Length of stay: 2 days
Visited: February 2025
MacGregor Point Provincial Park is located along the shore of Lake Huron. It’s super popular in the summer because of its sandy beaches. But the park remains open in the winter and offers a variety of activities to enjoy the snow, including skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
We were looking forward to a change of scenery. K has been on parental leave since the start of the year while I returned to work after taking just over a year off for maternity leave. K’s grandmother also passed away recently. With the funeral service being held on a Friday in Shelburne, we decided to spend the weekend in Port Elgin to get some fresh air.
It’s typically a pleasant and quiet drive along country roads to get to Port Elgin. But it was windy. And because of all the snow, the visibility wasn’t the greatest. We even saw a couple of cars that got stuck in the ditch. We took it slow and had no issues getting where we needed to go. By the time we arrived at our accommodations it was around 5:30pm and it was starting to get dark outside. Dinner consisted of leftovers from the night before that we heated up in the microwave. And to close off the day, we went for a swim in the hotel pool.
Day 1: Bird Watching
We slept in and had a light breakfast before heading to MacGregor Point for a morning hike to start the day. It’s about a 10 minute drive to get from Port Elgin to the park. The massive snowbanks along the main road gave a pretty good indication of what the conditions would be like on the trails. It was overcast and cloudy, but quite mild (-5°C) in comparison to previous weeks.
We started with the Tower Trail (3.5km loop, rated easy). The trail weaves through a few different environments, including the forest and wetlands. It also features an observation tower. Along the way there’s a series of storyboards that provide more information about the landscape and importance of wetlands, often with clever captions.
To access the trail required climbing over a snowbank. The trail starts off along a narrow boardwalk through the forest. The snow was packed down to form a narrow path. But if you accidently strayed from it, the snow came up above our winter boots. It was a good warning to pay attention to where we were going.
The trail passes an observation tower located by the wetlands. The wooden stairs were completely covered in snow and were impossible to climb up easily. Instead we admired the views in the lower part of the observation tower.
As we were leaving we spotted a few curious little chickadees in the trees. We came prepared to make some friends with bird seed.
The trail follows the shoreline of the wetlands and passes a bird blind, a shelter to better observe the wildlife in their natural habitat.
After dipping back in the forest for a short stretch, the trail loops back to the trailhead. We returned to our hotel for an early lunch and to put baby M down for a nap, which didn’t really work out. So plan B was to go for a drive, which did the trick. We drove north along the Lake Huron shoreline passing through some of the smaller towns along the way. It would be lovely to have a cottage here, but you would for sure need a snowblower to live out here in the winter.
We turned around at Sauble Beach and made our way back to MacGregor Point. This time we hiked the Kempfs Trail (1.6km round trip, rated easy). The trailhead is located at the back of the parking lot of the Tower Trail. It weaves through a dense cedar forest to the Old Shore Road Trail, passing the group campsites. It was named after one of the former landowners in this part of the park.
The trail connects with the Old Shore Road Trail that runs parallel to the Lake Huron shoreline. There were a few footprints in the snow to the left, so we decided to head in that direction to get closer to the lake. This required crossing a few large snowdrifts, which were not packed down like the rest of the trail. Our feet sank down deep into the snow, but we were persistent and made it to the beach. And now we understood why this path was less travelled. We didn’t make it very far as our microspikes were no match for the deep snow.
The sky was gloomy and a storm was brewing. The forecast was calling for 5-10cm that was expected to start later this evening. We turned around and walked back the way the came. We then headed to our hotel to eat some food, hang out by the pool and relax for the rest of the day.
Day 2: More Snow
We took our time getting ready in the morning in the hopes that the roads would be clear by the time we headed out. We checked out of our hotel at 9:30am then headed back to MacGregor Point to squeeze in one last hike before heading home. The roads were surprisingly in good shape. The trees were covered in a fresh layer of snow and the landscape looked like a winter wonderland.
We made a beeline to the visitor centre to hike the Huron Fringe Trail (1.2km loop, rated easy). The trail follows a boardwalk and passes through forest, wetlands and the beach. Along the way there’s a series of storyboards about the landscape, but some of these were completely obstructed by the snow.
It was quite blustery near the shoreline. And some of the snowdrifts even came all the way to the top of the railing along the boardwalk. Most of the snow along the boardwalk was compact underneath the fresh layer of snow. But we had no interest in getting a closer look at the lake this time if it meant having to wade through deeper snow. The trail dips back through the forest and passes another wetland before looping back to the parking lot.
The landscape looked so pretty and we wanted to keep hiking. We decided to do this trail again since we knew what to expect. This time in reverse for a different perspective of the snowy landscape. By the time we passed through the section near the beach, most of our footprints in the snow were already nearly covered from the wind.
When we circled back to the parking lot, we checked out the skating rink. MacGregor Point also has a 400 metre skating trail in the campground that requires a separate permit for the Cedar Lane parking lot.
We then hopped in the car and headed home. The drive wasn’t too bad despite the snow.
L
I’m very sorry to hear about K’s grandmother. My condolences to him and your family.
Glad that he, otherwise, was able to enjoy a parental leave as well. I miss those days and truly a treasured time with our little ones.
Your winter outing looked great. So much snow! The chickadee is a nice bonus and so was that skating trail. It’s on my wishlist to do skating in a natural trail one day in one of our provincial parks.
Thanks. She was nearly 97 years old!! It was nice to get away for the weekend and spend time in nature to help decompress. The weather was actually pretty decent as it wasn’t too cold outside. And the forest looked so pretty with all that snow.
I couldn’t agree more about how parental leave is such a special time to have with our little ones. They’re only little once.
We didn’t do any skating at MacGregor Point, but we’ve done the natural skating trail at Arrowhead a few years ago. Highly recommend.
97 is a full and wonderful life!
I remember your Arrowhead post. It’s what originally piqued my interest in natural skating trails.
And she was healthy for most of her life She only moved into long-term care a few years ago near the “end” of the pandemic.
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but Arrowhead has Fire and Ice Nights where the skating trail is lined with tiki torches. We haven’t been to one of those yet, but it seems like it would be cool.
That’s a very long life. My dad passed last year at 96. It’s incredibly hard to lose a parent. The Chickadees are so adorable! 🥰
For sure. It’s always tough to say goodbye, especially to those that are very close. And the older we get, the more grief and sadness we’ll have to deal with. Oh the joys of aging.
True. 😭 Well, I am typing this from 8000 feet on the Spring Mountains this afternoon! It’s so beautiful up here! 🥰🥰
Sounds like a lovely way to spend the afternoon! Have a wonderful weekend!
I am always impressed with your winter hikes. Your photos are wonderful but had me baffled for a little while. We have been to MacGregor Point too but it didn’t look at all like this. The MacGregor Point Lighthouse we saw was on Maui. 😁
I imagine the landscape in Maui is much different than southern Ontario, especially in the winter!! We had such a long and snowy winter this year. A trip to Maui would have been nice…
Yes, other than the lighthouses they are landscapes of complete opposites in the wintertime. 😁
No kidding! And I imagine the landscapes are quite different in the summertime too. Hmmm, maybe I should go back to confirm.
Yes, yes! 😉
I am sorry for your loss, guys. 🙏🏻✝️
The Great Lakes are so beautiful in winter, I remember boating on the Saint Claire River in Port Huron, Michigan across the river from Sarnia, Ontario, Your photos are beautiful, I love the Chickadee!! ❤️😊🇨🇦
Thanks, John. She’s the last grandparent on both sides of our family. But she lived a long life surrounded by a loving family. She was nearly 97 years old.
The chickadees were the highlight of our hike. They’re so adorable. Clearly they are not afraid of humans! I’m glad we came prepared with birdseed.
Sorry to hear that K’s grandmother passed away.
You posted this at a good time for me, we’re enduring hot weather here in Minnesota these last few days (90F / 32C), and your snow photos remind how cold winter can be.
Feeding the birds is such a cute image, and it’s adorable to see baby M watching the birds eat right out of your hand. 💞
Thanks. She was nearly 97 years old. She was a very sweet lady.
It’s been warm in southern Ontario this past week too, but 32C is hot!! We had a cold and snowy winter. But I’m sure I’ll be missing it in the middle of summer!
Our little one is so curious and fascinated with all things outdoors. Ducks, geese, and other birds are her favourite at the moment. The chickadees were so playful. It was a very cute encounter.
My condolences to K, Linda.
You had a lot of snow but it looks like you also enjoyed the hiking despite how deep it was. The skies have that lustrous winter look. The pictures of all of you with the little chickadees are my favourites. They are such gentle little birds; I don’t know how they get through the cold!
Thanks so much. She lived a long and healthy life and almost made it to 97 years old!
We got a lot of snow this winter! The trails were well travelled which meant the snow underneath was pretty compact. But, if you strayed from the main path or walked anywhere along the beach, you’d sink down well past your ankle. That’s always the issue with wearing one of those front facing baby carriers is that you can’t really see your feet. So there were quite a few times we got a boot full of snow. Whoops.
I’m so glad we brought some bird seed. The chickadees were so friendly and are always so adorable.
Sorry about grandmother, so sad.
Blessings Linda.
Thanks so much for your condolences. It was nice to spend some time in nature which always makes me feel at peace. Hope all is well with you.
It looks like a magical setting with beautiful protagonists.🤩 Sending hugs to baby M
Thanks! The fresh snow made the forest look very enchanting and magical. It made hiking a bit more challenging though, but we needed the fresh air and exercise.
Yes, it is challenging but worthwhile. Enjoy your timings always, linda. You’re always welcome. I hope I’m correct with your name again.🤭
Absolutely. And good memory! Have a wonderful weekend.
It looks like visiting MacGregor Point Provincial Park in winter can be a fun and enjoyable experience as the park offers a variety of winter activities, including meeting some cute birds. I am sorry to hear about the passing of K’s grandmother. I find that losing a grandmother can be particularly impactful, as they usually play a vital role in a family, often as a source of love, support, and wisdom. Sending you all lots of love and virtual hugs. I hope you had a wonderful maternity leave, Linda. While it’s not always a relaxing vacation, it’s a unique opportunity to connect with your baby, explore new activities, and build a strong bond. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
We’ve been to MacGregor Point a few times in the winter. It’s a great spot to enjoy the snow and to do some winter hiking. Interacting with the chickadees was a lot of fun and made for some cute pictures.
This was our last grandparent on both sides of the family and it was tough to see her go. She lived a long, healthy and meaningful life, making it nearly to 97 years old. You’re absolutely right about how grandmothers are so nurturing and help keep the family together.
Thanks for reading Aiva. Have a wonderful weekend.
First, sorry to hear of K’s grandmother’s passing. Always good when dealing with loss to get outside for fresh air and exercise.
We love these types of winter walks too Linda, with their thick coat of fluffy white stuff. As long as footing is good, walking in winter is a treat. This hike looks lovely. Nice to see the black capped chickadees and especially love the shot showing M eying the chickadee curiously. The lake shots look so forlorn and lonely with the snow line meeting the sky horizon. Happy Wednesday Linda. Allan
Thanks for your condolences, Allan. Getting some fresh air really is the best medicine. I’m a fan of winter hiking as well as the trails are typically quieter. But agreed, a lot of it depends on the footing! Thankfully the trails were mostly in good shape, except for around the water where the snow is constantly moving and shifting from the wind. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Enjoy the May long weekend.
Great to see your fine winter pictures now, when it’s sunny and warm here. We really like winter walks too.
Our condolences to K.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks. I’m sure we’ll be missing those cold and snowy days when it’s the middle of summer here! Have a wonderful weekend. Linda
Winter nicely enjoyed photography and Mist covered nature all mind blowing 🌷🙏👍🏻❤️ so glad to see
Dear your loving family, graceful wishes dear friend 🌷🙏🥰🌷
Thanks for your kind words and for leaving a comment. It was nice to get away for the weekend and get some fresh air. The snowy scenery was beautiful.
Yes, very very true dear friend 💖🙏🌹 most welcome and well wishes 🥰👏
Thanks! Hope you had a lovely weekend! Enjoy the week ahead.
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That chickadee is adorable. I bet baby M loved it. I realize this was in February, but it sure looks cold to me!
I know, February seems like such a long time ago now. I’m sure we’ll be missing the snow and cold in the middle of summer! Chickadees are one of my favourite types of birds. I love how they’re so curious and cute!
So sorry to hear about K’s grandmother’s passing 💕 The park looks so different in the different!
Thanks, she was the last grandparent on both sides of our family. The last few times we’ve been to MacGregor Point have been in the winter. We’re thinking we should return in the summer to take advantage of the beach. Our little one would love that. Enjoy the May long weekend!
Sarnia has a wonderful beach 🙂
Good to know! Our little one loves playing in the water and sand.
I’m sorry to hear about K’s grandmother; I hope the happy memories of her will comfort him.
What a massive amount of snow; wow! The chickadees were quite brave to eat out of your hands, or maybe just really hungry. Great photos of this winter wonderland.
Thanks for your kind words and condolences. We had a lot of snow this winter. Not so good for shovelling, but great for winter activities. These chickadees were very friendly and clearly used to being fed!
The lighthouse picture is great! You’ll have to take another in the summer to compare them 😊 Maggie
Totally! It’s a great excuse to return in the summer to enjoy the beach and see how different the landscape looks without all the snow!
My condolences to K and to you. From your replies to the other comments, I can tell that she lived a long and wonderful life. It’s good that you decided to go to Port Elgin after the funeral. The landscape is definitely a world away from where I live. I can’t imagine living with that much snow!
Thanks Bama. It’s remarkable how long she lived and that she was in such great health, even until the very end. She was such a special person. We actually named our daughter after her. It was nice to take a couple of days after the funeral to just spend time in nature. We sure got a lot of snow this past winter! It was great for winter hiking!
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. It’s never easy to lose someone.
Your outing looks lovely. Snow hiking is such a different experience and it’s gratifying to see how the landscape changes under a blanket of snow.
Thanks. Aging and death are inevitable. But even when you know it’s coming and have a chance to say goodbye, it’s still tough to deal with. I’m glad we took some time to get away though to spend time in nature. It really does work wonders for the mind and body. And agreed, hiking in the snow can be more challenging, but it sure looks beautiful. And there are no bugs or crowds!
You’re right about that. Hiking and time in nature are good for all that ails us.
Absolutely!! It’s amazing how much more relaxed I feel after going for a walk in the forest … assuming I’m not being chased by mosquitoes that is!! Unfortunately mosquito season is just getting started in southern Ontario.
Ooh, mosquitos are the worst! They’re as bad as having ants on a picnic!
Yup. And it doesn’t help that mosquitoes seem to love me. Ants aren’t fun either. And don’t get me started on horse and deer flys. Oh, and there’s ticks too.
Oh my gosh. So many pests that can ruin the picnic, the hike and the day after! I was at the doctor last week when a ten year old boy came in with a tick embedded in his abdomen. I felt so bad for him!
Yikes. Ticks are becoming more prevalent. All the more reason to stay indoors in the summer and just hike in the winter and shoulder seasons.
The bad news is that ticks are just as bad in fall and spring and are even problematic in winter in Ohio. Sigh. I hate them so.
Oh gosh, I didn’t know that ticks were still an issue in the winter. Yikes!!
They are still an issue here anyway and winter temps don’t seem to matter. I hate them so much.
Same. And the thought of them crawling on my skin just makes me cringe. I now hike with pants in the summer and tuck my socks in overtop. Not the most comfortable in the heat, but safety first.
Sigh. Terrible thought!
I tend to wear what I want but go straight home for a shower to wash away any creepy crawlies. They really are the villains of the outdoor world!
Yes. Worse than mosquitoes, and that’s saying something!! Another reason why summer is my least favourite season.
Agreed! We should form an anti-summer club. Lol.
Ha! I don’t imagine it would be very popular, which would make being in the anti-summer club even more appealing 🙂
Yes!!!! It’s an elite club for special people!
That’s a lot of activity in the snow. It must have exciting and grueling.
The snow adds an extra element of challenge while hiking. We also have to pay closer attention to where we are going as one wrong step and you could end up boot full of snow. But it’s all part of the adventure. And the snow sure looks so pretty.
That is one very snowy day!
Oh yah. We had a lot of snowy days this past winter. It made us consider whether we should buy a snowblower.
How beautiful in the snow, and the bird feeding looks cute. I hope that the return to work has gone smoothly, and that Baby M is adjusting herself as well 🙂
The chickadees were so friendly and cute. Our little one is obsessed with birds and all things wildlife at the moment. The transition back to work went much better than I thought, but it helped that my husband took a bit of time off for parental leave. He’s actually going back to work tomorrow and our day care (which is insanely competitive to get in to) doesn’t start until September. So this summer should be … interesting!!
What a beautiful place for some winter hiking. I can’t believe how deep the snow is- it looks like half the lighthouse is covered. Having chickadees land on your hand would have been such a thrill. I love Baby M’s face like she is trying to figure out what kind of magic her parents must have to make that happen 🙂
We had an insane amount of snow this winter. But not enough to deter us from hiking! The snow was compact along most of the trails, but it was tough to watch your footing when wearing the baby carrier in front. She had a blast in the snow and watching those curious chickadees!
I admire your enthusiasm for outdoor activities in the middle of winter with so much snow. Although your photos give a beautiful image of nature, the climate is still a bit harsh for humans.
There was a lot of snow, but thankfully it wasn’t too cold or windy outside. We’ve come to enjoy hiking in the winter to get a different perspective of the landscape. Plus the trails are typically quieter.
I’m so sorry about K’s grandmother!
I’m impressed by your ability to find ways to appreciate and enjoy the chillier months! All one needs is a sturdy parka❄️ And as a figure skater, I love the photo of the outdoor skating rink… definitely a great way to make it through the winter, only to find yourself feeling sad when it ends ⛸️
Thanks for your kind words. We’ve really come to enjoy visiting our parks in the winter for a totally different experience. It’s quieter and the landscape looks so pretty covered in snow. Plus some of them even offer skating, cross-country skiing and other winter activities. It sure beats battling the crowds in the summer sometimes! And yes, as a figure skating I imagine you’d enjoy some of the skating trails through the forest. We’ll have to wait until our little one is a bit older to try them out.
I’m so sorry to hear about K’s grandmother. Sending condolences. I’m glad you guys were able to get out and find some fresh air and nature.
Thanks, Diana. She was the last grandparent on both sides of our family, so it was tough to say goodbye. But she lived a long, healthy and meaningful life, nearly making it to 97! It was nice to get away after the funeral and spend some time outdoors. Nature really is the best medicine sometimes.
My condolences to all of you on the loss of K’s grandma. My own grandma will be 87 this summer and each time I see her I fear it’ll be the last time. I would be absolutely delighted if she lives another ten years to 97. Hard to believe this winter wonderland scene was just three months ago, winter seems like an age ago here in The UK. The chickadees are absolutely adorable and the perfect antidote to melancholia. Take care guys.
Thanks Leighton. The relationship between a grandchild and grandmother is always so special. Here’s hoping your grandmother lives healthily and happily for another decade!
I know what you mean. Where does the time go!? Spring is now in full force here and all that snow seems like a distant memory. I’m sure I’ll be missing it in the middle of summer though.
Sorry to hear about your loss.
It is nice to see all that snow. We don’t have enough here 😔. I wish I could do similar walks in the snow. Maybe one day I will have the opportunity to visit Canada.
It is great that K can also take some parental leave. My partner only had 3 weeks.
Thanks. We had quite a bit of snow this winter. I’m not a fan of the cold, but I do enjoy hiking in the snow. Plus it makes the landscape looks so magical. If you want to see the snow, Canada is a great place to visit!! Hopefully you’re able to make it here someday.
My husband’s work was very generous with parental leave and he got 20 weeks off. He recently just returned to work. We’re still trying to figure out day care, but are taking things a day at a time.
Waouh 20 weeks that is amazing.
Nurseries are very busy here too and so expensive.
Oh I know. His work is very generous with benefits and time off, which is very helpful now that we have a kid. It sounds like finding (and paying for) day care is an issue everywhere. We’ll figure it out. In the meantime I’m just trying to enjoy all the extra time with my little one. They grow up too quickly.
So sorry for the loss of K’s Gramma Linda. Getting out in nature helps to keep things in perspective. Nothing like a boot full of snow to remind you of the here and now! Love the picture of Baby M! And the forlorn lake picture just screams Canadian winter – only the hardy need apply! Bernie
Thanks! She was the last grandparent on both sides of our family, so it was especially tough to say goodbye. But she lived to nearly 97 and was in great health for most of her life.
Baby M was born in the winter so no wonder she doesn’t seem to mind the snow! The weather was actually pretty nice where it wasn’t very cold or windy.
Sorry to hear of your family loss. Keep on traveling in any season is the day tho as I see in this austere environment.
Thanks for your condolences. Agreed, there’s always something to see in each of the seasons. And it’s neat how different the landscape looks as well.
It’s gorgeous! I’m sure the landscape is a totally different canvas now, but still stunning.
Regardless of the season there’s always something new and beautiful to see on the trail. And yes, I imagine the landscape would look quite different in the spring. Perhaps a return trip is in order to investigate further!
Sorry to hear about the loss of K’s grandmother. A walk in nature, even in winter, is helpful to calm the soul. I remember seeing photos of those birds on your hands before in this blog. How nice when they come to say hello.
Thanks, Ruth. It’s amazing how spending time in nature can help clear the mind and soothe the soul. Good memory about the chickadees. They’re so friendly and curious. This time we came prepared with some bird seed, which was a big hit.
Beautiful trails, and I love how the birds landed in your hands for the treats!
It was such a fun moment to be surrounded by all those chickadees! I’m glad we came prepared with bird seed to lure them into our hands.
Awwww you got to hold a chickadee !! Great photos of them and you guys with them 😊😊 there was a lot of snow, wow. Great photos and I love the panoramic view in the first photo
Thanks! The chickadees were very adorable. Our little one loved watching them. Perhaps next winter she’ll be brave enough to put out her hand for them to land on.
And you say -5°C is mild! It’s 16°C here today (and raining) and I’m freezing! Nevertheless, your snow photos are beautiful and how cute is the little chickadee eating seeds from your hand. But one thing is for sure, it definitely doesn’t look easy to follow a hiking trail in the snow!
Ha! I guess it’s all relative. We had a very cold and snowy winter so -5C was actually quite lovely. Hiking in the snow comes with its own set of challenges. And not being able to see your feet when having the baby strapped to your front doesn’t exactly help! But, the forest is peaceful and the snow looks so pretty. So it’s worth it.
My wife and I love MacGregor Park! We’ve stayed in a radio-free loop in Huron campground several times, but never in winter. You’ve stirred up such wonderful memories of the Fringe Trail, the Tower Trail, and the Old Shore Road Trail. Your photos of the chickadees remind me of the time we were relaxing at our site and a Red-bellied Woodpecker flew down from the trees to perch on my wife’s knee for nearly a minute.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment. We’ve only ever visited MacGregor Point during the off-season and typically stay in a hotel in Port Elgin (although we did try winter camping in a tent here once during the pandemic). We really should return in the summer to enjoy the beach. I bet the scenery also looks different. Regardless of the season it sounds like it’s a popular spot for the birds!