Have fun in the sun at Presqu’ile Provincial Park this summer

*Paid Business Feature*

Pack a picnic, umbrella, and beach chairs, and take a road trip or weekend visit to the sandy beach at Presqu’ile Provincial Park in Brighton, Ontario.

A little more than an hour west of Kingston, Presqu’ile is the perfect place for a beach day or a weekend camp with friends. With a long stretch of beach, the second oldest operating lighthouse in Ontario, a boardwalk trail through a protected marsh, and plenty of walking trails, there’s lots to do at one of the most popular parks in Southeastern Ontario.

If a day trip’s not your thing, stay overnight and take your pick of more than 300 campsites within eight campground loops, 10 group sites, a handful of soft-sided shelters, and a solitary cottage — all in a variety of settings from shoreline to forest.

Bring the young and young at heart for a visit to the nature centre, where you’ll learn about the park’s natural history from the on-staff field naturalist and get up close with the frogs, snakes, fish, and turtles that call Presqu’ile home.

Busy beach day? Instead, explore the 800-metre barrier-free boardwalk that winds through the marshland and features two observation towers and two teaching platforms. Or take a walk on any of the year-round trails — there are 16 kilometres of trails and paths, shorelines, woodlands, and meadows to choose from.

The lighthouse at Presqu’ile is worth the drive to the south end of the peninsula. The second oldest operating lighthouse in the province isn’t open to visitors, but stop into the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre, where guests will learn the fascinating cultural history of the park. At that end of the park the beach is covered in smooth stones — perfect for practicing your rock skipping!

No trip is complete without a stop at Presqu’ile Park Place on your way out for a cool treat (think 30 flavours of Kawartha Dairy ice cream, any of which you can turn into an old-fashioned milkshake) or visit Boardwalk Burger right next door if the picnic you packed didn’t quite cut it. Keep your Brighton adventure going by taking the short five minute drive into Downtown Brighton to explore the shops and restaurants, then check out the new pop-up vendors down the street at The Shed at King Ed.

The Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board wants to give you the chance to check out this summer hot spot. They are giving away one Daily Vehicle Permit each week until the end of August. Visit https://bayofquinte.ca/tourism/parkpass/ for your chance to hit the beach before the summer’s over.

If you’re planning a trip to Presqu’ile, be sure to book your Daily Vehicle Permit in advance to guarantee entry. Visit the park’s website for more details about the facilities and activities available.

This article is sponsored by the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board. Interested in a Business Feature on Kingstonist? Contact [email protected]