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Craigleith Provincial Park
Craigleith offers an excellent range of camping experiences for all visitors. There are many electrical and non-electrical sites for tents, all sizes of trailers and R.Vs. We are famous for our sites that overlook Georgian Bay.
All of Craigleith’s campsites are accessible by car. There are four comfort stations located throughout the park so all campsites are within a short distance of one. Two of our comfort stations offer shower facilities and one offers laundry facilities.
Area A contains non-electrical sites that are ideal for tents. This area also has a designated dog beach at the west end of the park and a comfort station with flush toilets, showers, laundry facitlities and a water tap.
Area B contains both electrical and non-electrical sites that are ideal for both tents and trailers. This area is close to the Area A comfort station and also has another mini-comfort station one that offers flush toilets and showers.
Area C is made up of both electrical and non-electrical sites that are all radio free. The non-electrical sites are ideal for tents or small trailers. The electrical sites are ideal for trailers and RVs. This area also has a comfort station, trailer filling and dumping station, playground, volleyball court, horseshoe pits and playing field.
Area D is primarily made up of electrical sites with only two non-electrical sites. Most of the electrical sites have water hook-up which makes this area ideal for trailers and RVs. This area is radio-free and has one comfort station and the day-use area which is located at the east end.
Areas C and D, which offer both electrical and non-electrical sites provide radio-free camping.
Craigleith is known for the world famous fossils that reside on the shale waterfront dating back over 450 million years from the Ordovician period. This makes Craigleith’s fossils some of the oldest on earth! While you’re here, make sure to do some fossil finding but please, either take a sketch or photo to ensure these geological artifacts are still around for future generations to enjoy.
Craigleith’s sunsets are only second to its sunrises; if you can get up early enough the reward makes it all worth while.
Gather your friends to play a game of volleyball on our sand court or horseshoes in our pits. Need the equipment? No problem - the park store offers free rentals of sports equipment to registered campers.
There is a variety of hiking, biking and paddling opportunities for everyone at Craigleith. The Georgian Trail is located directly across the highway from the park entrance and is an excellent biking and easy hiking trail. It runs along the highway all the way to Meaford and Collingwood. For intermediate to advanced hiking the Bruce Trail offers a variety of different experiences. Hikers can witness spectacular views of Georgian Bay, The Niagara Escarpment and The Beaver Valley, rolling countryside, crevice caves and falling rivers and creeks over a tumbling landscape. These hikes all start within a fifteen minute drive of the park and trail maps and information are available at the park store. For local down-hill/cross-country skiing and road bike riding areas and routes, visit the park store for up to date information. Craigleith’s shale shore is ideal for canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing.
Just want a day trip? Craigleith is the spot for you to relax and listen to the waves crashing over the shale beach. Or you may want to have your next family function here in our day-use area. Our Picnic Shelter is the perfect venue for your next family reunion or birthday party.
Pets are part of the family so why not treat them like it! Bring your dog to the park and enjoy the pet exercise area and the designated pet beach where you are welcome to take your pet in for a dip.
There are no designated hiking trails within the park but lots of opportunity for hiking all around the park; many within walking distance and many more within a short drive. Craigleith is a perfect hub for what the local area has to offer. Located at the Base of Blue Mountain and the Niagara Escarpment the opportunities are endless. The Georgian Trail is located directly across the highway from the park entrance and is an excellent biking and easy hiking trail. It runs along the highway all the way to Meaford and Collingwood. For intermediate to advanced hiking the Bruce Trail offers a variety of different experiences from spectacular views of Georgian Bay, The Niagara Escarpment and The Beaver Valley, rolling countryside, crevice caves and falling rivers and creeks over a tumbling landscape. These hikes all start within a fifteen minute drive of the park and trail maps and information are available at the park store.
Craigleith’s shores are ideal to take the canoe out but be very cautious of the big water and its ability to change suddenly. For a relaxing adventure visit the local Beaver River which offers two, four and six hours of canoeing, beginning in Kimberley in the heart of the Beaver Valley. Shuttle service and canoe rentals are available in the village of Heathcote which is where the canoe route ends.
Craigleith is famous for its spring and fall offshore fishing. Cast your line and you may catch a Rainbow Trout, Salmon or even a Whitefish. Another great fishing area close by is the Beaver River; the mouth of the river is located 10 minutes outside of the park in the town of Thornbury.
Bike on the park roads or the Georgian Trail located just outside of the park. A nice flat, stone chip trail runs from Meaford to Collingwood.
For downhill and cross-country skiing as well as road riders you can visit the park store for the most up to date information on trails.
Craigleith offers one program a week in the summer months. Refer to the Park Tabloid, online or inquire at the Park Store for details.
Craigleith is home to a variety of songbirds, raptors and waterfowl. Visitors often see chickadees, juncos, nuthatches, cardinals, Blue Jays, robins, finches and hummingbirds.
Whether you are spending your day at Craigleith or visiting a nearby beach like Wasaga, please make sure to take advantage of our free Personal Floatation Device (PFD) loaner program. All that is required is a deposit that is fully refunded once the life jacket is returned.
Remember to visit the park store to pick up those few things you forgot to pack, enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee or hot chocolate, or treat yourself to an ice-cream and a unique souvenir. We also carry Bruce Trail Guides and a variety of nature books. Forgot your novel? Don’t worry we have a free book and movie exchange, come into the store and check it out.
For the four legged campers, Craigleith offers a pet exercise area and a pet friendly swimming area. We also sell dog leashes and bowls and offer free doggie bags.
Other amenities include boat launches, picnic shelter and day-use area.
Comfort stations are located in each campground Area. Area A comfort station has full washrooms, showers and laundry and also has a water tap on the outside of the building. Area B contains full washrooms and showers. Areas C & D have full washrooms.
Flush toilets are found in all of our comfort stations.
Available at all comfort stations and the showers in Area B.
We have a designated day-use area at the east end of Craigleith. This area provides picnic tables, campfire pits, BBQs, access to the waterfront and a designated parking area.
Laundry facilities are located in our comfort station in Area A and laundry soap and fabric softener are sold in the park store.
Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) are available with a $60 refundable deposit. A variety of sports equipment is also available for rent (i.e. volleyballs, horseshoes).
Craigleith’s store is combined with our gatehouse. The store carries a variety of convenience and necessity items, groceries, firewood, treats, ice, ice cream, slushies, pop, snacks, souvenirs, Bruce Trail Guides and Nature Books. The store also carries freshly brewed coffee/hot chocolate and a free book and movie exchange. It is a one stop shop where you can register for your site, purchase your s’mores kit, firewood, sweatshirt and coffee and then borrow a book to relax with on the waterfront. The park store is located at the park entrance where you register for your campsite.
There is one picnic shelter in the park which is located in the day-use area. The shelter can be reserved for $50.00 for a full day or $25.00 for a half day for functions. Contact the Park Office at 705-445-4467 to reserve the shelter.
There is no fire ban at this time.
There is no boil water advisory at this time.
There is no beach posting at this time.
