Sibbald Point Provincial Park Review & Camping Guide

Looking to camp at Sibbald Point Provincial Park? We have done it, so if you are wondering what it’s like, you have come to the right place!

Growing up, my parents took me to this park often, so I was keen to bring my own kids there. And they loved it!

Located on the shores of Lake Simcoe and only about an hour from Toronto, Sibbald Point has everything you need for a wonderful weekend away or even an extended stay.

From a gorgeous beach to a boat launch, playgrounds, large, private campsites and awesome day-use facilities, you really can’t go wrong.

Let’s jump right in for all the details!

Pros and Cons of Sibbald Point Provincial Park – Quick Guide

If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the pros and cons of Sibbald Point Provincial Park:

Things We Liked

Large, clean beach
Two large playgrounds for kids
Large day-use area
Large trees for shade & privacy on most sites
Space to park RV in day-use area

Things We Did Not Like

Only one dump station
Only one hiking trail
Gets very busy on summer weekends

Sibbald Point Provincial Park Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go

Booking a campsite at the Sibbald Point Provincial Park couldn’t be easier.

Just like all the other Ontario Park campsites, you can book your campsite up to five months in advance of your arrival date through the Ontario Parks reservation system.

In order to make a reservation online though, you will first need to have an Ontario Parks account.

This park does get pretty busy during the peak season, so we would recommend planning ahead and booking as soon as your date opens up.

Registrations begin at 7 am EST.

Sibbald Point is open for camping from the beginning of May until mid-October (Canadian Thanksgiving weekend).

Sibbald Point Provincial Park Address:
26071 York Rd 18 (Park Road) Sutton West, Ontario, L0E 1R0
https://www.ontarioparks.com/sibbaldpoint

Arriving at the Park

Check-in was a breeze at Sibbald Point. There is a small registration office located just inside the park.

You can check in and get a copy of your park map at the registration office.

The park staff are great. So if you have any questions, they can usually provide you with any information about the park and its amenities.

Check-in is at 2 pm. However, if your site is vacant, the parks staff will usually allow you to go right in.

If your site is still occupied, you can always head down to the day-use area and enjoy some time there. This is exactly what we did!

Sibbald Point Provincial Park Map

Navigating the Park

The signage both to get into the park and throughout the campground was very good.

We had no difficulty navigating around the campground with or without the paper map we were given during check-in.

Sibbald Point Park - Abundant Signage in the Park

I was even impressed by how well the hiking trail was marked.

There was an awesome trailhead sign, as well as signs along the hike to clearly mark the route.

Many of the roads throughout the park were paved. And even those that were gravel were in really good shape.

Parking

Sibbald Point had plenty of parking throughout the park. This is one thing we really took notice of.

Not only will you find small lots throughout the campgrounds, but there was a large lot at the beach, at the museum, at all the comfort stations, at the park store and at the boat launch area.

Sibbald Point Park - Parking lot by boat launch

There was even dedicated parking for people with boat trailers near the launch.

Just like at Darlington Park, Sibbald has a large, drive-thru parking lot at the camp store.

We really appreciate this as it makes it so much easier for us to pick up our firewood, with the trailer still attached, before heading to our campsite.

Don’t forget to display your parking permit whenever you are on Park Property.

Sibbald Point Provincial Park Camping

Sibbald Point Provincial Park accommodates a variety of camping styles. From car camping to tenting, group camping, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres), you will find it all.

You will also have the choice between electric or non-electric sites.

Unfortunately, not all types of camping can be accommodated at all sites, so you will need to watch for this when making your reservations.

Sibbald Point is one of Ontario Parks’ largest campgrounds, with a whopping 604 campsites. Of these campsites, 284 are electrical and 296 are radio-free zone sites.

The West Campground is made up entirely of electrical sites and has 5 different campground loops. The 500 loop is strictly for trailers.

The east Campground is all non-electric sites and also has 5 different campground loops.

Group Camping

Sibbald Point has a large Group Camping site located just across from the Registration Office.

The campground has six group sites that accommodate 15 – 50 people. Unfortunately, trailers of any kind are not allowed on the group campsites.

There are water taps, vault toilets, and a garbage/recycling area available on site.

Sibbald Point Park - Day-use area with picnic shelters

The group sites are a 15-minute walk to the beach and a five-minute walk to the comfort station.

The sites can be reserved in advance online or by phone.

Our Campsite Experience

We found the sites at Sibbald Point to be pretty spacious, especially for our 18-foot camper.

There was more than enough space for us to park the camper, and the car, and still have enough room to spread out nicely.

We also felt that the level of privacy was pretty amazing.

Sibbald Point Park - Campsite set up with Teardrop and Chairs

The roads going through the campground were wide enough and clear for larger rigs, and were pretty well maintained.

Our campsite was very level. There was a treeline that gave us privacy from the site next to us, and from the road that was behind us and on the other side of us.

The campsite had plenty of shade, and the ground was packed dirt.

Sibbald Point Park - Our daughters hammock set up

Just a heads up: beware of the cheeky raccoons!!

We were in the process of cleaning up after our campfire dessert. We had our small trash bag on the picnic table since we were still scraping dinner plates into it.

Hubby walked away from the table to the campfire to grab more plates (less than 4 feet away), when this raccoon came out of nowhere, jumped on the table and ran off with the WHOLE TRASH BAG!

What just happened??!! We then heard our neighbour’s dog start barking, and the family across the street started screaming. It was obvious that this guy was making his rounds!

Sibbald Point is one of Ontario Parks' largest, with 604 campsites. Of these campsites, 284 are electrical and 296 are radio-free zone sites.

The next morning we were able to find the trash bag remnants in the trees separating our campsite. At least we were able to clean up the mess.

Now the joke is that our current campsite sign has a raccoon on it and says “Welcome”. Guess the raccoon took that literally to mean him! Hopefully, others don’t catch on!

What Amenities Does Sibbald Point Offer?

Onsite Amenities – Quick List

604 campsites
Picnic Shelters
Showers and flush toilets
Museum
Park Store
Hiking Trail
Main Beach plus 2 dog-friendly beaches
Boat Launch
2 Playgrounds

Comfort Stations

There are 6 comfort stations (complete with showers) located throughout the campgrounds and day-use areas. We found them to be clean and well-kept.

You will also find 4 washrooms with flush toilets located in the day-use area, by the museum, and near the boat launch area.

Lastly, there are 16 vault toilets located throughout the park and campground areas. There is definitely no shortage of places to “go” at Sibbald Point!

Park Store

The Park Store is conveniently located near the beach and the day-use area.

It sells groceries, fast food, ice cream, park souvenirs, clothing, and camping supplies.

The kids picked up a really cool ball that bounces on water.

It has now become part of our beach essentials, as it kept them occupied for quite some time.

Sibbald Point Park - Inside the Park Store

As we mentioned earlier, you can also purchase your wood from the Park Store.

The Park Store is open from May until the end of September.

Visitor’s Centre

The Visitor’s Centre at Sibbald Point is a little different from the ones we have visited in other parks.

While most Visitor’s Centres, like the one at Presqu’ile Provincial Park, usually have displays about the flora and fauna in the park, the one at Sibbald is actually like a small museum.

Sibbald Point Park - Eildon Hall Museum and Visitors Centre

Eildon Hall Museum is an old home that once belonged to the Sibbald family. Inside, you will find displays of 19th-century artifacts and furniture.

John and I took a quick walk-through and were definitely interested in some of the cool artifacts.

The park staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the history of the house and its contents.

You won’t need more than an hour to go through the whole Visitor’s Centre.

Another place you can visit nearby is St. George’s Anglican Church. Built in 1877, it is located at the northwest corner of the park.

Sibbald Point Park - Inside Eildon Hall Museum

The graveyard behind the church is actually the final resting place of famous Canadian authors Stephen Butler Leacock and Mazo de la Roche.

Day Use Area

The day-use area at Sibbald Point was quite nice.

There was a large grassy area with plenty of picnic tables and trees for shade, right by the beach.

There was also a really big playground for the kids, a couple of picnic shelters, washrooms with flush toilets, and drinking water taps right there.

Want to stay away from the beach? We noticed a few other grassy areas with picnic tables, picnic shelters and toilets near the museum, and near the boat launch.

And if you are headed to Sibbald Point with a large group, the picnic shelters in the day-use area accommodate 50–75 people and can be reserved ahead of time.

Of course, if you are not planning to camp in the park, you will need to get a daily vehicle permit to guarantee your day-use spot at this park.

You can do this up to five days before your visit.

Sibbald Point Park - Picnic Shelter in day-use area

We spent our final day at Sibbald Point (after we checked out of our site) in the day-use area.

I really liked the fact that we were able to park our Teardrop in the lot, without even needing to unhitch.

Sibbald Point Beach

The beach area at Sibbald Point was fantastic!

The beach was large, so there was plenty of room to spread out. And the sand was powdery, making it comfortable to walk on without shoes.

The water was warm and shallow and CLEAN! The roped-off swimming area allowed you to go pretty far into the water before it started to get deep.

You could walk out on the rock jetty and get a really nice view of the beach as well as the surrounding lake.

We were able to pull a picnic table right to the edge of the sand so that we could enjoy a picnic right by the water.

As we mentioned earlier, there is even a separate area for pets to enjoy the beach.

Just keep in mind, that this is not a supervised beach.

And while they need to be on a leash at all times, the area was definitely big enough for them.

There are no lifeguards on duty, so you need to keep an extra good eye on the kids.

Sibbald Point Park - Roped off swimming area at the beach

I also want to add a caveat to this part of the post – we visited in mid-September.

We have read countless reviews online, and heard from many people who are local, that Sibbald Point can be an absolute NIGHTMARE during peak summer weekends.

Known as the “Party Park,” we have heard everything from overcrowding on the beach and litter everywhere, to loud all-night parties in the campground and filthy bathrooms.

This was not our experience at all. But again, we were visiting off-season.

What Services Does Sibbald Point Offer?

Sibbald Point has all the usual services found at other Ontario Provincial Parks.

Water

You will find the fill station for your trailer just after you pass the Camp Registration Office. Unfortunately, there is only one.

The good thing is, that there is plenty of space between the fill station and the dump station. This means that a large rig can be at each station at the same time.

The dump station is also big enough that you can fill your tank with water, and not be stuck waiting for the person dumping their trailer before you can leave.

There are also plenty of drinking water taps at pretty close intervals located in the campground loops and even in the day-use areas.

There are no water hookups at the individual campsites.

Sibbald Point Park - Directional sign in the park

Dump Station

Just like with the fill station, there is only one dump station in the entire park.

So with one sanitation area, just expect it to be busy around check-out time.

We avoided the line by spending some time in the day-use area after check-out. We then went to the dump station before leaving the park several hours later.

The sanitation area is pretty big, which is a definite plus.

Because it is an open area rather than a lane, it makes it easy to leave as soon as you’re done.

Garbage and Recycling

There was a smallish area located at the entrance to both the East and West Campgrounds with both garbage and recycling bins.

Wi-Fi

And if you are wondering about cell service, it’s pretty spotty.

We were usually able to get enough service at our campsite to make calls or to search for things online, but I’m not sure that streaming a movie would have been possible.

Things to Do at Sibbald Point Provincial Park

1. Enjoy Some Hiking

Unfortunately, unlike Algonquin Park, there is only one hike in this park.

Maidenhair Fern Trail

Length: 2 km return
Duration: 1 hour
Elevation Gain: 30.8 meters
Difficulty: Easy

The Maidenhair Fern Trail is a super easy hike. It is short, not at all technical, and most people should be able to navigate it easily.

Sibbald Point Park - Maidenhair Fern Trail Boardwalk

The trail is pretty wide and mostly consists of packed dirt. However, we did come across a short section that was covered with loose gravel.

Since you are trekking through a forest, you will undoubtedly come across some tree roots along the way.

However, someone pushing a stroller should have little problems managing this trail.

Sibbald Point Park - Maidenhair Fern Trail

The Maidenhair Fern Trail is dog-friendly (but they need to be on a leash) and is open all year round.

🌿 Important Tip: Poison ivy can be found along the Maidenhair Fern Trail. Your best bet is to stay on the path, and not wander off-trail.

Fire & Stars Evening Walk

In fact, during the winter, Sibbald Point hosts a Fire & Stars Evening Walk night. This is when the Maidenhair Fern Trail is lit by torches.

Sibbald Point Park - Maidenhair Fern Trailhead

You will also find a firepit with logs to sit on halfway through the trail where you can stop and warm up. This would be awesome on a clear night!

This special hike takes place between 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm on select days only.

You can do the hike on your own or you can join a guided hike led by Sibbald Point’s Discovery team beginning at 6:30 pm.

Snowshoes are recommended if there has been a lot of snow. And don’t forget, you will still need a day-use permit for this night hike.

2. Go for a Boat Ride

Lake Simcoe is the perfect place for sailing, motorboats, jet skiing, kayaking and canoeing.

Campers and day visitors can use the boat launch and dock while they are staying in the park.

Even during our visit in mid-September, the boat launch area was pretty busy.

3. Try Your Hand at Fishing

If you enjoy fishing, then Lake Simcoe has a pretty good variety of fish.

You will find Lake Trout, bass, whitefish, pike, yellow pickerel and jumbo perch in abundance.

4. Enjoy a Bike Ride

While there are no dedicated biking trails at Sibbald Point, cycling on park roads is allowed.

You can also tour the local Hedge Road along the Lake Simcoe waterfront for some incredible views.

5. Go for a Swim

Lake Simcoe is home to some gorgeous blue waters and incredible sandy beaches. This is exactly what you will find at Sibbald Point Provincial Park.

The beach is ideal for family swimming, as the roped-off area is pretty shallow. Our kids spent a few hours in the water and lounging on the beach.

Sibbald Point Park - No Lifeguards Sign at the beach

Both the water and the sand were clean with few rocks, making it very comfortable to walk barefoot.

Once again, keep in mind that there are no lifeguards on duty at this beach.

Comfort stations and change facilities are also conveniently located close to the beach.

6. Do Some Birding

The best birding opportunities at Sibbald Point are along the Maidenhair Fern Trail, the Lake Simcoe shoreline, and in the day-use area nearest to Eildon Hall Museum.

Sibbald Point Park - Birding sign along the hiking trail

The park is home to several species of warblers and waterfowl that make Sibbald Point a stopover on their migration routes.

7. Take Part in the Discovery Program

While we have never taken part in any of the programming, it may be something to look into especially if you have younger children.

The Park staff offers weekly educational programs for visitors of all ages from late June to Labour Day.

Programs include nature and heritage drop-in programs with interactive activities, evening programs, nature walks, as well as a variety of special events.

Is Sibbald Point Provincial Park Accessible?

Just like the majority of Ontario Parks, the amenities are fully accessible.

You will find barrier-free washroom stalls and shower stalls at all the comfort stations located in the campground.

The museum was also barrier-free, as was the park store.

Sibbald Point Park - Handicapped Parking spot at the registration office

What I did not notice, however, is if any particular campsites were marked specifically as being accessible.

Are Pets Allowed at Sibbald Point?

Pets are allowed in the campsites at Sibbald Point. They are also allowed on all the campsite roads.

Like Pinery Provincial Park, Sibbald Point even has two beach areas where dogs are allowed. One can be found at the northernmost point of the park, near the boat launch.

Point Farms Provincial Park - Guinness the dog in the water

The second can be found at the eastern point of the beach by the day-use area. The on-leash pet area is separated from the regular beach by a long stone jetty.

Is There Winter Camping at Sibbald Point?

Unfortunately, the Sibbald Point Campground is not open for winter camping.

As we mentioned previously, you can only book a campsite from early May until mid-October.

However, the park itself is open all year long. This means you can head over to Siballd Point for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The main park road and a parking lot are kept open for winter visitors.

Sibbald Point Provincial Park – FAQs

How many campsites are there in Sibbald Point?

There are 604 campsites at Sibbald Point. Of these campsites, 284 are electrical and 296 are radio-free zone sites.

Sibbald Point Park - Nellie the Teardrop Trailer in the campsite

How much is a day pass at Sibbald Point Provincial Park?

Day use is $21.00 per vehicle or $125.00 for buses. Keep in mind that you still need to book your permit in advance to guarantee access.

Does Sibbald Point have bears?

No. The chances of seeing any bears (or even moose for that matter) are pretty much non-existent. The raccoons on the other hand are very present!

Sibbald Point Park - Steak Dinner at our campsite

Is alcohol allowed at Sibbald Point?

Yes. If you are 19 years of age or older, you are allowed to possess or consume liquor (beer, wine, spirits) only on a registered campsite.

Our Park Rating

We give this park 3 out of 5 stars for having:

Private Campsites
Great Amenities
Large Day Use Area
Extremely Busy on Summer Weekends
Available Hiking Trails

Final Thoughts

Sibbald Point Provincial Park is one of our favourite places to camp with our Teardrop Trailer. We had an absolutely memorable experience with our family at his park.

From gorgeous campsites to a fabulous beach, and a great day-use area, you really can’t go wrong.

In fact, there is very little that we don’t like about this park.

Hopefully, we have made a convincing case for you to give Sibbald Point a chance on your next camping adventure!