LION'S HEAD
LION'S HEAD
Welcome to Lion's Head
Visit Lion's Head
Lion's Head, Bruce Peninsula is a peaceful port village, located on the shores of Isthmus bay. Surrounded by beautiful limestone cliffs which, when viewed from Georgian Bay, resemble the head of a lion, giving Lion's Head it's name. Lion's Head is also located at the 45th parallel - exactly halfway between the equator and the north pole.
One visit to Lion’s Head and you will want to make it a regular stop while visiting the Bruce Peninsula. When locals and visitors are asked to describe Lion’s Head, they typically pause and say “you can’t…it‘s a feeling“. There is a sense of serenity like you have just come home. The scenery is nothing less than stunning. The limestone cliffs rise from the turquoise Caribbean- coloured waters, and at sunrise and sunset, they have an amazing “pink” aura, due to the sun’s reflection.
LION'S HEAD
PROVINCIAL PARK
This park is part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks System, and the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. The Bruce Trail passes through here. There are no visitor facilities. The purpose of this 526-hectare nature reserve is to protect the rock formation and the plants unique to the area. The area is best suited for hiking and nature appreciation. Visitors are asked to remember that the natural features are vulnerable and easily damaged.
What you may not know is that Lion’s Head Provincial Park is open for day use only, and has limited parking and no facilities or camping. We’re seeing increased litter and trampling of the sensitive habitat. We’re also seeing a lot of fire hazards, and want to remind everyone that campfires are not permitted in this provincial park.
With the increased visitation to Lion’s Head Provincial Park, the important species and ecosystems that the park was put in place to protect are being threatened.
HIKING WITHIN THE LION'S HEAD PARK
If you are planning to hike the rugged trails into the Lion's Head Provincial Park, there area a few things for you to consider while you are planning:
- DAY USE ONLY : there is no camping allowed at all in this park.
- PARK ONLY IN THE PARKING LOT : Limited parking is available only in the parking lot. Roadside parking is illegal, and you will get ticketed. If the lot is full, plan to come back later. A full parking lot means the park has its quota of visitors. As a good steward of this nature reserve please do not over crowd it. The trails are narrow, and walking off the trail system is ill advised. The ecosystem of this reserve is sensitive, this is why it is being preserved. Please do not abuse the park, or it will be closed to visitors in the future.
- NO FIRES : Absolutely no fires are allowed in this park. The park is not managed, and a spark from a fire can ignite the ancient cedars trees and other brush quickly. NO FIRES EVER.
- NO LITTERING: Although this seems like a given, people are repeatedly leaving behind litter, plastics, diapers and other garbage. Understand - this is a nature reserve, and does NOT have facilities for garbage. If you carry in anything then please carry it out. Do not ever leave garbage in nature.
- PLAN AHEAD: The hiking trails into this reserve are not easy. There are no hand rails, there are no facilities. This is a rugged trail system that takes hours to get around. The loop trail is over 15 km's long and takes hours to walk through. If you bring children, understand that this is a long hike for them. If you are bringing infants - understand there is NOWHERE to deposit diapers. If you bring lunch plan ahead and bring a garbage bag, and carry it out. This reserve belongs to every single one of us, and each and everyone of us is the steward of this beautiful Nature Reserve.
- THE BRUCE TRAIL runs through the Lion's Head Provincial Park. Before hiking these trails, consider joining the Bruce Trail and / or buying a map or app of the trails
- WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING: Everyone is looking to get a selfie these days, and while dressing in high heels might be a nice photo feature to get a selfie beside the CN Tower, it is not appropriate on the Niagara Escarpment! These trails are all rugged and require good footwear. There are hazards like crevasses, and rattlesnakes. PLAN AHEAD and wear good hiking boots.
Month by month guide to the Bruce Peninsula
December, January, February & March is winter on the Bruce Peninsula
After the holiday's winter sets in and the ice begins to form along the shoreline of the Bruce Peninsula making for some amazing shoreline vistas. The snow has started to collect on the trails in the national and provincial parks, we truly are a Winter Wonderland.
The Bruce Peninsula is a fantastic place in the winter. Miles of fresh snow awaits hikers, snowshoers, cross country skiers, snowmobilers & ATV riders. There are plenty of accommodations open in winter, as well as a few local restaurants & the Tobermory Brewing Company. Many shops do close for the winter, and our villages are very quiet. Most visitors in winter come up for the quiet of the area. The waters surrounding the Bruce freeze in the winter, and the waves & currents push ice onto the shore - building huge ice mountains that are breath-taking to view and open a new world to explore.
April, May & June is spring on the Bruce Peninsula
The snow is melting and the temperature is climbing as the sun warms the land and the waters of the Bruce Peninsula. The birds are migrating back to their northern home, the wildflowers are breaking ground, spring has arrived. What are - you doing?
As the first wildflowers and ferns reach for the warm sun the Alvars and forests come to life, Trilliums, Lakeside Daisy, Wood lily, and Orchids, Indian Paint Brushes and Columbines are abundant, growing along the sides of roads in huge numbers. Spring is also low season for cottage rentals, most offer 3 day weekends. Access to all we have to offer is great this time of year and spring weather is amazing on the Bruce Peninsula. The trails are clearing of snow and the tour boats are running without the crowds that come with summer vacation. What are you waiting for?
Summer is the season for outdoor adventures.
Summer on the Bruce Peninsula is fun for your entire family and friends, with hiking the Bruce Trail, fishing, camping, boat tours to Flowerpot Island & sunset cruises, sandy beaches for swimming, Helicopter tours, shopping, restaurants, biking, Kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and boating around the many islands of Fathom Five National Marine Park. The weather is perfect on the Bruce Peninsula there are fun and challenging events and family festivals during the spring and summer on the Bruce. Come, relax and rejuvenate your soul, get away from work and city life!
Summer - the kids are out of school pack up the family and head north to the Bruce Peninsula we are all about getting outdoors spending time with the family, friends and being close to nature. Summer means hiking, camping, kayaking or canoeing, fishing & diving, boating, ATV riding, biking, beaching, swimming, golfing, really there is no end to what you can do while visiting the Bruce Peninsula - we really do have it all!
September, October, November - fall on the Bruce Peninsula
Septemeber can be the most temperate time on the Bruce, the water is at its warmest, the crowds have gone back to the grind of life, school and home, which means you'll have all the activities we have to offer mostly to yourselves and fall is approaching which is an experience of color unto itself.
September like late spring is warm and quiet, the kids are back in school and the many summer visitors are back to work. This is the time to visit if you can make the escape from the city and work. The weather is beautiful, the water is at its warmest for the year, and fall is just around the corner. October brings a world of color as the foliage begins to change. Hiking the Niagara Escarpments Bruce Trail and one of the boat tours will give you the best vantage points to see the colors of fall against the towering limestone cliffs on the peninsula. The famous Pumpkin Toss & tractor races are also in October and that is a sight to be seen. Thanksgiving in November is time to get the family together one more time before the holidays of December & the snow begins to fall. Winter is near November is the last chance to get everyone out one more time before you need to get the winter gear on.