Dunes Beach Parking — Local services in Ontario

We love the dunes beach. The parking experience leaves much to be desired.

Step 1. Book your parking reservation in advance (you can reserve Sandbanks parking up to 5 days in advance).

Step 2. Print your parking reservation at home to skip the check in lines at the park.

Step 3. The Dunes Parking Lot next to the beach fills up quickly. The park staff while mostly polite, can sometimes be a little snippy during peak times. They will often divert you to the overflow lot even when there are spots available in the main lot. This has happened to me twice this season. In June, there were over 20 free spots in the main lot. When I advised the staff they told me they would need to send someone to verify. That happens in hours.

The August long weekend had over 7 spots available with one staff IN THE LOT while another was on the street sending people into the overflow lot. When I pulled down my window and brought this to his attention he told me they were expecting to be at capacity. Useless comment. He continued sending cars into the overflow lot.

The park should have an easy fix for this prime lot but clearly has yet to...

Not a very large parking lot and it fills up quickly during popular times...hot weekends and holidays. There is a tricky balance with these parks...the parks are popular due to the natural environment, trees, water, conservation areas, hiking trails etc., so it wouldn't make sense to spoil all this natural beauty to create huge...

Dunes Beach is a magical and distinctive gem in Sandbanks Provincial Park—a place where dune adventuring meets lakeside relaxation. Expect a dreamy landscape and serene vibe, but plan prudently (arrive early, be cautious around water, and embrace nature’s wild edge). For a true Ontario beach escape with a twist, you...