Port Burwell Provincial Park: The Perfect Lake Erie Beach Escape

Sometimes you don't need to pack up the camping gear, book a campsite or take a week off work to feel like you've gotten away. Sometimes, all you need is a sunny day, a full tank of gas, a good playlist and a destination. That was the plan for our day trip to Port Burwell Provincial Park.

Located along the north shore of Lake Erie, Port Burwell is one of those places that makes for the perfect summer escape. It's far enough away to feel like you're actually going somewhere, but close enough that you can make a full day of it without needing to stay overnight.

And if you're bringing your dog with you, there is one part of Port Burwell that you absolutely don't want to miss: the dog beach.

The main reason for our visit was simple: the beach. Port Burwell Provincial Park has a beautiful sandy beach along Lake Erie, and on a warm summer day, it's pretty hard to beat.

There is something about arriving at the beach, taking your shoes off and feeling the sand underneath your feet that instantly makes you slow down.

No schedule.

No rushing.

Just the sound of the water, the sun shining down and a whole day ahead of you.

We spent time walking along the shoreline, taking in the views and enjoying the water. I always love exploring a beach beyond simply sitting in a chair for hours. Give me a long stretch of shoreline and I'm going to walk it. It's one of my favourite ways to get some movement in without it actually feeling like exercise.

The Dog Beach Is AMAZING

Now let's talk about one of the biggest reasons I would recommend Port Burwell to anyone travelling with a dog: the dog beach is fantastic.

Rosie absolutely loved it.

There is something so fun about watching your dog realize they're about to have the best day ever. The moment they see the water and sand, it's game on. The dog beach gives your pup the opportunity to actually enjoy the lake with you, and there is plenty of room for dogs to sniff, explore, walk along the shoreline and, if they're anything like Rosie, investigate absolutely everything. For dog owners, this is such a great addition to the park.

I'm always looking for places where Rosie can be part of the adventure rather than having to stay behind, and Port Burwell made it really easy to include her in the day. Watching her explore the beach, enjoy the water and take in all the new smells was honestly one of my favourite parts of the entire trip. There is something pretty special about seeing your dog having the time of their life. And let's just say Rosie was one very happy bulldog.

A Beach Day Is Still an Adventure

One thing I've learned over the years is that adventures don't have to be complicated.

We often think an adventure needs to involve a big road trip, hiking a difficult trail or travelling somewhere completely new. But sometimes adventure is simply getting in the car and exploring somewhere you've never been before.

A day at Port Burwell was exactly that.

We got out, walked around, spent time at the beach and let Rosie enjoy the dog beach. There was no pressure to accomplish anything. And honestly, I think we could all use more days like that. There's something about spending the day outdoors that just resets you a little.

Exploring Port Burwell

Of course, I wasn't going to drive all the way to Port Burwell and only see the beach.

The village itself is worth exploring. Port Burwell has that charming little lakefront community feel that makes wandering around part of the experience. After spending time at the beach, you can head into town, grab something to eat, check out the local shops and take a stroll through the area.

One of the things that caught my attention while exploring the area was the HMCS Ojibwa, a real Cold War-era Oberon-class submarine that now sits on land in Port Burwell. Seeing an actual submarine up close is definitely not something you expect to find on a beach day, and it makes for a pretty unique stop while you're in town. You can take a tour and learn about what life was like for the crew who served aboard it, which adds a completely different kind of adventure to your day at the lake.

I love destinations where you can easily combine a few different things into one day. You can have your beach time, get some walking in, explore the town, check out a submarine and grab lunch before heading home.

That's my kind of day trip.

Movement Without Calling It Exercise

One of my favourite things about days like this is how easy it is to get movement in without making it the focus of the day.

Walking along the beach.

Exploring the town.

Wandering around the park.

Walking with Rosie while she investigates every single smell known to dogkind.

It all counts.

As a nutrition coach, I talk a lot about creating healthy habits that actually fit into your life. I don't believe every bit of movement needs to happen inside a gym.

Sometimes movement is simply getting outside and enjoying your day.

If you're someone who struggles with the idea of exercising, try changing the way you think about it. Find something you actually enjoy doing and move because you want to experience it — not because you feel like you're punishing yourself for what you ate.

A beach walk definitely beats staring at the same four walls of a gym for me.

The Perfect Summer Day Trip

What I loved most about Port Burwell was how easy it was to turn a regular summer day into something that felt like a little vacation.

We didn't need a hotel.

We didn't need camping reservations.

We didn't need a complicated itinerary.

We just needed a day.

Pack some snacks, throw a towel and sunscreen in the car, bring your walking shoes, grab the dog and head toward the lake.

Spend a few hours at the beach.

Let the dog go wild at the dog beach.

Explore the town.

Grab some lunch.

Take another walk.

And before you know it, you've had yourself a pretty fantastic little getaway.

Would I Go Back?

Absolutely — and I think the next time we visit Port Burwell, we're going to turn it into a weekend camping trip. After spending the day exploring the beach, letting Rosie enjoy the dog beach and checking out everything Port Burwell has to offer, I definitely found myself thinking that there is more here that I'd like to experience. A day trip was enough to give us a taste of the park, but I think staying for a few nights would be the perfect way to slow things down and enjoy it even more.

I can already picture waking up at the campground, having that first cup of coffee outside, spending the morning at the beach, taking Rosie back to her favourite dog beach and then exploring more of the surrounding area in the afternoon.

The combination of the beautiful beach, the lake, the town, the submarine and especially the amazing dog beach makes Port Burwell a fantastic destination for both a summer day trip and a weekend getaway.

So, yes, Port Burwell — we'll be back.

Next time, we're bringing the camping gear.

Sometimes a day trip is just enough to discover a place. And sometimes it leaves you wanting to stay a little longer.

Have you discovered Port Burwell? If you have, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of the park!

Happy Camping🏕️

Love, Liz💖