7 Things to Bring on Your Bruce Peninsula Adventure (And 3 You Can Leave at Home)

As you plan your trip to the Bruce Peninsula, you’re probably wondering just what you need to bring with you and what you’ll find here. As wild and remote as it may seem, you’ll be happy to know that you’ll find most modern conveniences alongside the peninsula’s stunning beaches, sprawling old growth forests and vast, open spaces.

Let’s Get Started

Along the 76 km stretch of Highway 6 connecting Wiarton at the base of the Bruce Peninsula to Tobermory at its tip, you’ll find:
-3 gas stations
-2 grocery stores, plus one in Lion’s Head within 10 mins of the highway
-2 adventure outfitters
-A variety of markets, trading posts and farmgate food sellers

As you explore deeper, you’ll discover motels, bed and breakfasts, cottage rental communities, campgrounds and more. Ideally, you’ll book your accommodations in advance, as this is a popular place to be in peak season. Begin your search on the “Places to Stay” page.

Let’s have a look at what else you can pack to prepare for your Bruce Peninsula adventure:

1. Your Camera, GoPro, Smartphone, etc.

Dramatic, jagged escarpment cliff walls, stunning Lake Huron sunsets and picturesque cottages set against the ultramarine depths of Georgian Bay make the Bruce Peninsula a landscape photographer’s dream. Look closer and watch your step! Colourful orchids and wildflowers, hundreds of species of birds, and ancient fossils – remnants of the coral reef that lay here 400 million years ago – all beg for your lens and attention. If all you are packing is a smartphone, get ready for the best selfies ever! If you have room for lenses, you may want to bring a telephoto to capture wildlife in the distance, a wide lens for sweeping landscapes, and a macro lens for the variety of flora in the area. Throw in a rain cover and extra memory cards, as well, then check out these Top 7 Places to Take a Picture on the Bruce Peninsula.

2. A Reusable Water Bottle

It’s important that you stay hydrated as you swim, hike, and explore your way around the Bruce Peninsula. However, we also owe it to our pristine environment to help keep it that way by reducing as much plastic water bottle waste as possible. The water here is potable unless otherwise marked, and you’ll find water bottle refilling stations in Tobermory, Lion’s Head, and at the National Park Visitors Centre. And although the peninsula might seem isolated, you’re never more than a 30-minute drive from a village or store on the highway, except while hiking. Hiker’s are reminded to bring extra water with them.

3. Good Walking Shoes or Hiking Boots

The Bruce Trails spans all the way from the Niagara Region to the tip of the Bruce, where you’ll find some of the best trails, vantage points and beaches around! The Bruce Peninsula offers 264 kilometres of exceptional hiking trails, with options to suit hikers from beginners to advanced. You’ll find Explore the Bruce’s 10 Best Hikes of the Bruce Trail here and can access the Bruce Trail from various points. Running shoes with rubber soles are fine for easier trails, while you might appreciate the extra support of hiking shoes or boots on more difficult trails. Whatever you do, just don’t attempt the trails in flip-flops! Poison ivy thrives on these rocky trails and you don’t want to come in contact.

4. Your Senses of Wonder and Adventure

Leave any stress, worries, anxiety or cynicism behind and open yourself up to the wonder and adventure of the Bruce. This little corner of the world is home to 43 delicate varieties of orchids, some of Ontario’s best beaches, 20 types of fern, old growth forest over 800 years old in places, and endangered species such as the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake. Solid dolomite forms ‘flowerpots’ and dramatic rock ledges as the softer layers of shale and sandstone beneath it erodes. Even among the ecological diversity and vulnerability of this environment, adventurers are right at home. In fact, they tend to be most passionate about protecting the peninsula for years to come! Among the members of conservation groups such as the Bruce Peninsula Environment Group and Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association, you’ll find avid hikers and birders, kiteboarders, paddlers and kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders, rock climbers and more. Each year, they’re joined by adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts from the world over, drawn to experience the wonder of the Bruce.

5. The Official Bruce Trail Reference Guide

You’ll also want to carry a copy of the official Bruce Trail Reference Guide with you. It’s the definitive source for parking and access points, history, geology, flora and fauna, and hiking safety information. You can order online from the Bruce Trail Conservancy here.

6. Sunscreen & Insect Repellant

As in all wooded areas in the province, the Bruce Peninsula has a season for mosquitoes and black flies. Across North America, ticks are a growing concern, as well. Wear light coloured, long sleeved shirts and long pants if you plan on spending time in heavily wooded or swampy areas. Check for ticks regularly, especially after traveling through long grass, brush, and damp areas. Bring bug repellent and use a sunscreen with a higher sun protection factor (SPF) than you think you may need, in case you get caught up in your adventures and forget to reapply on time. It’s important to choose a waterproof sunscreen that can stand up to rain, sweat, and gorgeous Lake Huron swims. Don’t forget that when you’re visiting in winter, sunscreen is just as important. The glare off the glistening white snow as you cross-country ski or snowshoe blissed out Bruce Peninsula trails can still leave a burn!

7. Your Appetite

You’re going to work up quite the appetite with all this exploring. From farmgate picnics to fine dining, Bruce Peninsula offers fresh, affordable and most importantly delicious dining at every turn. Before heading out to enjoy the serenity of Lion’s Head and surrounding area, grab a cup of fair-trade organic coffee from Rachel’s Restaurant. Walk, drive, ski or snowmobile to the traditional English pub, The Lion’s Head Inn, at the end of the day to savour their panko breaded Perch Feast. TruFood Cafe on Highway 6 just below Lindsay Road 5 specializes in homegrown, freshly prepared meals, baking and lunch specials for all manner of diets, including gluten free and paleo. The Applewood Inn at Dyer’s Bay is a local favourite serving fresh, local and organic dishes in an intimate dining room overlooking Georgian Bay. You’ll definitely want to call ahead and reserve your table. Check out these other dining recommendations on the Peninsula and use your Google Maps search to find restaurants, cafes and diners near you across the Bruce Peninsula.

And 3 Things You Can Leave at Home…

Spend your time here exploring the Bruce and leave that empty space in your suitcase for taking a bit of the Bruce back home until your next visit!

Books, Games, Cards and Other Things to Do That Take Up Space in Your Suitcase

Rain or shine, you have endless opportunities to learn more about the fascinating history, First Nations culture, geology and delicate ecosystems of one of Southern Ontario’s last true wilderness regions. And when it doesn’t, check out these other great resources to help deepen your knowledge of the area and enrich your experience:

The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre at 33 Victoria Street North in Southampton
St. Edmunds Township Museum at 7072 Hwy #6, 3 km south of Tobermory
The Red Schoolhouse Gallery at 2866 Hwy #6 near Lion’s Head
See what’s on at the Southampton Arts Centre – Art School & Gallery at 201 High Street in Southampton

Large Sums of Cash

In years past, you were wise to travel north with enough cash to last the duration of your trip. But today, you’ll find that most retailers, dining establishments, markets and other businesses now take debit or credit. Thefts and similar crimes are incredibly low on the Bruce Peninsula. Even so, you should use the same cautions you do in any other location to protect your property and person. Lock the doors when you’re away from your vehicle and avoid leaving electronics or other valuables in sight. Store any valuables in your vehicle overnight while camping, as well. Click here to see the results of a Google Maps search for ATMs and bank branches on the Bruce Peninsula.

Treats for the Wildlife

Please don’t feed the animals! It is illegal to feed wildlife inside the National Park. Both inside and outside of the park, feeding wild animals is dangerous– both for you and the animal. Once fed by humans, bears, raccoons and other wildlife are more likely to wander into campsites and inhabited areas, where they and everyone around them are at risk. Do not bring food for the animals. Be careful not to litter and avoid leaving food scraps anywhere you picnic. While you’re hiking or camping, keep food items sealed and stored inside your vehicle, to reduce smells that local wildlife might find enticing. For more information, see the Bruce Peninsula National Park website.

Ready to Hit the Road?

Get off the beaten path and go deeper. Plan to stay longer. See more of the Bruce Peninsula with each trip!