Esli G. Dodge Conservation Area
Part of St. Clair Region Conservation Authority. Man made lake no swimming. Store & Golf Nearby. 20 acres, tennis court, play area, shelter, pets allowed, picnic tables.
88 Main St. S., Forest, ON, N0N 1J0
Phone: 519-243-1400 Toll Free: (866) 943-1400

Highland Glen Conservation Area
26 acres on Lake Huron with fishing access, boat ramp, mooring, docks, beach, swimming, shelter and play area.
5046 Lakeshore RD, Forest, ON, N7G 3P8 Phone: 519-245-3710

Ipperwash Beach
This long stretch of beach has ample parking.
Between West Ipperwash Road and Centre Road, parking here is reminiscent of Daytona Beach where you cruise and park right on the beach. Or, if you want to stay on this beach, but away from the vehicles and hard-packed sand, the area Between Army Camp Road and West Ipperwash Road have various free beach front lots to choose from, some with public washrooms and picnic areas.
Ipperwash - Image | PDF

Port Blake Conservation Area
10 acres, baseball diamond, shelters, washrooms, beach, toilets, disability accessible, play area, shelter, picnic tables. Open May to Canadian Thanksgiving (2nd Monday in October).
71151 Bluewater HWY, Grand Bend, ON, N0M 1S6 Phone:  (519) 235-2833

Port Franks Beach
This is a privately owned beach deeded to the residents of Port Franks, who also maintain it. Although Lake Huron is the fifth largest lake in the world, newcomers sometimes find it difficult find without a map or good directions in this hamlet. Due to the dynamic changes that occur to the beach front from year to year, currently there is limited public access with parking on Hazelwood Drive only.
The beach is currently free access, but in the past, fees for beach access came about due to untidy visitors. Please respect these and other public parks and leave these jewels as you came. This is your best assurance that you will have these areas available for a return visit. Port Franks - Image | PDF

The Ipperwash and Port Franks beaches are a favourite with families due it’s seemingly never ending shallow water depth. In the spring, water is usually warmer here first.

Grand Bend Beach
Lambton Shores most popular beach with it’s own beach house and observation deck. Volleyball nets are usually available and at different times of the year you can attend various events such as fireworks, sport competitions and music just to name a few. Main Street shopping, dining and entertainment is an easy stroll to and from the beach as well. Due to the popularity of this area, parking is at a premium on warm sunny weekends. Grand Bend - Image | PDF

Friends of Pinery Park
Area residents who shared both a passion and deep interest in Pinery Park, recognizing the need to foster and develop an appreciation and understanding of the park’s fragile and unique environment to its ever increasing number of users. Phone (519) 243-1521

Pinery's natural features are staggering - 2,532 ha (6,330 acres) in size; over 757 plant, 325 bird and 60 butterfly species to name just a few groups; a globally rare Oak Savanna ecosystem;  freshwater coastal dunes; habitat for endangered species; and the largest protected forest in southwestern Ontario.

The recreational opportunities in Pinery are equally diverse - 10 km beach; 10 nature trails; 38 km of ski trails; 14 km cycling trail; plus canoeing, kayaking and hydrobiking; fishing; and one of the largest year-round interpretive programs in Ontario.

Forest Walkway Trail
A 2.8 km asphalt walking and cycling trail linking Rotary Civic Square with the Esli Dodge Conservation Area. Phone: 519-786-2335

Grand Bend Rotary Nature Trail
A 9 km. trail extending from Pinery Park to Grand Bend along the Highway 21 corridor. Proposed development includes an extension South to Port Franks. Phone: 519-786-2335

Port Franks Trail System

Port Franks Wetlands & Forested Dunes is a unique Area of Natural and Scientific Interest forms a diverse coastal dune system featuring a variety of wetland communities nestled amongst a series of wooded dunes. More than 500 hectares are home to a spectacular array of plants and animals found collectively nowhere else in Canada.

Add to that The Lambton County Heritage Forest, owned and managed by the County of Lambton, with access from Port Franks Road. Abutting to the west, L-Lake Management Area has been owned and managed by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority since 1987 and is accessed from Outer Drive in two locations (marked) as well from the trail systems just mentioned.

The Karner Blue Sanctuary was purchased in 1988 by Lambton Wildlife Incorporated and is accessed at the corner of Whatman and Nipigon Streets.

The Acadian Flycatcher, Dwarf Hackberry trees, various species of Blazing Stars, Eastern Flying Squirrel, Eastern Hognosed Snake and Giant Swallowtail Butterfly can all be found inhabiting this rare Oak Savanna ecosystem. Declared an "Important Bird Area" by Nature Canada, Bird Life International and Bird Studies Canada.

Port Franks forests are ‘natural occuring’, your respect to leave the forest as it is will greatly influence this continued free access to this large and special area. Many thanks and appreciation to those who pickup after uncaring people.

(Port Franks map)

Thedford Conservation Area
One of the last remaining public rest stops for travellers of the Bluewater Highway. Walkers can enjoy a stroll on the nature trail through this forested area within the Carolinian Zone. Driving Directions: Between Port Franks and Grand Bend, just south and next to the bridge over 'The Cut' on Highway # 21.

Rock Glen Conservation Area
Located on the outskirts of Arkona, this conservation area is a unique island of nature within the Ausable Bayfield watershed jurisdiction. Whether taking a hike along the Ausable Gorge or within Rock Glen's Carolinian forest, you'll see many trees, plants and wildlife that are provincially distinct to this area.
Native Artifacts Devonian Fossil Museum on site plus a beautiful river waterfall. Limited fossil hunting is permitted. Picnic tables and plenty of parking is available. Park is open 7-days a week end of April until end of October-9 AM-Dusk. Amenities include BBQ, toilets, Disability accessible, play area, shelter, pets allowed, picnic tables and sports filed. Museum 9 AM - 5 PM.
8680 Rock Glen RD, Arkona, ON, NOM 1S5
Phone:  (519) 235-2610 Toll Free: 888-286-2610