# Dunes, vineyards and ferries on Lake Ontario: by motorhome through Prince Edward County

> From Cobourg via Presqu’ile and the Prince Edward County peninsula to Kingston: short stages along the Waterfront Trail, with sandy beaches, bird migration…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-143-prince-edward-county-lake-ontario/

**At a glance:** 5-day road trip of about 197 km (122 mi) with 11 stops, from Cobourg to Kingston. About 2 h 11 min of driving in total. From Cobourg via Presqu’ile and the Prince Edward County peninsula to Kingston: short stages along the Waterfront Trail, with sandy beaches, bird migration and a free ferry.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 197 km (122 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 11 min |
| Suggested days | 5 |
| Stops | 11 |
| Route | Cobourg → Kingston |
| Provinces | ON |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*From Cobourg via Presqu’ile and the Prince Edward County peninsula to Kingston: short stages along the Waterfront Trail, with sandy beaches, bird migration and a free ferry.*

## The spirit of the route

Prince Edward County is an island that does not want to be one: a canal cuts it off from the mainland, yet the roads lead over bridges and ferries into a landscape of limestone slabs, fields, vineyards and shallow bays. In spring and autumn migratory birds pass over Presqu’ile, and in late summer monarch butterflies gather on the coast. At Sandbanks Provincial Park the largest freshwater dunes in the world lie behind a beach that in July recalls the Baltic. In between are small towns with brick façades, farm stands with tomatoes and corn, and wineries with open doors. The roads are flat and easy to drive, but busy at weekends in summer, and if you arrive without a reservation you will soon be standing by the highway. If you travel by motorhome, plan days rather than kilometres, and enjoy getting solid ground under your wheels again after the ferry across the Bay of Quinte.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Cobourg to Presqu’ile Provincial Park (Brighton) (approx. 35 km)

- **The drive:** From Cobourg take Highway 2 or the parallel roads east to Brighton, then the Presqu’ile Parkway to the provincial park. Flat country with fields and orchards, speed limit 80 km/h. Pure driving time is about 40 minutes, half a day with stops.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Cobourg Beach and Victoria Park: a broad sandy beach right by the town, a beach promenade with a boardwalk and parkland.
  - Presqu’ile Provincial Park: a peninsula with a beach, dunes, marshland and the Brighton Lighthouse of 1840; Marsh Boardwalk for birdwatching.
  - Bird migration: in spring and autumn many migratory birds rest on the peninsula; the Visitor Centre provides information.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Presqu’ile Provincial Park: several camping areas (Lakeshore, High Bluff, Calf Pasture), some with electricity, showers, dump station; reserve through Ontario Parks, well ahead in high season. Check vehicle lengths and electrical hook-ups when booking.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Free camping is practically impossible in this area: the land is private property or park, and municipalities enforce rules on overnighting in vehicles. There is hardly any Crown land in southern Ontario.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Presqu’ile is heavily visited on summer weekends; the park authority may limit day admissions and parking. The walk to the lighthouse is short, but the car park is small; arrive early.

### Stage 2: Brighton to Trenton and Wellington (approx. 60 km)

- **The drive:** From Brighton take Highway 2 to Trenton, then Highway 33 over the Murray Canal bridge at Carrying Place into Prince Edward County and on to Wellington. Well-built roads, heavy traffic in the towns in summer. Pure driving time is about 1 hour.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Trenton: the start of the Trent-Severn Waterway, with locks, a harbour and information points.
  - Murray Canal: a narrow canal that separates Prince Edward County from the mainland; the swing bridges open for boats, and waits are possible.
  - Wellington Beach: a sandy beach with windsurfers and kitesurfers, a village with cafés and shops.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** North Beach Provincial Park near Consecon: campground on a sandy beach with sites with and without electricity; reserve through Ontario Parks. Municipalities and private operators offer further sites; check facilities and status beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Prince Edward County, overnighting in a vehicle outside campgrounds is not allowed; municipalities enforce this. Overnighting on streets and car parks is not an option.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The swing bridges on the Murray Canal open for boats in summer; allow extra time. Wineries offer tastings; if you are driving you should not taste, as vehicles must not be driven after a tasting.

### Stage 3: Wellington to Sandbanks Provincial Park (approx. 35 km)

- **The drive:** From Wellington take County Road 12 and Highway 33 southeast to Sandbanks Provincial Park, through fields and vineyards. Flat, two lanes, speed limit 80 km/h. Pure driving time is about 30 minutes.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Sandbanks Provincial Park: the beaches of Outlet Beach and Sandbanks Beach, plus tall freshwater dunes and Dunes Beach; swimming in the shallow water.
  - Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park: a viewpoint over a lake that lies above Lake Ontario; day visits only.
  - Bloomfield: a small village with craft shops, cafés and brick houses.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Sandbanks Provincial Park: several campgrounds (Outlet River, Richardson’s Lake, West Lake) with sites with and without electricity, showers, dump station; the sites are in great demand and booked out long in advance in summer. Reserve through Ontario Parks; check vehicle lengths when booking.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the park, overnighting is allowed only at the campgrounds. In the surrounding area there is no legal free-camping alternative.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The beach and car parks at Sandbanks can be closed on hot days when capacity is reached; arrive early. In a thunderstorm, leave the beach.

### Stage 4: Sandbanks to Picton and Waupoos (approx. 40 km)

- **The drive:** From Sandbanks to Picton via County Road 12 and Highway 49, then on via County Road 8 to Waupoos on the Bay of Quinte. Winding country roads with slight hills, speed limit 60–80 km/h. Pure driving time is about 45 minutes.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Picton: harbour village with a main street, shops, cafés and a waterfront promenade on the Bay of Quinte.
  - Waupoos: orchards, cider and wineries by the water; small harbour facilities.
  - Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail: sections for cycling and walking along the coast, well signposted.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In and around Picton: municipal and private sites; ask about facilities (electricity, water, disposal) before arriving and check reservations. Alternatively, return to the provincial parks.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Free camping is not possible in the region; coasts and fields are private property. Car parks and verges are not meant for overnighting.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Buy fruit, corn and tomatoes directly from the farm stands; payment in cash is often usual there. Some wineries have parking for large vehicles; call beforehand.

### Stage 5: Waupoos to Kingston (via the Glenora ferry) (approx. 90 km)

- **The drive:** From Waupoos to the Glenora ferry, which crosses the Bay of Quinte free of charge to Adolphustown, then on Highway 33 and Highway 401 to Kingston. The ferry runs year-round as a shuttle, with waits in summer; motorhomes of standard dimensions are usually taken, but mind the weight and length limits. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Glenora ferry: a free ferry across the Bay of Quinte between Glenora and Adolphustown; a crossing takes about 15 minutes.
  - Adolphustown: the United Empire Loyalist Heritage Centre and a park with a view of the bay.
  - Kingston: harbour town with Fort Henry and Kingston City Hall; the end point of the route.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Kingston and surroundings: private RV parks on the edge of town and in the Adolphustown area (check the operator, status and facilities beforehand).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Kingston, overnighting in a vehicle on streets and car parks is prohibited. There is no legal free-camping alternative in the city.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The ferry is heavily used in summer; allow for waiting times. In Kingston leave large vehicles on the edge of town and take the bus or a bike into the centre.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- In Prince Edward County and on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario, free camping in a vehicle is practically impossible; the land is private property, park or municipal land.
- There is hardly any Crown land in southern Ontario; further north, rules with a paid permit for non-residents apply. Check the current rules at Ontario.ca.
- Overnighting is not allowed in the car parks of wineries and shops; ask first.
- Useful apps and sites: iOverlander, Campendium, the Ontario Parks reservation site, Waterfront Trail maps.
- Wildlife: raccoons, skunks and coyotes occur; store food locked away. Ticks (Lyme disease) are widespread in southern Ontario; check yourself after hikes. Poison ivy grows at the edges of paths.
- Fire: observe fire bans in dry weather, light fires only in fire pits.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations: at the campgrounds of larger parks and at some petrol stations and municipalities; check availability beforehand.
- Drinking water: at campgrounds and taps in Cobourg, Picton and Kingston.
- Fuel: petrol stations in Cobourg, Brighton, Trenton, Picton and Kingston; on the peninsula petrol stations are rarer, so fill up before the trip.
- Gas: propane at petrol stations and shops in Trenton, Picton and Kingston; European cylinders need adapters.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Cobourg, Trenton, Picton and Kingston; farm stands and small shops on the peninsula.
- Electricity: sites offer 15, 30 and 50 A (120 V); rental motorhomes usually have the matching plug.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: highways 100 km/h (Highway 401), country roads 80 km/h, in towns 50 km/h.
- Ferry: the Glenora ferry is free, is operated by the Ministry of Transportation and runs at short intervals; mind length and weight.
- Admission: provincial parks charge day-use and campground fees; check current amounts. Access to the beach can be limited in high season.
- Dimensions: Ontario allows a height of 4.15 m; multi-storey car parks in cities have limits around 2 m.
- Reservations: Ontario Parks up to five months ahead; Sandbanks is almost always fully booked in summer.
- Weather and season: May to October; July and August are warmest, September is quiet with bird migration. Thunderstorms possible.
- Traffic law: drive on the right, seat belts compulsory, phones at the wheel only hands-free, alcohol in the vehicle only if sealed; drink-driving is strictly prosecuted, also after a wine tasting. A German driving licence is sufficient for tourists for a limited time; an international one is recommended.
- Emergency: 911; hospitals in Picton, Belleville and Kingston.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- A bicycle for the Waterfront Trail and short trips between campground and beach.
- Binoculars for the bird migration at Presqu’ile and the marshland.
- Sun protection and a windproof jacket: the beaches are open, and wind off the lake cools you down quickly.
- A cool box for fruit, cheese and wine from farm stands and wineries.
- Reservation documents for Ontario Parks, because Sandbanks and Presqu’ile are often fully booked.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Cobourg** (ON)
2. **Presqu’ile Provincial Park** (ON)
3. **Trenton** (ON)
4. **Wellington** (ON)
5. **Sandbanks Provincial Park** (ON)
6. **Bloomfield** (ON)
7. **Picton** (ON)
8. **Waupoos** (ON)
9. **Glenora** (ON)
10. **Adolphustown** (ON)
11. **Kingston** (ON)

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. Cold, short days in November–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Dunes, vineyards and ferries on Lake Ontario: by motorhome through Prince Edward County?**
5-day road trip of about 197 km (122 mi) with 11 stops, from Cobourg to Kingston. About 2 h 11 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Dunes, vineyards and ferries on Lake Ontario: by motorhome through Prince Edward County?**
We suggest 5 days: about 2 h 11 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Dunes, vineyards and ferries on Lake Ontario: by motorhome through Prince Edward County start and end?**
It starts in Cobourg and ends in Kingston.

**Which provinces does Dunes, vineyards and ferries on Lake Ontario: by motorhome through Prince Edward County pass through?**
Ontario.

**When is the best time for Dunes, vineyards and ferries on Lake Ontario: by motorhome through Prince Edward County?**
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)