along the beach to a set of boulders that are fantastic for mini-family adventures! During weekends in the summer, there can be shuttles from Toronto, but this is more for day trips to the Grotto, not for camping. Glad you liked it . Reserve your time slot for parking beginning February 24, 2022 at 8 am EST. Your email address will not be published. It was disappointing to see. The hike from Cyprus Lake Campground to The Grotto is about 30 minute each way. Quick things to know about Bruce Peninsula National Park camping: TIP: Campfires are prohibited when backcountry camping in Bruce Peninsula NP. The campground has both electric and non-electric campsites, washrooms and paid showers. Get fit for summer with our fitness planning guide! Be kind. This would be an excellent way to camp in Bruce Peninsula National Park if you dont have all your own camping gear. Thanks for all of the tips. Im glad you found the post helpful Genevieve! Your email address will not be published. Reserve your time slot for parking beginning February 24, 2022 at 8 am EST. Any of them would be good theyre all pretty similar! The Grotto and Indian Head Cove are a great place to swim, providing crystal clear waters and interesting rock formations that can be explored. All of the campsites at High Dump are about equal distance to the water. Hi Mikaela! Hey! Stormhaven has all the same facilities as the above, including composting washrooms, tent platforms and a bear hang station. This is a gorgeous section of the Bruce Trail that is also challenging, but the best portion of this hike is along the top of the Niagara Escarpment, so there will be plenty of sections of this hike that are both precarious and stunning. I paid 30 dollars for the reservation ( all due to COVID ). The Grotto is a shoreline sea cave with beautiful blue waters. Mid-way, youll pass through Stormhaven, Bruce Peninsula National Parks backcountry camping area. 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