Length of stay: 3 day
Visited: November 2025
Pinery Provincial Park is located in western Ontario along the sandy shores of Lake Huron. It contains a variety of habitats including rare Oak Savanna and coastal sand dunes. It is open year-round and features a number of activities depending on the season.
Day 1: Hiking in the Forest
K had some vacation days that he had to use (or lose) by the end of year, so we planned to take a few extra long weekends from now until the end of the year. We picked out our Christmas tree last weekend and had set up all our decorations and lights outside. There was snow on the ground so we couldn’t do any yard work. And there really wasn’t much to do around the house so we figured we’d get away for the long weekend.
Pinery had some last minute availability so we booked one of their rustic cabins. The nice thing about visiting an Ontario provincial park this time of year is that the trails are typically quieter and there’s a better chance of being able to book one of the roofed accommodations. The drawback is that the days are shorter and the weather can be unpredictable with a high chance of rain or snow (or both). But we rolled the dice.
We prepped and packed Saturday morning and headed out just after 11am. From home it’s about a two and a half hour drive to get there. But we of course made some stops along the way to get coffee and some groceries. By the time we arrived at Pinery it was just after 3pm. There was no one at the front gate so we drove to the Park Store to check in. We were told the cabin wouldn’t be ready until 4pm. We figured we could all stretch our legs, including our little M. So we headed to the Visitor Centre to use the restrooms and hike one of the trails.
The Cedar Trail (2.3km) loops through the forest of eastern red cedar and oak. There’s also a connector path that leads through the sand dunes to the shore of Lake Huron. We planned to just do the loop as we weren’t sure whether M could hike that long on her own. The baby backpack carrier was packed away deep in the trunk of the car and we didn’t feel like rummaging to find it.
And so we set out on the trail. We had a bit of snow back home, but there was nothing here close by the lake. The last time we were at the Pinery was in February of 2023 when little M was only a few months old. This was actually the first ever park we took her too and the first ever hike we did together as a family. It felt nice to be back and see how much has changed since then.
New signs have been installed on the trail that talk about the role and importance of prescribed fires in the park. Pinery protects one of the last remaining healthy Oak Savanna in Canada. Fires in particular are necessary to maintain the rare ecosystem as it helps reduce invasive species and support native plants and wildlife. The signs indicated that prescribed burns took place in the park in 1989, 2008 and 2025.
The trail took nearly an hour to complete. We returned to the cabin and the door was unlocked. And it was nice and toasty warm inside. We unpacked the car then got started on settling in and making dinner. It started to lightly snow in the evening and the forecast was calling for 5-10cm of snow overnight.
Day 2: Hiking in the Snow
We woke up to a fresh layer of snow on the ground. The temperature was hovering just below freezing, so the snow was heavy and wet. And it was still lightly snowing, which would likely turn into rain later in the morning.
It didn’t get light outside until after 8am. We made a hot breakfast of eggs, hash browns and toast then ventured outdoors to go for a hike. We drove through the campground and were surprised to see a few tent campers and RVs. But for the most part there weren’t many people around, which is just how we like it.
We settled on the Heritage Trail (2.3km, loop), a trail we’ve hiked several times before. It weaves through an upland Oak Savanna habitat and contains a viewing platform overlooking the Old Ausable Channel. The snow was quite slushy and wet. We were the first ones to hike this trail for the day, besides the little creatures of the forest. We saw a few bunny prints crisscrossing the path.
Afterwards we stopped by the Visitor Centre to check out the indoor exhibits before returning to the cabin for an early lunch. M went down for her afternoon nap which gave us an opportunity to do some reading. It had stopped snowing/raining later in the afternoon but the wind had picked up. We opted to go for another hike to get some fresh air.
The Tall Pines trail (800m loop) weaves through the forest and offered some protection from the howling wind. The road through this part of the park is closed in the winter, but from the gate it’s a short walk to the trailhead. The trail weaves through a natural pine stand, which seemed a bit out of place in the Pinery where oak is the predominant tree.
We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening making Christmas cards. I don’t know who had more fun, me or little M.
Day 3: Going to the Beach
It was chillier this morning and the slushy snow froze overnight, becoming crusty, crunchy and icy. And it was still overcast and gloomy. We were in no rush to get moving. And so we had a leisurely morning of arts and crafts, making breakfast and packing up. Check out time was at 10am. So that’s when we headed out.
A visit to the Pinery isn’t complete without seeing the beach. So we hiked the Cedar Trail again, this time with the intent of taking the connector path to shore of Lake Huron. We were the only ones here on a Monday morning. Even though we hiked this trail two days ago, the forest looked different with a layer of snow.
We followed the connector path through the sand dunes and across the boardwalk. Once we were out of the forest we could feel the wind on our faces. The waves were mesmerizing, but we didn’t linger long on the beach. We retraced our steps back to the main trail then completed the rest of the loop.
And with that we were ready to head home.
L
I love the forest and lake photos! Baby M is so adorable, God bless your beautiful family!! I lived in Ontario in the Amhurstberg area in the 1980s, I loved it there. I love seeing you guys in my inbox, its always a fun adventure, Linda!! ❤️🇨🇦
Thanks for your lovely comment, John! We’ve actually never been to Amhurstberg before, although we’ve driven nearby it. We’ll have to check it out the next time we visit Point Pelee.
That’s where I went a few times Point Pelee is a beautiful park. ❤️🇨🇦
The cabin looks really nice and comfy.
You bet, especially when we get the fire going in the wood stove! It’s not very big, but it has mostly everything we need … although running water and electricity sure would be nice!
Whoa I love the leaves and everything under the ice. It looks so cool 😎😎 great shots
Thanks so much. The snow and ice can make for some lovely photo opportunities. After such a long winter, I’m happy that it’s finally spring though! Hope all is well.
I am happy for spring as well !! I am well thank you !
Wonderful to hear. It’s finally warming up and we’re enjoying some sunshine and all the colours from the spring flowers. Hope you have a great weekend.
We are as well! We’re getting out walking as much as we can ! You enjoy your week and be safe . We’re in a little heat wave . Are you guys having a heat wave, too?
Same! It went straight to summer real fast. We ended up turning our AC on over the weekend. Monday and Tuesday were the worst. Thankfully it’s back to normal for now.
It’s still a hot one today but it’s supposed to go back down to normal temps this week at some point, thank God.
Yes, thank goodness. I’m not ready for summer yet!
What a great long weekend outing Linda. Love the rustic cabin. It looks a bit like our recent stay at Storm Mountain in Banff, SM cabins are older. Looks like M will soon be leaving you ion her dust. So nice to get them used to walking in nature. Thanks for sharing. Allan
It was nice to take some time off of work and make a longer weekend of things. While the days are much shorter later in the fall, the trails are typically quieter. And yes, our little M will soon be running laps around us. It’s amazing how much energy kids have! Thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of the week. Linda
I love the picture of the two of you while M walks ahead, ignoring the silly parents. 😉 That’s a great cabin, Linda. It looks very comfortable especially as the weather encouraged cozying up after a walk/hike in the wind and weather. M seems to be having fun with the crafts. I used to do winter camping many, many years ago but it wouldn’t be my thing now! Cheers.
Oh I know. She’s off doing her own thing and goes at her own pace. The cabins are our favourite types of roofed accommodations at a park. They retain the heat so much better than a yurt. And they sure beat having to winter camp in a tent. Those days are long over for us as well. We tried it once and that was enough!
Another nice weekend. Not a park I know though we have been many times to Lake Huron when we lived in Toronto. (Suzanne)
I used to camp here often with my family when I was younger. So it’s nice to share that experience with our little one now. We’ve traded in the tent for a cabin though, which is way more comfortable! But who knows, maybe we’ll have to give tent camping another whirl in the summer to take advantage of the sandy beach.
It’s so great that you manage to enjoy the parks in the middle of winter. Nature looks so different there compared to summer.
It’s so much easier to book one of the roofed accommodations in the middle of winter. And the parks are typically much quieter then. You just have to deal with shorter days and the possibility of crummy weather. But we keep returning so clearly it’s not so bad. And you’re right, the landscape looks very different in the winter compared to the summer.
This summer we will go again to Pinery for a long weekend, I can’t wait! But it looks like you really had some good time considering the dull days of November😍
Oh nice! I used to go camping at Pinery every summer when I was younger. Perhaps when M is a bit older we’ll dust off the tent and try summer camping again. That’s the best time to enjoy the beach.
I’m sure she will love it❤️
I have no doubt! I loved camping so much as a kid and I’m looking forward to sharing that experience with our little one. Have a wonderful long weekend!
Keep walking M.🤩 Lead the way. That photo made me smile. The world is just beautiful, and you shared a tiny piece of it. Lovely photos, Linda.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Hazel. M is always leading the way, which I wouldn’t have any other way! Enjoy the rest of the day. Linda
It’s such a beautiful park and less than an hour from us. I am not sure why we arn’t there once a week 😂
Funny how we tend to take where we live for granted sometimes. But the nice thing about where you are is that there are lots of beautiful spots to enjoy the sandy shores of Lake Huron.
SOOO many 🤣
So lucky! Who knows, maybe we’ll end up moving that way someday. We tend to have similar tastes!
Haha, that would be awesome! You should at least come for a visit. There is a little boy here that would love to play with your little one 🙂
That would be wonderful!! We’re hoping to plan a few beach days over the summer. Because what kid doesn’t enjoy playing in the sand!? And our little M loooves being around other kids.
I’ll send you a message with my email 🙂
Hmm..no way to send you a message, so feel free to send me one 😊
That’s because I don’t think I ever set up some sort of “contact us” page. Whoops. But thankfully you did! Just sent you a message this morning 🙂
Got it ❤️
Your little gem Ross is a real poppet and looked all cosy in her snowsuit. I’m glad you enjoyed a long weekend away and you got a covering of snow.
Thanks! She does look very adorable with her rosy cheeks and all bundled up in her snow gear. We should have brought a sled for her!
What a beautiful park; I imagine it’s quite busy in the warmer weather. Your hiker-in-training is absolutely adorable and looks like she holds her own quite well!
It’s funny that you mention that because I was just looking into making a campsite reservation over the summer and everything is completely booked solid for every single weekend in July and August. Looks like we’ll have to pick a different spot to get in some beach time when the weather is warmer.
What a great weekend getaway! That snowsuit is adorable. I’m sure all the hiking and fresh air tired M right out.
It’s always nice to get a change of scenery and some fresh air. Our little M slept so well overnight. It must have been from all that hiking and exploring somewhere new!
Another great little adventure. It is nice to see M enjoying walking in the snow. It is lovely to see them growing and enjoying the outdoors.
Oh I know. It’s wonderful how much kids love being outside and are so curious to explore their surroundings. I must say, even though walking takes waaay much longer, it’s nice not having to carry her around anymore!
The balance bike is our best friends at the moment 😉.
Little M is getting so big! Your toasty cabin must have been wonderful to step into. Thank you for sharing your hike-looks so peaceful. 😊
It’s crazy how quickly they grow. It was really nice to get away for a few days and just enjoy nature. Staying in a cabin is always a real treat.
😊
So beautiful forest and lake view so awesome 🌷🙏👍🏻photos all showing a magnificent beauty of nature , surrounded ice lots ❄️ very quiet place and grace 👌😍 Gorgeous daughter and her parents photos so stunning ❤️🖖 Happy weekend my beautiful friend 🌷🥰🌷
Thanks for your kind words. It’s always nice to get away and spend time in nature. Lucky for us our little one loves being outside. It was all very peaceful. Enjoy the rest of the week.
Very true 🌷🙏👌thank you so much for likes my feedback and most welcome 🙏 many Greetings Blessings my dear friend 🌷❤️🖖🌹
You’re welcome. Have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you so much and wishing you a happy weekend too dear friend 🌷🙏❤️🖖🌷
I love that shot of dried leaves frozen underneath ice sheets. There’s something magical about that image for someone from the tropics like me. Overall, it sounds like it was a good decision going to this place to spend K’s remaining vacation days.
Thanks! I often take winter for granted, but I must say, even with the cold, it’s kind of nice to experience all four seasons and to see how much the landscape changes throughout the year. I was a little annoyed that K didn’t say something sooner about his excess vacation days, because we could have planned our fall out a bit different. But I guess I can’t complain too much because it was still nice to take time off, regardless of when it happened!
How beautiful and how cute is little M running on ahead and making her Christmas cards. The view out along the boardwalk to the beach is particularly beautiful. Looks like a great long weekend 🙂
She was in her element. And she might just enjoy arts and crafts as much as I do! It was fun making our own Christmas cards last year.
Cabins in Canada are definitely next level cosiness!! Absolutely love it! It looks like you’ve all had the best of time!
For sure. It’s great that a few of our parks offer them up as an alternative to tent camping. It was nice to visit during the offseason when we pretty much had the trails all to ourselves. It was very peaceful.
Ha, if we have to choose between a weekend away or doing chores at home, the weekend away will always win 😁. And not only have things at Pinery Provincial Park changed since you were last there, but now little M walks herself (and it almost looks like she’s walking away from you guys)! A lovely weekend to spent as a family together.
For sure! An adventure over chores is an easy decision! It felt like we were just at the Pinery not that long ago and yet so much has changed since then. It’s wild how much our little M has grown. Soon she’ll be able to hike all the trails on her own and it’ll be us trying to keep up with her!
Did she walk the whole 2.3 km?! Wow, she is destined to be a hiker! Maggie
She didn’t hike the entire trail, but she came pretty close! It’s only a matter of time until it’ll be us trying to catch up with her!
Beautiful weekend away. I think November is one of my favorite times to go hiking with that little bit of mix of late fall and early winter
I find November is always such a long month so it always helps to take a bit of time off. You’re right, it’s a pretty good time of the year to go hiking as the trails are peaceful and there are no bugs to worry about.
It looks like you had a wonderful weekend away, dear Linda 🙂 The cabin looks so cosy, I love the wooden interior. And the little M is not so little anymore – she’s getting so big! Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
It was nice to get away for a long weekend and have a change of scenery. The cabin was very cute and cozy. And you’re right, our little M isn’t so little anymore! It’s crazy how quickly they grow! All the more reason to cherish all the moments as a family. Thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of the week. Linda
I’ve been to Pinery once and I remember the beach was really nice.
I love the Christmas tree card and how you’re getting M involved in decorating the tree with sticker dot ornaments!
And I have to laugh at our first world problem of needing to take more time off work. 🤣
I have such fond memories of the Pinery as I used to camp here every summer with my sisters. While it’s nice to visit during the offseason when we have the trails to ourselves, it would be nice to return in the summer to take advantage of the beach.
We got really into making Christmas cards last year. Our little M is obsessed with stickers. I’m already brainstorming ideas for this year’s theme!
And yah, having too many vacation days isn’t a bad problem to have! I was pretty annoyed that K didn’t mention something sooner as we could have done a much better job of planning. But, at the end of the day, I can’t really complain because a day off, regardless of when you take it, is always much appreciated!
It’s wonderful to have your childhood memories and to be able to impart and share those now with your own little one. 😊
I love the Christmas cards you made and will see if we can do something similar this year.
Oh look at that little girl go down the trail, leading the way – you raised her right mom and dad!! 💞💞 I adore all your park and outdoor adventures. I was ill for a few days, stuck inside. It’s so nice to take in the fresh air from your posts.
Aww thanks! It’s amazing how kids love being outside. I just hope that her curiosity and love of nature never fades or disappears. Hope you’re feeling better.
What a beautiful trip … Thank you for sharing this with us… Looks Peaceful and Refreshing, but too cold for me… Hahaha… Baby M is so Precious…
God’s Continued Blessings and Protection to you all …
Thanks for your lovely comment Willie. The water was way too cold for us as well! We’re hoping to return in the summer to give our little M the full beach experience when the weather is way warmer. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Linda
The cabin looks very cosy, but those waves distinctly chilly. Beautiful though xx
I definitely wouldn’t want to go swimming in that weather! It was nice to have a warm cabin to return to after spending some time outside in the snow.
What a cute cabin! Also, I love your photo of the leaves beneath the ice.
The cabins are a fan favourite. It’s always nice to have a warm place to return to after spending some time outside in the snow. Winter came early, but the snowy landscape can make for some lovely pictures.
It is one of the joys of this life to wake up in a cosy cabin to a snowy cover. Love the photos of the autumnal leaves under the ice. There’s something so charming and comforting about a wintry beach scene. Christmas cards are a perfect ending to this holiday.