Guide · Kids and family

Point Pelee National Park Guide (2026-27): The Tip, Winter Visits, Fees and the Spring Bird Show

Stand at the southernmost tip of mainland Canada, about an hour from Windsor. Here's your 2026-27 guide to Point Pelee: what to see, winter visiting (no shuttle, but no crowds either), fees, the May bird migration and how to make a day of it in Leamington and Kingsville.

Point Pelee is a long, skinny finger of sand and forest pointing into Lake Erie, ending at a beach that's further south than California's northern border. People fly in from around the world to see its birds. Windsorites, meanwhile, often say, "Oh yeah, I went there on a school trip in Grade 4."

Time to go back. Here's how to plan a great visit in 2026-27.

Hours and fees

Fees as last published by Parks Canada; check the park's website for 2027 rates. A Parks Canada Discovery Pass also covers admission.

• Park hours: 7 a.m. to dusk from September 8, 2026 to April 15, 2027.
• Shuttle to the Tip and Visitor Centre: closed November 2, 2026 to March 31, 2027. They usually reopen in early April.
• Address: 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington.

What to see

1. The Tip: walk to the very end of the sand spit and stand at the southern edge of mainland Canada. The shape of the point changes every year with the waves. Do not swim here: the currents are dangerous.
2. Marsh Boardwalk: a floating boardwalk through the park's huge marsh, with a lookout tower. Turtles in summer, ducks in fall, quiet in winter.
3. Woodland Nature Trail and Tilden's Woods: easy forest loops that are birding hot spots in spring.
4. DeLaurier Homestead and Trail: a short walk through old farm fields and history. (Vehicle access to some areas closes after the first snowfall.)
5. Canoeing the marsh: in summer, rent a canoe or kayak and paddle the channels.

Visiting in winter

Winter at Point Pelee is wonderfully empty. The trails are quiet, the lake is wild, and on a cold sunny morning you might have the Tip all to yourself. Without the shuttle, you'll need to drive or walk further. In past winters, Parks Canada has opened limited parking near the Tip after the first snowfall, so check the park's alerts before you go.

• Trails aren't maintained in winter, so wear boots with good grip.
• Northwest Beach is closed from November 1 to March 31.
• Dress for wind. It's always colder at the Tip than in Windsor.
• Bring snacks and water; services inside the park are limited in winter.

The spring bird migration

Every May, Point Pelee becomes one of the best birding spots in North America. Tired songbirds crossing Lake Erie land here first, and you can see dozens of warbler species in a single morning. The Festival of Birds usually runs through the first half of May, with guided walks and events. Go early in the morning, on a weekday if you can, and bring binoculars. In summer the park's hours stretch to 10 p.m. and the shuttle runs again.

Make a day of it

Point Pelee pairs well with a few nearby stops. Hillman Marsh Conservation Area, just north of the park, has marsh trails and bird blinds. In Kingsville, the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a great stop with kids (closed Sundays). And it's a short drive to the wineries along the Lake Erie shore.

Getting there

From Windsor, take Highway 3 east toward Leamington (about an hour), then follow the signs to Point Pelee Drive. Seacliff Drive East in Leamington has been under reconstruction, so check the Municipality of Leamington's updates for detours.

Keep reading

• The Windsor-Essex Wine Route
• 25 Things to Do in Windsor in Winter

Common questions