Tobermory & Bruce Peninsula National Park
Tobermory is a town at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula that is built around 2 natural harbors called Big Tub and Little Tub. To the left of Tobermory is Lake Huron, to the east is Georgian Bay. The town of 1200 ( much larger in tourist season ) offers excellent restaurants featuring locally caught whitefish and clothing stores. Tobermory was originally named Collins Harbor but was renamed Tobermory in the 1850s. Around the Little Tub harbor downtown are bricked sidewalks that pass numerous flower beds and many quaint and unique ships, stores, restaurants and galleries. 2 miles south of Tobermory is the St Edmunds Museum which originated as a settlement school built in 1898. The main floor showcases the fishing, lumbering and farming of the ancesters. The 2nd floor showcases the areas rich marine history. There is also a log cabin built in 1875 that is furnished like a 1800s home. Big Tub Harbor is the deepest natural harbor on the Great Lakes. The Princess Hotel and Patio on Bay Street in Tobermory is open year round and it famous for its whitefish lunch combos. The area is blessed with surrounding natural attractions of Flowerpot Island to the north and Bruce Peninsula National Park to the south. Much of the tourism is from people coming to enjoy the areas natural treasures which include among the highest diversity of plant and animal life in Canada. There is also a bookstore in town that specialized in nature guides and books. Kayaking is also very popular as is swimming at the Grotto. The hike to the shoreline jewel called "The Grotto" is very beautiful as it passes an inland Lake called Cyprus Lake.
* travel video of The Grotto on youtube
Another trail winds around the western side of Cyprus Lake. During a severe drought during the 1908 summer...one of the largest forest fires in Canadian history razed much of the Bruce Peninsula. While much of the forest has grown back...the trees are not of the giant size that supported the areas lumber economy of the late 1890s and early 1900s. Tobermory still serves as a commercial fishing port. There is public swimming at the Big Tub Lighthouse. The Bruce Peninsula is a major bird migration route and excellent birding can be found in the wetlands, forests and shorelines all over the peninsula. The tallest bird lookout tower in Canada is located just outside Tobermory at the Parks Canada Visitor Center.
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Features pristine beaches, inland lakes and the largest remaining continuous forest in southern Ontario where over 40 species of orchids can be found in the wild.
Fathom Five National Marine Park is nearby offering islands and crystal clear water. It is the scuba diving capital of Canada. Many shipwrecks from the early 1900s can be seen here.
Flowerpot Island
Is well known for its unique natural rock pillers. On the island, you can visit the historic light house, climb stairs into a cave, swim in the clear water and hike the many trails. The 4.3 km of trails on this 200 hectare island goes through caves, old growth Arborvitae forests and many ferns and rare wildflowers.
* travel videos on youtube
M.S. Chi Cheemaun is a large car and truck ferry that leaves from the port of Tobermory to the famous Manitoulin Island.
The Sunset Cruise and the Scenic Glass Bottom Tours operated by the Blue Heron Company are a great way to experience Tobermory's maritime vibe from out at sea.
* photos taken on July 14 2016
* historical archives article on the Massassauga
Bruce County
* map of county
Allenford
A tiny town on the banks of the Sauble River, that is on Highway 21 halfway between Southampton and Owen Sound. The town was originally named Driftwood Crossing.
* historic archive photos
Barrow Bay
* historic archive photo
Big Bay
A tiny coastal town north of Owen Sound. Big Bay General Store is a popular place in town to eat delicious ice cream while enjoying a walk to the pier and short to enjoy the view of the bay and the islands in it.
* link to Keppel Craft Gardens in Big Bay
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g2441276-d3309697-Reviews-Keppel_Croft_Gardens-Big_Bay_Georgian_Bluffs_Grey_County_Ontario.html
Cape Croker
* external link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neyaashiinigmiing_27
Chesley
* historic archive photos
Colpoys Bay
* historic archive photos
Dunks Bay
* historic archive photos
Dyer's Bay
* external link on Dyers Bay
https://www.history-articles.com/dyers-bay-ontario.html
* historic archive photos
Elmwood
* historic archive photo
Elsinore
* external link
https://www.history-articles.com/elsinore-ontario.html
Glammis
The Greenock Swamp to the south is one of the largest wooded wetlands in southern Ontario. It covers an area of 20 000 acres.
https://glammis.ca/book/ThenAndNow.pdf
* historic archive photos
Hepworth
A small town on Highway 6 south of Wiarton.
* external links
https://www.history-articles.com/hepworth.html
https://ontarioconservationareas.ca/conservation-areas/hepworth/
Inverhuron
* family album photos taken on July 1995
* historic archive photos
Kemble
A tiny close-knit coastal town just 18 km north of Owen Sound. Kemble was impressive farmland viewsaswell as many forest walking trails to enjoy nature. It has a very attractive shoreline and the popular Kemble Mountain Loop trail.
Kilsyth
A small town of just 100 residents, that is southwest of Owen Sound. The town was founded by Scottish immigrants in 1845 and is surrounded by rolling farmland. During the late 1800s, the town contained a bar, post office and some stores.
Kinloss
A tiny town in far southern Bruce County. Its main attraction is Bruce Botanical Food Gardens.
* photo taken on July 8 2023
Lions Head
A small town with a sandy beach on Georgian Bay, a boat marina and great views of the Niagara Escarpment where there is excellent hiking, famous for its views and rugged terrain. Here, the Bruce Trail treks through meadows and arborvitae and mixed hardwood forests and along limestone cliffs, reaching its highest point at Lion's Head Lookout. From here, you can see Isthmus Bay and Lions Head towards the SW, see the entire shorline of Whippoorwill Bay to the W over to White Bluff and see Smokey Head even further north. The turquoise waters make this view even more memorable. Bear Tracks Inn hotel is close to the trail and has a restaurant and gift shop. Cape Croker Park is a popular 520 acre campground, popular for high limestone cliffs and 4 km of shoreline populated by ducks, geese, herons, kingfishers as well as bald eagles. Here, there you can learn about the land and cultural history from a team of Anishinaabe naturalist guides ( website is capecrokerspark.com ).
* photos taken on July 15 2016
* travel video on youtube
Malcolm
* historic archive photo
Lucknow
A town that originated in 1855, grown to 430 residents in 1868 and grown to 1121 residents in 2016. Its shopping area serves a much wider area and it is the largest agricultural center in interior southern Huron County.
* photos taken on July 8 2023
Manitoulin Island
To the west of Tobermory in Lake Huron; it is the largest island surrounded by fresh water in the world.
* travel videos on youtube
* historical archive photos
* video on youtube of the Cup and Saucer Trail which is known for its 12 km of hiking trails that include outlooks from 233 foot cliffs.
* youtube video of Misery Bay on Manitoulin Island
* additional youtube videos of Manitoulin Island
Mildmay
A small town in interior Bruce County. The Bruce County Rail Trail ( formerly a railroad ) runs through town including Witter's Pond.
* historic archive photos
Miller Lake
One of many inland lakes on the Bruce Peninsula...Miller Lake is the largest, offering crystal clear water for motorboating and kayaking. There is excellent camping as well as Bed and Breakfasts overlooking the lake.
Oliphant
The Fishing Islands are a series of 89 small islands in Lake Huron beginning 15 miles north of Oliphant, continuing to Howdenvale. The largest island is Cranberry Island with 124 acres. Whiskey Island is 0.5 miles from the shoreline and is covered with dense forests. Smokehouse Island is a large island, slightly north of Whiskey Island with the Smokehouse Channel between it. Smokehouse Island is covered in dense, larch, arborvitae and spruce forest. The islands were named due to the abundance of fish when the area was first explored by Europeans. The shallow waters with numerous sandbanks and rocks are a treacherous barrier to ships. Many ships during the late 1800s and early 1900s met a watery grave as they were blown into the outer reef during storms, from the open waters of Lake Huron. The areas indigenous history dates back at least 5000 years and these fishing grounds, among the best whitefish spawning ground in the entire Great Lakes, were extremely important economically and culturally to the regions natives, both Chippewas and Saugeen First Nations.
* historic archive photos
Owen Sound
The largest city in the region...and yet even they have some stunning natural attractions. The Gitche Namewikwedong Reconciliation Gardens in Kelso Beach at Nawash Park in Owen Sound showcases native plants and the rich indigenous heritage of the area. Elsies Diner is a popular 1950s them diner on Highway 6 in Owen Sound, famous for its milkshakes, meadloaf, hot roast beef, fish & chips and other combos. The Marine and Rail Waterfront Museum is on the waterfront. Grey Roots Museum and Archives is at 102599, Grey County Rd 18, Owen Sound. The Owen Sound area is very popular for its waterfalls. These incude:
Inglis Falls
A 60 foot cascade falls.
Jones Falls
A 40 foot cascading falls in Springmount just outside of Owen Sound. It is on the Bruce Trail, has free parking and is open all year.
Indian Falls
A 50 foot waterfall just north of Owen Sound at Indian Falls Conversation Area. The trails are frequently closed due to flooding.
Weavers Creek Falls Located on private property, this one is inside the city of Owen Sound and can be reached through Harrison Park near the downtown. Harrison Park is 40 acres of trails, gardens and recreation. The Bruce Trail can be accessed from Harrison Park. Canoes are available for rent and there is an heated swimming pool, mini-gold and tennis courts. During late autumn, chinook salmon migrate up the Sydenham River through the park, on way to their spawning grounds.
There is an arboretum in Owan Sound at 237897 Inglis Falls Road, Owen Sound. The arboretum belongs to the Gray-Sauble Conservation Authority ( https://ontarioconservationareas.ca/conservation-authorities/grey-sauble/ ).
* historical archive photo
* travel video on youtube
Paisley
* photos taken on July 8 2023
* historic archive photo
Parry Sound
Not part of Bruce County but a popular and very beautiful tourist destination across Georgian Bay.
* historical archive photo
Pikes Bay
* external link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Pike_Bay
* historic archive photo
Pinkerton
* historic archive photo
Port Elgin
McGregor Point Park is a large natural area offering quality shoreline and forest ecosystems. It is just south of the town of Port Elgin.
* historic archive photos
* travel video on youtube
Red Bay
A small town offering safe swimming in a sandy cove on Lake Huron. It offers great boating, resorts and campgrounds. The hiking and birding oppertunities are excellent. The very rare natural ecosystem of coastal meadow marsh can be found near Red Bay at Petrel Point Nature Reserve. Many endangered plants including Orchids and carniverous plants can be found here, especially at Red Bay Conservation Area ( at Reid Point ) and Petrol Point ( just north of Red Bay ). Petrol Point Nature Reserve contains very rare, healthy Great Lakes Coastal Meadow Marsh. These meadows contain many rare wildflowers ( including pitcher plants, pogonias, purple fringed orchid, twayblade and lady's slippers orchids ) and are surrounded by swampy arborvitae forests. Native plants are sold at the nearby Earthbound Gardens. Evergreen Resort is a popular resort in the area.
* historic archive photos
* travel video on youtube
Ripley
* historic archive photos
Riversdale
* historic archive photo
Sauble Beach
7 miles of clean sandy beach that is among the best on Lake Huron. Sauble Beach is a town built where the Ausable River empties into Lake Huron. The beach is sandy with some of the warmest waters found on Lake Huron during summer. The endangered Piping Plovers can be found at north Sauble Beach ( they can also be found on the shores of Georgian Bay at Wasaga Beach ). Sauble Beach is a popular Lake Huron coastal summer resort with many miles of sand beach. A popular camping ground is Sauble Beach Resort Camp complete with a jacuzzi and an indoor heated pool. Woodland Park Campground has the same and is the closest campground to the downtown.
* travel video on youtube
Sauble Falls
* historic archive photos
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
In neighboring Gray County to the east offers a 0.5 mile zip ride in the tree tops, a 420 foot suspension bridge and caves to explore.
Saugeen Shores
Over 50 km of nature trails offering excellent hiking and skiing.
* travel video on youtube
Searchmont
Not part of Bruce County but a small town on the mainland to the northwest opposite Manitoulin Island.
* historical archive photo
Shallow Lake
A tiny town on Highway 6 between Hepworth and Owen Sound. Attractions include Grey County Forest 32 - Copper Kettle South. It has hiking trails over rolling terrain in hardwood forests, a conifer plantation and wetlands. There are many limestone-loving fern species. Nearby is the Grey County Forest 34 - Kepple Wetland with trails. Shallow Lake has 505 residents.
Spirit Rock Conservation Area
A great place to get a spectacular view of Colpoys Bay from the top of the Niagara Escarpment. There is also access to the Bruce Trail as well as a spiral staircase to the shore of Georgian Bay. Spirit Roc is located north of Wiarton on Highway 6.
Southampton
A small town offering hiking on the spectacular Chantry Dunes that are protected with recently re-established dune grass. Many migratory birds flock at Chantry Island which is a federal bird sanctuary. Fiery Lake in Southampton has many trails and great views. The limestone ampitheatre and gardens overlooking the Saugeen River at Saugeen First Nation is a must see. Saugeen First Nation is just north of Southampton. A former railway is now the Saugeen Rail Trail. The boardwalk and the north shore trail also offers great hiking. There is also much natural forest along the Saugeen River...especially east of Denny's Dam.
* historic archive photo
* travel videos on youtube
Stokes Bay
A tiny town with a boat marina and excellent hiking where many rare wildflowers can be found. There are also great campgrounds and a general store.
* historic archive photos
* travel video on youtube
Tara
A town on the Sauble River, that is between Port Elgin and Owen Sound. The town as 1037 residents. The first European settlers arrived in 1851. A sawmill opened in 1855 then in 1857 an agricultural implement area and a large metalworks opened. The post office openeed in 1862.
* historic archive photo
Teeswater
A town on the Teeswater River in interior southern Bruce County. It is 12 km west of Mildmay. The post office opened in 1855 and immigrants started arriving from Englsh and Scotland began arriving the following year. The Teeswater News was published from 1871 to 1996. Teeswater had 1030 residents in the year 2021.
* historic archive photo
Walkerton
The Saugeen River,great for tubing,kayaking and canoing, traverses the downtown. The Saugeen River trails are great for jogging. The Lighthouse Motel is a popular small hotel in Walkerton.
* historic archive photos
Wiarton
The largest town on the Bruce Peninsula borders on Colpoys Bay which is part of Georgian Bay. The Bruce Trail runs through town including Bluewater Park on the waterfront. In Wiarton is interesting shops in historic buildings. Wiarton was a busy harbor in the 1880s and travel was also by rail. Highway 6 north to Tobermory did not exist at that time as the huge granite boulders north of town would need to be blasted out to continue the highway north to Tobermory. Just outside of town are limestone cliffs and the Bruce Trail. The first European settlers arrived in Wiarton during the mid 1800s, the first hotel and post office opened in 1868. The population was 200 in 1870 which grew to 400 by 1876. During 1880, the area population had grown to 752. The lumber industry was important to the towns development until widespread forest fires wiped out much of the areas forests during the late 1800s and again during the early 1900s. Bruce’s Caves Conservation Area is a popular hiking area 1 mile east of Wiarton. Rural Rootz Nature Reserve at 645 Northacres Rd, has 7 km of trails and beautiful gardens that are surrounded by woodland. Tom and Dee are generous hosts on this 100 acre property. It is a great place to visit for the spiritual person ( https://www.ruralrootz.com/ ).
*external link with historic photos
https://www.postcard.wiarton.ca/wiarton.html
* historic archive photo
* travel video on youtube
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